TI-84 plus vs. 86

[MBrown]

I really need a calculator. Is the 86 worth the extra money? I'm doing EET.

 

[cmdrmoocow]

Don't even THINK about an 86. The real question is between an 84/83 and an 89.

 

[Heisenberg]

The only way I'd give up my 89 is if you pried it from my cold, dead hands.

 

[Ionizer86]

83+ if it saves you lots of money over the 84+. Smaller form factor with only the loss of some cpu/ram. The 86 is an old monster with a horrid interface. Don't even consider it.

 

[Leros]

TI 81 is to TI 84+
as
TI 86 is to TI 89

Get it?

 

[snes tor]

No difference in 83+ or 84+, but we can't use the 89 in our class, and i've never used a 86

 

[TheoPetro]

I love my TI 89. When in doubt on a physics test, plug in the formula and differentiate w.r.t. x, or if yorue dealing with E&M integrate. its gotten me alot of points I dont desirve. Then again I have lost WAY more than what was fair.

 

[Tiamat]

I actually prefer the 86 over the 89. The 86 has a very handy unit convertor. The TI-89 has the multivariable calculus features, but its pretty half-assed in my opinion. Matlab or Maple gives a better graphical presentations. I guess it depends on how likely you are to have one of these computational tools handy. For me, I am as equally as likely to be by a computer and my calculator at the same times. Additionally, standard differentiation or integration is more quickly done by hand (for me) and helps you to understand the relationship of the variables better. JMHO

 

[EarthwormJim]

You're eventually gonna want to upgrade to a TI-89, so save your money and go with an 83.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
I actually prefer the 86 over the 89. The 86 has a very handy unit convertor. The TI-89 has the multivariable calculus features, but its pretty half-assed in my opinion. Matlab or Maple gives a better graphical presentations. I guess it depends on how likely you are to have one of these computational tools handy. For me, I am as equally as likely to be by a computer and my calculator at the same times. Additionally, standard differentiation or integration is more quickly done by hand (for me) and helps you to understand the relationship of the variables better. JMHO

I bought Maple recently. Havent touched my 89 since. Considering I only used it for checking my work.