Which Calculator is Right for Me?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around selecting an appropriate calculator for high school, particularly for a student planning to major in computer science and pursue programming. Participants explore various models, including the TI-84 Plus Color Silver Edition, TI-89 Titanium, TI-Nspire CX CAS, and HP calculators, while considering features relevant to programming and usability.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a TI graphing calculator would be suitable for high school and mentions the possibility of programming on them.
  • Another participant questions the exclusive focus on TI calculators, proposing HP RPN calculators as potentially more intuitive and inquiring about the differences between HP and TI.
  • Some participants assert that HP calculators are superior to TI, labeling HP as the "Gold Standard" and expressing skepticism about TI's capabilities.
  • Concerns are raised about the TI-Nspire being "locked down" to prevent advanced programming, which could limit its usefulness for programming tasks.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding RPN (reverse Polish notation) and its advantages over algebraic notation.
  • There is a suggestion to focus more on software architecture rather than programming, with a request for clarification on why this might be better.
  • A participant recommends the TI-89 as the most viable option among the discussed calculators, citing its features related to logic operators and conversions.
  • Another participant notes that HP's programming is quite different and less commonly used, while mentioning the HP Prime as a newer alternative that is not RPN by default.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best calculator choice, with some advocating for TI models and others for HP models. There is no consensus on which calculator is definitively better, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the merits of RPN versus algebraic notation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various features and functionalities of calculators, but there are unresolved questions about the specific programming capabilities and user experiences with different models. The discussion also touches on broader concepts related to programming and software architecture without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Calculator3000
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I need a new calculator for Highschool. I am looking at either the TI-84 Plus Color Silver Edition, TI-89 Titanium or the TI-Nspire CX CAS. I plane to major in computer sciences and become a programmer so I am looking for a calculator that is good for programming. Thank you.
 
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A Ti graphing calculator (don't know the number, sorry) should suit you fine for high school, and I believe you can program stuff for them as well.
 
Calculator3000 said:
I need a new calculator for Highschool. I am looking at either the TI-84 Plus Color Silver Edition, TI-89 Titanium or the TI-Nspire CX CAS. I plane to major in computer sciences and become a programmer so I am looking for a calculator that is good for programming. Thank you.

Have you considered an HP RPN calculator like HP48G+ or similar, why just TI? You'll find that RPN is more intuitive to use. I assume TI allows either mode of operation algebraic or RPN?

Side note here... don't focus on being a programmer. Programmers are people that do the tasks for the Software Architect. Here read this article.
http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/39284/whats-the-difference-between-a-software-architect-a-software-engineer-and-a-so
 
pullmanwa said:
Have you considered an HP RPN calculator like HP48G+ or similar, why just TI? You'll find that RPN is more intuitive to use. I assume TI allows either mode of operation algebraic or RPN?

Side note here... don't focus on being a programmer. Programmers are people that do the tasks for the Software Architect. Here read this article.
http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/39284/whats-the-difference-between-a-software-architect-a-software-engineer-and-a-so

What is the difference between HP and TI and what is RPN?
 
Calculator3000 said:
What is the difference between HP and TI and what is RPN?

RPN = reverse polish notation

HP is the Gold Standard when it comes to calculators, TI is not.
 
Got your first lesson in computer science: RPN v. algebraic
 
pullmanwa said:
RPN = reverse polish notation

HP is the Gold Standard when it comes to calculators, TI is not.
But why is HP better?
 
pullmanwa said:
Have you considered an HP RPN calculator like HP48G+ or similar, why just TI? You'll find that RPN is more intuitive to use. I assume TI allows either mode of operation algebraic or RPN?

Side note here... don't focus on being a programmer. Programmers are people that do the tasks for the Software Architect. Here read this article.
http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/39284/whats-the-difference-between-a-software-architect-a-software-engineer-and-a-so
So I should focus on Software Arcitect more than Programming? Why is it better?
 
Buy the Ti-89. The Ti-83/84 does not deal with logic operators or have HEX, Dec, BIN conversions built in. The Ti nspire is locked down and not available for advanced programming to avoid programs that could allow the student to cheat. Hence out of your three options, only the Ti-89 is a viable candidate.

You should probably avoid Hp as its programming is quite different than anything you have seen and not used by anyone but Hp. However, Hp now offers the new Hp Prime which is NOT RPN (well not out of box anyway). It is comparable the Ti Nspire, but more open.
 

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