Product Description

TI-GraphLink Cable for Windows enables communication between computers and compatible TI graphing calculators.

Product Details

• Brand: Texas Instruments
• Model: Tiglinkwindows
• Platforms: Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98
• Dimensions: .40 pounds

Features

• Provides an interface between your calculator and PC
• Extends and simplifies the functionality of your TI calculator
• Ideal for software downloads and backups
• Compatible with Texas Instruments graphing calculators
• Includes unit-to-unit cable and software

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed to support and enhance the functionality of Texas Instruments graphing calculators, the TI-Graph Link for Windows connects your calculator to your computer. This unit-to-unit cable with a serial port lets you install calculator software and download data directly from the Web.

Use the TI-Graph Link to create and edit programs right on your screen while still having all your usual calculator functions. The program protection feature allows you to prevent editing after a program has been loaded onto your calculator. You can transfer both screen shots and files from your computer to your calculator. You can also store your calculator's programs and data on your computer or make backups of your graphing calculator's memory.

The TI-Graph Link for Windows supports Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0; supports EGA, VGA, XGA, and SVGA video adapters; and supports 3.5-inch floppies, CD-ROMs, or an Internet connection. For Windows 95/98 users, an 8 MB RAM module is available; and for NT 4.0 users, a 16 MB RAM module is available. Included with the cable is a CD-ROM with software and a guidebook. The TI-Graph Link for Windows comes in black and is compatible with the TI-73, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-86, TI-89, TI-92, TI-92 Plus, and other models that may be available in the future.

Note: Mac users see TI Graph Link Serial Cable for Windows and Mac.

Customer Reviews

An excellent buy. Very handy to have.
This cable is a very handy thing to have. It is extremely useful for calculator backups (a good thing to do every once in a while in case your TI crashes), and you can download a bunch of stuff off the Net to put on your calculator. ... /

The software for different calculators (I have linked to the TI-83, the TI-85, and the TI-86) is more or less the same; the confusing thing is that every calculator has a different procedure for linking. With some (such as the 86), you must be at the home screen; with others (such as the 85), you must be in receive (or send) mode.

One warning, however: This cable ONLY works with Windows. If you're a Mac user, you must buy the other (and more expensive) all-purpose cable. Amazon.com sells this cable as well.

All in all, I would highly recommend buying a Graph Link. Make sure you have an available serial port, plug the cable in and go. Have fun playing Tetris. :-)

Works great with XP with the right software.
If you have trouble getting the TI Connect software to work with Windows XP, try the freeware program TiLP instead, available from the ticalc.org website. It's compatible with all versions of Windows, as well as many other operating systems, and with all TI Graphing calculators. The Graph Link is indispensable for getting the most of your TI calculator, not to mention allowing you to play games on it!

Geeky thing to have
If you have a spare serial port, and a compatible calculator (TI-73, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-85, TI-86, TI-89, TI-92, or TI-92 Plus) this is a nice thing to have.

With this cable and the bundled software, you can backup your calculator, download updated ROMs, download games and applications you can find on the net, and amazingly, you can even capture screens from the calculator and save them as image files. I even imported a few into a word document. Teachers could probably get the most mileage out of the last feature.

If you are interested in writing your own programs, the bundled software contains an editor to allow you to write and download your own programs.