Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator

• Robust, professional grade scientific calculator
• It has 2-line display shows entry and calculated result at same time
• Easily handles 1 and 2 variable statistical calculations
• Three angle modes (degrees, radians, and grads) and scientific and engineering notation modes
• It has 1-year limited warranty

This is probably the best calculator for middle to high school kids. I got mine in seventh grade and it was all I needed until calculus. In fact, we weren't even allowed to use graphing calculators until pre-calc. I held off getting one until calculus, though, because my TI-30XIIS did everything i needed it to and was so easy to use.

The best thing:

-you can enter entire expressions and solve them. this is because, unlike earlier models, functions like sine, cosine, tangent, square root, etc. are entered before the number. for example, with other models you would punch in 45 and hit tan, and it would automatically give you the answer 1. With the 30XIIS, however, you press tan, then 1, then enter. It seems like a disadvantage at first, but when you are doing more complicated math and need to enter a whole line of info, it's a huge time-saver.

Other good things:

-You can go back and substitute other numbers into your expression. This is great when you are doing guess-and-check work, but it was most useful in chemistry and physics, when I had to use the same formula with a lot of different values. I was really bummed to discover the graphing calculators didn't have the ability to go back to an expression you've already solved.

-The buttons are arranged really logically. There were about three buttons grouped together up in the corner that I never used (I think they're maybe for statistics), but they were totally out of the way. When you're doing trig, all the buttons you need are near each other. Same with logs and everything else. After using this calculator for a while, you can key things in so fast. Hitting 2nd [ans] is like a reflex now.

Bad things:

-The buttons were a little loose after about my third year with my TI-30XIIS. this didn't cause any problems with how it worked (at least in the next two years), but the buttons were sort of crooked in their slots. Again, only an aesthetic issue. This didn't affect the performance at all.

-Sometimes, if you don't hit clear before you start your expression, it will use your last answer as the first number in your new equation. This isn't much of a problem, b/c it only happens due to operator error, and hitting clear becomes reflexive. It'll happen to you, I promise. Honestly, if you looked around during a test when i was in algebra II, you would see at least one person unconsciously mashing the clear button. which also attests to the durability of this calculator.

So, that is the TI-30XIIS from the perspective of a high school student. basically, it is the best calculator i've ever owned, far superior in basic math to my TI-84+. And it's incredibly cheap. Calculating just doesn't get any better than this.

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Main Points:

I used this calculator for over 10 years before it finally stopped working, and I treated it fairly roughly (e.g.,coffe spills). I think others here have attested to the functionality of the TI-30, so I just want to emphasize that it's a tough little gadget as well. Yes, the buttons are on the small side and there is a bit of play, but this was never a major problem (although at times it slows down data entry). You can go to http://education.ti.com/downloads for a good overview of TI calculators, and you can scope out one of TI's major competitors at http://www.casio.com.

A Little History:

This was also one of the first commercially available low-priced calculators that had two-line display and backspace to correct or edit data entry. The dual-power and scrolling display features were also once unusual. The top line (for data entry) shows up to 11 characters; you can scroll backwards or forwards up to 88! The bottom line (shows results) displays up to a 10-digit answer along with a 2-digit exponent.

Individual Needs Differ:

From the reviews here, it appears that high school math is now more difficult than it once was. If you know that you're going to need graphing capability, then obviously this is not the choice for you. Similarly, the prevalence of laptop computers and math/stats software may obviate the need for some of the more advanced features.

Recommendation:

The layout is very good and, for such a low price, it packs a lot of calculating might. However, high school (or college)students may want to narrow their choices and then ask their teacher which one has the most relevant functions for the next few years of math. Compared to twenty-five or so years ago, one can now get a lot more calculator for the money. Depending on your budget, therefore, you might determine that a calculator like this is sufficient for your short-term needs, but that you'll need a new one if you go on to more advanced stats and math. In any event, this is a durable calculator that works very well.

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I needed a calculator for my chemistry class and I couldn't use my graphing one that I've had for the last six years so I went ahead and ordered this because it was the best selling scientific one from TI. Little did I know that it is an OLD model. I would avoid this product and go for the newer version of the TI-30! The TI-30XS is the same price and is much more usable and has more features! The buttons on this calculator are VERY loose and make data entry tricky for fast calculation. One must constantly verify that each button press has been recognized. These loose buttons are annoying if you are accustomed to quick calculations. It makes the calculator essentially unusable. I expected much more from Texas Instruments, as I really adore my 83+SE, but this is an utter disappointment.

