Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 198
 Depends what you are using it for September 13, 2002
G. Singer (Washington, DC USA)
31 out of 33 found this review helpful
If you are thinking of using this calculator for Algebra, Geometry, basically any straight math, especially Calculus, DON'T. That is not to say it won't work, just that there are better things out there, namely the TI-89. The 89 is somewhat more expensive, but, in my opinion and experience, it is far superior for these applications. A few reasons: easier to get the results from previous entries, support for derivitives and integrals, and the higher resolution looks better and lets you put more on the screen at one time, as well as allowing more symbols. However, if you are planning on using the calculator for Statistics, get the 83, because, for some unknown reason, the TI engineers declined to put ANY suppport for stats on the 89, but the 83 is great at it. I have owned TI calculators for many years, and I have never experienced any quality or production problems with them and have never had any of them break except when treated REALLY badly, such as having very heavy, blunt objects dropped on the screen, and I do tend to use mine pretty hard.
 Baby toy calculator December 16, 2003
Charlie (USA)
25 out of 40 found this review helpful
Parents: If you're going to buy your child a graphing calculator for school, DON'T insult his/her intelligence with this limited function calculator. Go with a TI-86 or TI-89 as it will serve him/her well through into college. What this means is you save money by purchasing one calculator that will be useful for SATs, GREs, AP tests, high school, algebra, calculus 1-3, college, etc...
If you buy a TI-83, you will have to get a TI-86 or TI-89 in the future because a TI-83 is an OVERGLORIFIED TI-82, which is really good for pre-algebra and algebra.
GRANTED you can use a TI-83 for Calculus and more advanced math, but it's a good idea to allow your child to grow intellectually by learning how to use a much more advanced calculator for Calc II and III. I had no problems using a TI-86 for Calc 2 and 3, but the TI-89 definitely helped me understand theorems that were in 3 dimensions.
For those who are looking for a calculator to use at work:
The TI-83 is a piece of junk. It's for kiddies in 6th grade.
The TI-86 is a better engineering calc than the TI-89 due to its more intuitive menu interface for units conversions and what not.
The TI-89 is better suited for theoretical math work because of its "pretty print" and units system. Plus with the right software mods, you can do differentiation/integration with the variables intact - just a time saver really.
However I realize you're just trying to find info on the TI-83. My overall recommendation for the TI-83 is: don't bother. It's a solid calculator but pay a bit more and get at least a TI-86. It will serve you WELL into frosh or sophomore year of college (Calculus I-III). A TI-83 will have served its absolute purpose by the start of your senior year in high school.
It's like bringing a 9mm pistol in an African Safari. It will handle meerkats and other small creatures but once you get to the larger predators - it will not work very well. The TI-86 and TI-89 is comparable to a .50AE and .50 Magnum. It can tackle small stuff but will hold its own when the big beasts come around.
 This is the one! January 25, 2000
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
I don't recommend spending $100 on a calculator if you don't really need it. Being a college student taking a Statistics class, I was forced to buy the TI-83. I am very happy with it and the various things you can do with it. If you do buy the TI-83 (which I recommend), you should definitely purchase the Graph-Link cable to go along with it. The cable allows you to download various programs and even some cool games from the Internet.
 Pretty good calculator, but the 89 is better May 12, 2004
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
This calculator is pretty good, but it has its betters. The TI-89 far outstrips this calculator, especially for its "pretty print" function and its CAS (Computer Algebra System), which allows for the actual calculator to perform algebraic functions, such as solve(, factor(, expand(, csolve(, and a number of other functions. Also, variables exist only as variables, and not zero like on the 83. The 89 also allows students to perform work that would normally be done on paper, which can unfortunately prevent people from learning. For example, if you type in [(33x - 17)/14 = 195]*14, the equation becomes (33x - 17 = 2730). Then you can do ((33x - 17 = 2730))+17, and you'll get (33x = 2743), then do (33x = 2747)/33, and youll get as an answer x = 2747/33. This eliminates the need for most handwork.But, the 89 comes with a hefty price tag, and is only really necessary for advanced mathematics classes. The 83 is a good buy for these reasons:
1) it has a lower price (always a plus)
2) it has more compatibility and expandibility in terms of flash apps than the 89
3) the majority of teachers teach using the 83 as their example. In fact, many texts teach students to perform functions key for key, which will leave people with other calculators confused
4) it will suffice for calculus and all math classes in highschool, but the 89 is better
5) many teachers and peers will be able to help you with using the calculatory
6) the 83 is built for statistics, and therefore it is the calculator to have if you are taking statistics. Once again, the most popular statistics texts are based on the 83
7) it is more user-friendly than the other calculators
A Good Calculator, but with limited scientific applications February 24, 2001
Smile (Fairfield, CT USA)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
I find the TI-83 a very good calculator and very useful, but I definitely feel it has its limitations. Our university recommends this calculator to the freshmen, but they fail to mention that this calculator is not the best model to purchase for collegiate science and/or math students. The interface and programming structure is intuitive and very similar to the 82 which was an easier interface, although lacking the scientific functionality, of the TI-85. For basic math functions and high school courses this calculator is excellent, for one does not really encounter much that requires serious calculator power in high school classes. The catalog of available symbols and functions is rather insufficient for programming of scientific apps and math representation, as individual letters other than uppercase letters are unavailable, and very few greek characters can be represented. There is a button on the face dedicated solely to financial applications and business programs, which is helpful for business students, but not any use for science students. Many of the more powerful mathematical functions are hidden within the calculator and difficult to use and find, although it does have them. To me it seems to be just a rehashing of the 70-series TI graphing calculator instead of a newer model. I would seriously recommend that a collegiate science or math student should spend the extra $30-$40 on the much more powerful and useful TI-89, whose operating system is similar to a computer and runs like a handheld version of Mathmatica or some other computer-based math application, and has all of the functionality of the oversized TI-92 with a easier interface.
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