2 replies to this topic

[flyingfisch]

• The 84+CSE has only 21KB of user RAM. While there are 128KB available for assembly programmers, TI-Basic users and such are stuck with even less RAM than before. The Casio PRIZM, on the other hand, has approx. 50KB of RAM, plus 16MB of storage space.
• The 15MHz z80 processor. Much slower than the PRIZM's SH-4A (58MHz). Remember that we're dealing with color here, and 15MHz just doesn't cut it.
• The lack of a good C compiler. At this point there is no way to program in anything other than BASIC or Assembly. The PRIZM comes with support for C, native support for BASIC, and third-party languages like LuaZM.

In reviewing this calculator, we are forced to realize that this is nothing more than another over-priced, under-powered, excuse for a calculator from who else but, Texas Instruments.

More Information
http://casio.clrhome...rogramming.html

[Dream of Omnimaga]

Actually there are two positive things about the new limitations, though:

-Historically, the TI community has been known to love to push limited hardware to its limits. This is why TI-Nspire/PRIZM ASM/C development never really took off, even though the TI-84 Plus is still thriving. The only reason why more people are disappointed at Omnimaga is that the userbase is younger and never got into the challenge of programming limited hardware as much as older people who were born in the NES/Atari days. Because the new calc is more limited, this might actually make it more entertaining to program for some people, because of the challenge. Of course this might not appeal as much to the younger crowd, though, since they want Crysis on calc.

-This might once again start making BASIC coders try harder at coding properly. Since the TI-84+ came out, many games run at 83+ like speed because at 15 MHz they're just fast enough so people don't bother optimizing.


The hardware is REALLY overpriced, though. This calc should be $59.99 max (most of it for the software)

Edited by DJ Omnimaga, 23 February 2013 - 09:47 AM.

[flyingfisch]

Actually there are two positive things about the new limitations, though:

-Historically, the TI community has been known to love to push limited hardware to its limits. This is why TI-Nspire/PRIZM ASM/C development never really took off, even though the TI-84 Plus is still thriving.

Umm, I don't know about the Nspire, but the PRIZM simply didn't have the userbase....

The only reason why more people are disappointed at Omnimaga is that the userbase is younger and never got into the challenge of programming limited hardware as much as older people who were born in the NES/Atari days. Because the new calc is more limited, this might actually make it more entertaining to program for some people, because of the challenge. Of course this might not appeal as much to the younger crowd, though, since they want Crysis on calc.

-This might once again start making BASIC coders try harder at coding properly. Since the TI-84+ came out, many games run at 83+ like speed because at 15 MHz they're just fast enough so people don't bother optimizing.

Good point. On the same note, I think that web designers should always try out their sites on a slow connection, because just because you have 5MB/s doesn't mean your userbase does.

Also, the PRIZM is essentially the fx9860 with a color screen and and upgraded processor. Even the PRIZM is a little slow, and it has 58MHz.

But the TI-84 processor has not changed with the screen update. I think that is going to be a major problem.

Also, programming the fx9860 provided the same challenges, and anyone trying to program in BASIC on the PRIZM will immediately see a need for optimization.

The hardware is REALLY overpriced, though. This calc should be $59.99 max (most of it for the software)

Yeah, but we're talking bout TI here. :-\