Texas Instruments TI-83 Reviews: December 2009

The HP 35s is a handsome, functional and versatile calculator that does complex math, yet performs well for day to day basic calculations. The sleek black case with white on black buttons and orange and blue function keys is right on. A large easy to read (and adjust) display combined with good "Enter" button placement and great button feel exude quality. The "undo" function is nice to have. I have preferred rpn mode since I first encountered the original HP 35 and 45 and this new one does not disappoint in ease of use in this mode. A manual that doesn't have to be accessed on line would be nice but once I saved it as a file it works out pretty well. I have an HP 33s but this one is definitely a step up from that at a great price, to boot. Everything old is new (and better) again. Thanks, HP! Get more detail about HP 35s Scientific Calculator.

I've had experience with the standard BA-II Plus, the HP 12c, and this, the BA-II Plus Professional. Compared to the standard BA-II Plus, this one has a few extra functions which would have been useful if I had had this calculator during my college finance classes, but which now I don't have much use for at work. More than that though, the buttons on this version are far superior to the BA-II Plus. I found the buttons on that calculator far too soft, whereas this has a satisfying click that can be both felt and heard when a button pressed, much like the 12c does. I have notices that if buttons are pressed to quickly/lightly, they may not register, so I would just caution you to watch as you type, or to type slightly more deliberately if you notice a problem.

I also prefer this calculator to the HP 12c I have at work, although I do have far more experience using TI calculators, so I may be biased towards their interface already. That being said, while the RPN on the 12c is very useful for nesting several operations, the chain operations on the BA-II in combination with () buttons work just as well. However, I try to avoid nesting function after function on a calculator with only one display line in either case.

This brings me to my one complaint with the BA-II Plus Professional, as well as every other financial calculator: I want a financial calculator with a multi-line display! TI has recently released the 30XS Multiview, which gives me a scientific calculator with a 4-line display. When TI comes to its senses and does the same for a financial calculator, I'll be singing its praises all around.Get more detail about Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator.