Texas Instruments TI-89 Advanced Graphing Calculator
by Texas Instruments
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Our Price: $249.25 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $49.94 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments TI-89 Advanced Graphing Calculator
Customer Review: powerful, but no supercalculator
Summary: 4 Stars
The TI-89 is a great calculator, don't get me wrong. However, in light of its reputation as the "supercalculator," I cannot give this product a five-star rating.As a high school math team student and three-year owner of the TI-89, I can tell you first hand that when you put in the time to fully learn its capabilities, it can be an awesome tool. Its 10/12 mHz (depending on how new your calculator is) Motorola 68000 processor is to this day unmatched in the world of graphing calculators, and 1 MB is plenty of memory.
The main reason that anybody would buy this calculator, I would assume, is for its computer algebra system, a piece of software based on the Derive engine referred to as the Advanced Mathematics Software. This software is stored in Flash RAM, so it can be upgraded via Internet download using a Mac or Windows PC (of course, you will have to purchase a $25 cable to link the calculator to the computer. I would highly recommend this purchase). While the TI-89's CAS (computer algebra system) certainly puts a sparkle in the eye of any algebra student, being able to symbolically factor and multiply expressions, integrate, differentiate, and so on, it is not quite the greatest thing since sliced bread. The functionality of the 89's CAS, especially when it comes to symbolic integration, can be limited to the more simple, textbook-example types of problems. For example, try integrating (2*x^2+1)*e^(x^2)dx on the 89. It can't do it. In addition, the 89 lacks any kind of sequences and series functionality. These limitations on the CAS would make something like the H49G, with its powerful Erable-based CAS, more appropriate for professional users.
What the 89 lacks in built-in functionality, however, it makes up for in ease-of-use and expandability. One highly recommended (albeit expensive) software package for the TI-89 is the $30 Geometer's Sketchpad, available for download on the TI web site. The free Statistics upgrade is just about the finest statistics package I've seen on any calculator. And although the TI-89 lacks fancy, time-saving features such as the HP49's Reverse Polish Notation entry and Equation Writer, such features have been duplicated by calculator hackers and can be downloaded freely at volunteer sites such as ticalc.org.
The main reason that I refused the five-star rating to the TI-89 was TI's current lack of support for the platform. By this I mean support for those willing to program it, to extend its functionality. As far as I know, assembly entry points, a necessary bit of information needed to program the calculator in its most powerful language, have not yet been published. Programmers have to pay fees to release software apps for the calculator (by apps I mean flash upgrades, different from mere assembly programs). This closed nature of development severely limits the quality of the applications that may be developed for the calculator. Of course, this may change in the future, but for now the HP49 is clearly a better choice for anybody interested in a fully programmable, expandable calculator. Of course, to the average user, such things may have no direct meaning...
For the average student, I would highly recommend the TI-89. One word of advice, though: Use it to check your work, not to do it. I learned the hard way that depending on such a calculator for classwork for too long can lead to severe memory lapses when the time comes for that exam where the calculator _isn't_ allowed ;)
Customer Review: TI over HP
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this calculator in 1999, the original 1.0 version that I've updated several times now, and I'm currently a math undergrad.I never bought the HP48GX but I have used several times and it's not as good as 89, in fact I was being generous, 48 is the slowest calculator in the world.
Let me tell you why engineers still prefer 48:
- RPN is comfortable.
- It's the tradition (HP used to have some really good calculators, e.g. 48S...).
- It's got a more professional look (let's be honest, TI design is high school/college, it looks like a toy). HPs are also more resistant.
- Programming is more standard in HP (TI is at the moment behing HP in this field, mainly because of the amount of people that use HP for programming, and Assembly is only optional in TIs)
I bought the HP49 in order to confirm this. Sometimes HP might take a few seconds to add numbers! Let alone simple calculus tasks, it takes forever to input an integral and forever to get the result. Believe it or not, sometimes you can only get approximate results in the 48/49 models; instead of 7/9 you get 0.77777777 (very annoying) or 0.9999998 instead of 1 (when solving very simple equations).
It's difficult to find your way through the menus, you waste lots of time.
