TI-89 Titanium

*Note: This review pertains to the TI-89 Titanium, which is newer than the regular TI89.*

What a calculator! In middle school math, I had a scientific calculator. Back then, scientific calculators seemed like the most advanced calculators out there. And then along came high school. It is here that I was first exposed to graphing calculators. My first impression was that these were just for lazy people who didn't want to spend time doing the work.

Now I am in 10th grade. My math teacher required my class to get a TI-89. By this level in math, we didn't really need to show work on how to factor a quadratic or find a slope. It became second nature. So only two years after I thought these things were just for show, I found graphing calculators very useful.

Differences between TI89 Titanium and regular TI89:
Like computers, graphing calculators get better with each version. You can view the Titanium from any online office or electronic sites. Here are the specs:
1. All the features of the regular TI89.
2. 16 preloaded applications.
3. Can hold three times more Flash ROM than the regular.
4. USB port.
5. Product CD with TI Connect program.
6. Calculus exam review questions.
7. As my friend puts it, "It looks hot." Weird guy.

Mini-Computer:
If one were to compare this to a scientific calculator, he would notice that along with the bigger display, the Titanium is thicker. This is probably due to the fact that the Titanium can do just more than calculate. It can graph, open applications like the Planner and Calendar. Just like a computer, this calculator has RAM. RAM is basically memory and affects how many things someone can do on the calculator . Like a computer, the more RAM available, the better the calculator performs. There is also Flash ROM. This is basically how much space there is available in storage. Titanium allows many things to be stored. Things that are not stored take up the RAM. Storing is done by "archiving". The Titanium can "store" three times as much as the regular as mentioned in the specs. This calculator can also remember the settings on the calculator. So if you were working on a problem and the calculator turns off, you can expect the problem back when you turn it on.

Calculator:
OK. Pretty cool. What else can this calculator do...? Well, it can do calculations, if that's at all important. With this calculator, you can set options. You can put it in degree or radian mode and tell the calculator to show a certain amount of digits. It can show exact or approx. answers. For instance, if you wanted to calculate 9/6, the calculator would say 3/2 or 1.5 depending on your settings.

If you are familiar with functions, these next things shouldn't be to hard. Basically a function is given a value and then it spits out answers. So lets say you wanted to solve 5x=10. Yep, this calculator can do this. All one would need to do is find the "solve(" option and type in "solve(5x=10,x)". This should spit out the answer of 2. It can also factor. I don't know about you, but I'd rather let the calculator factor 24x^2+55x-24. To do this, one has to look for the "factor(" option. This calculator can do much more things as long you give it a command.

The graphing feature is neat too. Even though it doesn't show labels, you can move the cursor over the line, function, or whatever you graphed to find the coordinates. You can also find the minimum and maximum values. This can come in handle when finding the vertex of a parabola. However, this calculator is very precise. A coordinate could be (6.12345, 7.56423). To solve this, the Titanium has an option that allows you to find the "y" value after typing in the respective "x" value.

This is a very powerful calculator that will make everyone's life easier. Although this calculator can be picky, especially with parenthesis, it is always nice to know that this calculator can remember previous problems and has the ability to edit them.

TI Connect:
The CD that comes with this calculator has the TI Connect program. This program allows you to transfer files, such as games and applications, to your calculator. On the CD are a few samples of programs. Other programs can be downloaded off the internet from sites such as "ticalc.org". Usually with each program, there are installation procedures. If there isn't, the program probably isn't from a experienced programmer. (Note about Titanium: Titanium requires TI Connect version 1.5.3 to work. Just a reminder in advance if you plan to get this. :P)

The Manual:
The manual that comes with Titanium is pretty darn thick. In it are the "how to's" of just about everything with an example of each. If you want to know how to set the clock or learn how to use the function things described earlier, then the manual should be your first resort as it does have an index. If you do not understand the directions, there will often be an example for everything.

Support:
Though I only e-mailed Texas Instruments once since getting my Titanium, the quickness in which they answered an e-mail tempts me to say that Texas has good technical support. However, my Statistics course influence forbids me to do that.

Final Note:
If you don't know any of the mathematical terms used in this review, you probably should not get this calculator. This calculator can do a lot of things for you automatically. It is better to learn how to do a skill manually first. But hey, I'm not a teacher. The Titanium is suitable for the higher levels of Math. Although I still have a couple of years to college, I'm pretty sure that this tool will come in handy when I am pressed for time. You should get this "hot" looking calculator if you plan to take a lot of higher level math classes.