<p>I just finished speaking to someone who works at TI. He gave me the insider scoop on the TI NSpire calculator. It has a lot of cool features that will be useful. Some on the SAT. </p>
<ul>
<li><p>First of all, the solve() function is revamped so you can solve for things like x+y. For example solve(5(x+y)=25,x+y) will return 5=x+y. Previously this was not possible on a ti89.</p></li>
<li><p>Second of all the CAS is completely revamped. Everything, including the solve,factor,expand functions are changed. For calc users, the Ti-NSpire CAS supports differentiation/integration of functions with multiple variables. </p></li>
<li><p>The calculator has a new processor in it. The person I spoke to said it was 100x(yes 100x) faster than the ti-89 due to the fact that it's using an ARM processor instead of a 68k processor(the same they used in old macs).</p></li>
<li><p>The battery life is better than previous prototypes. At present it gets around 2 weeks from one charge. Not bad for such a powerful device.</p></li>
<li><p>The calculator supports graphing implicitly. This is useful for graphing conics.</p></li>
<li><p>There is NO 3d graphing support <em>YET</em>, but updates will be made.</p></li>
<li><p>Updates will be made every 3-6 months from release date(August 1st).</p></li>
<li><p>Dealers have the TI-NSpire CAS on hand now, but have a no sell order until August 1st.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Sounds exciting... though I got a TI-89 about a year and a half ago. =[ Maybe I'll get it when I'm a senior or something. It sounds like a good investment, and it will go down in price by that time.</p>
<p>It's at rock bottom as is... same price as 89, $132 without the PC software. I mean, how much lower do you expect it to go? Dealers pay $109, so you might be able to get it for cheap if you look around, but don't expect it to go down anytime soon.</p>
<p>i dont think theres a point, once CB or someone finds out its doing most of the math problems, that they want u to do urself (without calc help), its gona go on the ban list....im pretty surprised that they would even let people use the 89.</p>
<p>flamingspirits00: They let you use the 89 for the SAT/AP exams because the exams are about writing the math, not solving it. There are only a few solve this equation for this thing questions on the SAT which require little more than punching buttons on a calculator.</p>
<p>For example, on the AP Calculus exam. There's almost never a question on a calculator section saying "Differentiate this function." Usually, it's find the minimum/maximum of this function or a line tangent to it at this point. These questions require you to think beyond the differentiate key on your calculator and to show that you truly understand the math behind the question. </p>
<p>Also, TCB has approved the NSpire CAS for all AP/SAT/SATII exams where you need a calculator.</p>
The battery life is better than previous prototypes. At present it gets around 2 weeks from one charge. Not bad for such a powerful device.
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<p>wait by that do you mean keeping it on for two week straight or two weeks of average use?</p>
<p>Also, yeah thats pretty cool , i ve been waiting for these for a long time, you sure the date is august 1st though? i though it was like end of 07 or something.
Oh yeah btw anybody know when this is going to be in major stores like staples and office depot?(the actual store not online)</p>
<p>Xylem101: I believe he was referring to average use. Keep in mind that this device is using a similar processor to what's in the iPhone, so two weeks of average use is nothing less than fantastic.</p>
<p>Also, yes, August 1st is the release date. Several models have leaked out from bad resellers who weren't supposed to sell them, and August 1st is the official sell date.</p>
<p>I wouldn't buy from staples/office max because both tend to overcharge a lot, as in they're going to charge $200 for the NSpire CAS when you can get it for $132(I pulled the $200 out of thin air, but just to illustrate how much they overcharge). Buy it online.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply mikesown, thing is i usually don't trust online with credit card and stuff, not to mention they rip you off sometimes (somebody i know ordered a calc explicitly adevertised as 'ti-89 titanium' and instead got a ti-89 regular)
But either way wher online would you recommend buying it ?
PS: Staples and office depot dont overcharge THAT much its usually more like 10-20 Dollars, an 89 titanium used to cost 155$ dollars ther (I m saying used to cause that was the last time i checked and it was a while ago)</p>
<p>I can't remember which but, either double a or triple a(not a lithium ion battery or anything like that) battery. </p>
<p>Also, I got a (used, granted) 89T from usedcalculators.com for like $100, and it was in like new condition(just no cables or anything, the bare calculator). For me, that's worth saving $50. And if you buy from a reputable place, you can save a lot. Staples has a lot of overhead running lots of retail stores.</p>