Texas Instruments TI-89: Is This God?

Author's Rating:

Pros: Features, Interface, Programs

Cons: Difficult To Use

The Bottom Line: 
The Texas Instruments TI-89 is by far the best calculator in the TI-8X series. It's like a God for high school and college!

Author's Review
The Texas Instruments TI-89 is the most expensive and advanced calculator in the TI-8X series. It's much more money than either the TI-83+ or TI-86. However, the difference in price is worth it when you see the capabilities that the Texas Instruments TI-89 has. I bought one to use in college after using a TI-83 and a TI-86 in high school. Here's what I found with the Texas Instruments TI-89.

-Expensive? Yes. Capabilities? Endless!-
*The Texas Instruments TI-89 ranges in price. Some places sell it for almost $200! You can find it for around $140 at other stores. This is more expensive than the $110 TI-86, and the $90 TI-83+. However, it uses a completely different interface than either of the calculators. This gives it power to use much more advanced programs that can effectively help any student that is struggling in a math or science course in high school or college.

-The Interface... THANK GOD!-
*The interface in the Texas Instruments TI-89 is much more different than that of the Texas Instruments TI-83+ or Texas Instruments TI-86. I personally liked the TI-86's interface the best, but the Texas Instruments TI-89 is by far the most advanced. The TI-83+ and TI-86 both have a clear screen when doing basic math. I liked that. The Texas Instruments TI-89 has more of a menu-orientated screen. It gives you more options, but at the same time proves to be more annoying and difficult to use. But the operating system in the Texas Instruments TI-89 allows for use of incredibly powerful programs. They can be used for courses such as Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, and other courses. The Texas Instruments TI-89 proved to be most effective in chemistry. If it weren't for the programs on the Texas Instruments TI-89, I don't know where I'd be. Now I only wish I had one in high school! The TI-86 offers powerful programs, but the Texas Instruments TI-89 has more advanced programs available for download.

-Once You Get The Hang Of It...-
*The Texas Instruments TI-89 isn't very easy to use. It takes some time to get used to it. But once you do, it (As well as the TI-86) proves to be much more efficient than the TI-83+. The TI-83+ is downright annoying! The Texas Instruments TI-89 acts much more like a hand-held PC rather than a calculator. This is what makes it so handy. It's easy to use as a calculator, it has all the features that a high-end calculator should have. But then at the same time, it has the ability to use great programs. Once you get the hang of the interface, this can be the most powerful tool that you've ever used to do mathematics or science!

-Competition?-
*Definitely not! The only calculator that comes close is the Texas Instruments TI-86. That is a great calculator, but the Texas Instruments TI-89 is still all-out better. Texas Instruments definitely makes the best calculators. They are the calculators of choice for students. Other brands such as Casio and Hewlett Packard make calculators, but the Texas Instruments TI-89 proves itself to be superior in every aspect.

-The Verdict-
*The Texas Instruments TI-89 is the ideal calculator if you're serious about mathematics or science. Whether you're in high school or college, this baby will make your life a whole lot easier! It does every function that a calculator is supposed to do, but it also can use powerful programs! The programs on the Texas Instruments TI-89 are great. You can use them for help in courses. But another great thing is that you can cheat, and yes a lot of people do that. The Texas Instruments TI-89 is the most powerful in the TI-8X series, but the other calculators should be looked at. The TI-86 is a great blend between simplicity and power. It's near perfection, you should compare the two, and see which calculator you're more comfortable with, or need. But overall, the TI-89 is the most advanced and powerful. If you want to ace mathematics and science, this can be the baby for you!