The speed (of menus and computation) of 89 is much faster than 48/49. You can have solutions almost instantaneously and when you wait for approximatations, they're usually very accurate. Simbolic manipulation is just better with TIs than HPs.
Also, the resolution of the TIs is much better than that of the pixeled HPs.
Now, back to TI:
89 has saved my life several times, if you know how to use it, you can split most complex problems in several parts and solve each one almost step by step with it.
I've done this sooo many times and it has worked so well, that I can only suggest you to try it, and you will realize that for soft math is it the best calculator you can have. However you won't be able to do real math with TIs nor HPs.
Watch out, you'll become TI89-dependent and addicted, without it, youll feel naked and silly, but the same thing would happen with any other good calculator.
Allowed in SATs etc
Check Voyage 200, if you want a QWERTY, clock/alarm and icon
menu, but otherwise, it's the same calculator (same chip Motorola 680000, with 12 MHz, same spirit)
Check TI 89 Titanium (available this summer). It's the equivalent of the Voyage 200, without the QWERTY. I was disappointed to find out they had not improved the Motorola Chip.
Check the new HP49G+, it has improved considerably in speed (faster than 89, with 75 MHz), but it has serious keyboard problems that are being corrected. I've used it, and it's faster than HP49, however I don't feel it faster than TI89. Same [bad]screen/resolution.
MAIN PROBLEMS:
- It lacks infrared, you will always need cables to transfer files. The new ones have USB at least. HP has solved this infrared problem beautifully long ago.
- If you pay some attention, the screen is slightly rotated clockwise and unproctected.
- You have to pay for everything that you download from the net.
Hopefully, TI will come with a new color calculator, w/ more than 75 MHz soon and a calculator version of Mathematica.
Customer Review: TI does it again - Especially in terms of programming
Summary: 5 Stars
When my sister went to college, planning on leaving math forever, she handed on her old TI82, saying that it would be helpful in Algebra, Calculus, etc. After a year of learning the built-in programming language ("TI-BASIC"), I switched to the 85, because it was much more advanced in a number of areas (for one, the assembly language it supported). Sadly, the 85 has a number of disadvantages, especially for Calculus - I regretted buying it all through APCalc last year. This year, in multivariable calculus, we have a "class set" of 89s, and they have proved to be invaluable in 3D graphing and some integration. I still didnt think they were worth it to own one.. but then I got one for Christmas.. and havent looked back. Basically all everyone here has talked about has been how they let you get away with doing no work on tests.. you can manage that on the 85/86 also if you know what you're doing. And yes, you can have the 89 give you the answer.. but you'll still have to show your work on tests. What is great about it is that you can check your answers easily (no more graphing!) But if you do want graphing.. its got 3D wireframe, split-screen mode, etc - all you need. To me, however, the greatest advance in the 89 is not the Calculator Algebra System (and it's accompanying 'Pretty Print' format, although that looks great), but rather the new programming language changes. By the 82, TI-BASIC was about equivalent to real BASIC, except for graphics and such. The 85 brought assembler (and later it was developed on the 82 and 83 as well), but the 89 has functionality that I can only compare to modern scripting languages like Perl and PHP. The new capabilities include user-defined functions, sub-routines, etc - and the GUI is great. TI has recovered from the terrible menus of the 85, but used those for the new system of drop-downs, like in the "File" bar in Windows. Programs can make those toolbars, pop-up requests, etc ... all you need for GUI on the TI.
Over the past two years I worked on a calendar/scheduling program on my 85 (during Physics, Electronics, and Geoscience).. I finally got it to display correct months this year, but I couldnt take it any farther due to the data structures on the 85. However, within two DAYS after I got the 89, I had put together a working calendar program that lets the user switch months, browse the month with an arrow-cursor, add events ... all thats left is to edit and delete (4 hours more, max). The 89 is much easier to program in, because (like the 85) you can type function names in directly, instead of only going through menus. Also, it has a great new clipboard feature - you can now select text, cut/copy/paste, and so on. The 85 lets you cut and paste lines, but this is just like Windows.
Essentially, TI is moving closer to a Windows OS with every calculator, and the 89 is great. Graphics, algebra, calculus, and programming are so improved that I have no complaints. Get one if you dont already have it!
