Texas Instruments Nspire CX CAS Graphing Calculator

All I have to say is WOW! Texas Instruments really hit it out of the ball park with this calculator. This is the most beautiful and user friendly graphing calculator I have ever seen. Keep in mind I have not owned a graphing calculator since I had an old TI-81 in high school 15 years ago. I am currently going back to school studying electrical engineering and this calculator has already been a lifesaver in the two weeks I've owned it. So far, I've mainly used the Computer Algebra System features of this calculator. The fact that I can use this to solve complicated integrals, a system of equations or do a partial fraction decomposition is a huge time saver. I've already proven time and again that I can solve these tedious, time consuming problems by hand and isn't this the entire reason man invented calculators. It means more time that I can use to better grasp the advanced math and physics concepts I'm being taught. That's a lot considering I work 30 hours a week on top of a full time school schedule. To me, the best part of all is the user interface. The "pretty print" allows you to enter a problem exactly how it appears on your page. You can leave your equations in mixed fraction form and don't have to take any extra time to convert them into a matrix as you would need to on some of the other TI models. Also, the menus are laid out in a format that's similar to a personal computer. This greatly reduces the learning curve associated with using a brand new graphing calculator. I do also love the built in rechargable battery. I charged the calculator when I recieved it and I'm still at about 50% power. The claim that a typical charge lasts for two weeks of normal usage is definitely true. I've read some review that worry about running out of power at an inconvenient time, but I think as long as you remember to charge it at some point within a week before a test you will be perfectly fine. While I haven't used the graphing features a lot, the color screen does seem to be a huge advantage when plotting multiple functions. This calculator also has a lot of other features that I'm sure are fantastic, but I can't really review because I just haven't had the time to explore them in depth. My only small complaints have to do with screen glare and documentation from TI. While the color screen is beautiful, there is a terrible glare if you try to use this outside in the sunlight. But, this is not a huge deal since I use this for student purposes and I'm not ever outdoors when I'm doing my homework. There is also an extreme lack of in depth instructional information on Texas Instruments website. I'm sure this is because there are just way too many features to give a comprehensive in depth coverage of everything. Luckily a quick google search has given me answers to any operating questions I've had so this has also (so far) not been a problem. Overall I would reccomend this product to any college student taking advanced math and science classes. You relly cannot go wrong. While you may be able to get apps that can do the same things on a tablet or computer, you generally cannot use those devices on tests. Every one of my classmates who has seen me use this cannot beleive how awesome it is. In fact, I think Texas Instruments owes me some money for all the advertising I've given them.

