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Programmable calculatorsCalculator Selection Guide
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As compiled by: Ron Ross

Date: 11/18/2003

First, I want to thank Viktor Toth for this great site, 2nd I want to thank him for posting my calculator reviews.

This is my fourth edition of these calculator reviews. It is appropriate for North American users as some calculators are for sale in Europe and the Far East that are not available here in the US. I divided these reports into three sections: small pocket sized calculators, graphics, and business calculators. I arranged their order from weakest, least functions to more features and programmability. The basic model codes of these calculators may change from time to time but these descriptors usually only reflect minor changes (especially with the Casio and Sharp lines). These lists will be probably dated almost as soon as it is re-posted. However it should still be useful as a rough guide as to which calculator you should buy or consider. HP has reappeared and has delivered on it promise of a great new calculator for the fall of 2003. However Hp’s availability is scarce and not readily available via retail, though this may change if large chain stores again stock their calculators.

Graphing Calculators:

Today graphing calculators offer an EOS (equation operating system) system of algebraic entry and RPN (Reverse Polish Notation or more accurately RPL). EOS, DAL (Direct Algebraic Logic by Sharp) and VPAM (by Casio, Visually Perfect Algebraic Method) are all extremely similar and may even be knockoffs of the original Sharp’s DAL. Graphics calculators all now offer this type of entry. If you just want to replace an older calculator and have used AOS in the past, you may be annoyed by the extra keystrokes needed for relatively simple operations. There is also RPN, which is offered on Hewlett Packard’s high end calculators as a selectable feature.

The table below excludes many common lists of scientific functions. This includes trig functions (sin, cos, etc), x^2 and square root, 1/x, logs, natural logs, e^x and 10^x, so that I will not provide any repetition or clutter on the tables. If you do not see the function, it is either common to all, or less likely, offered on none.

I list them in what I consider the fewest features to the most features out of the box. Some of the higher end calculators can be expanded and software added to make them move higher up on the list comparable to much higher end calculators. All present TI graphics are able to interface into CBL (Calculator Based Laboratory), which is a neat feature and with the addition of a clock on the Ti89, would allow for budget priced data acquisition. Other brands also have equivalent products, but not in the same price range or availability. Much of my own opinions will creep into the reviews as well. I tend to be forgiving to a low retail priced calculator and harsh on a high priced unit, though you do generally get what you pay for. Therefore, some of my comments may seem overly kind, some overly critical, but keep in mind the retail cost of the calculator I am reviewing as well. I expect a lot for $150, I don’t expect nearly as much for $50. My standards and comparisons are based upon the Ti-83+. I do this because the Ti-83 series is the standard in education. Most books now include examples using a Ti-83. Other calculators are similar, but to follow along in the text can be difficult unless you have a Ti-83 or are very comfortable with your existing calculator. If you have an inferior calculator, you will not be able to keep up without considerable foreknowledge of the subject and make adjustments. If you have a superior calculator, you will have to know the equivalent functions. Some of the superior calculators are inferior to the Ti-83 series in statistics functions (indeed, the Ti-83 has few equals in this area).

A quick word on CAS (usually means Calculator Algebra System). This is a new feature that is now built in on the higher end calculators. This feature allows a calculator to solve for and isolate unknown variables, differentiate and integrate symbolically as well. The answer can be returned as simplified or expanded values that eliminate the need to actually understand algebra. Basically a student with this type of calculator could take math courses up to and including calculus without having any real understanding of the material and passing with a good grade. That is why these calculators are often banned at the high school and lower college level. Four calculators that have CAS as a standard feature are, the Casio FX2.0, Hp48GII, Ti-89, and the Hp49G+.

The first graphics I will list is the Hp9G because of its specs (retail $39-). All information reveals a no frills graphics with plenty of functions for general use. However, the Hp9G comes with no real RAM other than enough for some down and dirty programming. The graphics screen is half the size of the display and is not nearly as large as any other graphics now available. A student looking for a cheap graphics shouldn’t consider this, but consider a Casio, listed next, or just buy a Ti. For a professional, interested in a simple portable programmable, this might be enough. Also, this calculator’s numerous features and small size make it a nice all around calculator for general use. If you do need a powerful graphics calculator though, this is too new on the market to have any third party support and probably never will. This is because there is no I/O and keyboard entry is all that is available. A note to general Hp users: this is an algebraic unit, not RPN. Actually, aside from the added graphics, this calculator would substitute well for the discontinued programmable Scientifics such as an Hp20s, Ti 68, or Casio’s 4000 or 6300 series.

