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There are many inexpensive scientific calculators on the market, but few boast the two-line display and other advanced features users get with the TI-30x IIS. The display shows the equation you are creating on the top line, and the numbers or symbols you are currently entering on the second line. Once the equation is solved, the results are displayed on the second line, and you can use the four arrow keys on the front of the calculator to edit the original equation in any way you like for a recalculation. Better still, pressing the up arrow repeatedly lets you browse through a cache of dozens of previous calculations, meaning you can look back to see the answer to a problem you solved two minutes ago, two days ago, or whenever. The device uses solar power when possible but can fall back on the internal batteries (which are included) if there isn't enough light. The buttons wiggle around a little too much and require a firm keystroke to register input, but the fact that input can be followed by looking at the output on the first line helps to cut down on mistakes. There is a shift key that doubles the functions of most buttons, and although the TI-30X IIS isn't festooned with as many buttons or functions as some other calculators we've tested in this price range, it's still very capable. There are three angle modes (degrees, radians, and grads), scientific and engineering notation modes, and even one- or two-variable statistical modes. Five variables can also be assigned to their own memory slots. The documentation is lacking, as everything is presented on a single folded sheet of paper, but Texas Instruments did manage to pack several illustrated examples on the page. The calculator comes with a snap-on cover that fits on the back of the device when you are using it. The calculator carries a one-year limited warranty. --T. Byrl Baker Pros: - Two-line display
- Relatively inexpensive
- Handles one- and two-variable statistical calculations
Cons: - Weak documentation
- Buttons wiggle a bit too much
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 Got me from pre-algebra to pre-calc |
| Review Date: October 3, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Katy B, San Diego, CA |
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. |
Great, Standard Scientific Calculator
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| Review Date: September 4, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jason B., Ames, IA |
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. |
Fantastic! Don't buy a graphing calculator!
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| Review Date: October 16, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Nathaniel Hawkins, Pennsylvania, USA |
Working towards BS in physics; after years of using my TI-86 I figured it'd be rational to get a solar backup just in case I was ever in a jam for an exam. Not needing something exceptional (yet) like a TI-89 or one with graphing capabilities (that I'd actually use), I settled on this bargain calculator. After I tried it out, I did some reflection and felt absolutely disgusted that I wasted ~$100 on my TI-86 when I could've gotten all I needed for <$20, and of course by "need" I'm pointing towards saving time on simple time-consuming math. This calculator, meant to be my backup, replaced my TI-86. It has everything I need, is well laid out and doesn't require batteries.
I remember entering algebra in K-12 hearing "you'll need a TI-83+ graphing calculator"... oh my, what a lie! Honestly, this is all you will ever need if you're not going above and beyond calculus. Using a graphing calculator is also horrible practise for introducing algebraic concepts. Keep it simple and you'll learn more, not that this is necessarily a "simple" calculator! The main thing you won't have is graphing, the less important chapters of algebra to boot. Besides, how hard is it to plot a few points on a coordinate plane and draw lines? Things like polynomials you should be able to do with ease, unless you're one of those procrastinating/lazy types who could care less. I suppose if it's all too excruciating, spend the extra $50 and cheat yourself.
The only thing that caught me off guard was that my TI-30 cover is a dark blue instead of black, but I'm hardly complaining! Minus 0.1 star, but 4.9 stars rounds to 5. |
Student Friendly
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| Review Date: March 20, 2002 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I teach eighth grade math and use this calculator all of the time. Many of my students own this calculator and are amazed at all of its capabilities. The most facinating aspect is the fraction feature. Teaching my students to simplify complex fractions and then watching them "see" their calculator do it is fun. The paranthese function comes in handy when dealing with negative numbers raised to powers, and the order of operations feature makes it easy for my students to check their work. These are just three of the many capabilities of this product. I would highly recommend this calculator to any student grades 7-12. |
My Favorite Calculator
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| Review Date: October 16, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Colleen Davenport, |
| I bought this calculator for a nursing statistics course. I have used it for almost two years with no problems. It is small enough to fit into my purse. The cover snaps on and off easily. When you aren't using the cover, it snaps onto the back of the calculator so you won't lose it. In addition there is a little instruction card that fits into the cover. It was great for the basics statistics. I haven't used it for other geometry or fractions. It has a neat scientific notation function that I would have liked to have when I started nursing. The price is right as well. |
Best buy for " Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator ", Lowest Price Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator + Free shipping. Get Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator Now! |
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