This is one of the first graphing calculators, just behind Casio, that provides a color display. So what is great about this calculator? 1. Templates, templates, templates! Have a hard time understanding how to solve an integral or a system of equations on your TI-89? The TI-Nspire Cx CAS has easy to understand templates for solving integrals. In other words, this calculator will set up an integral just the way you would see it in your book, simply tab or arrow over to an empty box and fill it in. 2. CAS (computer algebra system) This helps solve for variables and can help simplify expressions that the non-CAS calculators couldn't hope to do. For just 10 or 20 dollars more for this feature (it is included in this calculator!), it adds a whole new level of functionality to your calculator, and the non-CAS calculators will tease you about these functions, but will tell you that CAS is needed in order to perform them. Also, This calculator looks more professional than the standard CX calculator, at least in my mind. So what is good about this calculator? 1. The screen provides a clear display, of course, the display could be improved on, but it really doesn't seem that necessary. Another difference is that the screen is in line with the rest of the calculator (the screen is not indented into the calculator as it is with most other models), providing little protection against accidental drops. 2. The sleek design. It looks much more professional than the older Nspire models and is much more sleek, but it provides a little worry when it comes to strength and durability, but you would have to be rather careless in order to break it. So what is slightly annoying about this calculator? 1. The Li-Ion battery. This may be a difference in personal opinion, but I don't think I should have to charge my calculator at least every two weeks and eventually every other day or so. This calculator runs off a standard cell phone battery and so the longer this calculator is used, the faster it will die, and I just prefer that my calculator runs off batteries and works for months at a time. (Hey, uh, maam, I know we're taking a test and all, but, uh, could you move over a bit so I can charge my calculator?) That really shouldn't be much of a problem because it does have a battery bar, but if you forget one day, and happen to have the recharger, it just seems strange compared to keeping a pack of batteries as a spare. -Battery correction located towards bottom of review Added Friday, August 26, 2011 This calculator attempts to emulate or copy the general format of a laptop computer that happens to mostly only function mathematically and scientifically in the sense that it is possible to buy a variety of different sensors for this calculator. I also forgot to mention that this calculator has what is similar to a touchpad that seems a little bit, well, touchy (The scrolling icon doesn't show up unless the calculator detects/thinks you are trying to use the arrow pad as a touchpad). After I have had a small amount of time to try this calculator, I have found that it seems to be the type of calculator that is used more often for homework, not tests, because it is a great tool when you are not under pressure. This may be for a variety of reasons, one of which would be that I am much more familiar with the general layout of the TI-89 and TI-83/84. Before considering purchasing this calculator, one who has not owned a previous version of the Nspire line, should determine whether he/she is willing to put the time in to understand where to find the functions he/she will want to use. In addition, the calculator features a basic keypad containing the alphabet in the abc, rather than qwerty, format which some may find annoying. But! Remember that if Texas Instruments were to make a qwerty keyboard on their calculators, then these calculators would not be allowed during most tests due to standard regulations. In conclusion, I believe that you should probably only spend your money on this calculator if: 1. You previously owned an Nspire model, AND enjoyed using it! 2. You have never owned a graphing calculator and want the best of the best. (You know, color, resolution, processor, touch pad, three dimensional graphing, templates, sleek design, semi-intuitive button layout etc etc.) 3. You collect TI brand calculators 4. You enjoy manipulating graphs, rather than simply calculating functions. I'm sure there are quite a few things I may have missed, but I wanted to be sure that I addressed a few more of the aspects of this calculator and to come up with a guide to whether this calculator may be right for you. Regardless of my main points, and despite the comments and reviews about cracked screens and assaults on durability, this calculator works and is relatively durable. If you are the type of person who drops your phone every three seconds and who works with dangerous chemicals without washing your hands, then this calculator, and any calculator over $20, may not be right for you. But if you are the type of person who is going to set the calculator on a table or desk and use it for what it is meant for (hint: calculating, NOT playing catch with or determining the gravitational constant by dropping it) then you will more than likely not experience any durability issues. Added Sunday, August 28, 2011 *Battery Correction* I have recieved note that the Li-Ion battery, in fact, should run just as long as a set of AAA batteries. While this is true, the Nspire calculator has many power-saving options that can significantly increase battery life at the cost of power up time. When this calculator is "shut off" its true default is to stay in somewhat of a very low power sleep mode that helps lower boot times. This sleep mode can be lengthened or shortened depending on your use, but the difference in boot time changes by roughly 10 seconds. (The calculator starts at about the same speed of the 89 titanium when coming out of sleep mode, but when it is completely turned off, then the calculator displays a load bar for about 10 measly seconds). The difference is that when you shut off a Ti-89, at least to my knowledge, the calculator completely shuts down and does not use any battery power. This allows for extended use for up to months as I have accomplished beforehand. But! I reviewed this calculator on either the first or the second day after I bought it, and have not needed to recharge it yet. (It has been nearly a month) My actual rating for this calculator would be about 4.5 stars.

I bought this calculator for an online college algebra course. I originally got the TI-Nspire CX, but within about 5 minutes I knew I wanted the CAS feature. The return process with Amazon was awesome and I was very happy with the CAS version. I had debated prior to ordering, but not knowing much about math, I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Now having just completed the semester, it is completely worth it and then some- here is why: 1) some problems you have to work in college algebra will have two or more answers. Without the CAS version, only one answer is displayed and there is no indication that other answers exist. With the CAS version, the applicable answers are displayed. 2) With CAS, the calculator can do more difficult math calculations. If you're a math wiz anyway, this probably isn't that big of a deal. Personally, I loathe math, put it off for as long as possible, literally the last class I needed for my degree. Getting this calculator was a game changer, I just wanted to get through the course. Sure, I learned along the way but if the calculator can do the heavy lifting, then I feel it should. Once I learned how to use this calculator, it was a matter of entering the equations into the calculator, pressing enter, and writing down the answer. Quadratic equations became almost as easy as figuring 2+2. As a side note, I just looked on the SAT approved calculator list and this is currently on it, so I don't know why anyone would buy a different graphing calculator unless this advanced level of a calculator isn't allowed in your test. With each week's homework assignment I found more the calculator can do- there are tons of demo videos on youtube that were helpful. Then the day before my final, I stumbled on to what may be the coolest feature of the calculator which is the way programs can be written. You don't have to be a programmer, just download some of these to the calculator, it is very easy using the supplied software. I downloaded programs to find the slope and solve quadratic equations and suddenly I didn't have to memorize equations any more. The great thing is you can use it for these sort of things as little or as much as you want- personally I opt for having the calculator do as much math as possible. The student software that comes with it is very handy if you have dual monitors, basically it is a calculator emulator and does everything the calculator does on your computer. I could enter things in much more easily with my computer keyboard than the tiny keys on the calculator so I used the software for homework and the calculator for my tests. Finally, I would say the proof that this calculator is worth the cost is to imagine how much I disliked algebra before this semester in comparison to my final grade for college algebra from my university which was just over a 99%.

