<p>Should I get the TI-89? All I have right now is a TI-83 plus.</p>
<p>(incoming freshman EE major)</p>
<p>definitely</p>
<p>ti-89=hax. (see “Solve function”)</p>
<p>I think you’re fine with a TI-83. Firstly, some professors will require a scientific calculator on exams (no graphing calculators), so buying another graphing calculator will be a waste of money. Secondly, any additional functionality that you get from buying a TI-89 will just be something that you should be able to do yourself.</p>
<p>Well I can tell you that in EE302, you’ll be required to solve systems of about 5 equations. Those with TI-83s either rearranged the equations to be compatible with matrix solve functions or solved them by mostly hand. Those with TI-89s simply entered the equations in and pressed solve. Over a 1 hour test this saved me a minimum of 10 minutes (not to mention any algebraic mistakes I may have made otherwise). My TI-89 also proved helpful in M340L. The matrix functions in a TI-89 are much more streamlined and can display the results of matrix calculations in more forms (helpful when the test asks for a specific one). Additionally, my TI-89 could solve for determinants with variables while my friends with TI-83 had to solve them by hand. And these are the payoffs after only 1 year so I can only assume it will pay off more down the road.</p>
<p>But as soadquake said, there’s nothing the TI-89 can do that you shouldn’t be able to do yourself. If you can comfortably afford a TI-89, then I would recommend it. However, if you don’t have money to spare then you should feel comfortable knowing that most EE’s use TI-83s.</p>
<p>It sounds like the 89 is pretty useful at times, even if it’s just for checking answers. It’s not exactly cheap (130 on amazon) but it should be worth it for 4 years.</p>
<p>One more thing, does the 89 do everything the 83 does?</p>
<p>Yes, it can do everything an 83 can do.</p>
<p>It’s not only “useful at times”, but gives a huge advantage over 83/84 users. When I saw what the 89 could do in the middle of my second semester, I felt like I was living under a rock before. While I would’ve otherwise screwed up terribly integrating equations with 6 variables 4 times and then solving for a variable in terms of the other variables, the ti-89 made it a cinch.</p>
<p>There’s always WolframAlpha.</p>
<p>Check eBay if you don’t mind a used one. I bought my ti89 on eBay for $89 (how ironic haha). It was in perfect condition so that’s always an option</p>
<p>@soad:
yeah but not on tests, I was required to do that on tests for one of my MechE classes
of course we’d get partial credit if the answer was wrong, but it was nearly impossible to do all of that correctly without an 89</p>
<p>my ti 89 is such a crutch to me in my classes that i don’t learn anything</p>
<p>i wish i never bought it</p>
<p>If you wanna be awesome you should get the HP 50g.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> HP 50g Graphing Calculator (F2229AA#ABA): Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/HP-Graphing-Calculator-F2229AA-ABA/dp/B000GTPRPS]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/HP-Graphing-Calculator-F2229AA-ABA/dp/B000GTPRPS)</p>
<p>It has the steepest learning curve due to its use of Reverse Polish Notation, but this thing is powerful and can do anything. Once you learn RPN you will be able to perform calculations much faster than TI users.</p>
<p>It really paid off in my circuit theory class (EE 411).</p>
<p>I like using my HP 33s for algebraic operations and my TI-89 for any calculus or systems of equations.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A): Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/HP-33S-Scientific-Calculator-F2216A/dp/B0000DK6G9/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312917905&sr=1-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/HP-33S-Scientific-Calculator-F2216A/dp/B0000DK6G9/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312917905&sr=1-1)</p>
<p>The HP 33s uses RPN (Reverse Polish Notation), which I personally find to be faster than typical infix notation. For me, one of the biggest benefits is not having to use and match nested parentheses, which can be pretty frustrating for large complicated expressions.</p>
<p>The TI-89 (or really any calculator that offers matrix operations/solve functions) are extremely helpful for both linear and nonlinear systems of equations. Of course, it also offers graphing capability whereas the HP 33s does not.</p>
<p>The HP 50g posted by gamepad appears to offer both advantages. I haven’t any experience using it, but I will probably try it out soon.</p>