<p>
[quote]
that integral button is a calc student's best friend
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Or worst enemy. ;)</p>
<p>I have an 83+ as well as an 89, but am starting to just use a scientific calc only...:)</p>
<p>Nah integrals aren't that bad. I hate optimization and alternating series, however.</p>
<p>"For example, during a quiz in some other class that requires me to do the same calculation multiple times I can scroll up in the history and change numbers for each calculation the guys using the TI-83 end up retyping the formula each time."</p>
<p>Untrue. Previous entry recall is 2nd+enter (just repeat it to scroll further up), without bothering to even look at my TI-83. Anyone who has to retype the formula each time doesn't know their calculator well enough!</p>
<p>That's actually a really good illustration of my point! Whatever calculator you use, make sure you KNOW how to use it, and then it's just a matter of what calculator you <em>prefer</em>.</p>
<p>Having a really good working knowledge of calculus is going to help you even more than an integral button, guys. If you run into something particularly tricky that you can't do by hand, it's going to be a mess to enter into a calculator, and it'll be a lot easier to put it into something like mathematica or maple, which you'll have access to.</p>
<p>A calculator can be a tool, or it can be a crutch. Knowing how to use a hammer and nails is going to serve you a whole lot better than a super-expensive automatic riveter/nailgun/screwdriver. </p>
<p>Don't make me get out my soapbox...! =)</p>
<p>No way. As an engineer, *Calculus is the 2nd most important tool you have, and probably the most important tool in college. Please do not learn to rely on your calculator unless you want to spend many hours crying into your pillow later on in your real Engineering classes.</p>
<p>aibarr, I can't argue. I guess those guys don't know their calculators well enough. I however take my manual with me and regularly refer to it when needed. I know the basic and some advanced features by memory though.</p>
<p>*Creativity being the first.</p>
<p>What laptop would you purchase for my daughter who will be an engineering major in the fall? My sis says hands down the Apple G5. I want it to last till she gets out. Please advise.</p>
<p>I think I will get something HP or Acer. I shall be an engineering major.</p>
<p>ifi have a ti-83,</p>
<p>how do i use a word processor, type something up and upload it to my calculator?</p>
<p>I don't think you can.</p>
<p>mermaidjodi,</p>
<p>There is no G5 laptop. The current iBooks and PowerBooks come with G4s (G5s are too power-hungry and run too hot for notebook use), and the MacBook Pro comes with the Intel Core Duo.</p>
<p>At this point, wait for the April 1st Apple press conference to see if they finally announce Intel-based MacBooks (presumably to start at $999) or get the MacBook Pro ($1799 w/ student discount). I wouldn't go with anything with the G4 and expect it to last until she gets out. The Core Duo should do fine though.</p>
<p>Oh, and based on everything I've seen/read, it really doesn't matter whether you get an PC laptop or Apple laptop.</p>
<p>Another thing - you may want to wait for Apple's next announcement because many people are still expecting some sort of "iTablet," which would be very useful for taking notes in engineering and math/science classes.</p>
<p>As far as the laptop, it really doesn't matter. You'll probably be using matlab in the school lab anyways (and if you decide to purcase it for yourself, it runs on both windows and mac). Just get what your daughter prefers.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>She doesn't need a laptop as an engineer unless she really wants it. I got a laptop and it just sits in my room and functions much the same way a desktop would. You can't really use it in class because you can't use it to type up formulas, diagrams, etc... Arts & Crafts majors however may need it.</p>