Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator by Texas Instruments
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Digital camera reviews of Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator
Digital camera Review: 6+ years and still use it everyday.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had mine since pre-algebra and am still using it for differential equations and linear algebra. Although I have a ti-89 I still prefer the 83+ for its ease of use. It's also built to last. I've dropped mine on concrete, tile, and linoleum and it still works as well as the day I bought it. The only thing that has worn off are the rubber pads used to make sure it doesn't slip.
It works perfectly for matrix manipulation, plotting xy graphs (you can use it to help integrate in 3-D if you know what you are doing.) One thing that stands out is that all the buttons you will need are not in some submenu like they are on the 89; instead on the 83+ the most you will need to do to access things like Euler's identities or natural logs is push the 2nd button (akin to alt on a keyboard).
The 89 does beat it in it's ability to draw detailed graphs, graph in 3-D (which the 83+ can't do), integrate (83+ can't do) and some other things. However, if you are taking advanced math classes most instructors will want you to show your work so the 83+ is all you really need.
One thing I do recommend getting for this is a pack of rechargeable batteries like the SANYO eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries. Don't take this to mean that this calculator is a battery hog, in fact I usually go a whole year without recharging them which is great considering I use this thing almost everyday and carry it around everywhere.
Yes you can play simple games and yes you can store equations on this to look at *cough* during a test *cough* but don't think that this is just a glorified 3x5 card.
I would go so far to say that this is my most used electronic item I own. If I ever lost mine I would overnight one from Amazon without hesitation.
Definitely a must for engineers and math majors.
Digital camera Review: A Good Calculator for Algebra and Trig
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a must have for any student in Algebra 1, Algebra 2 or Trig. It's graphing features are great and it helps with many equations.Digital camera Review: A Good Calculator, but with limited scientific applications
Summary: 3 Stars
I find the TI-83 a very good calculator and very useful, but I definitely feel it has its limitations. Our university recommends this calculator to the freshmen, but they fail to mention that this calculator is not the best model to purchase for collegiate science and/or math students. The interface and programming structure is intuitive and very similar to the 82 which was an easier interface, although lacking the scientific functionality, of the TI-85. For basic math functions and high school courses this calculator is excellent, for one does not really encounter much that requires serious calculator power in high school classes. The catalog of available symbols and functions is rather insufficient for programming of scientific apps and math representation, as individual letters other than uppercase letters are unavailable, and very few greek characters can be represented. There is a button on the face dedicated solely to financial applications and business programs, which is helpful for business students, but not any use for science students. Many of the more powerful mathematical functions are hidden within the calculator and difficult to use and find, although it does have them. To me it seems to be just a rehashing of the 70-series TI graphing calculator instead of a newer model. I would seriously recommend that a collegiate science or math student should spend the extra $30-$40 on the much more powerful and useful TI-89, whose operating system is similar to a computer and runs like a handheld version of Mathmatica or some other computer-based math application, and has all of the functionality of the oversized TI-92 with a easier interface.Digital camera Review: A Good Number Cruncher
Summary: 4 Stars
Pros: 1. Very fast processor (83+ Silver Edition is supposed be even faster). 2. Easy to read screen, menus are organized. 3. Applications are available, like getting software for your computer. So no two TI-83 Pluses are the same. 4. Finance (I graduated college in Accounting) and Statistics are available off the bat, and can be used in professional fields that does not involve heavy engineering or calculus.Cons: 1. Only 24,000 bytes of RAM, so programs need to be kept to a minimum. Unfortunately, archived programs can't be run like the 89/92 Plus. 2. Only one-letter variable names allowed. Also only room for 10 strings. 3. No percent nor dollar sign characters. So text you write on the program is limited. 4. Lot of advanced features, in the course of applications, will come within time. Would you have the patience?
Overall: Good for those who are not into heavy programming per se and very good for general purposes, number crunching.
Digital camera Review: A Great Calculator for Middle and High School
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this calculator while taking a Algebra class in middle school, since then I have also used it in Geometry and Algebra II. It is a great calculator! The programming is easily learned and a wide variety of programs are available on the Internet. (Including games to play during boring classes...) I would definitely recommend this calc for any middle school or early high school math classes.