The Casio 7400G or 7450G are great low priced graphics ($40.00) at department stores. No, they are not as powerful as most of the graphics available and offer low amounts of RAM (8 K or 20K), but are cheap in cost, well made, and graph functions. These calculators offers a lot for a low cost and are certainly a much better buy than the Hp9G or the higher priced TI-73 (even though the TI-73 has much more RAM) unless you want to make use of a CBL. This would be adequate for an elementary algebra class or entry level statistics. If you plan on going further, it would also work, but you would be better served with a Ti-83.

The TI-73 is a basic graphics calculator, but since it offers flash ROM there is always the faint possibility that it could be upgraded. The TI-73 has replaced the TI-80. It is aimed at the junior high school market and is useful for the study of algebra and trigonometry. It is a good calculator for its intended audience and has units conversions which are lacking on the Ti 83 (which can be very useful if needed). Keep in mind that it probably does not have enough functions for higher math users. At its relatively high price, for $10 more you could buy a Ti83+ and have a more capable calculator that is a hundred times more popular and have much better support and software available to you. Because of this, there is almost no real third party software available for this calculator.

Sharp’s EL-9600c is an okay graphics calculator with the unique pen touch LCD (you can enter menu’s with a touch pen or quickly zoom in on selected areas of a graph). This allows you to navigate through the screen and some people like this feature. It is a unique selling feature. It does have a diverse amount of functions including TVM and decent statistics and could easily work as a business or statistical calculator. Sharp is not as good a programming platform as the TI line. The EL-9600’s calculating power is adequate but its software base is almost non-existent. While the calculator spec’s show 32K of RAM, only a little over 20K is actually available. All this adds up to a poorly supported calculator for outside programs and software. Again, this calculator would be fine for most entry level college math or statistics courses, but you need to read the manual, where with a Ti-83 you could probably follow along in the text (most textbooks use a Ti-83 for their examples) or class.

Sharp has also introduced a new EL9900c which is a two faced calculator (no, not a metaphor). The keypad can be reversed to provide two types of calculators, a lower end simplified graphics and a higher end model to place it here in this area. The lower end faceplate would be on par with the Ti-73 series. While some of its specs would place it higher in this lineup, there is no real software or hardware base to support it. Again, this would be an adequate calculator, but if you want outside support and help, you would be better served by the Ti series.

The TI-83+ or Ti-83SE is now the standard calculator for education and this is TI’s main seller. This calculator keeps TI on top. It is a great calculator for education. If you have used a TI-82 and want to buy a graphics calculator, this calculator is so similar that you should give it serious consideration. The original Ti-83 should be passed over for the + or SE version, unless the price is right ie really cheap and you only need the features of the calculator only. While it offers exactly the same functions, it only has 28K RAM available and no extra Flash RAM for archive and storage. This line of calculators has numerous programs available and the plain 83 cannot run any of the more elaborate programs that make use of the additional memory. The TI-83+ offers more RAM than the 82 series and has TVM and Flash ROM, which is not offered at all with the older line. The Flash ROM allows applications to be loaded into permanent memory which makes this a very versatile learning tool. The statistics functions that are offered out of the box, by this calculator are not outclassed by any calculator, at any price. Most of the functions can be downloaded for the other calculators listed, but out of the box and ready to use make this calculator attractive to buyers who want something now and don’t want to bother to load applications. It doesn’t offer Boolean conversions, nor do any of the lower end TI graphics.

TI now offers a Silver edition of the TI-83 called the Ti-83SE. The new Silver edition has many new features: 15MHz CPU, 1.5 Meg of Flash Rom which make it the fastest calculator offered by Ti. The TI-83 Silver offers more RAM than the 83+ series and has more Flash ROM. Although it is priced about $20 higher than the Ti-83+, it has always come with a serial cable to connect it to a PC. This cable sells for $20 if bought separately, effectively making the Ti-83SE a much better buy. It still doesn’t offer Boolean or unit conversions! Since it does have such a huge amount of ROM available, programs galore can be stored on board. If you are a student and are required to buy a TI-83, this would be the one to buy. As a statistics or business major, this calculator should also be considered. CellSheet (an Excel compatible spreadsheet) software is available which would make this even more attractive to someone who uses Excel. Depending upon how well integrated this system is, this could be a very powerful analytical tool. The Organizer and Periodic Table will also be useful, but these features are also available on the higher end calculators listed below in one form or another. The TI-83 cannot directly access the huge amount of its RAM directly but is limited by TI to 24K. This is plenty for the average user. Do not misunderstand this placement. This is a good calculator, it is just that the ones that follow offer more in the way of features and functions that this calculator does not or cannot offer (this is often due to marketing or fear of robbing from sales of higher end calculators. Also certain features ie CAS would get this calculator banned from its intended audience).

