fx-9860GII Review
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
High school and early college students needing a reliable, feature-rich graphing calculator without the premium cost of color or CAS models.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Overview
The Casio fx-9860GII is a monochrome graphing calculator offering a robust feature set for its price point, making it a strong contender for high school and early college mathematics and science courses. Its Natural Textbook Display and ample memory are notable advantages, though its lack of a color screen or Computer Algebra System (CAS) positions it below premium models.
Detailed Review
Key Features
- Natural Textbook Display (Natural V.P.A.M.)
- High-resolution monochrome LCD (64 x 128 dots)
- 1.5 MB Flash Memory
- Dynamic Graphing
- Conic Sections
- Inequality Graphing
- Spreadsheet Functionality
- e-Activity (interactive learning tool)
- Statistical Plotting and Regression Analysis
- Financial Functions
- USB Connectivity (PC and unit-to-unit)
- Pre-loaded applications (e.g., Geometry, Physium)
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent value for money, offering a comprehensive feature set at a competitive price.
- Natural Textbook Display significantly improves readability and input accuracy.
- Ample flash memory for storing programs and data.
- Robust build quality suitable for daily student use.
- Approved for use on major standardized tests (PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, AP, IB).
Reasons to Avoid
- Monochrome display lacks the visual clarity and appeal of color graphing calculators.
- Does not include a Computer Algebra System (CAS), limiting its utility for advanced symbolic manipulation.
- User interface can have a steeper learning curve for those accustomed to TI calculators.
- An older model, newer Casio calculators (like the fx-CG50) offer color and more advanced features.
Technical Specifications
- display type
- Monochrome LCD, Natural Textbook Display
- screen size
- 64 x 128 dots
- battery type
- AAA x 4
- power source
- Battery
- number of functions
- 2900+
- programming capability
- yes
- graphing capability
- yes
- CAS
- no
- connectivity
- USB (Type B for PC, Type A for unit-to-unit)
- dimensions
- 18.6 x 89 x 188.5 mm (H x W x D)
- weight
- 205g (including batteries)
- build quality
- Durable plastic casing, standard for educational calculators
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
High school and early college students needing a reliable, feature-rich graphing calculator without the premium cost of color or CAS models.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.