Just picked up an HP 35s, haven't opened it yet as I've decided to do some more research into better technical calculators. Not looking for a fisher-price style TI graphing calculator. From what I read most people are wholly satisfied with the 35s, but before I preclude myself from returning it by opening the package I just wanted to know if anyone else has a model they swear by

1/13/2011 11:59:06 PM

HP 50g

I realize that's a graphing calculator too, but it's also the most bad-ass scientific calculator ever

1/14/2011 1:46:33 AM

^ No, the HP-48gx is.

1/14/2011 7:32:20 AM

I still use my TI-83+ daily.

1/14/2011 8:02:17 AM

TI-89 ftmfw

1/14/2011 8:03:35 AM

TI-89 ftmfw

still use mine daily in work; never getting rid of this thing

[Edited on January 14, 2011 at 8:50 AM. Reason : .]

1/14/2011 8:50:00 AM

I had an 86 that I left at my last company but I have an 89 now

1/14/2011 9:43:22 AM

ti89

1/14/2011 12:39:02 PM

HP-48g.

Although, the 50 does symbolic calculus, nice for tests.

1/14/2011 1:57:27 PM

ti-89

1/14/2011 2:02:31 PM

TI-89 ftmfw

1/14/2011 2:09:27 PM

yea so what the hell is wrong with a ti-89

1/14/2011 2:11:51 PM

structural engineer here

TI 89 titanium FTMFW

1/14/2011 2:30:41 PM

i <3 my ti-89.

1/14/2011 2:37:53 PM

actually, i should clarify:

Quote :

"TI 89 titanium FTMFW"

1/14/2011 2:56:26 PM

^That's actually what I have, so I agree.

1/14/2011 4:58:11 PM

i really like my TI-89. i keep it in my desk drawer at work.

however, for basic quick little stuff, i keep my TI-30X IIS out on my desk

1/14/2011 5:36:59 PM

calc.exe

1/14/2011 5:42:15 PM

wolfram alpha

barring that matlab

barring that ti-89

1/14/2011 5:45:59 PM

ti-89

1/14/2011 6:00:54 PM

Okay maybe I should revise this to say calculators allowed on the FE

1/14/2011 9:03:07 PM

In that case, TI-30X IIS. If you need anything more you're doing it wrong.

1/14/2011 10:03:01 PM

TI-89 Titanium FTMFW

1/14/2011 10:33:55 PM

I used the TI-89 in college and now use the TI-30XS at work since that is all that they allow on the PE exam.

1/15/2011 3:05:04 PM

i use the casio from when i took the FE. for hydrography i use my ti-89 because i have all of the tedious formulas already programmed in.

1/15/2011 3:06:57 PM

Quote :

"^ No, the HP-48gx is. "

My HP 50G runs circles around my HP-48GX.

1/15/2011 4:21:39 PM

TI-89

1/15/2011 5:25:03 PM

89

1/15/2011 6:51:42 PM

As someone who hasn't needed to use a calculator (at least not for anything major) for over 10 years, I'm amazed that the one still getting the recommendations is the same one I bought 12 years ago. OK, so it looks like it's an ever so slightly newer version, but at it's heart, it's the same thing. Hell, from a technological standpoint, it's not much different from the TI-82 I had 16 years ago.

What amazes me even more is that in all those years, the price doesn't seem to have fallen much, if any, at all. For only a couple more bucks over the price of a new TI-89, you could buy a new iPod Touch with internet connectivity, a 4 inch full color touch screen, 1Ghz processor, 2 cameras, etc. Of course I'm not suggesting that if you're in the market for a calculator, you'd be better off buying an iPod. I'm sure that the feature set of a calculator like that is kept minimal for a good reason.

I'm just really surprised that the price has been able to stay so high and yet so many people still recommend it. I would think there would have to be tons of clones, knock-offs, or just plain competitors that could put out a nearly identical product for 10% of the price. Good for TI for being able to have that game on lockdown, I guess.

1/15/2011 7:29:19 PM

it was no accident, TI did a good job infiltrating math education so that their products were used in the classroom. I would bet that most of the people using the TI-89 have used TI since middle school and have never tried a high-end HP

1/15/2011 7:39:10 PM

TI calculators are so expensive because they're the only ones permitted on ETS exams like SAT and AP

1/15/2011 9:19:44 PM

you don't have to use a TI for either of those, any kind is ok as long as it meets certain criteria. I remember the AP exams even give you a list of allowable calculators that includes other makes.

1/15/2011 10:06:06 PM

4^ I concur... kind of strange that old ass technology with no large improvements in processes or hardware can stay so expensive. gg, TI, indeed.

1/16/2011 4:56:11 PM

TI89

/thread

1/16/2011 10:18:41 PM

Get one of the HP ones that they allow for the FE exam. Don't get a TI-89, you won't be able to use it and the sooner you lose your dependency on it the better.

Outside of goofing off with them in high school, they're pointless.

1/16/2011 10:54:48 PM

TI-89 -- I remember it was a big deal when they did something like move from an 8mhz processor to a 10mhz one.

WTF. Just make one for the ipod.

Kids desperate to get into college will pay any amount of money.

1/17/2011 1:18:46 AM

I like the Casio calculator that is on the FE calculator list. I'm probably biased though because I have had it since HS so I just became used to it and then was pleasantly surprised to find out it is one of the FE approved calculators. I have had it for ~10 years and it still works to this day (also solar power so I've never had to put a battery in it).



[Edited on January 17, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Reason : Actually I think I did have to put a battery in it once when the display got dim, several years ago]

1/17/2011 8:44:51 AM

Quote :

"WTF. Just make one for the ipod."

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rk-89-symbolic-graphing-calculator/id340142526?mt=8

1/17/2011 10:14:51 AM

Quote :

"TI did a good job infiltrating math education so that their products were used in the classroom. I would bet that most of the people using the TI-89 have used TI since middle school and have never tried a high-end HP "

I was forced to use a TI for high school calculus, even though I owned an HP-48. I've never considered a TI calculator to be anything other than overpriced garbage. Whenever we hire a new engineer at our company, we convince them to stop using TI calculators and switch to HP with their first paycheck. No one regrets it.

1/17/2011 11:08:07 AM

^^^ +1

1/17/2011 4:07:55 PM

if a ti89 can't do what you need, maple/matlab/python/R (read: software) is a better choice than a calculator.

1/17/2011 5:01:03 PM

you guys are fucking serious about these calculators, huh?

1/17/2011 11:05:05 PM

Here are some emulators for android. They cost $free.fiddy


http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/01/17/nostalgic-and-awesome-fully-working-ti-83-ti-85-and-ti-86-android-emulators-hit-the-market/

1/18/2011 9:22:50 AM