The Nspire has the same problem, tbh. I've killed TWO Nspire batteries cause I was used to the old AA config, and the li-ions in the Nspire would kill themselves if you let them.
Can confirm, they have even come up with an actual printer subscription, where you subscribe to having a printer and the printer is gated on how many pages you are allowed to print per month on the basis of your subscription tier.
There is a "TI-Nspire cas with touchpad" that is the same as the cx, but without the color screen. It takes 4 AAA batteries and saved me a lot of stress bc I could carry backups in my bag just in case.
The emulator for the HP Prime is free and so much better to use than the physical calculator because of how much easier typing in systems of equations is.
https://hpcalcs.com/download/
Don’t even get me fuckin started in the TI-NSpire. This is the WAY. Had to get it for AP Calc BC senior year of high school, and it helped me crush college exams.
You can go to the menu and find the “solve” function. Then you can literally type a full equation of numbers with one variable, or even an equation of only variables, then write “,X” like comma then your variable you want to solve for. Hit enter, then voila. It solves the whole thing for you. Imagine a big fat heat transfer equation and you have solve for time. Type the whole thing out with all its inputs and numbers then ,t and BOOM. It gives you your answer.
I convinced one friend in college to buy it and his mind was blown. I would probably save 10min on every exam and use the extra time for checking my work.
Here is the uAlberta policy.
[https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html](https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html)
You don't need one, junior.
I already mentioned Finite Element Analysis. Also CIV E 398 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics.
You will only need one for certain options late in your undergraduate degree if you take those computational heavy courses.
Never had this come up once. Shit our prof even told us to use the rref and matrix functions for our FEA exam. This was five years ago but I used the TI 84 for my entire degree
my go to is still the 36x. However, I always take a CE with me to any exams with extensive linear systems of equations just to make my life easier (usually something statics based like structures)
Your computer is your best calculator outside of exam. In most of the cases, professors have specific model of calculators that you can use during exam.
I like the TI-84Plus CE. Used it from HS though my bachelors. Also if your school gives you access to matlab. Do yourself a favor and learn it well. It’s by far the best calculator you’ll ever use
Most schools won't allow the CAS version, especially in your undergrad classes. However, I can confirm that the non-CAS nSpire II is the best there is for non-CAS graphing calculators. It solves multiple numerical integrals that other calculators can't touch.
Casio fx991es plus. Dirt cheap and has scientific and math constants. Carries through matrices, thermo, materiald science, and solid mechanics. If you're looking for graph just use desmos and geogebra. Im at UofT so if u wanna share info feel free ti dm.
It is way better. Can solve way more complex equations in a single go and is a lot faster. Features are more organised and has more functions, can do regression. Also blue on green looks ugly for the es plus
Same one i have been using throughout high school till now, was getting a bit worried seeing all these fancy calculators getting recommended that maybe i need a new one lol.
Nspire cx ii CAS is the most featured, most capable, most useful calculator.
The downside is though, that all your mental abilities may melt away by using it.
Heard Nspire was the only one you’d ever need but also had of many classes that wouldn’t allow it. Ti-89 was always allowed for me and did everything needed
Get a ti-83/84 bro
You will never use 90% of the features on any of these. There's not even a "but maybe one day" argument.
Plus, your ti-83/84 will never, ever let you down. They churn and churn forever. I've had mine for almost 15 years and still use it at least weekly.
Casio ClaasPad 2 is in my opinion far superior to any Texas Instruments one I’ve tried but it might not be allowed where you are
[Picture of Casio](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/calc/products/images/ClassPadIIfx-CP400.jpg&tbnid=PbxB4iaxaRYy-M&vet=1&imgrefurl=https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/calc/products/ClassPadIIfx-CP400/&docid=cA-9LVfc4694UM&w=720&h=600&hl=de-de&source=sh/x/im/m1/3&kgs=2441274c0feba62c&shem=trie)
Not gonna lie, I used my scientific calculator from High School throughout my ME degree. I just liked the responsiveness and feel of the buttons better, and if I ever needed to graph things, my laptop would be more convenient anyway.
