Ask Engadget: what's the best graphing calculator for under $200?
By Darren Murph 
posted July 8th 2010 11:11PM
posted July 8th 2010 11:11PM
We're going to guess this guy's majoring in poetry, but those blasted math courses that "they" make everyone take is driving this need. It's funny to think how slowly graphing calculators have evolved (and how prices have fallen at an even more lethargic pace), but there's just got to be something better out in 2010 than the tried-and-true TI-83. Right? Let the man know in comments below."Hello Engadget. I'm currently scouting a calculator for school. What's the best calculator to buy for around $200 dollars?"
iPod touch!
@hjustin93
Beat me to it. An iPod touch has access to piles of graphing calculator apps available on the store, and does double duty as a PMP when you're not in class.
If you're in the market for a laptop and like Macs, you can get a laptop with an .edu discount and get the Touch for free.
@hjustin93 As others have pointed out, an iPod Touch is not allowed for tests that allow you to use graphing calculators. I would probably get both, but if budgets are tight and it is truly necessary, then I would prefer to get the real thing.
@hjustin93
really?
No offence but that is one of the dumbest ideas that I have heard. Simple reason being examinations are not going to allow iPod touches.
To the OP, you should have provided more details.
If you need a CAS calc then you have 3 options IMO: TI N-spire, TI 89 and Casio Classpad 330 (I use a classpad)
If you are not allowed CAS then the TI 84 would be you best bet.
I'm not sure of American pricing for any of the calculators but have a look at them. WRT CAS the Classpad is a great device although buttons make stuff easier, the N-spire has lots of buttons but functionality (especially multiple manipulations) goes to the Classpad.
@hjustin93
I don't get the point of this question? For my engineering degree we weren't even allowed to use a graphic calculator... All we used was a TI-30X IIS...
ti n-spire
@Vdek
same here, TI-30 MultiView ftw
@hjustin93
I tried that in one of my classes on a test. Almost ended with me failing the course because the Prof thought I was trying to cheat. Bottom line, Its not worth the headache or embarrassment.
The TI N-spire or the TI-89 will do what you need you to.
@Invid
Ah, well. Even if my suggestion isn't helpful, at least I busted my "low ranked" cherry!
@hjustin93 TI-Nspire all the way. I use it for my classes all the time. At this point I don't know how I could live without it for any of them lol!
@Vdek
Where the hell did you go?
VT allows / recommends Ti - 89's for Engineers. The odd part is you use them in virtually every class but the math departments, go figure :-/
TI-89
@vlad786 Definitely. TI actually just released a new calculator with things like a rechargable battery: http://tiwizard.com/ti-releases-new-nspire-graphing-calculator/
@hjustin93
Probably the best would be the TI-89 Titanium
In second would be the TI-92 (the QWERTY version of the TI-89)
Third would go the TI-89 Original.
However, these are usually banned in calc courses because of "pretty print" and the ability to integrate and derive with variables in the equation and answer.
So probably, the TI-84 wins out on practicality.
But the TI-89 Titanium is badass. I've had one since 2004, and have used it religiously in my Math and Business courses (Bio/Math major currently getting my MBA).
AND it has USB connectivity. Beat THAT!
@hjustin93
I'm a physics major, and just finished my 4th term of calculus. Here's the best combination that I've found:
1. For tests, just by a TI-83 for $30 on craigslist. Pros don't use graphing calculators anyway, they use computers. So don't waste your money.
2. Wolfram Alpha does everything I would have ever needed to do with a Ti-89 (read: integrals) and it's free and easy to figure out. Don't waste your money.
But if you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, get an ipod touch and the "pocket cas" app for $5. I use it to solve integrals and do partial fractions, systems of equations, and just about anything else when I'm on the bus with no internet connection.
@nobody2000 The TI-84+, TI-89 Ti, and NSpire all have USB connectivity. In additon, the newest TI-84+ software update has features similar to the pretty print on the 89/NSpire
@Invid
if your graphing calculator costs over $200 then you need to
1. call dr. brown and have him take you back to the 21st century
2. spend your money on a low-end laptop or netbook
I bought a Casio that did more for $50 than the TI's did for $100. If you're willing to take five minutes learning how to use the thing, it's easily worth it. None of my teachers cared that it wasn't a TI, as long as I could figure out how to do whatever it was that they were showing the class how to do. Screen's better, processor's faster, the only thing is that, well, it's not a TI, which just goes to show how overpriced the entrenched TIs are.
@Ruben OMG. Seriously, how can I delete my comment I made? I've gotten like a thousand replies and my phone won't stfu because people won't stop replying, I don't really care! I was just saying that it makes a good calculator for me! So please people, stop replying! I don't even read them. I'm already DRO so who cares?
@hjustin93
Nobody gives a crap whether or not your getting replies because:
A) You crammed in getting first post
B) If you had read, you would of known that this is a suggestion for others, not "Let's share how stupid we are in the comments"
C) There's a checkbox that says "E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment"
Take that OMG and shove it up your...
"Ask Engadget" should really be called "Ask Engadget Readers"
@Jukah
"Take that OMG and shove it up your..."
'"Ask Engadget" should really be called "Ask Engadget Readers"'
Wow.
