<p>In my senior year of high school, all of the kids that were in the advanced math class (multivariate calc) were issued ti-89 calculators from the school, but we had to return them at the end of the year. During the year, I fell in love with the ti-89 (previously I had only experienced the less capable ti-83-- you can never go back, though). </p>
<p>So as I get ready to go to college, what calculator should I buy? Is there a "standard" one that will be fine for all college stuff? Is the ti-89 what most people get?</p>
<p>You should download mathematica or maple for free if your school has a license for it. It'll be more powerful than anything the Ti-89 can do. Otherwise, an old 83 is just fine, I find myself not really using the calculator much since well... in math (at my college) we don't use numbers all that often...</p>
<p>I haven't used my graphing calculator (hp49g) since I started college (engineering school) 2 years ago. Matlab and Maple and Python can handle just about anything, and I always have my laptop with me.</p>
<p>Is TI-83 sufficient though? I have one and don't want to spend more money on a TI-89 if it isn't necessary. Can you get through college math courses with TI-83?</p>
<p>Ok I think I'll probably get the ti-89. I realize I could use Mathematica on my laptop, but like someone mentioned, a calculator is more portable. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>You might check with your school before buying a 89. At my school (and several others), you can't have anything higher than a TI-86. I personally have a TI-84.</p>
<p>The only problem with calcs other than TI is that the math texts often write for TI users. But if you can adapt it to a better calc (like a Casio, in your situation) then it's worth it, just like it would be worth it to use that software.</p>
<p>And as for the TI-83 question...if you need a TI-83 and they won't let you go higher, the TI-83 is dirt cheap right now. Usually it's $85 or less (five years ago if you could get it for $85 you were very lucky). But I think the TI-89 (or even TI-86) is a better choice if you're doing higher level math--it's got more stuff on it that you'd be likely to need, especially at the highest levels of math/engineering.</p>
<p>I've had a TI-89 for three years and I love it. It took a little getting used to at first but now I find it almost impossible to use a TI-83. The display is also better (if only it were backlit). It also has a ton more power--in fact, it's got the same chip as the original Macintosh and runs 2MHz faster (the chip is the Motorola 68000). I also found the manual for the TI-89 was better written than the TI-83's.</p>
<p>Standardized tests are quirky with calculators. Some make you use a scientific, some want a TI-83, and some you can use anything except maybe the TI-92 (the one that looks like a mini-laptop).</p>
<p>Don't worry about getting any particular calculator until you get to school and find out if you have a class that requires one (and what they suggest). There's no point in spending $100+ if you don't need to. </p>
<p>I went to school with my TI-83+ from HS. I'm a math minor and I've hardly used it at all and <em>certainly</em> haven't needed anything more advanced. Classes that have required Matematica or Maple have supplied access and a professor that required TI-92s supplied them for the class. An 83, and for that matter probably any basic scientific calculator, will be plenty for most classes. If you find that you need something else, cross the bridge when it comes.</p>
<p>As someone who cannot stand math and did everything to get out of math as soon as possible, the notion that one graphing calculator is somehow so superior to another that a person "has fallen in love and cannot go back" is HILARIOUS.</p>
<p>I realize that this is actually important to people who actually use calculators a lot and I'm totally not making fun of you, but still. </p>
<p>I guess I might just wait till I have gone to class and see what the professors recommend or allow. I can probably survive a week or so without a calculator I guess.</p>
<p>We can't have ****....my school is big about desert island math. You can use calc's for homework, but if they see you with one in class or on a test..bad things happen</p>