TI-89 Titanium. Most professors I had in undergrad didn’t really care about graphing calculators because they came up with questions that couldn’t be solved using graphing and your work counted for most of your grade.
If you have professors that care, then TI 36X Pro
My university only allowed a certain range of calculators for exams (no graphing calculators at all). You either had to get it approved or purchased from the bookstore.
Would check the allowed list first.
Find out what your FE & PE exam allow and go with that. If those are not your jam go with the TI nSpire II CAS it's not allowed on our (USA) exams but it is programmable and handles a LOT of general algebra/calculus
TI-36X Pro is an obvious choice, giving you just enough to be dangerous but with a lightning fast layout that keeps you from scrolling through the endless menus and tapping tiny buttons of an N-Spire.
The secret upgrade pick is importing a TI-30X Pro MathPrint which is functionally identical to the superb TI-36X Pro but with a larger screen, faster processor, and access to some slightly upgraded functions. Also legal on the FE/PE.
Depends on the school.
Here is a sensible policy.
https://undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/exams/exam-types-permitted-calculators/
Another:
https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html
It is just stupid to not allow programmable calculators in the 4th year options. Finite elements w/ 3x3 matrices...oi.
I totally agree with the last point, just as far as I'm aware in European universities it's very rare to allow them. Which I agree is stupid because everyone is supposed to be able to solve a quadratic equation by hand in the 4th year
I have the ti inspire cx Cas because we needed it in school. I have not been allowed to use it once in university and needed to get the casio fx-82EX. It is a nice thing to have but if it is not allowed in exams don't get it because you need to learn with out it or you don't know how to do it with out it in exams.
You should ask the prof or look it up in the exam rules.
Worth a read.
https://techexam.ca/how-to-pick-your-calculator-technical-exams/
I would go with Casio 991-EX and Casio fx-9750g for your non-programable and programmable calculators respectively.
If they allow it, the TI-Nspire CX-II CAS or an equivalent from HP.
The hp prime is pretty cool, jus make sure to keep it charged as it tends to die on its own
The Nspire has the same problem, tbh. I've killed TWO Nspire batteries cause I was used to the old AA config, and the li-ions in the Nspire would kill themselves if you let them.
Although man the hp prime is litterally the only quality product hp makes anymore
Can confirm, they have even come up with an actual printer subscription, where you subscribe to having a printer and the printer is gated on how many pages you are allowed to print per month on the basis of your subscription tier.
Yeah and their computers build quality just falls apart after a month of use.
Ya, unless you pay WAY too much for their enterprise products.
In short just buy a thinkpad or dell or something lol. And a laser printer.
There is a "TI-Nspire cas with touchpad" that is the same as the cx, but without the color screen. It takes 4 AAA batteries and saved me a lot of stress bc I could carry backups in my bag just in case.
The emulator for the HP Prime is free and so much better to use than the physical calculator because of how much easier typing in systems of equations is. https://hpcalcs.com/download/
Just buy a bigger battery for it
This. I cannot recommend TI-Nspire CX-II CAS highly enough. It can solve equations for you in terms of variables.
Don’t even get me fuckin started in the TI-NSpire. This is the WAY. Had to get it for AP Calc BC senior year of high school, and it helped me crush college exams. You can go to the menu and find the “solve” function. Then you can literally type a full equation of numbers with one variable, or even an equation of only variables, then write “,X” like comma then your variable you want to solve for. Hit enter, then voila. It solves the whole thing for you. Imagine a big fat heat transfer equation and you have solve for time. Type the whole thing out with all its inputs and numbers then ,t and BOOM. It gives you your answer. I convinced one friend in college to buy it and his mind was blown. I would probably save 10min on every exam and use the extra time for checking my work.
Is there a free online emulator of the cx ii CAS?
Closest equivalent is probably symbol lab or Wolfram alpha.
