Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator
by Texas Instruments
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator
Customer Review: THE TRUTH
Summary: 5 Stars
ah kay, now im gonna tell you the truth from a 4+ year ti-89 user. Let me tell u something i used that baby for nearly everything. Unfortunately it was stolen at school last month. This is where the titanium comes in. First let me tell you a little about the 89's in general, then I'l get to the new features. First of all, I'l admit it, the TI-89 IS a little complicated. It takes a while to get used to. Especially if you use an 83/84. My school lent out an 84 plus to me, and I think it's honestly crap. anyways back to the 89. The main thing many will notice(this is a preset option on the titanium, is that the apps are organized into a desktop. The home screen is where the classic calculator functionality comes in. Some find this annoying, others like it this way. My solution: just press the mode button and turn off apps desktop. This way it starts out as at calculator mode. All of your apps come as a drop down menu when u press the apps button. About the home screen. This calculator is a beatiful thing. First of all, all previous calculations are able to be called back. Up to 99 calculations. What happens is there on the home screen there is a bar where you enter the problem, and the area above is used to display the previous problems. What is really good is that you can just press up and you will go back to the history and can pick out the number from there. Next we get to menus. As you have probably noticed the Y=, graph, table, etc. buttons up top have been replaced with f1-f8(f6,7,8 are available by pressing the second key) These are used for drop-down menus that show up in the calculator. Next we come to the actual graphing functions that have been replaced by f1 and such. Relax people, just press diamond then the function number to use it. Don't worry, they are all listed. Now there are four modifiers, diamond is almost the same thing as second. alpha is for letters and some symbols. the ^ arrow (up) is for captial letters and for the cut/copy/paste feature. Yes there is a copy/paste feature in the 89, its very useful. you just hold down arrow and move with the keys to highlight stuff. and then just press cut, copy, or paste. One more thing, for calculator management, instead of the memory button. You would go to Var-link instead. This manages files, links to other calculators, etc. 3D graphing is a good feature as well. As I'm only in precal and mag physics i havent really had much use for it yet, but I've had a lot of fun with it. The preloaded apps are most useful, but if you don't need it, don't use it because some are specialised and hard to understand unless you know what to do.
Now some people have had problems with it, here's some of the main ones that people say are bad
1) the screen contrast is bad
2) you can't see from an angle
3) it's hard to see the keys(including the modifier labels above them)
4) the font is too small
5) it's too complicated
6) the manuel doesn't explain much
7) the case is too tight
Now come my answers
None of these are true except for the last one by the way
1)the contrast is perfectly fine, personally i think it's pretty hard to confuse the black text with the background of the screen
2)you can see perfectly fine from an angle
3)Now this i don't understand, the keyboard is set on a greyish brownish surface. the modifier labels above the keys are written in light blue for the 2nd key, bright green for the diamond key, and white for the alpha key. I don't see how this is hard
4)the font may be smaller, but is perfectly visible. Also, the resolution is so good that even though the font is smaller than the 84, it's much clearer.
5) It may be slightly complicated but after a little while you will understand everything necessary.
6) yes this is unfortunatly true, the manuel doesn't let on much. My advice is go to a ti community and ask for help in forums. One of the best is ticalc.org, it also has archives for free apps, programs, and games.(these archives are huge)
7) I'm sorry but a monkey could figure this out. All you need to do is push the calculator out of the case from the butt of it. just push out, there is a slight dent in the cover for that reason
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Customer Review: TI-89 Titanium For Statistics
Summary: 5 Stars
Pros:
- The display has a Pretty Print option (default), which is very helpful when inputting long formulas.
- Great for Statistics, which is why I bought it in the first place since that is my major in college.
Cons:
- This is important if you are a college student. The math and statistics books all refer to the TI-83 when explaining how to perform the calculations using a calculator. So while the teacher is talking out loud walking the students step by step on how to perform a calculation, you're sitting there with the most powerful calculator in the class and out of luck. Then you have to scramble flipping thru the menu items to match the menu path of the TI-83, AND you're trying to learn the math at the same time. That happened to me in a statistics class and that wasn't fun at all! So be prepared for the inevitable; this is your warning. I recommend you study the upcoming textbook chapter ahead of time and learn how to perform those functions before you get to class.
