8 replies to this topic

[Master MC]

Hey.
I am a highschool student (don't know if that's the correct term), anyway, almost 17, year five out of six (highest level), pre-university.
Well, I'm using the good 'ol fx-9850.

I'm pretty attached to it and all. I've learned the basics of programming and I've discovered many more features my classmates did not even know they existed. They're so impressed when I show them the 'solve' menu.

Anyway, I have come to learn that my old machine isn't good enough to suit my demands. Dang, they're so... slow.
I've been considering to buy a new calculator and after some investigating I've reduced the list to two. Yet I don't know which one to choose. That's where you come in. : - )

FX-9860 - basically the same as the 9850 only a gazillion times faster. Would be a good choice since I'm very acquinted to its interface, menu, language etc.
Classpad - VERY advanced, looks very promising and cool. Yet I don't know if it's really good enough for school and all. I don't know what the learning curve is. Is it simple to use? My impression is that it's more or less a PDA, not a calculator, like the FX-series.

As you can see I'm pretty unsure what to choose. I therefore call on your expertise.
Thanks!

[kucalc]

FX-9860 - basically the same as the 9850 only a gazillion times faster. Would be a good choice since I'm very acquinted to its interface, menu, language etc.

Well it's kind of the same as the CFX-9850, but the fx-9860 has a lot more features. CATALOG function displaying all commands in a index, Natural Textbook Display, Spreadsheet and has a SDK. With my hardware library, EPSILON, fx-9860 will become more powerful.

[The_AFX_Master]

Well, in my opinion the Classpad 300 is the best calc on the market right now. Is fast, powerful, fully programmable,It has total flexibility (working with two windows at the same time, for example), and is pretty easy to learn.. and the learning curve is quite small. in fact, i feel more confortable using the stylus to imput data and to move it along the screen .

The 9860 is a very good choice if you don't need symbolic algebra and flexible programming,although the C++ interface to program it (SDK) is going around here, and is pretty powerful.

If you need to know more about these calcs, post specific doubts

[Master MC]

Well, I don't have specific questions, but thanks for your replies.
So, if you were me, what would you buy?

[samuel]

Go for the 9860, you will be surprised how different the 9860 is from 9850 in spite of the iconic menu and so on. I have that same black color 9850 and I love it. But the 9860 is well...let me put it this way: IT IS AWESOME. Fantastic speed, good memory and array of functions.

I may be bias but it beats competition of same band hands down in terms of value. If you school does not allow symbolic algebra and virtual keyboard go for the 9860.

For long term investment, go for ClassPad 300+. The big screen and the 5 MB are enough reasons to get it.

[Vulpes Virago]

I agree with Samuel about the 9860. It is an excellent calculator. You will easily make the transition from your present calculator, and you will have a lot of new features that are very useful. And yes, the 9860 is very fast!

As for the ClassPad, I have only had mine for a little while, so here is my advice- Take some time and read the ClassPad forum. Try to read it objectively. There are some who think that the ClassPad is easy to use, others who think it is odd and difficult. I find the touch screen to be pretty cool, but it has disadvantages as well, for instance. Another thing I would advise is to download the manual and study it.

I guess my advice would be to consider your situation. If you need a great calculator but don't need the CAS (or will not be allowed to use it), stick with the 9860. Study as much as you can before you buy the ClassPad. It's a really neat machine, but it's very different than the 9860, and it's expensive compared to the 9860. (I got mine -very- cheap, or I don't think I would have considered it.)

Either way, I think you'll be getting a good calculator.

[spartrekus]

why not a hp-39 or better the TI89. TI89 is cool because you do not need a stylet !

+ it has CAS for maths, and it is very useful.

https://en.wikipedia...ki/TI-89_series

 

1) For University : CAS! 

If you learn maths, CAS system is a possible good way.

CAS is useful to check your results. The more possibility you have the better it is. 

There arent much casio models with CAS systems. 

 

2) Casio for secondary max.

9860 is maybe not the best solution for university level. 

You need serious maths at the univ, physics, constants,... sufficiently features.

 

3) Having a HP-50 graphical calculator is probably the best choice for university. HP48,49,50 are the best calculators existing on this market. In following link, one can clearly see that HP have top calculators on the market until today. 

 

4) who wants to use a stylet during an exam? You need a keyboard to calculate rapidly. Each minute counts during an exam (maths, physics, chemistry,...).

 

 

More about CAS:

https://en.wikipedia...algebra_systems

https://en.wikipedia...ing_calculators

Edited by spartrekus, 12 April 2018 - 06:53 PM.

[theReubenator]

FYI, highschool student is the correct term

[frankmar98]

I'm studying second year of Chemistry degree in Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain).

 

I use CFX-9970G (has CAS) for exams, and in some exams the fx-9860G.

 

Most people are using non-graphing or programmable calculators like fx-82 MS, fx-82 SPX, or fx-991 SPX. One classmate is using the fx-7000G.

 

For example, in a Physical Chemistry exam, you will work with differential equations, very long formulas, and charts of data that you must manipulate, plot and calculate parameters (STAT mode).

 

With a CFX-9850G, you have an excellent calulator to take a bachelor in chemistry, physics or engineering. The CFX-9970G adds CAS, more memory and a faster CPU.

 

My classmates think that I'm joking when I say that my calculator is from 1999, they say that appears like new, a good calculator never dies, and never becomes obsolete.