Click here for more information Before I bought a TI-89 Titanium, I had used a TI-83 Plus for four years. After taking calculus and learning about limits, derivatives, integrals, infinite series, Taylor series, differential equations, and multivariable functions, I decided that I would look for a calculator which was capable of symbolic computation. After analyzing my options, I decided on a TI-89 Titanium. The TI-89 Titanium is able to expand polynomials, factor polynomials, and do all of the calculus techniques that I mentioned -- symbolically and numerically. One of the other things I found helpful was the TI-89 Titanium's ability to plot direction fields using different algorithms (including Euler's method). One of the nicer things about this model (compared to the TI-89) is that it has USB connectivity (cord included) for installing applications and transferring data. Another nice thing is that it also supports connectivity to older model TI-89s via the old I/O port which is right next to the USB connector. I also found the "exact mode" very useful (exact mode will give you exact answers rather than decimal approximations). Yet, the most useful feature of this calculator is probably the "pretty print" feature which displays expressions as you would normally write them on paper. This feature allows you to easily see the expression that you typed in. All these features plus copy and paste ability make this calculator nearly perfect. My only complaint is that the cover does not initially slide on and off easily. However, I'm sure that with more use it will wear in. Overall this is a great calculator -- I recommend it Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator
After using a TI-83 Plus calculator for the last 5 years, I decided to upgrade to the TI-89 Titanium. This calculator is unbelievable in its features and power. First of all, it is more suited for advanced math, such as calculus and beyond. This calculator is NOT meant for high schoolers who are taking algebra, geometry or trig classes. If you don't know what a derivative or an integral is, then save your money and buy a TI-84 instead. (Besides, I believe most high school math teachers ban the TI-89 on tests) This calculator can also run programs in its Flash memory, which can be downloaded from the TI website. A USB cable is included standard. TI has made the newly designed sliding cover much more secure than the old TI design (TI-83 plus, TI-86, TI-89 regular), whose sliding cover was not very secure and became looser over continued use. The cover is very hard to get off the first few times (I was almost afraid of breaking it off), but over time it has gotten easier. Switching over from the TI-83, the only problem I've encountered is the operation of this calculator is very different from the 83. The menus are different, the interface different, different buttons. It takes a while to get used to.
This is the most powerful scientific calculator in its class.
If you're majoring in Engineering, or plan to major it, then you must get this one (or regular Ti-89)
If you buy anything else for cheaper price, you'll have to spend $150 more to get this later anyway. (like me)
However if your Math class will end up in Calculus or Algebra(i.e. if you're not going to learn Diff. equation or harder), you don't really need this, you will just waste extra $70 for the features that you will never use (or features that aren't allowed to use in exam)
So think logically. It's really cool looking calculator and it got best software/hardware in the world.
But if one is going to use it for simple graphic or solving polynomial equations, then it's really like simulating windows and playing Doom3 on NEC Earth Simulator..
Used Ti-83 will do as good for those..
Pros:
- The display has a Pretty Print option (default), which is very helpful when inputting long formulas.
- Great for Statistics, which is why I bought it in the first place since that is my major in college.
Cons:
- This is important if you are a college student. The math and statistics books all refer to the TI-83 when explaining how to perform the calculations using a calculator. So while the teacher is talking out loud walking the students step by step on how to perform a calculation, you're sitting there with the most powerful calculator in the class and out of luck. Then you have to scramble flipping thru the menu items to match the menu path of the TI-83, AND you're trying to learn the math at the same time. That happened to me in a statistics class and that wasn't fun at all! So be prepared for the inevitable; this is your warning. I recommend you study the upcoming textbook chapter ahead of time and learn how to perform those functions before you get to class.
- PDF files exist to explain the Flash applications loaded on the TI-89 Titanium. Unfortunately they are not easily found on the TI website. To get the PDF's, you have to follow the menu path as if you want to download the application. Then on the web page where you download the application, the PDF is there. TI should have also have placed the PDF in the "Documentation" section of the website. If I had not updated the application, I would not have known the PDF existed. Make sure you download the PDF for the TI-89 Titanium, not the PDF for the TI-89. Some functions are different. For statistics, be sure to download the PDF "Statistics with List Editor Guidebook For TI-89".
General:
- I did the Operating System upgrade, but with a few bumps along the way. For example, I have Windows XP Pro SP2 on my PC and it doesn't recognize the driver when plugging in the USB cable. TI knows this and is part of the calculator-to-PC connection instructions on their website. So you'll have to uninstall the driver and then let Windows search for a driver. Eventually Windows found it but I got a horrific message saying the "Microsoft strongly recommends you backup before installing..." In fact, Windows set a System Restore point before installing the driver. The driver worked but why can't TI certify that driver with Microsoft so that message will not scare the heck out of the average user?
- Make sure you register before beginning the OS upgrade. You need to register to get any of the downloads, so do it as soon as you get the calculator.
- You'll notice that the dates listed in the "About..." menu in some of the Flash applications are almost the same as the dates listed on the TI website. Don't bother to download those because the applications are the same version. Don't know why TI lists a different date on the web page from the date displayed in the "About..." menu in some of the applications.
Hope all this helps,
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