Why are graphing calculators so much money?!

JoeFahey

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2005
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I just bought one for my cal. class, and it cost me about $130! Why are they so much? Do they really cost that much to make?
 

bigalt

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2000
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that's actually a good question. Seems like the costs should be declining with computers. I mean, a TI-12314 or whatever they're on now can't be all that much more powerful than a gameboy can it?
 

jonessoda

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2005
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They're basically small computers and they're actually pretty powerful little math machines. TI-89 Titanium here.
 

daniel1113

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
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Well, you should only have to buy one throughout your entire schooling career, so I don't think they need to be any cheaper. $130 for at least eight years of utility is nothing, IMO.
 

swtethan

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2005
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its because they can charge what they want... and you will have to pay for it because you need it
 

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
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They are really pretty powerful little beasts. The typical student will use only a fraction of what these calculators can do. Also they will last quite a bit, so it is not like you need to upgrade them every year.
 

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: swtethan
its because they can charge what they want... and you will have to pay for it because you need it

Yup. Most HS and college students require a TI-83 (or higher). Even though they came out years back, the price and the design has not changed because there is no need for them to.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
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I've had my ti-89 for about 6 years now. wouldn't trade it for anything. Suits me perfectly.
 

JoeFahey

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2005
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Originally posted by: dighn
virtual monopoly

So do companies like Casio and TI have deals to not sell below a certain level? Because with more than one company, you would think that the price would be a little more competitive.
 

Epic Fail

Diamond Member
May 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: daniel1113
Well, you should only have to buy one throughout your entire schooling career, so I don't think they need to be any cheaper. $130 for at least eight years of utility is nothing, IMO.

More like 2 or 3 since you are bound to lose it at some point.
 

jonessoda

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: yamadakun
Originally posted by: daniel1113
Well, you should only have to buy one throughout your entire schooling career, so I don't think they need to be any cheaper. $130 for at least eight years of utility is nothing, IMO.

More like 2 or 3 since you are bound to lose it at some point.

4 here. TI-83, which was stolen. Then an HP 48G+, which broke. Then a TI-86, which I still have. Then a TI-89 Titanium, because I needed it for calculus. It was the required calculator.
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
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Originally posted by: yamadakun
Originally posted by: daniel1113
Well, you should only have to buy one throughout your entire schooling career, so I don't think they need to be any cheaper. $130 for at least eight years of utility is nothing, IMO.

More like 2 or 3 since you are bound to lose it at some point.

I upgraded to an 89 Platinum last year - its a ridiculously powerful machine.

I've kind of made it redundant, though, when I got matlab - I really only use it one tests where they allow calculators but not computers.
 

SouthPaW1227

Golden Member
Aug 4, 2004
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TI has a virtual monopoly on the market; you enter high school math courses w/o one and you're screwed.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
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$130 isn't that much money for electronics. A better question to ask is why a math book costs $130.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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I can't believe how many of the TI's I actually own. Currently have a TI-81, TI-82, TI-83+, TI-85, and 2 TI-86.

Currently, I use one of the TI-86s as my main calculator and the woman uses the other as hers.
 

Mrvile

Lifer
Oct 16, 2004
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Because they are basically small computers. They can run operating software, play games, hell, you can even watch movies on them (albeit in two-tone, but still, calculator Matrix was entertaining).
 

DeviousTrap

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2002
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Originally posted by: JoeFahey1
Originally posted by: dighn
virtual monopoly

So do companies like Casio and TI have deals to not sell below a certain level? Because with more than one company, you would think that the price would be a little more competitive.

There really isn't that much of a competition. TI has the whole education market, very few people buy the Casio and HP calcs as just about all schools require TI-83s (and higher).