I wish amazon had alerted me to the new version (as they do with some other products).

ALL POTENTIAL BUYERS, GET THIS ONE INSTEAD:

TI-30XS Multiview Calculator

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Nice to finally see TI step into the two-line solar calculator market. Very easy to use and the buttons have a solid feel. I also like the large display so you can easily see both the equation and the answer.

Why did it give the TI-30 II only four stars? For the same price, there are good two-line calcs (Casio FX-115 MS for example) which include a larger library of functions (base calculations, integrals, derivates, solve function) for the same amount of money.

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When I was taking courses in calculus and physics, I used the TI-86 because it had more functions and was more powerful, for the kind of math that was needed.

However, the TI30XIIS is an excellent scientific calculator. It has most of the functions of a scientific calculator, with the scrollable screen that lets you check your numbers before multiplying, and perform many operations using the "Ans" function. As an organic chemist, it's the only calculator I need when it comes to doing simple chemistry calculations, which involve a lot of basic operations.

If you need to do derivates, integrals, polynomials, etc, then you should get something more powerful. If you just want a calculator to do your basic math yet allow you to check your numbers with ease, then this is a great calculator to have.

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Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

• Performs common math as well as various financial functions
• Worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest
• Built-in memory for storage of previous worksheets
• Can perform cash-flow analysis and advanced list-based statistics
• Slide-case included to protect screen

The TI BA Plus II is a better calculator than most of the current TI models.

Pros:

It's a nice conservative brown color and not a day glo blue or some other candy color.

The button feel (button feel a critical factor in buying a calculator) is much better than most TIs but it still could be improved. (It is not as good as the HP 12c). One shouldn't have to keep looking at the display to see if the number was keyed correctly.

The different colored keys make it easy to find the various functions.

The display is uncluttered and easy to read.

The alpha characters on the left side of the display make it easy to know what data you are entering and what the resulting number from a calculation refers to.

It has a backspace key.

The manual is well written and very complete.

Cons:

The number of key strokes that you need to do the simplest things is unbelievable. For example, to change the decimal format you have to press 2nd, format, [the number referring to the number of places], enter, 2nd, quit. Compare this to the HP 12c where you just press F and the number referring to the number of places. Six steps on the TI verses 2 on the HP.

The calculator has no weight to it. It seems flimsy. I would be very afraid of dropping it. The HP 12c is a tank by comparison.

The hard plastic slip "case" doesn't fit securely.

There is no way to change the contrast of the display.

Extra steps are required to do TVM calculations as compared to the HP 12c since with the TI you have to press the CPT key to get an answer. If you forget to do that then the display number becomes a new, unintended variable.

It doesn't retain the display when you shut the calculator off.

The arrow on the backspace key points the wrong way. Compare it to the backspace key on your computer.

It's easier to change the battery in your watch than it is in this calculator.

The "cheat sheet" in the plastic cover is only paper and very easy to loose. The HP has it printed on the back of the calculator.

No rubber feet! How much can these cost? That means you have to use two hands with this calculator; one to hold it so it doesn't slide around the table and one to enter data. You can't enter data with one hand and keep track of your place on a list of numbers with the other.

Not noticeably faster than the HP 12c which was designed over 20 years ago.

Conclusion: This calculator is better than most on the TIs in this price range mostly because of the improved button feel and the quality of the display but it would do well to take some lessons from the 80's and incorporate some of the features of the HP 12c. It's the little things that make a good calculator a great calculator. A calculator should be like an extension of you and not something that you have to constantly think about in addition to the business/math problems that you are working on. My first choice for a business calculator is the HP 12c but, if you are short on money, this is a good second choice.

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I have used (and own) many of the available financial calculators on the market. I "recommend" the HP-10B to my university finance students, both graduate and undergraduate.

The HP 10B is a directly positioned competitor to the TI-BA-II+, but HP's entry is superior. The keys feel more solid, the machine itself "seems" better made. Having worn out more than one of each, my experience has been that the HP has more staying power. And, the TI-BA-II+ often requires more keystrokes to accomplish the same tasks (i.e., NPV calculations). Oddly enough, when there is a difference in price, the HP often sells for around $1 less; though I would gladly pay more.