Customer Review: Essential from pre-calculus to hardcore college
Summary: 5 Stars
The TI-89 from Texas Instruments is quite a calculator. As a student in AP Calculus my sophomore year, I know this calculator inside and out. I have compared it to many of the competition's models. The products tested by me include models from formulators HP and Casio. I am truly sorry, but the TI-89 wipes out the competition. Yes, the interface and commands are a little hard to work with, however a familiarization from a previous model (such as the TI-83) will pose a great advantage to those upgrading. I am "gifted" and as such hold the only those precious few instruments that advance with the tremendous velocity I take my classes at. The only calculator I can truly depend on is the TI-89.The TI-89 has many functions I find absolutely compulsory in a calculator. The ability to calculate complex function with unwavering ease is one of my most favorite abilities. Complex multinomial equations, analytic trig functions, three-dimensional graphs, two-dimensional graphs, or simple addition, this calculator does everything you need a calculator to do without slamming in equations over and over. It's simple! Program an equation into the calculator and store it. Run it later, just plug in the numbers. This calculator is basically a mini computer.
The TI-89 has many improved functions its predecessor, the TI-83, did not. With more equations/gimmicks/functions than you could ever need (well over 2300 functions). The fact that the LCD screen is not covered with a plastic coating (as in the TI-83) does not bother me. Apparently, not everyone is as careful as I am, so this specification annoys my classmates very much because the screen is easily scratched. I find this an advantage, as it is easier to read the extremely clear characters. Hate factoring beyond reason? Plug in the numbers and the TI-89 does all the work. Also improved are the graphing functions. Graphing in the third dimension is a must for calculus. Very few (VERY few) calculators have capabilities such as this. Don't be fooled! The two-hundred dollar price tag is not for people in Algebra I. This calculator is for those at an advanced level and wish to further their career in mathematics. You should settle for a TI-83 or a TI83+ if you are only working through high school. Overall, the TI-89 has no flaws seriously weighing it down and the advatages are numerous.
PROS:
Increased functions from the TI-83 and the TI 83+.
It can be used on most tests, standardized tests, and most classes, unlike the TI-92.
It has many functions new to the TI series and calculators in general.
The Clear Type is invaluable for the astounding accuracy it gives.
CONS:
The interface is "hard to get used to".
It has a two-hundred dollar price tag.
Some calculations take quite a while to resolve.
It is a little weighty.
I hope this review helped you! Until next time,
CRIMSON|RED
Customer Review: A Portable Math Computer
Summary: 5 Stars
This calculator does it all. It will solve, factor, and graph any equation (please read the description for all details). It gives answers in exact form (with radicals and trig functions) or decimal form (rounded). It is built the same as the Ti-83, so it is just as durable.If you plan to go only to Calculus I the Ti-83 should do the job. The Ti-89 is designed to go to Calculus II & III. It has many math functions beyond the Ti-83
I like the display of the Ti-89 over the Ti-83. The detail is much finer and menu tabs are at the top of the screen; the pixels are smaller and the screen much sharper.
This calculator can be a crutch, but I am under the philosophy that once you are sure you can do the equations without this calculator, you are ready (grown up enough) to use this portable brain. Everyone (yes everyone including all my instructors) are susceptible to the slop factor - flubbing basic math, not carrying over minus signs. etc. etc. etc. (you know what I am talking about). This calculator is great to check your work on tests. You need to do it first on paper to check it. I also keep a smaller scientific calculator handy when I feel I may use the Ti-89 as a crutch to avoid the temptation.
I also found this calculator to be a great tool to open doors of understanding. I have looked at graphs of equations in my text books and put in what I thought to be the correct equation. I was able to figure out where my textbooks were poorly written in areas and have my instructors agree with my findings. This calculator has never been wrong. It is also a great tool to verify your test books are correct, and it is very useful to break down and verify parts of equations you need help on.
My calculator came with an abridged manual. The complete manual is on line. Chapter 2 covers the functions of the calculator with an example. The full manual has a chapter for each function with all the fine details. When I first bought the calculator I was not sure how to use it, but after going through the abridged manual several times and covering the chapters from the full manual on functions I use most, it is quite easy to use now. The notation makes sense and is easy to learn.