Buy the TI-83 - it does the most - GREAT for HS & College

Author's Rating:

Pros: Only calculator to do Statistical Tests, as well as most other functions

Cons: Doesn't do symbolic integration and differentiation

The Bottom Line: 
If this is your first graphing calculator purchase, this is the BEST model to get. It is what is used in most schools.

Author's Review
There are many graphing calculators to choose from - so which one do you pick? The TI calculators are the most commonly used. I have a Casio & the TI and the TI is much better. It is easier to follow and easier to use. You don't have to use a MENU button to do regular arithmetic like you do with the Casio.

What can the TI-83 Do?

Statistics - this is the biggest feature of this calculator and since most students will eventually take Statistics in high school or college, this is the best calculator to choose. Other TI versions (even LATER models like the 86,89,92) do basic statistics but NOT the more advanced statistics. This is a BIG ADVANTAGE to this model calculator. This model will do descriptive stats, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, Linear regression, Chi-square, proportions, and probability including probability distributions. Normally in a statistics class, you need to look values up on tables - with the TI-83 you do not have to do that - it is all available on your calculator.

Graphing - The calculator can graph functions as well as statistical graphs such as histograms, boxplots, scatergrams, line graphs, and more. It can do both at the same time and graph a linear regression model right onto your scatterplot graph.

Calculus - this calculator can take derivatives and do integration for definite integrals. It cannot do symbolic differentiation and integration, however. For that you would need a TI-89 or 92. This is the only drawback of this calculator.

Financial Math - this calculator can do all types of financial math - calculating principal, interest, etc.

Probability - you can access most probability distributions including binomial
, poisson, normal, chi-square, F, and more.

Applications - Unique to the Silver Edition, there is also a section called Apps -which can run simulations such as coin tossing. It has a periodic table in it, an organizer for entering names and phone numbers, and even study cards that allow you to study different subjects. You can also access different games on this calculator.

Arithmetic - you can do regular arithmetic as well and you can view all the work you do on the screen which makes finding mistakes easier.

Linear Algebra - there are many options for doing arithmetic with matrices as well as doing linear algebra row operations, etc.

Trigonometry - Of course all trigonometric functions are available for use in calculus, statistics, and graphing.

The best thing about this calculator is that it is very user friendly - with easy to follow menus - even without a book or a guide, you can figure out what to do for most of it. The TI-86, however, is NOT very user friendly. This model is a HUGE step up from the old TI-81 and TI-82 - one confusing thing is to think that the BEST and most complete calculator is the one with the latest model number but that is not how TI does it. The TI-83 Silver is the most recent calculator they have made but they didn't number it beyond 92 because the "83" is known as the Statistics calculator and they wanted to keep that number - so don't think that the later models will give you all the functionality of the earlier models.

If this is your first graphing calculator that you are buying for yourself or your child - it is the best model. I am a math teacher and I can do everything with this calculator in my classes, however, I can't with the other models and often have students who may own an 85 or 86 model, go out and buy a second calculator - the 83, so that they can do all the statistical analysis that needs to be done - if you start with this calculator, you will not need to worry about having to buy another model as well (in most cases).

Finally - is the silver edition worth the extra money over the regular TI-83 PLUS?? MAYBE - if you are taking Chemistry and need the periodic table at your finger tips - then this will help - but to be honest, I would probably save the money and get a TI-83 PLUS over the TI-83 Silver Edition.