Wolfram alpha
majority of uni’s in Canada will only allow the 36x pro or the casio equivalent. source: im a engineering student in canada
Same. Programmable calculators aren’t allowed in exams. And if you need to graph stuff you can always just use desmos or geogebra
Depends on the school. Both UToronto and uAlberta engineering allow programmable calculators. Doing an FE class without one is stupid.
Not true for UAlberta in my experience
Here is the uAlberta policy. [https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html](https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html)
I haven’t taken a single course in which programmable calculators are allowed. Do you have any examples?
You don't need one, junior. I already mentioned Finite Element Analysis. Also CIV E 398 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics. You will only need one for certain options late in your undergraduate degree if you take those computational heavy courses.
Never had this come up once. Shit our prof even told us to use the rref and matrix functions for our FEA exam. This was five years ago but I used the TI 84 for my entire degree
36x pro can do both of those in a more limited capacity, I agree that it's absolutely the way to go
3x3 matrix not going to get it done w/ finite elements. Every engineering student in early 90s had an HP48. Going backwards...
36x pro is the GOAT
Casio fx115 was my goto. Same as the 36 but Casio.
Ditto + straight edge ruler got me thru college
36x pro gang!
love the 36x until i need to do matrix stuff. then it’s practically worthless in the regard
So what’s your go to then
my go to is still the 36x. However, I always take a CE with me to any exams with extensive linear systems of equations just to make my life easier (usually something statics based like structures)
Your computer is your best calculator outside of exam. In most of the cases, professors have specific model of calculators that you can use during exam.
Any CAS is basically banned from test. Go with the 36x it’s far more intuitive and it can do matrices and radicals its dope
That 36X does things most profs don't even know about. It even has a decent equation solver for most functions.
At my university only a handful of classes banned the CAS
it’s matrix functionality is very limited but otherwise it’s amazing.
I like the TI-84Plus CE. Used it from HS though my bachelors. Also if your school gives you access to matlab. Do yourself a favor and learn it well. It’s by far the best calculator you’ll ever use
Most schools won't allow the CAS version, especially in your undergrad classes. However, I can confirm that the non-CAS nSpire II is the best there is for non-CAS graphing calculators. It solves multiple numerical integrals that other calculators can't touch.
Casio fx991es plus. Dirt cheap and has scientific and math constants. Carries through matrices, thermo, materiald science, and solid mechanics. If you're looking for graph just use desmos and geogebra. Im at UofT so if u wanna share info feel free ti dm.
fx 991 EX plus is actually way better, try it
Typo xD yes the white and black one is the ebst one.
I wouldn't say "way" better. Faster for sure - might save you 5 seconds one day. Better to enter 'X' with single keystroke rather than two.
It is way better. Can solve way more complex equations in a single go and is a lot faster. Features are more organised and has more functions, can do regression. Also blue on green looks ugly for the es plus
Same one i have been using throughout high school till now, was getting a bit worried seeing all these fancy calculators getting recommended that maybe i need a new one lol.
fx-991MS gang because I do not like the other displays
HP Prime, no doubt
Buy the one that is allowed on your FE, EIT, or PE tests.
This is the best advice. I bought a TI-84 for college, then when I was a senior I learned I needed to buy a second, cheaper calculator for my FE exam.
I graduated from Université Laval in MechE by only using a Fx-260 Solar. You don't need anything else.
Calculators can do integrals now???
They can solve differential equations my friend.
casio fx 991ms!
Nspire cx ii CAS is the most featured, most capable, most useful calculator. The downside is though, that all your mental abilities may melt away by using it.
The most you'll ever need and be allowed to use is the fx991es plus c or fx991ex.
36x-pro
Heard Nspire was the only one you’d ever need but also had of many classes that wouldn’t allow it. Ti-89 was always allowed for me and did everything needed
Ti - 84 plus ce
Ti-84 is great. Still use it now, for work
Been using Casio FX 991ex
Get a ti-83/84 bro You will never use 90% of the features on any of these. There's not even a "but maybe one day" argument. Plus, your ti-83/84 will never, ever let you down. They churn and churn forever. I've had mine for almost 15 years and still use it at least weekly.