The TI-83 calculator offers even the most advanced calculator users 95% of what they would need (even if they have to resort to programming), but that last 5% is sorely missed (some functions are just beyond this calculator with normal programming skills). This calculator could take any student through any four year engineering degree, but the rest that follow, could and would be better. However, since most teachers use a TI-83, your following along in a classroom might indeed be better with this calculator. If you enjoy reading manuals and learning hardware, you might consider some of the following.

I have three problems with the Ti-83, 1st the lack of HEX, BIN, Dec conversions. 2nd , units conversions are not provided with this calculator. 3rd is the restriction to single letter variable names (27 letters). The first is awfully nice for an electronics class and the second comes in useful for all types of real world applications. Without them, this is just a calculator to crunch numbers, but not a tool for my desk. Both of these features can be downloaded onto a calculator, but as all know, occasionally, you will lose programs (and this always happens at the worst time). The 3rd restriction is actually a plus for this calculator’s intended audience so that at the High School level, no confusion with algebraic manipulation is possible. The 27 variable limit is a common feature or shortcoming in nearly all of the lower end graphics calculators, and is a rule of thumb guide to how powerful the calculator really is. If you can have descriptive variable names (not single letters), you are bound to have more features.

The Casio CFX-9850PLUS (28K RAM) or CFX-9950PLUS (60K RAM) color graphics allows you to see and differentiate three separate colors of graphs. These are newly repackaged models with more curvature on the cases and new colors. The color screen is a nice feature to demonstrate different function behavior and is the only reason this calculator edged out the TI-83. Their actual programming features are not as good.

Another recent release is a Casio FX 1.0. It has more memory (144K) and Flash ROM (768K), but it lacks a color screen that is standard on the earlier Casio’s. Aside from the possibility of more available programs since it now has more memory, this calculator offers nothing extra over the two preceding Casio’s. In reality, it is a Casio FX2.0 with the CAS removed.

The Hp39/40G is an amazing calculator for the price (retail $89 and not yet available at time of posting, my comments are based upon Hp49G+ hardware and the older Hp39/40G). I keep them together since they are nearly identical. The large amount of RAM is all directly accessible. Both are algebraic only (no RPN selection feature) calculators which is another marketing blunder in my opinion (so as to not rob 48 or 49 sales). The 39G can do some symbolics out of the box and the CAS on the 40G is really amazing. Why? In this calculator, you do not have to worry about Flags or other settings to use the CAS. The Equation Writer (which is activated by the CAS) is simple and straightforward, and is WYSIWYG . Step by Step solutions are possible although sometimes not the same as a textbook would use (my experience is >75% of the time it is). The functions available and the programming are very well integrated. This series calculator was meant to challenge the Ti-83 series head to head. It is a superior calculator in most every category. But it is also limited in the very same areas as well. Only single character names, no HEX, DEC, BIN conversions, and no units conversions, no 3D. In fact there are some areas where it is superior to the Ti-89, however in most areas it is not. But for the features and capabilities in math for its price, it cannot be touched. If I were placing the 40G only, it would go before the 48GII (Same CAS and it is actually faster and has twice the RAM). However, specs do not indicate an upgradeable ROM, which could lead to permanent problems that cannot be eliminated with any upgrades via Flash technology.

The TI-86 is an upgraded TI-85 with 4 times as much Ram (128K, 96K available to user), newer keyboard layout/case and some extra graphing functionality. It doesn’t offer flash technology, but allows full name (8 character anyway, with both upper AND lower case, something the 89 doesn’t do) variables which is a big improvement over single letter variables offered by the TI-83, Sharp, Casio, and the lower end calculators. This calculator has many avid followers and deserves its following. It does lack a CAS (calculator algebra system) but this is not allowed on many standard tests or most math courses anyway. This is the best algebraic graphics calculator with out CAS available. Keep in mind that this calculator was Ti’s answer the original Hp48G series. It is designed for the advanced math user who did not want an RPN Hp48 and before CAS became available.