@nobody2000 I had a Ti-89 plus silver (with usb) stolen from me before my final, i had to do everything by hand and i got a B- only because i ran out of time.
@TareG
In some ways however, it is us geeky commenters that make up the essence of Engadget.
@Cobra4455 Agreed... If you are doing any kind of Calc, the TI-89 will save the day.
@Vdek cause for engineering (mine at least) they don't let you use one since they don't want you to graph it on there, they want you to visualize it, they don't want you to do integrals on it (TI-Nspire) and if its just adding then you can do that in your head :)
@air on
"Ask Engadget apple fanboys"
@hjustin93
guys you are overlooking the hp calculators which are the best engineering calculators on the planet if you can use CAS then hp 50g. man i have mine for years and never looked back plus it can do equations in RPN mode like computers.
Also keep in mind the casio classpad330 its interface is much like an early palm device, almost exact if you ask me.
as for ti, i recommend for high school use but they are more geared toward education and not very pratical for the difficult sitituions you will encounter in college.
@zarq
I second the recommendation of HP's line of calculators. I had a TI-89 and an HP 49G in college, and the HP, although somewhat slower and less pretty, was way better for investigating and learning advanced mathematics. I recommend the HP 50G wholeheartedly as the best graphing calculator currently available. I will admit that a TI-89 is perfectly fine and lots of people will be using it, but if you want the absolute best, go HP!
droid phone on contract deal?
@Baconbits
Well you are an idiot...
I would go with the TI 84 for basic calc or what not. TI 89 and Nspire are not allowed at many Universities until you get in your upper Level courses but honestly, any of these three (if they are allowed) are fantastic.
the Ti-Nspire is the best and nicest graphing calculator that is legal on the SAT's and ACT's. I have one and i love it.
@mansbigbrother
Yep. Same here. TI Nspire CAS, if you want the Calculus version that will last you into college.
Best and easiest to use graphic calculator I've ever used.
@Mike10010100
This one easy to solve 6x6 gaussian matrices?
@mansbigbrother
The TI-84 Plus is also an excellent graphing calculator that'll run nearly $50 cheaper than the Nspire.
@Spartan117458
Yeah, the Nspire is more costly, but well under $200. However, the Nspire has a larger screen, more memory, is WAY faster and allows rechargeable batteries. It also comes with nice computer software.
The Nspire CAS doesn't include compatibility with the 84 or 89. However, I love it still. And yeah, it will do VERY large matrices! :)
@mansbigbrother
Through college i just ended up using MatLab on my laptop.. so much easier to use..Math courses in college you aren't allowed to use a calculator at all. and as for my Engineering Courses, the only help a TI-89 would be better over a TI-30x on exams would be the bigger screen, because you can put longer equations in and it is easier to see. Even in a engineering course like Control Systems, the matrices are easier to by hand then to punch them into a calculator, especially when you only have 50 min to take the exam.
@Spartan117458
An important detail to take note of:
The Ti Nspire comes with an extra keypad that essentially transforms it into a Ti-84 Plus, with exactly the same OS. I own one myself, and after researching it thoroughly this fact was one of the deciding reasons I bought it. Highly recommend the Nspire, it'll last you for a long time.
@Spartan117458
They are two different classes of devices, the 84 is no CAS whereas the Nspire is CAS.
now if you are being examined on a topic where CAS is accepted then you would be crippling yourself using an 84.
You might think a real mathematician uses a computer or some other crap, but you are ot a real mathematician while you are still studying and it is not the best idea to not get the marks you deserve and therefore lower your chances at coming out the best that you can.
$50 saved today can be the difference between the career you want and missing out.
@mansbigbrother
The N-Spire is overrated. It may look pretty and have a lot of capability, but the TI-89 is much more powerful. Good luck doing 3D graphing with the N-Spire. If its for engineering applications, doing anything with complex math or science, definitely go TI-89.
Ti Nspire. Thats my guess.
@SolidSnake
TI-nspire sucks! For a modern calculator, it's an ugly oaf. My entire maths class uses the nspire, except for me. I'm just sitting back there with my 7 year old TI-83 (passed down through the family) without a trouble in the world. Meanwhile, the rest of the class is having problems with software updates, battery life, and usage. And, as I said, I can't believe they managed to design such an horrible brick-like calculator. The TI-83 has a certain integrity and beauty :) So I would say go with its nearest cousin: the TI-89.
@lexitu Why would calculator design factor into how good it is?
Substance, please.
TI-89
@adroitness
That or it's bigger brother the Voyage 200.
@Avaviel
Yep, thats what I had through college!
@adroitness The Ti-89 is the best calculator ever. Get that, and you'll use it forever.
@adroitness +1 I've had mine since 1999, it still works flawlessly.
@adroitness
Indeed, unless you go to a State University or anything above said "quality of education" in which case you're better off never using anything beyond a standard scientific calculator or you'll fail every exam and end up graduating with a general studies degree if you're lucky.
@adroitness I just sold mine on Craigslist for $50. Nearly shed a tear. Buddy of mine just went back to get his Masters EE. He said he's getting by just fine with Wolfram Alpha. That says a lot. Electrical Engineer is not a bullshit around the math type of ordeal.