TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator Review
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
High school students and early college students who need a reliable, test-approved graphing calculator with a familiar interface and strong classroom support.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Overview
The TI-84 Plus CE is a widely adopted color graphing calculator, serving as a reliable workhorse for high school and early college mathematics and science courses. It offers a familiar interface, a vibrant backlit display, and essential graphing and statistical capabilities, making it a staple in many educational environments.
Detailed Review
Key Features
- Vibrant, backlit color display (320x240 pixels)
- Rechargeable battery (included)
- Familiar TI-84 Plus keypad and navigation
- Preloaded apps for math, science, and finance
- Approved for use on most standardized tests (PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, AP)
- USB connectivity for computer and unit-to-unit transfer
- Picture Plot function for real-world image analysis
- Programming capability (TI-Basic, Python on newer OS versions)
Reasons to Buy
- Widespread classroom adoption and teacher familiarity
- Intuitive and familiar user interface for existing TI-84 users
- Vibrant color display enhances visualization of graphs and data
- Rechargeable battery is convenient and eco-friendly
- Approved for use on major standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP)
- Extensive online resources and community support
Reasons to Avoid
- Lacks a Computer Algebra System (CAS) for symbolic manipulation
- User interface, while familiar, can feel dated compared to newer models
- Slower processor than some modern competitors (e.g., HP Prime)
- Higher price point than basic scientific calculators, despite lacking CAS
Technical Specifications
- display type
- Color, backlit LCD
- screen size
- 320 x 240 pixels (2.8-inch diagonal)
- battery type
- TI Rechargeable Battery
- power source
- Rechargeable battery, USB charging
- number of functions
- Extensive (hundreds of built-in functions and applications)
- programming capability
- yes
- graphing capability
- yes
- CAS
- no
- connectivity
- USB (for computer, unit-to-unit)
- dimensions
- Approx. 7.5 x 3.4 x 0.7 inches (190.5 x 86.4 x 17.8 mm)
- weight
- Approx. 7.4 ounces (210 g)
- build quality
- Durable plastic casing, designed for educational use
At a Glance
Our Verdict
Best for
High school students and early college students who need a reliable, test-approved graphing calculator with a familiar interface and strong classroom support.
Value
Good
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.