The Casio FX2.0 and newly released FX2.0+ are the lowest priced CAS calculators available. The FX2.0+ merely has a few extra preloaded applications, otherwise it is still the same FX2.0. It is priced the same as TI-83 and is certainly feature wise much more powerful due to its CAS. And though programming is considered a weakness for the Casio line, the FX 2.0 has more available to the user (144K vs 24K) than a Ti-83. However only the CAS capability allows it to be grouped this far down with Hp or TI. It does not offer the functionality or capability of the Ti 89 or the Hp48/49. It is however 50% of the price of the TI 89 or Hp 49. Most people never ever use these calculators to their potential and the straightforward ease of use of this calculator can easily justify buying it. This calculator could have been a real contender with TI or HP, but the software is not nearly as mature and therefore cannot be customized to handle the same types of problems that the TIs or HPs routinely handle at higher math levels. In fact, third party software is non-existent for this calculator at the moment, unless YOU BUY ONE!!! And post! Something to consider??? (my observation as of 11/17/03)

The next step up in calculator power is the new and completely redesigned HP48GII series calculator. It really should be called an Hp49G- (minus) as it is NOT related to or an upgrade of the Hp48G series family AT ALL! This is the 49G+ without the Flash ROM, memory, or SD memory expansion slot and a half speed CPU. It doesn’t even come with USB or standard RS-232 (it is serial that will work with a computers RS232, but it needs device power to work, so it cannot function as a controller anymore). Since it doesn’t have flash rom, no upgrades to fix any existing bugs are possible (Hp already paid for this mistake upon initial release as the first units had the same battery drain bug). Without flash technology, I could not put this calculator above a Ti-89. However, today, it is a better calculator in power and features. But the Ti 89 can change and evolve, the 48GII cannot. The 48GII no longer comes with a built in equation library, but still has an equation writer. The equation writer is very useful. The 48G series still offers RPN. This is an operating system that is more efficient and better to use with the stack than an algebraic system. However many students don’t want to bother to learn a new system and some people never get used to or feel comfortable with RPN. This is both a blessing and a curse for the RPN calculator. However, Hp has made their new calculators RPN/Algebraic selectable with algebraic as the default upon reset or initial power up. Why Hp even makes this 48GII is a mystery to me. It is merely a lower end 49 with out Flash ROM or RAM expansion? The new 48GII is crippled with only 128K ram available, slower clock speed (1/2 the 39/49 series) and new keyboard layout that is essentially a 49 keyboard (no large enter key). Why buy this? It won’t be allowed anywhere a 49 isn’t, and new (uniformed) users will probably buy the 39G (however this calculator is only algebraic and only has 27 Variables available) since it is twice as fast and has twice as much RAM. This calculator will probably suffer the same fate as the Ti86 in the Ti line, too powerful for High School, but not powerful enough for the High End user.

The best Ti’s available are the TI-89/Voyage 200 series calculators. The TI-89/Voyage 200 series offers so much. These calculators have large amounts of RAM, Flash ROM, CAS, multitudes of functions. The TI-89 and Voyage are the same calculator aside from the enclosure, the Geometry application pac and extra Flash ROM that is included with the Voyage 200. The geometry pac can be downloaded to the TI-89 if needed. This pair also uses a Motorola 68000 based processor at 12 MHz. This is a very powerful and fast system that gives very quick answers to most problems. The TI line CAS is based upon Derive software that is also available for your PC and was a huge academic favorite due to its low cost and ease of use to the academic student world. For symbolic integration, the Ti uses a very thorough lookup table based system, which Hp does not. This allows for fast answers to standard textbook type problems. Most students appreciate this as the answer will usually agree with the textbooks. This is a great calculator line and you will be happy with either calculator. I prefer and would recommend the Ti89 over the Voyage 200 due to the smaller size and portability of the 89 and it is not banned by as many exams as the Voyage 200. One example where the Voyage 200 is banned but the 89 is not is the SAT. However many favor the larger screen and key layout of the Voyage 200. If you keep you calculator on your own desk and don’t like shift keys to enter alpha characters (who does?), this is an excellent choice.

