The TI 83 plus is a graphing calculator ideal for middle school, high school, and college students. Here is a TI-83 plus review of some other things that make this graphing calculator unique:
Affordability
The biggest advantage of buying a TI-83 is that it’s cheaper. Both the TI-83 and TI-84 will get the job done in most math and science classes, but the TI-83 is about $20 less.
Versatility
The TI-83 plus graphing calculator is a great learning tool in math–just visit my calculator math help blog after reading this TI-83 plus review to see all the things it is capable of doing. With the TI-83 plus, you can:
- Add, subtract, multiply, divide, simplify and convert fractions
- Find exponents, roots, and logarithms
- Calculate standard deviation, and other statistical data
- Find line of best fit
- Create scatter plots, box and whisker plots, and much more.
- The TI-83 plus graphing calculator can graph virtually any type of function, including linear, quadratic, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, parametric, even functions in the polar coordinate system. The TI-83 cannot graph conics, but you can upload an application to it that will allow you to graph circles, ellipses, and hyperbolae.
- After reading this TI-83 plus review, watch my video on the home page to find out more about what the TI graphing calculator can do for you.
Ideal For School
Most teachers teach classes using a TI-83 or TI-84 calculator, if not require it. This is huge. Entire lessons and activities are run using these calculators, which means that if you don’t have one of these models, you are in trouble. These calculators are also featured in most textbooks. That said, since teachers across America use these calculators, they can also provide great tech support if for some reason your child needs help getting something to work on it.
Durable
The TI-83 is extremely durable. I’ve dropped this calculator many times, and it has continued to work.
Great Longevity
The TI-83 also will last you a long time. Many customers vouch that it lasted them more than 10 years. That’s a lot better than a computer, iPhone, or any other electronic device for that matter! Furthermore, if you’re a student, you’ll probably use it for that long if you start in 7th grade and go on through college.
TI-83 Plus Review of the “Cons”
There are, of course, a number of disadvantages to buying the TI-83 plus graphing calculator, although none of them are significant enough for me to dissuade you from purchasing one. What matters most, I think, is that this calculator will make you successful in school. In this section of my TI-83 plus review I list below are mere subtle disadvantages to owning a TI 83 plus graphing calculator.
Operating System
The TI-83 plus was released in 1999, and not much has been changed with it since. It has the same operating system as it did then.
MathPrint
The TI-83 plus doesn’t have MathPrint. In other words, “2 to the 3rd power” will look like 2^3 instead of 23 like it does on the TI-84+. Fractions on the TI 84+ actually look like fractions, while the fraction “one half” on a TI-83 plus looks like “1/2”. This makes the TI-83 plus less intuitive than the TI-84 plus. However, once you learn how to use it, it becomes second nature.
Fewer Preloaded Applications
The TI-84 models come with a variety of applications supplement learning in the form of tutorials and games, and enhance graphing ability (allowing the calculator to graph inequalities and conic sections). There are not as many preloaded applications on the TI-83 as there are on the TI-84. You can read about the applications that are available for the TI-83 Plus here.
Connectivity
The TI-83 only has a 2.5mm pin hole to connect to the computer, and the cord the comes with it can only connect it with another TI-83 graphing calculator. This means if you want to upload any apps to the TI-83, you need to buy the TI Connectivity kit for $20. This is sort of a pain, and one of the main reasons why I might consider spending the extra money on a TI-84, which has a USB port built in.
Resolution
Both TI-83 and TI-84 plus graphing calculators have a 96 x 64 resolution LCD screen. This is not a very good resolution when you compare it to, say, an iPhone, but it gets the job done in math class. If you are looking for a calculator with a better resolution, you might want to check out the TI-Nspire models.
Similar calculators to the TI-83 Plus: Review and Recommendations
TI-84 plus
The TI 84 plus is extremely similar to the TI 83 plus, except it has more preloaded applications, more memory, and a better operating system. It’s also more expensive, and the things that you pay for in a TI-84 plus are not the things that are necessary for a middle school or high school class.
Casio 9750GII
Objectively speaking, the Casio 9750GII is a better (and cheaper) calculator then the TI-83 plus. However, if you are buying a graphing calculator for your child to use in school, I highly recommend that you go with the Texas Instruments brand. The Casio works completely different from the Texas Instruments calculators– think of an Apple user trying to use a Windows computer (or vice versa). As mentioned earlier in this TI-83 plus review, entire lessons are taught in math classes using the Texas Instruments calculators, and if your child walks into a class with a Casio, he/she will be totally lost.
TI-83 Plus Silver Edition
There was a silver edition available for the TI-83 Plus with more features on it, but they stopped making it. You can still buy it from Amazon.com, though. I’ve included a link below.
In conclusion, the TI-83 plus is ideal for students in middle school, high school and college. Don’t wait until the last minute to order this calculator! Click the link below on this website now to buy your TI-83 plus.
I hope this TI-83 review was helpful!