( 19 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 20 2009
This is a good and decent scientific calculator from TI, but for what little it can do compared to the competition (Sharp, Casio and HP, etc.), it is way way overpriced in my opinion. A price of $9.95 would be much more reasonable for this machine, as is true now for the two algebraic Casio clone scientific machines, the HP-8s (now only available in Asia) and also the HP-10s (available in N. America) or now even the HP Smartcalc 300s (which unfortunately has some keyboard problems currently). The TI36X is an algebraic calculator with a simple, two line, LCD display that has a modern and fine curved-body design that is very light, solar powered, has good, but very limited scientific unit conversions with a small list of available scientific constants and also has a reasonable key "feel", but: 1) It only performs statistical data operations for linear (straight line) regression. 2) It has a very limited memory storage capability. 3) It will not do numeric derivatives or numeric integrals or vectors or matrices, or even lists. 4) It also does not have a special display to show equations in the form as they are written in textbooks, etc. which the Casio FX-115ES and the Sharp EL-516B (or now the HP Smartcalc 300s) will readily perform. In summary, maybe for middle school students who are very shy of mathematics, this machine may still fill a small role, but otherwise for $15 - $20 you can readily find much more powerful calculators from at least three other calculator companies.
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Posted: Apr 4 2009
I purchased a Casio fx-115ES at about the same time for the same price as the TI-36X SOLAR. The TI will do the job and it is the one my school text book uses, however, the Casio has a more natural display and it almost explains itself as you use it. The instructions that came with the Casio leave something to be desired. The TI instructions are written in words and in English, instead of having to deal with the iconic pictures with the Casio. Where they will both do the calculations I like the display on the Casio better. However, the instructions with the TI get you up to speed more quickly.
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Posted: Feb 23 2009
I have traditionally been a fan of TI, but this one was very disappointing to me. First of all, I thought that solar powered calculators normally have a battery back-up, but this one does not. If you use it in a setting with low light, it will be slow to turn on, and sometimes you will be lucky to get it to turn on at all. I also hate the fact that so many key punches are required to convert between rectangular and polar coordinates. Additionally the case is very difficult to deal with. I had initially purchased this to take the PE exam, as this is one of the few that is on the list of approved calculators, but this is a timed test, and I can see this calculator slowing me down substantially. Therefore, I will be purchasing a Casio, and will just use this one as a back-up. I have an older Casio at home, which is very user friendly, but unfortunately is not approved for the exam. Thus, I recommend that people interested in making a scientific calculator purchase to look into other alternatives besides this one.