Well Hp’s new 49GII came back to reclaim the crown, and it did so with an amazing new king of the hill. This calculator is a big step over the Ti-89/Voyage 200 series from Ti. No, I don’t feel it will bury the Ti, as Ti has established itself as the dominant calculator manufacturer and the Ti-89 established itself as a reliable and mature product. The Ti-89 is fast enough and good enough for 99 % (probably 100% of everyone’s needs if it came with an RPN option, because at this level, you probably also need a math package for your computer to really tackle the tough stuff) of anyone’s needs. However compared side by side with the new Hp 49G+, it gets blown away. Hp’s new processor eliminates nearly all the criticism of the earlier Hp49G’s speed (no calculator can match a dedicated work station in complexity, power, or speed). The new keyboard is a big improvement (but it still isn’t as good as the older Hp48 series keyboard) that brings it nearly on par with Ti’s keyboards (imagine that, Ti keyboards considered the best??). While Hp dropped this bomb on Ti, it MISSED! The Hp’s did not make the 2003 school year to rob large sales from Ti. If fact Ti will have 6-9 months to close the gap and respond before the 2004 school year to stifle this new upstart (or they may not). The expansion RAM is a great addition, even though, I suspect only a small portion of people will ever need or use it. What makes this a better calculator than a Ti? At this level, it is a geek thing pure and simple, both calculators provide 10 times more functions than the average user will need. But a power user will appreciate the better file system of the Hp vs Ti. Programming in RPL is not quite as straight forward as basic (to the new user), but once learned is actually much more direct and powerful. Larger available RAM and all is directly accessible, while Ti has restrictions on their RAM. Hp has over twice as many functions included, a few examples are Laplace and Fourier transforms. It should now be two-three times faster than the Ti-89 for most calculations. However for symbolic integration, the Ti uses a very thorough lookup table based system, which the Hp does not. This allows for a fast response for standard pat answers. However, real world problems often have no pretty answers and that is why the Hp uses a slower algorithm approach; not nearly as pretty, slower, but often more effective. Its CAS is better and no real need to upgraded (the latest version is ROM 1.22 and should be installed) as in the past (Hp49G’s were shipped with obsolete OS right from the factory).

My own suggestions:

First check how good the solver is implemented by the calculator. This is one of the most beneficial features a calculator can offer. It allows you to check multiple, "what if" conditions.

If you are a business major consider the Ti-83 or the Ti-89. Both have lots of functions, and most importantly, are loaded with statistics and business functions (or can be downloaded with damn good apps right from Ti). Most textbooks use the Ti-83 for textbook examples and some higher courses (calculus based) may use the Ti-89.

If you are a science or engineering major, you will undoubtedly need or use lots of conversions as well as sophisticated number crunching. While CAS is nice to prove a point or show steps, often you are just interested in the answer. As such, you need a calculator that has lots of functions and units conversions. Long variable names to use so that you can provide descriptive labels in your programs are also a definite plus. CAS is just icing on the cake. As such, I suggest the following: Ti-86 (doesn’t have CAS), Hp48GII, Ti-89, or Hp49G+. You could certainly buy any other, but these four would give you a much easier time in your studies with their available features. Below are charts with calculator models across the top and the features listed on the left. I have researched these features, but I not an authority on any specific model and there could certainly be errors in this table.

Calculator Model > Hp9G FX-7400 Ti-73 EL-9600c EL-9900
Functions          
Entry System EOS EOS EOS EOS EOS
Display Mixed        
Units Conversion Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Physics Const. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
%, delta % Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comb, Perm Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fraction<>Dec Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HMS<>Hrs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ANOVA, advncd stats No No No Yes Yes
TVM No No No Yes Yes
Hyp Trig Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HEX, DEC, BIN conv. Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Logic ie And, Not Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rect>Polar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Complex Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cylindrical No No No No No
Spherical No No No No No
Graphics Functions 2D 2D 2D 2D 2D
Solver Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Programmable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Variables 26 26 27 27 27
Direct Memory (RAM) 0.4 K 8K 24K 20K 64K
Flash-Storage-RAM/ROM   128K    
CAS No No No No No
PC Communication No No Yes Yes Yes
Linear Regression Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Curve Fit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Unique features None None Flash Mem Touch Screen Reversable Faceplate
           