The bees knees compared to the TI-89 Titanium. **Summary of review** This calculator is awesome, it has gotten me better grades on tests, it was easy to transition from a TI-89. I highly recommend this calculator. I am going through the math sequence in college right now. I am in the middle of the 2 year Calculus sequence then moving on to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations so I needed something better then the good ol' TI-89 that had been my go to for many previous years. I am very used to the TI-89 Titanium and was unsure if I wanted to take the plunge of buying and learning a new calculator. I am SO GLAD I decided to give it a try. Nspire CX CAS compared to TI-89 Titanium PROS: *Color screen and better resolution! (This is extremely valuable when graphing multiple equations or graphing in 3D) *Can graph in 3D and rotate the graph (The TI-89 can too, but it looks terrible and is not useful) *Has room for notes, you can write anything you want in it. *Matrices and cross products are way simpler and faster to calculate. *It can do almost everything! Derivatives, integrals, limits, sums, implicit differentiation, differential equations, Taylor polynomials, and so much more! *Rechargeable Battery? (I originally thought this would be a con, but I get 2-3 weeks of daily use per charge so its not bad) *Full alphabet keys (this proved to be so useful when you learn the calculator, you can quickly type in things instead of navigating menus) *Easy to transition to this from TI-89 (Just watch a few youtube videos and it is very easy to learn) CONS: *The touch pad mouse is terrible (The four arrow box under the screen is also a touchpad, performs horribly, hard to use, hard to press the buttons without it thinking you are using the mouse and changing your selection. It is also hard to accurately use the touch pad to select things) *Rechargeable battery? (This isn't really a con unless you forget to charge it and it dies during an exam. I usually get 2-3 weeks of daily use per charge.) *Buttons aren't as nice to press as the ones on the TI-89. They require more force and you need to press them down until they 'click'. The 'click' is semi annoying when doing lots of calculations in a quiet classroom full of people taking an exam. Some of the buttons are multi-funtion and you need to press them just right, but its not a huge deal. OVERALL: I love this calculator, there have been several occasions on calculus exams where I was stumped, spent some time roaming the menus and trying different things on this calculator and figured out the problem. I was not able to do that on the TI-89. This calculator has improved my GPA and it is great for almost all sections of calculus. Whether you are just getting into math and need a good calculator or are looking to upgrade from a TI-83, TI-84 or TI89 I highly recommend the Nspire CAS CX

