Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator

If you've never used a graphing calculator and are thinking of just using a computer to do your work, you'll find that a calculator is much easier to work with. The TI-89 Titanium has a very intuitive design that only requires a couple clicks to factor, integrate, solve equations, graph, or access any of the built-in programs, like the calendar or the address book. It is small enough to fit in your pocket and carry around with you wherever you go.

The thing is also built rock-solid. I've dropped TI-89's in the past with no ill effects and the Titanium feels just as solid. The cover seems a little tighter than the TI-89's cover, but as I use it, I am sure it will slide a little easier.

The TI-89 Titanium is only $20 more than the old TI-89 and I've heard that the new HP calculators are not that great (just read the reviews of the 49G+). Plus, I've never even seen someone using an HP calculator and it's nice to be able to share programs with other people using a TI-89. If you're in the market for a graphing calculator, the TI-89 Titanium is definately the one to buy.


A great calculator though still some flaws   July 28, 2004
F.B.A. Paul (Lisse Netherlands)
26 out of 27 found this review helpful

The TI-89 titanium is a very good calculator.
I also own a HP-49G and the TI is way better; the interface is so well defined... it's almost as a desktop.
Compare that to the HP-49G... it's like the command-line interface!
There are a couple of but's though:
First of all, the "2nd" labels on top of the keys are in a soft blue, almost unreadable. This is a very big design flaw.
Second, I don't like the screen a lot. Sure, it's large. Sure, you can set contrast. But if you are looking at it from an angle, it stinks. You can't set high contrast when looking it from an angle, as it just makes things worse. And believe me: if you work with an calculator, nine out of ten times you will be looking at the screen from an angle.
Lastly, why does TI refuse to put in a proper equation editor? The HP has one, and I find it personally very helpfull.
Sure, you can buy an add-on for $15 from TI. And yes, there are freeware equation writers too. So why not give it away then?
Concluding: don't get me wrong. This calculator is a very good performer, and I think the best that money can buy. Just wish they would have made it perfect...



Cannot see   June 28, 2004
John T. Mcgaughey (Athens, Ga USA)
20 out of 30 found this review helpful

I just got my TI-89 Titanium and it is a fine machine as you would expect with one exception. The blue lettering on the metallic background makes the characters almost impossible to read. This is very frustrating when you frequently need those functions. If you look at the older TI-86 the characters are bright yellow or blue over black and are easy to see. This may seem a bit picky but being able to see what you need is critical. I think we have reached the ridiculous point where style is getting in the way of utility. How in the world did this problem get past everyone? Anyway it is a great calculator but always carry a magifying glass strapped to it's back.


a powerhouse   August 23, 2004
+++ (CA, United States)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

This calculator is a little wonder. Its most impressive feature is the symbolic algebra capability (the feature which lacks in TI-83) which allows one to factor and expand algebraic and trigonometric functions, solve quadratic equations, systems of equations, perform matrix manipulation, etc. I even think that it is a little dangerous for a high school student to have a calculator which such possibilities since at least half of algebra, trigonomtery, and calculus homework can be simply solved on this calculator without ever learning how to do this on paper. Mastering the calculator is time-consuming. The paper manual enclosed with the calculator is outright poor, but fortunately TI offers an extended version of the manual on their web site. Actually, there seem to be at least two versions of the manual, both from TI. One can be downloaded from the link on the Amazon page (scroll to the top of this page), the second one directly from the TI web site - go to http://education.ti.com, click on Support, and then on Guidebooks. Both of these electronic manuals are very good. The speed of the processor is sufficient in most cases, although graphing with small step size may take very long time.

The drawbacks of the calculator are obvious and almost every reviewer has already complained about them - second and third functions of the buttons are labelled in barely visible colors; the display lacks in contrast.

Aside from these minor things, the capabilities of this calculator are very impressive.


Very good for Statistics and Finance too...   June 17, 2005
Customer (Washington, DC United States)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

I saw many reviewers for advanced math and engineering. I just want to add that it is also very good for stat and finance. It can be calculated with almost (I'm saying this because I haven't tried every single one yet ;-) every calculation with this TI-89. The plus side is that it has bigger screen and we can change any value anytime without starting over... especially good for multiple problems solving.

At first, I intendeded to purchase TI-BAII+ required by the professor but decided to trade this TI-89 Titanium with my old original TI-89. Both have flash applications for Statistics with List Editor and Finance as well as Data/Metrix Editor. For finance, you can get PV, FV, i, PMT, NPV, IRR, etc.

You can also download guide books from TI's website. This is a life saver for most business classes.... I used TI-89 from advanced algebra, pre- and calculus, fin & managerial accounting, economics, 2 statistics, and financial management... 10 courses altogether ;-) And this IT-89 costs about the same price of a business text book! Of course, you'll need to know the concepts and how to use this calculator first.

If you're wondering which one to choose between original TI89 and this new Titanium, I recommend original if you've vision problem. Original TI89 has deep purple and dark blue colors for "2nd" and "diamond" keys. This new one has very pale blue and light green keys, hard to look at if you need combination keys. SO do for "the fonts" and "alpha" key. As the manufacturer mentioned, this one has more memory and can be used USB cable.

Just a tip for the two reviewers below and others about fraction and decimal switching (.25 - 1/4 switching) :
Reviewer: MaxiMiner and Reviewer: cool dude (Stockholm)

Just use a "period" between the calculation (if you have all whole numbers) and you'll see decimals in the result without changing the "mode" you preferred. If you have any decimals between the calculations, you'll automatically see decimals. It works for every graphing calculator. I got that tip from a Math Lab Asst. in my algebra lab.