Why are graphing calculators so much money?!

[JoeFahey]

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?

 

[swtethan]

lets see.. software... lcd screens....

 

[bigalt]

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]

They're basically small computers and they're actually pretty powerful little math machines. TI-89 Titanium here.

 

[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.

 

[swtethan]

its because they can charge what they want... and you will have to pay for it because you need it

 

[dighn]

virtual monopoly

 

[Babbles]

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]

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.

 

[intogamer]

Just like gas

 

[Mo0o]

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

 

[JoeFahey]

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.

 

[blinky8225]

Yeah, they really do cost too much. I just lost my TI-89 Titanium, too. Fvck myself.

 

[Epic Fail]

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.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Because they can charge what they want and people will pay.

 

[jonessoda]

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]

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]

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

 

[InlineFour]

supply and demand.

 

[notfred]

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

 

[drinkmorejava]

uhh, because they can

 

[minendo]

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]

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]

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).

 

[chiwawa626]

I doubt you really needed the $130 one...a Ti-82 would have worked enough for almost any class.