Editorial Review:

Item Description:
A calculator for science, math, algebra, trigonometry, statistics. 2-Line Display, 5 Memories Enter/delete/insert/edit individual statistical data elements Trig functions in degrees and radians Fractions and Fraction/Decimal conversions Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (for time calculations) Decimal degree conversions Common natural logarithms Reciprocals and Factorials Universal Powers and Roots Polar/Rectangular conversions Menus User-friendly keyboard with durable, plastic keys Protective calculator shield

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 Item 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.



Accessories:
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Accessories:

• Duracell Batteries / 4 AA - size batteries
• Calculator Afloat
• Calculus Concepts: An Informal Approach to the Mathematics of Change-Graphing Calculator Keystroke Guide

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Rating: - * Great! ... I use this for advanced algebra I and it works great as a scientific calculator! (I still have to have a graphing calculator, but that is too big to carry around all the time.) I use this for everything I do math-wise and it works great! Pros: well...it does what it's meant to do, and does it well. And at a great price, too! Cons: I left it in my binder without the cover, and I think making it turn on and off all day long broke it. We tried replacing the battery but that didn't work. Also, I like a slide-on cover better than the span-on cover that this calculator has. Still, I am completely satisfied with it! Rating: - * Simple, great calculator ... This is a great calculator for all types of math. It's simple and easy to use. Rating: - * TI-30x IIS ... I have order this calculater a while ago. I was mad that the price of shipping is not clear. Moreover, I have recieved this item a week later than it supposed to be diliver. Therefore, I wrote a letter to the customer service. They reply me right the way with a full refund on the shipping. I recived the item with good quality eventually. Rating: - * Annoying key problem. ... First of all: I own a bunch of different calculators from the TI line,the TI-30, the TI-84, TI-89, and I owned a TI-83 at one point. Ok, this calculator, the TI-30X IIS works, but I have an issue with the buttons. The keys feel sticky almost. Some times you push them, but the number doesn't register. You have to press with exactly the right amount of force to get it to register. And the tolerance for that force is very small. If you press down just a tiny bit to hard, or use just a tiny bit less force, the key-press doesn't register. That said, the calculator works, and it has two lines of text. The only reason I got this calculator was that I needed it for General Chemistry. Rating: - * Don't buy! Get TI-30XS instead. ... ---------------------- Update: TI just released the TI-30XS MultiView Calculator for a similar price and it is much, much better. The buttons work great and they've also improved on a lot of other features. ---------------------- I bought this calculator to take the FE exam. There are only a handful of approved calculators and so I chose this for the following reasons: - Two line display - I've been using a TI-83 Plus for almost 10 years and I thought that this would be easy to learn - Solar - don't have to worry about batteries - Inexpensive I've been sorely disappointed with this calculator. The buttons are horrible! What good is a calculator if I can't type the information correctly? Also, the case is awkward and flimsy. Don't expect the same type of quality that you get with the graphic calculators, TI cut corners on this one. I don't recommend this calculator if you are going to be under tight time constraints because you will waste a lot of time fixing typing errors. I've also had issues with the transition to a non-graphing calculator. It hasn't been as straight forward as I was hoping and the documentation is awful. I figure, if I'm going to have to learn a new system, I might as well go with a better calculator. I will likely go with the HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A) and save this one as a backup for the exam.