- PDF files exist to explain the Flash applications loaded on the TI-89 Titanium. Unfortunately they are not easily found on the TI website. To get the PDF's, you have to follow the menu path as if you want to download the application. Then on the web page where you download the application, the PDF is there. TI should have also have placed the PDF in the "Documentation" section of the website. If I had not updated the application, I would not have known the PDF existed. Make sure you download the PDF for the TI-89 Titanium, not the PDF for the TI-89. Some functions are different. For statistics, be sure to download the PDF "Statistics with List Editor Guidebook For TI-89".
General:
- I did the Operating System upgrade, but with a few bumps along the way. For example, I have Windows XP Pro SP2 on my PC and it doesn't recognize the driver when plugging in the USB cable. TI knows this and is part of the calculator-to-PC connection instructions on their website. So you'll have to uninstall the driver and then let Windows search for a driver. Eventually Windows found it but I got a horrific message saying the "Microsoft strongly recommends you backup before installing..." In fact, Windows set a System Restore point before installing the driver. The driver worked but why can't TI certify that driver with Microsoft so that message will not scare the heck out of the average user?
- Make sure you register before beginning the OS upgrade. You need to register to get any of the downloads, so do it as soon as you get the calculator.
- You'll notice that the dates listed in the "About..." menu in some of the Flash applications are almost the same as the dates listed on the TI website. Don't bother to download those because the applications are the same version. Don't know why TI lists a different date on the web page from the date displayed in the "About..." menu in some of the applications.
Hope all this helps,
George
Customer Review: Does alot but not everything.
Summary: 5 Stars
Preface: I'm very close to graduating from college, in engineering, so I've used this calculator for high school calc, calc 2, vector calc, chemistry, various engr. courses, probability classes, etc etc. This calculator doesn't have a learning curve per say. Everything is actually quite intuitive to use unlike HP's calcs which require a dozen button presses just to add two numbers. However, the difficulty in usage comes from the fact that you often won't know this calculator *can* do something you have to do. For example, did you know that if you hit the diamond key and then 7, that you'll get a log() without having to use the catalog? (diamond 7, diamond 9, and diamond | are the most useful hidden commands) I would suggest buying this calculator a few months before you actually need it, and spend some time playing around with it and figuring it out.
Yes this calculator is extremely reliable and extremely useful, but I find a lot of the time it's actually overkill (beyond Algebra I never have had to use the graphing functionality which is pretty limited (low res) anyways). The functions I've mainly used over the last 5 years are solve() (use this alot), nPr, nCr, >Polar, >Rectangular, complex number stuff, and expand(). Integration and differentiation are only really useful in calc 1 and some of calc 2, but beyond that the integrations are too complex for this calc to handle and you have to do them by hand. In a lot of other cases this calculator will be able to do something but will spit out the result in a weird format, requiring you to double check it by hand.
A lot of the power lies in being able to install applications to this calculator (some written by TI, some not) and being able to write your own functions. For example, simultaneous equation solver is extremely useful for linear algebra. I've also written various functions to perform operations that would otherwise require multiple steps or mile-long equations (for example, the electron drift velocity of a semiconductor), which is very useful. The program editor on this calculator is fairly intuitive once you get the hang of it by seeing some examples.
And you can obviously also use this calculator along with TI's Notefolio to cheat by storing equations and the like. It's far from a holy grail though especially since you only have a 26x9 character window to work with but it can be a lifesaver in certain classes where you otherwise cram-memorize-forget the day after.
I would recommend this calculator over a TI-84 or -83 simply because the interface and text display are geared more for an adult whereas the -83 is more useful for basic arithmetic and graphing (algebra I and below). The -83 also lacks a lot of applications which are only available for the -89. In summary this calculator is a tool that does well reducing busy-work that you might come across, but it is far from being a second brain.
Customer Review: Found my mistress!
