Casio Graphing Calculator (FX-9750GII-WE)
If you are on a tight budget, check out the link above for the 9750 GII by Casio. This is the best bargain of all graphics calculators. About the only things I find missing on this 50.00 calculator are geometry and spreadsheet apps. Mathematically, this is a powerhouse.
But, if you have a few extra dollars, you should definitely consider the Prizm. It has all the capabilities of the 9750, plus a spreadsheet and the best portable geometry software I have ever used. The hi-res color screen makes this possible, and it is a real breakthrough.
When you are using your computer (Linux, Windows, or Mac), be sure to download the free software "GeoGebra". The Prizm is a portable machine which does the mathematics of GeoGebra.
And finally, compare the Prizm to the remarkable apps being developed for the IPhone and IPad. The Prizm excels since it has a genuine keyboard and gives such beautiful results. (It also has a battery which lasts 140 hours as compared to the two hours on an IPhone.)
This calculator is truly superior. I use it extensively for solving difference equations,
carrying out statistical analyses, solving calculus problems, and exploring geometrical relationships.
This is the finest graphics calculator I have ever used in my many years of teaching mathematics. It is a beautiful tool to make mathematics really enjoyable.
I recently bought a Sony PRS-350 pocket reader. I have installed many math and statistics reference books on it. But I also installed the instruction manual for the Prizm on it. It reads well, and is easily navigated. These two devices really go together for students. And they are easier to haul around than a laptop. Prizm FX-CG10 Color Graphing Calculator (Black)
Casio outdid themselves with the Prizm FX-CG10. I am impressed by this calcualtor and its design.
First, the keys are large. You can press the keys and have full confidence that the right one will register. I really like the way Casio made the keyboard for this model.
Second, the screen. Color is only the beginning. The display is super clear. The menu items are readable, squinting is not required. An added plus is that when you enter parenthesis, they are in color - which makes it easy to tell which set of parenthesis you are working with. You can also choose which color a function is graphed (from a maximum of 8 colors though).
Third, speed. The Prizm does calculations and graphs fast. It might beat the earlier incarnations of the 9860G Series (Slim, GII, etc).
The function set is similar to the 9860GII and 9860G Slim. Programs can be transferred from the 9860G series with relative ease.
This calculator is easy to use, fun and a pleasure to use (because of the screen and colors). This is Casio's best calculator yet.
Use this for my microelectronics classes and works flawlessly (at least in the first week of use). It's great for working in polar or rectangular formats, converting and so forth. The spreadsheet is also very handy for data collection. Convert it to a cvs format and you can load it with excel on your computer. Own a ti-83, played with an Nspire for a day before I returned it. This is far better than both. The picture plot feature requires submitting a picture to casio for them to format to their proprietary format. I didn't think I'd use that application in any significant way anyhow, however it is fun to play with. The screen and the intuitive layout makes this calculator very user friendly. In a week of use I already know how to use more features than a whole semester with the clunky old ti-83. It does not use CAS as some of Texas Instruments. Don't know if that will be a hindrance to me in future math classes.
Considering my vision is not as good as it used to be, the color display really helps reading the numbers, graphs, etc. Even though the programming capability is limited, the other functions (e.g., spreadsheet, lists) work well; although, they are also limited, such as the lack of standard deviation in the spreadsheet. Overall, however, I use this calculator more than the numerous others (mostly HP) that I own because of the display visibility.
I am a math department head at a private Bronx high school, and we chose the Casio line over the TI's when the school began 7 years ago. We did so because when comparing The TI and the Casio side by side, hands down, the Casio won, and it was cheaper as well. Note - I do not work for Casio or TI.
We have been slowly upgrading to the newer models ever since, of which the Prizm will be our latest incarnation. My experience with the Prizm has been nothing short of a series of "Wows" over and over again.
Here are some things to consider when comparing the TI and Casio.
A) The Casio is more user friendly. The options are menu driven in a more intuitive way. What took me a minute or two to locate and figure out out the TI, took less than half the time on the Casio. Don't trust me- see for yourself.
B) This Casio is blazing fast - more so than the TI's I work with when tutoring students in other schools.
C)Features: The casio adds a dynamic graphing system (lets you change a coefficient and watch the graph change), which is very useful when teaching. I also like the EQUA feature, which lets my students calculate 2/3 equations, 2/3 unknowns, and solve quadratic or polynomial equations. The TI does this too after you download programs. It is not nearly as intuitive.
D) The color is really nice! Necessary - no, but it does make lessons come alive.
E) There a number of additional features available only the Prizm, such as modelling equations off of points on pictures on the calculator. It is more than I have time to explore or use in class, but you might have fun with it.
The only downside is that most colleges use the TI's, unfortunately. I liken it to most places using Microsoft when there are better alternatives out there (monopoly power). Anyway, a student who uses the Casio can do anything the TI-83 can do and more.
I'm a big fan, and my students like it a lot. - Electronics - Calculator - Nspire - Graphing Calculator'
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