The Like the HP 10B, the TI-BA-II+ has a well written manual, including examples on using the functions. TI has the manual available on-line on their website for the inevitable time that the user needs it and has lost the original.

While there are cheaper financial calculators, it seems that this particular level is the minimum I would recommend to professionals or students. Less expensive versions, while saving a few dollars, miss important features. As a general rule of thumb, if the calculator can perform the "IRR" function, as this one can, it will be able to handle pretty much any calculation into which the finance student, professonal, or banker will run. Lesser machines do not have this function. So, skip the cheaper TI, HP, or other financial calculators.

Ironically, even larger fancier calculators, such as the venerable HP-12C, are in my estimation inferior as well. The 12C uses RPN logic which, while saving even more keystrokes, is simply foreign to most students. More importantly, some functions, such as the Time Value of Money functions, on the 12C require interpretation. On the 12C, for example, solving for the number of periods in an annuity, the value gets rounded UP to the next integer. Not so in the TI-BA-II+ or HP 10B.

While I can recommend the TI-BA-II+, it is second only to the HP 10B as the best value in inexpensive financial calculators.

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Bought this calculator a few months ago and it has already paid for itself many times over. I also own the HP12C and the 19B for a number of years (as well as other TI calcs) but prefer the BA II for high pressure situations i.e. CFA exam and purchasing any item with financing.

Was recently at an auto dealership helping my girlfriend buy a car and saved lots of $ and frustration by having this little jewel along. The finance mgr started quoting some strange monthly pmts and I was able to sit him down with the BA II and show him that his numbers made no sense based on our agreed purchase price. After a few rounds of this he gave up the tricks and started dealing straight. Yes I could have probably done the same thing with the 12c but in a situation with real $ at stake I reverted to thinking in Algebraic io RPN: Its very easy to get confused with several salespeople pressuring you to sign on the dotted line.

While the 12C will always be a classic compared to the BA I appreciate the BAs straightforward design.

Cons: Construction is a little weak, reverts to 2 decimal places after power is turned off

Pros: Excellent manual, menus for cash flow calcs, no need to learn RPN, faster than 12c

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It's hard for me to give anything 5 stars, but for about $30 this calculator is such a great bargain. If it was more expensive, I would give it 4 stars. The other calculator I tried was the HP17BII+. My HP stopped working after 3 weeks. I will probably stick with the BAII+, but I did like the HP's ability to store functions.

Pros

Lots of built-in functions. Seems like as many or more built-in financial functions than the HP17BII+.

Better statistics functionality than the HP17BII+. Statistics is very important for business classes. The HP suprisingly lacks some basic functions, like population standard deviation.

Has some trig functions. It can actually be a decent scientific calculator. Overall it's more versatile than any of the HP business calculators.

Better build quality than the new HP's.

Can be used for many standardized tests. You will not be accused of storing functions because you can't.

Cons

In my opinion, not as user-friendly as the more menu-driven HP17BII+. The BAII+ usually requires more keystrokes and is not as intuitive. However, it's not so difficult that a good student can't learn it.

Cannot store functions. Of course, if it did it would cost more and could be banned from certain tests.

If you're one of the few out there that like RPN, it is not an option. The new HP's let you choose between Algebraic and RPN.

One thing that suprised me about the HP was how much their quality has gone down. They used to be the best built calculators. Now they are the worst. Look at the reviews of the new HP's. It's true! If HP doesn't get their act together, I think they will be out of the calculator market.

It would be nice if TI had a business calculator that could store user-defined functions like the HP17BII+ and have a more menu driven interface. The solver function would justify the price of the HP17BII+ if only the build quality was up to par. The quality of the newest BAII+ is not quite as good as the older ones, but it is much better than the quality of the new HP's.

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I have used the BA-II in my business for over a decade and it is a very good calculator for relatively simple financial applications. I have since purchased an HP-10B that has greater capabilities on more complex problems, but I find myself still using the BA-II for many simple ammortization and Time Value of Money calculations. It is a great calculator to "cut your teeth" on financial problems with. It has a well written manual and the calculator's logic is easy to pick up. Someday you may want greater capability multiple ledgers & etc. In that case you will need to "graduate" to the HP-10B. But in the mean time, if you are doing calculations where an average rate of return is adequate, the BA-II will not fail you. Like I said, I have both of these calculators in my office, but I still use the 'ol BA about half the time.

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