Summary: 5 Stars
From slide rulers to Ti-89's, let me tell you! Even my proessor wanted to use it! Long story short, I have never owned a graphing calculator until now. I am auditing a calculus class this summer and needed something more powerful than my Casio fx-115ES (which is sweet, BTW). My Casio can integrate, but not do diff Q's.
Well, let me start by price. My friends all suggested I bought and used a Ti-86 or even a Ti-85 unless I was going into a technical major. Surprise, surprise, I'm an engineer major. I figured if I was going to shell out over $100 on a calculator, I should choose the best available. Needless to say, everyone knew about the Ti-89. I showed it to my math professor who had the same reaction as me (think a kid on Christmas morning opening his gifts). The first thing he asked was "How much was it?" I told him I paid $140 clams and he said "Wow! How'd you get it so cheap?" It wasn't just him though. I showed my buddy in AutoCAD and he was astonished by the price as well.
Next is features. I loved the fact that it came with an instruction booklet and the batteries. It let me jump into playing with it the minute I got it. The book is about the size of a video game manual (assuming a modern-day RPG). There is a lot to read and I am still reading it. It's not too hard to figure some things out assuming you're rather savvy with electronics and have some free time on your hands. I learned to graph polynomial functions while walking to class! Italready has pre-loaded apps, but I will ask around and get some more when I finally have a chance (and some sleep), since several apps are useful for certain classes.
Next is size. I know graphing calculators are big, but wow! It doesn't fit in my pockets, that's for sure! I usually stick it in my backpack or in my cargo pockets on days when I have those kinds of pants.
Finally, utility. As I am still using it and figuring it out, it seems to do basically anything I need it to do. I am contemplating buying the Dummies' book for it since that might tell me something the instruction booklet omits, plus they often have tips within!
Overall, I would say it is a must-buy. Most of my friends (90% engineer majors) have older models and would kill for a Ti-89. It is a steal at some prices and I love the fact that even my math professor was impressed and asked me if I could bring it by his office sometime. I love calculators and this seems to be the best out there. If you don't want to break the bank, but want something good, try the aforementioned calculator (Casio) since it worked great for me!
Customer Review: A mini mathematical computer in hand
Summary: 5 Stars
TI-89 is just an amazing as it supports external flash applications. When we say applications you get the power with no limits. This piece is expensive but is of worth.
Pros:
1. In itself it handles lot many things that a normal sci. calc. is not capable of.
2. It gives you the ultimate answer to most of the solutions/problems. No thorough steps.
3. The main advantage is: EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS :)
---a. You can download many applications suiting your mathematical need as well as your time-pass needs. People even download games like Doom and play over it uhhhhh...
---b. You can download Mathematical applications from ti89.com which is officially listed over Texas Instrument's website. I am not advertising here but those who are in need will find it out. These apps provide you step by step calculations. Woooow, worth it.
4. Is a calculator which can draw graphs
5. Is reliable for practice and preparation of exams. Works like a charm.
6. Memory inbuilt calc.
7. Menu driven operations. You must read the manual a bit for learning it's use. It's not a dis-advantage as any power device needs training for handling it.
8. Get at least a month before of any mathematical event, may be for work or school to get use to it.
Cons:
1. Expensive but worth it if you are willing to add external applications
2. Even applications are expensive
3. Sometimes the external application get hung so you need to be prepared for it. Technically, no idea how the operating system takes care of garbage collection. You may need to clean the memory or restart the calc.
4. Cheating is very much possible where you may be caught; as by pressing Apps buttons all applications are displayed. Don't do that...
5. Operations for this calculator may be different than the external application; so you may have to get use to both at the same time. For some users operating this device might be difficult as everything is in functions, but practice makes a man perfect and also a women :).
This calculator helped me in my Master's along with the external apps. I used it for resolving previous papers and it gave me the answers like charm. Really good to verify your answers.
This one is one of the best calculators available in the market and you won't repent on your purchase. It's strange to see a star rated by few guys for this calculator. I guess they need to learn basics first :).
Cheers and happy calculating...