           
Calculator Model > Ti-83+/ SE FX-9850G HP 39G Ti-86 FX-1.0
Functions          
Entry System EOS EOS EOS EOS EOS
Display          
Units Conversion No Yes No Yes Yes
Physics Const. No Yes No Yes Yes
%, delta % No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comb, Perm Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fraction<>Dec Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HMS<>Hrs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ANOVA, advncd stats Yes Yes Yes No No
TVM Yes No No No No
Hyp Trig Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HEX, DEC, BIN conv. No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Logic ie And, Not Yes * Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rect>Polar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Complex Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cylindrical No No No No No
Spherical No No No No No
Graphics Functions 2D 2D 2D 2D 2D
Solver Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Programmable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Variables 27 27 27 Unlimited 27
Direct Memory (RAM) 24K 32K 240K 128K 144K
Flash-Storage-RAM/ROM 128k/1 Meg       768K
CAS No No Some No No
PC Communication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Linear Regression Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Curve Fit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Unique features Flash Mem None IR / USB None None
           
           
Calculator Model > Hp 48GII FX 2.0 Ti-89 Voyage 200 HP 49G+
Functions          
Entry System RPN / EOS EOS EOS EOS RPN / EOS
Display          
Units Conversion Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Physics Const. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
%, delta % Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comb, Perm Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fraction<>Dec Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HMS<>Hrs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ANOVA, advncd stats Yes No Yes Yes Yes
TVM Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Hyp Trig Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HEX, DEC, BIN conv. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Logic ie And, Not Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rect>Polar Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Complex Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cylindrical Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Spherical Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Graphics Functions 3D 2D 3D 3D 3D
Solver Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Programmable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Variables Unlimited 27 Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Direct Memory (RAM) 128 K 144K 188K 188K 128 K
Flash-Storage-RAM/ROM   768K 702K 3 Meg 800K+SD RAM
CAS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
PC Communication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Linear Regression Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Curve Fit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Unique features IR and serial port None Upgradable Flash OS Qwerty Keyboard SD memory Cards(64MB)
  Not a real RS232 port   Calc to Calc cable included  

 

Final Comments:

My own recommendation would be to purchase towards the higher end in calculators. I own many of the calculators listed above and feel that most any one of them can be adapted and used for nearly any job! If you just need a calculator to graph functions or customize to a particular task all will work. However for a specific graphics for the average student (something to follow along with the texts, teacher, and classroom examples), I would suggest a Ti-83SE for almost everyone. It is the most used for examples in all texts. If you are an engineering or physics student in college or plan to pursue engineering or physics, you should consider a Ti 86 or above (something with more than 27 variable names). As an engineering student you will have numerous courses that require units conversions and higher end math. There are lots of obscure functions that aren’t used often on the higher end machines, but they are great to have when you do vs. having to ad hoc something on a calculator that was purposely crippled or simplified (The Ti-83 is a classic example). A great example is single letter variables used by the lower end calculators. This is to make algebraic manipulation of equations used by the calculator very easy, but it also makes them difficult to use after one or two semesters of serious number crunching (multitudes of equations and only a few variables to use and distinguish from). One last point to make is that some calculators such as the TI-83 are designed to teach you math. As such, these calculators do not attempt to lay out their menu systems for efficient use, but rather to show or teach you math functions. These calculators are very capable, just awkward compared to some of the higher end machines. Less informed people may argue the opposite: that the high end models deviate away from standard notation and therefore are more difficult to learn to use. There is certainly much more to learn with a higher end graphics, and the Ti-83 is designed to bridge the gap between overly complex and usable for the student.

I would like to thank the following people (in alphabetical order) for their information they have made available either through their own websites or answers to questions to either myself or others on various calculator support groups. There are more that I did not list (almost everyone who has an English based calculator website), and to those I apologize.

Thanks:

Doug Burkett http://www.geocities.com/ti_tiplist/
Dave Hicks http://www.hpmuseum.org/
Ray Kramer http://tifaq.calc.org/
Bernard Parisse http://www-fourier.ujf-grenoble.fr/~parisse/english.html
Roberto Perez-Franco http://www.perez-franco.i.am/
John David Ratliff http://www.hp49g.cjb.net/
Rick Rechlin http://www.hpcalc.org/
Viktor Toth http://www.rskey.org/
Jean-Yves Avenard http://etud.epita.fr:8000/~avenar_j/hp/39.html
Gene Wright http://www.rskey.org/gene/
Hewlett Packard http://www.hp.com/calculators/
Texas Instuments http://www-s.ti.com/cgi-bin/discuss/