<p>Does anyone else that has used both the TI 83+ and TI 89 Titanium extensively think that the 83+ was much easier to use and was more user-friendly? I just got an 89 a week ago and it seems very awkward to use. I don't like how the whole thing is a network of menus, it feels more like I'm using a palm pilot than a calculator. When I turn a calculator on I want it to be in the math screen, not this home page menu thing. Maybe its just because I've had the 83+ for like 5 years and know it like the back of my hand, programmed it a ton. By the way, is there a way so that when I enter a division problem to get it to automatically convert the answer to a decimal? It ****es me off that I'll type in something like "905/17" and it will return "905/17"</p>
<p>diamond enter.</p>
<p>I used to have a TI83+ Silver...and then I found about the TI89 T :)</p>
<p>It changed my life</p>
<p>It does everything for you...literally, you just have to know how to utilize it correctly</p>
<p>I'm not gonna lie</p>
<p>It takes a while to get used to</p>
<p>But when it becomes 2nd nature, you realize the power you hold</p>
<p>Division thing: Go to mode, hit F2, then exact/approx to what you want</p>
<p>I have the TI-89, it's quite great but I'm just new at it. I was wondering, if it does "everything," how do you know all this stuff. Do you read the manual? Also, I want to know how to program the calculator, is that in the manua also?</p>
<p>I have used the 83/83+ for the past seven years and the 89 (regular version) for the past six. I feel that the 89 is clearly superior to the 83, and I feel that the extra $50 is justified. You can do all sorts of crazy stuff, like solving algebraic equations, differential equations, integrating, differentiating...</p>
<p>The 89 Titanium is basically the 89 with a whole bunch of other features like a spreadsheet and stuff.</p>
<p>As for division, I used to get really mad at my 89 for that, but then I changed the exact/approx settings.</p>
<p>yea, i'm always fiddling with the exact/approx settings. it's no biggy. i've used my 89 for 5 years, and i never really done much with an 83. i have yet to switch to a titanium, but i can't let go of my beloved 89, because it has been with me through so much..</p>
<p>How do I know how to use it? Because I use it everyday in math class. You have to learn to just "test and error" with the calculator, that's the only way you'll get used to the calculator. It takes time. At least you weren't like me, and on the SAT I had to use this calculator, and didn't really know how to use it (for the SAT though, the math is so simple, it doesn't give you a leg-up). You have time though. </p>
<p>If you're taking the SAT II Math IIC...this calculator will save you.</p>
<p>Agreed. This calculator is your friend. F2 solve is your friend. You love F2 solve. You wish had F2 solve earlier. F2 solve makes everything easier. </p>
<p>You don't need to know everything yet, but just pick up the basics as you go.</p>
<p>make an effort to fiddle with it....if I told you everything, you won't appreciate what you find</p>
<p>And then there's the mysterious world of F3...</p>
<p>i dunno why everyone thinks the 89 has a stiff learning curve, i picked it up and got going within 3 days of buying it. </p>
<p>btw, the 89 is better than the titanium imo. it's not as clunky, performs calculations faster (from what i've seen, and from the experiences of friends), and it works with all 89 programs - the titanium sometimes locks up with programs :(.</p>
<p>however, both of them are far, far superior when you compare them to the 83 series.</p>
<p>I think the 89T is better than the 89</p>
<p>who cares if the 89 finishes the problem 1 sec faster....when you have as much memory as teh 89T, it's a no brainer why....plus, it's not the easy stuff that takes "longer" (1 sec more)</p>
<p>I've never had problems with the programs and apps for the 89T...must be just yours</p>
<p>Ok, I've been reading through the manual and some of their instructions don't work. For example to do implicit differentiation it tells me to go to the "D" option in the F3(calc) menu of the home screen, but my F3 menu only goes to "C"! Also, it says, when doing logs of different bases, to press Diamond button, 7 to get the "log(" command but that key sequence does nothing on my calc.</p>
<p>Any ideas on why these two things are messed up?</p>
<p>just play around with it...don't use the manual...seriously</p>
<p>"just play around with it...don't use the manual...seriously"
Dude, what is that supposed to mean? Those two functions it described weren't even in my Catalog menu. Do I need to download an app to define them?</p>
<p>no...I don't think so</p>
<p>I've done it so it tells me the answer to a log. equation (limits)</p>
<p>so...it does work</p>
<p>Congrats on it working for you! Now, any ideas on why it might not be working for me? What keystrokes do you go through on your calc to get to implicit differentiation?</p>
<p>The 89 can't implicitly differentiate by itself, but there is a website that taught me to do it incorrectly:</p>
<p>glucose,
i'm not sure which ones, but there are several 89 programs that did not run on titaniums, several of my friends had the problem.</p>
<p>my point was that i don't think the extra cost of the titanium is not justified, it's not necessarily faster or better, and unless you want to load your calculator with starcraft, the extra memory is overkill. apps for school really don't take up that much space...</p>
<p>well I got mine on ebay for $85...so it was worth it for me</p>