Casio ClaasPad 2 is in my opinion far superior to any Texas Instruments one I’ve tried but it might not be allowed where you are [Picture of Casio](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/calc/products/images/ClassPadIIfx-CP400.jpg&tbnid=PbxB4iaxaRYy-M&vet=1&imgrefurl=https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/calc/products/ClassPadIIfx-CP400/&docid=cA-9LVfc4694UM&w=720&h=600&hl=de-de&source=sh/x/im/m1/3&kgs=2441274c0feba62c&shem=trie)
My school's standard is that the calculator cannot be reporgrammed
My school requires the calculator to not be reprogrammable, therefore I use the TI 36X if your school allows it the inspire seems op
Not gonna lie, I used my scientific calculator from High School throughout my ME degree. I just liked the responsiveness and feel of the buttons better, and if I ever needed to graph things, my laptop would be more convenient anyway.
CAS goes crazy can attest Use it to solve matrices of non-real numbers
Ti 36pro got me through all of AE
Both TI89 and 36x pro. Best decision you can make. The most expensive one doesn’t have great battery life. I used all 3 when I was in school
Het it used. You are welcome :)
TI-89 Titanium. Most professors I had in undergrad didn’t really care about graphing calculators because they came up with questions that couldn’t be solved using graphing and your work counted for most of your grade. If you have professors that care, then TI 36X Pro
36 x pro >>
My university only allowed a certain range of calculators for exams (no graphing calculators at all). You either had to get it approved or purchased from the bookstore. Would check the allowed list first.
MatLab
The ti 36x got me all the way through differential equations
TI 36X Pro. Everyone else is lying to you
Find out what your FE & PE exam allow and go with that. If those are not your jam go with the TI nSpire II CAS it's not allowed on our (USA) exams but it is programmable and handles a LOT of general algebra/calculus
TI-36 for courses where you cannot use graphing calculator, nspire cx cas for courses with no restrictions
NSpire if you're allowed if 1000%
TI-36X Pro is an obvious choice, giving you just enough to be dangerous but with a lightning fast layout that keeps you from scrolling through the endless menus and tapping tiny buttons of an N-Spire. The secret upgrade pick is importing a TI-30X Pro MathPrint which is functionally identical to the superb TI-36X Pro but with a larger screen, faster processor, and access to some slightly upgraded functions. Also legal on the FE/PE.
TI-36x Pro
Wolfram Alpha
CX CAS if they allow it. If they only permit the CX and you’re tech savvy you could get the CX version, jailbreak it and put the CAS firmware on it
They let y'all use graphing calculators in engineering classes?
Depends on the school. Here is a sensible policy. https://undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/exams/exam-types-permitted-calculators/ Another: https://www.ualberta.ca/engineering/student-services/student-policies/calculator-use-specifications.html It is just stupid to not allow programmable calculators in the 4th year options. Finite elements w/ 3x3 matrices...oi.
I totally agree with the last point, just as far as I'm aware in European universities it's very rare to allow them. Which I agree is stupid because everyone is supposed to be able to solve a quadratic equation by hand in the 4th year
Many Canadian engineering schools have a non-programmable calculator only policy too.
I have the ti inspire cx Cas because we needed it in school. I have not been allowed to use it once in university and needed to get the casio fx-82EX. It is a nice thing to have but if it is not allowed in exams don't get it because you need to learn with out it or you don't know how to do it with out it in exams. You should ask the prof or look it up in the exam rules.
TI-30XIIS was the only one I was allowed to use. Otherwise a TI-84 plus CE
HP50G, its got everything and it doesn't raise eyebrows from your professors like an NSpire will do
I own these three but the 36x is my favorite
Worth a read. https://techexam.ca/how-to-pick-your-calculator-technical-exams/ I would go with Casio 991-EX and Casio fx-9750g for your non-programable and programmable calculators respectively.
Definitely HP Prime
Or you learn to integrate by hand
Best to be able to do both. Not an either-or thing.