Product Description

New 2-line display. Dual power:solor and battery. View entry abd results at the same time. Edit current entry. Edit and view previous entries. Menus with functions and mode settings. Five variable memories. One and two variable statistics, results, for linear tegression, trendline. Fractions and fraction/decimal conversions. Trigonometric functions in degrees and radians.

Product Details

• Brand: Texas Instruments
• Model: TI30XIIS
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .50" h x 2.60" w x 5.10" l, .30 pounds

Features

• Robust, professional-grade scientific calculator
• 2-line display shows entry and calculated result at same time
• Easily handles 1 and 2 variable statistical calculations
• Three angle modes (degrees, radians, and grads) and scientific and engineering notation modes
• 1-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Review
There are many inexpensive scientific calculators on the market, but few boast the two-line display and other advanced features users get with the TI-30x IIS. The display shows the equation you are creating on the top line, and the numbers or symbols you are currently entering on the second line. Once the equation is solved, the results are displayed on the second line, and you can use the four arrow keys on the front of the calculator to edit the original equation in any way you like for a recalculation. Better still, pressing the up arrow repeatedly lets you browse through a cache of dozens of previous calculations, meaning you can look back to see the answer to a problem you solved two minutes ago, two days ago, or whenever.

The device uses solar power when possible but can fall back on the internal batteries (which are included) if there isn't enough light. The buttons wiggle around a little too much and require a firm keystroke to register input, but the fact that input can be followed by looking at the output on the first line helps to cut down on mistakes. There is a shift key that doubles the functions of most buttons, and although the TI-30X IIS isn't festooned with as many buttons or functions as some other calculators we've tested in this price range, it's still very capable. There are three angle modes (degrees, radians, and grads), scientific and engineering notation modes, and even one- or two-variable statistical modes. Five variables can also be assigned to their own memory slots. The documentation is lacking, as everything is presented on a single folded sheet of paper, but Texas Instruments did manage to pack several illustrated examples on the page. The calculator comes with a snap-on cover that fits on the back of the device when you are using it. The calculator carries a one-year limited warranty. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Two-line display
• Relatively inexpensive
• Handles one- and two-variable statistical calculations

Cons:

• Weak documentation
• Buttons wiggle a bit too much

Amazon.com Product Description
The new two-line TI-30X IIS with the memory retention feature retains previous entries, memory values, and individual statistical elements, and is a great value for general math, algebra, trigonometry, statistics, science, and much more. It allows you to enter, delete, insert, and edit individual statistical data elements, and displays trigonometric functions in degrees and radians. It performs common and natural logarithms, fractions and fraction/decimal conversions, and degrees, minutes, seconds/decimal degrees conversions. The calculator features durable plastic keys and a protective cover, with a quick reference card and guide for easy assistance.

Customer Reviews

4 1/2 Durable and Inexpensive!
Main Points:
I used this calculator for over 10 years before it finally stopped working, and I treated it fairly roughly (e.g.,coffe spills). I think others here have attested to the functionality of the TI-30, so I just want to emphasize that it's a tough little gadget as well. Yes, the buttons are on the small side and there is a bit of play, but this was never a major problem (although at times it slows down data entry). You can go to http://education.ti.com/downloads for a good overview of TI calculators, and you can scope out one of TI's major competitors at http://www.casio.com.

A Little History:
This was also one of the first commercially available low-priced calculators that had two-line display and backspace to correct or edit data entry. The dual-power and scrolling display features were also once unusual. The top line (for data entry) shows up to 11 characters; you can scroll backwards or forwards up to 88! The bottom line (shows results) displays up to a 10-digit answer along with a 2-digit exponent.

Individual Needs Differ:
From the reviews here, it appears that high school math is now more difficult than it once was. If you know that you're going to need graphing capability, then obviously this is not the choice for you. Similarly, the prevalence of laptop computers and math/stats software may obviate the need for some of the more advanced features.

Recommendation:
The layout is very good and, for such a low price, it packs a lot of calculating might. However, high school (or college)students may want to narrow their choices and then ask their teacher which one has the most relevant functions for the next few years of math. Compared to twenty-five or so years ago, one can now get a lot more calculator for the money. Depending on your budget, therefore, you might determine that a calculator like this is sufficient for your short-term needs, but that you'll need a new one if you go on to more advanced stats and math. In any event, this is a durable calculator that works very well.

Got me from pre-algebra to pre-calc
This is probably the best calculator for middle to high school kids. I got mine in seventh grade and it was all I needed until calculus. In fact, we weren't even allowed to use graphing calculators until pre-calc. I held off getting one until calculus, though, because my TI-30XIIS did everything i needed it to and was so easy to use.

The best thing:
-you can enter entire expressions and solve them. this is because, unlike earlier models, functions like sine, cosine, tangent, square root, etc. are entered before the number. for example, with other models you would punch in 45 and hit tan, and it would automatically give you the answer 1. With the 30XIIS, however, you press tan, then 1, then enter. It seems like a disadvantage at first, but when you are doing more complicated math and need to enter a whole line of info, it's a huge time-saver.

Other good things:
-You can go back and substitute other numbers into your expression. This is great when you are doing guess-and-check work, but it was most useful in chemistry and physics, when I had to use the same formula with a lot of different values. I was really bummed to discover the graphing calculators didn't have the ability to go back to an expression you've already solved.
-The buttons are arranged really logically. There were about three buttons grouped together up in the corner that I never used (I think they're maybe for statistics), but they were totally out of the way. When you're doing trig, all the buttons you need are near each other. Same with logs and everything else. After using this calculator for a while, you can key things in so fast. Hitting 2nd [ans] is like a reflex now.

Bad things:
-The buttons were a little loose after about my third year with my TI-30XIIS. this didn't cause any problems with how it worked (at least in the next two years), but the buttons were sort of crooked in their slots. Again, only an aesthetic issue. This didn't affect the performance at all.
-Sometimes, if you don't hit clear before you start your expression, it will use your last answer as the first number in your new equation. This isn't much of a problem, b/c it only happens due to operator error, and hitting clear becomes reflexive. It'll happen to you, I promise. Honestly, if you looked around during a test when i was in algebra II, you would see at least one person unconsciously mashing the clear button. which also attests to the durability of this calculator.

So, that is the TI-30XIIS from the perspective of a high school student. basically, it is the best calculator i've ever owned, far superior in basic math to my TI-84+. And it's incredibly cheap. Calculating just doesn't get any better than this.

User friendly calcualtor
Nice to finally see TI step into the two-line solar calculator market. Very easy to use and the buttons have a solid feel. I also like the large display so you can easily see both the equation and the answer.

Why did it give the TI-30 II only four stars? For the same price, there are good two-line calcs (Casio FX-115 MS for example) which include a larger library of functions (base calculations, integrals, derivates, solve function) for the same amount of money.