After using this calculator for my TRIG and CALC class, I am sure there is nothing that this calculator can not do. PROS- 1. SCREEN. It is great to have a calculator to show data in different colors. This makes analyzing graphs and charts very easy. It is also cool to be able to get pictures on this calculator. One of the first calculators to have a color screen. 2. FUNCTIONS. This calculator can do anything you could possibly need it to. There has been times that I had thought I may have had to do a math problem by hand, but quickly realized the TI nspire cx cas could easily find out the answer. Some of the great functions I use frequently are solving any type of conversion, equations, factor, rectangular to polar coordinates, complex numbers, and much much more. This calculator can do everything you old one could plus much more. Also, when does a note program come in handy for any students?! 3. PROGRAMS. The are many different apps available on the TI website that you can download for your nspire cx cas. They have apps for different Math, Physics, Chemistry, and games. If you need a certain topic on your calculator, such as quadratic equations, center of a circle, moles, Avogadros Number, density, and many laws, they are only a download away. 4. UNDERSTANDABLY. At first, I was very lost when using this calculator. It is definitely more advance then most of the other calculators out there. However, this was the first graphing calculator I have ever bought, so I just soaked it all in. After becoming familiar with all simple math functions, I was ready to learn more. YouTube offers a lot of great informational videos that can help you learned about a specific area. If you are not sure if this graphing calculator can do something, or do not understand how to do it, just try looking it up on YouTube, or google it, and you will find an answer. I love the layout of all the different keys, and the different menus when looking to perform a calculation. I have became very familiar with this calculator very quickly and grew to love it. CONS- 1. TRANSITION. I never owned an older TI before, but I have borrowed them from friends. There are different buttons on both calculators and the ti nspire cx is definitely different. However, if you have TI knowledge, you should be able to pick up on the nspire rather quickly. 2. APPS. While the apps offered for this calculator are great, there is not even close to the same amount of apps available as the ti 83, 84. I think this will just come with time, as time goes on more and more app will get added to this list for the ti nspire cx cas. I'm sure eventually the amount of apps for this calculator will overtake the apps for ti 83 and 84, seeing as the nspire is capable of way more. I would highly recommend this calculator to any student or professional in need of a new graphing calculator, as long as they are familiar with the TI brand, or are technology driven and willing to learn how to use it. I have used this calculator for atleast 5 different sessions a week, as it is great for any math, physics, or chemistry class. The battery life for this calculator is very nice, as it only takes about an hour to fully charge, and keeps a charge for hours and hours. I do not know how I would get through another math or physics class without it. The cd that comes with this calculator has a really cool download program that lets you use this calculator on your computer. You can do anything calculation while on your computer and can also easily transfer pictures and documents.

For the past 10 years I have used a $12 Casio graphic calculator, I never thought I would ever use all the features in the device. Last year I was taking Math in Liberal Arts 1 for St. Petersburg College. I had reached the limit of the $12 calculator. It could not do Statistics, so I researched new Calculators. I was planning on getting the TI-83/84 as according to the College Board, those models are the official Statistics Calculators. The TI-83/84 also has a feature that allows students and teachers to develop their own programs, user created software that can be installed on the calculator. That is when I learned about the TI-Nspire CX CAS. The Ti-Nspire CX CAS takes all the popular user created programs of the TI-83/84 and updates them with a faster system configuration and updated graphics. To make the product even better, the calculator is approved by the College Board on most of their tests. (Please note that some college exams will prevent you from using this calculator or the instructor will have you disable some features.) This calculator along with the free software that came with it, allowed me to input class notes into the calculator itself and I saved a ton of time doing homework. I went from a $12 calculator to a $150 calculator. At first I was like $150!!! No way am I spending that kind of money on a Calculator. However, you need to look at it as an investment, this is something you need, you need this to help with school, and this money spent will benefit you greatly while going into the future. Pros: Easy to read Computer desktop interface Allows for note taking Upload/download user created content Allows for faster completion of math problems Statistics problems sometimes take up multiple pages on paper but with the TI-Nspire CX CAS, you can complete the same problem in less than a minute and get all the answers and all the work shown. Cons: Steep Learning Curve, This thing comes will a light manual which does not tell you much of anything; you will spend countless hours, possibly the same amount of time if not more than what you would for studying for a College Class, just to learn how to do basic math functions in this device. Learning how to use this calculator is like learning how to use a Computer for the first time (Like the Linux Operating system). I recommend that you purchase this calculator in between semesters, summer break, and Winter break. You might be able to get by with learning it while taking classes but most likely you will struggle. Possibility of becoming Calculator dependent. Sadly since this Calculator is so advanced, you get kids who ask their parents to buy them this calculator and the kids go off and install video games onto the device. The system configuration of this device is powerful enough to run Nintendo Gameboy, Gameboy Advanced, Gameboy Color, and possibly Gameboy DS games through use of emulator software, As such more often when you search the internet for solving math problems with the TI-Nspire CX CAS, often the top result for some reason has titles like "Play Pokémon on the TI-Nspire" these poor search returns make searching for math help with this device much harder. So many great things can come from this calculator and our youth is destroying the possibilities with video games. Closing: Please remember, sure it may seem like a cheat device and it can be used as one, however, a rule with calculators is that you should learn how to manually do the math problem on paper and be able to memorize all the steps BEFORE you learn to do the math on the calculator. Calculators are meant to reduce the math work and to speed up the process.

I love this calculator! It is beautiful and functional, and having a software for my computer has helped when I forgot to bring my calculator. It was love at first sight and didn't disappoint me.

I regularly use both a TI-84 and TI-89 Titanium for teaching statistics and econometrics courses at the college level. Because some students are now arriving with the NSpire, my employer purchased this calculator for my use. It is an excellent upgrade from my TI-89 and is about the same price, or only a few dollars more depending on the seller. It is also lighter and features better integration with my PC (the software will work on a Mac too). The rechargeable battery is a big plus; it recharges either with the wall charger (included) or when attached to my computer via the USB cable (included). Screen size is larger than the TI-89 and much crisper than the TI-84. The ability to save "documents," essentially pages of results with embedded applications is its major innovation. Applications can include calculator, graph, spreadsheet, statistical, etc. Mostly, I use the "scratchpad" which is a quick way to do whatever you want. It can be saved as a document if you need to. In addition to multiple "pages," documents can also have multiple windows so you can have the data in one window and the graph in another, switching back and forth with the touch-pad. If you don't like the touch pad, you can navigate with the tab and cursor keys, too. For math, statistics, economics, finance, etc. this would be a better unit than the TI-89 as its CAS system is the same and functions that are loaded with apps in the 89 are integral in the NSpire (specifically, stat and finance). Editing data and matrices is much more intuitive with the NSpire. If you're an engineer, you might be happier with the 89, but ask another engineer. From a teacher's perspective, the ability to easily take applications and screen shots at reasonable resolution, and display them for my students is a big help. I have the teacher's edition software at work (not included) and use the supplied PC software at home. TI also offers a $30 iPad app that is a virtual the NSpire. As a college prof, I do have reservations about allowing the NSpire on exams because it can store hundreds of pages of notes and images in memory. Though I allow some notes on exams, the NSpire could easily be used by an enterprising student to evade the limits. (Truth is, the 89 could also but it's more difficult with the 89.) As a student, you may want to check with your teachers/professors to see if they will allow you to use it on exams. Physically, it has pluses (mostly) and minuses compared to the 84 and 89. It is lighter and flatter, has a rechargeable battery, better display, and more built-in functions: all pluses. On the minus side, the touch pad takes up room and the letters are on separate buttons so that the buttons are smaller: a minus. A plus side of the button issue is that one has to hit the Ctrl key (like 2nd on the 89 and 84) a lot less, and there is no Alpha button with the NSPire. Also, I'm not sure yet if it will be as durable as my 89 which is almost indestructible. Overall, I'm happy to have the NSpire and it will become my principal calculator replacing my 89 for day-to-day work, though I'll still keep the 89 and 84 around to demonstrate techniques for my students.

Fit for my purpose.

日本語の取扱い説明書は、一関工業高等専門学校 名誉教授 梅野善雄先生が 執筆された414ページのものをダウンロードして勉強中です。 無限の可能性を感じます。 小さいけれど強力な数学コンピューターです。 また、(x^2-5)を2から8まで数値積分するのに シャープのEL-509Jでは、4秒かかっていましたが、 TI Nspire CX CASでは、瞬時で計算します。 脅威の計算速度を持つグラフ電卓です。 昔、Windows PC用のMathCadを買って少し遊びましたが、このグラフ 電卓を使いこなせば、基本的な部分は代替出来るような気がします。 Amazon.comのこのグラフ電卓に関するレビューが2000以上もあり、 相当な数の学生や技術者が使い込んでいると推測できます。

I use this calculator for my university level math courses and this is hands down the best calculator I have ever used. It was delivered earlier then expected ( which was awesome). This calculator is the best long term investment as it has full colour and the screen it self is pretty decent as well. Makes it very easy to distinguish in multiple graphs because of the Colour and you can even open a table of values right next to the graph(s). Although, it may be a little too much for high school students but still worth getting if you are planning on going into any program that is relevant to math. As for college and university whose major is finance, engineering and anything that has to do with math, this is a must buy! It does everything a normal, scientific and other graphing calculators do but it does is ten times better!

Llevo usándola varias semanas y me parece una maravilla. Es muy fácil de usar, pero de todos modos las guías son fáciles de encontrar en la página web. Incluye una licencia para instalar la calculadora en la computadora, así que es muy conveniente. Existen herramientas en línea y programas más sofisticados para graficar en computadoras, pero con este producto se tiene la conveniencia de que se puede llevar a un salón de clase. No es tan grande ni pesada como había pensado. Tiene pantalla a color y la interfaz es muy intuitiva. Incluye un cable USB para cargarla; he notado que dura en promedio dos semanas de uso diario una carga completa.

Perfect. Even arrived a day early.