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Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator (various colors) Expired

$100
$149.99
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Target has Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator (various colors) on sale for $99.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member BeigeStew7045 for sharing this deal.

Available Colors:
Product Info:
  • The TI-84 Plus CE makes comprehension of math and science topics quicker and easier. Ideal for middle school through college. The same menu structure and navigation as the TI-84 Plus family make it easy to pick up and learn. The built-in MathPrint™ feature allows you to input and view math symbols, formulas and stacked fractions exactly as they appear in textbooks.
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Original Post

Written by
Edited July 19, 2021 at 11:49 AM by
TI-84 Plus CE (Color Edition) is on sale this week for $99.99 at Target. This calculator is available from Target in 4 colors:

Blue: https://www.target.com/p/texas-in...nk=sametab

Red: https://www.target.com/p/texas-in...nk=sametab

White: https://www.target.com/p/texas-in...nk=sametab

Black: https://www.target.com/p/texas-instruments-84-ce-graphing-calculator-black/-/A-82545755#lnk=sametab​ [target.com]

Please note that TI has stopped making the graphing calculator in pink. You can still find a few of those on amazon or ebay but for a premium price.

These calculators are required in every high school in America, even though we all know they are overpriced and not more useful than a $10 calculator in everyday life.

https://www.target.com/s?searchTe...categories

https://www.target.com/s?searchTe...categories
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A cheaper Casio alternative (not color screen) for $38: https://www.amazon.com/Casio-fx-9...B00154GSQA

Is the era of the $100+ graphing calculator coming to an end? [thehustle.co]
·
It's so absurd that these things are still as expensive now as they were nearly 20 years ago when I bought my first one.
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The thing is the libraries and algorithms aren't *still* being optimized and developed over the past 20+ years. They are basically copy and paste the same things over and over and over. There's zero new expense needed other than manufacturing costs, which is probably so dirty cheap now as everything is so underpowered and the screen quality is absolute crap by today's standard.

Porting isn't really that big of a problem, and the math operations that thing does are so simple I'm not even sure if there's need to optimize anything unless they use totally outdated processors from like the 80s.

Sounds to me more about everything else (monopoly, behind the scene stuff, etc) than technological reasons to me.
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dundiefundie
07-18-2021 at 12:27 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:27 PM.
Quote from ListedGuru :
Unfortunately I need to buy one of these this year. Is this a good price or should I holdout for a better deal? Anyone have any insight into the situation?

Thanks,

-Guru

This is about as good as it gets. You may find it drop $89, but I can't confirm that. I also may be thinking of the non-CE version.
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HIDDENLavenderCrow154207-18-2021 at 12:29 PM.
Joined Mar 2016
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Shaunaniganz
07-18-2021 at 12:30 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:30 PM.
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dundiefundie
07-18-2021 at 12:30 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:30 PM.
Quote from Renawx :
This is a very good price! I just bought one at staples last month, the price is $159 with $40 off price adjustments

So more than retail? Staples has regular retail price of $154 for this model.
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ListedGuru
07-18-2021 at 12:32 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:32 PM.
Quote from GoRacer :
Use target circle 15off 75$...its coming to 90$
I wonder if that target circle offer is random? Not seeing it myselfFrown

-Guru
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:33 PM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank The_Love_Spud

07-18-2021 at 12:33 PM.
Quote from MadPup :
A cheaper Casio alternative (not color screen) for $38: https://www.amazon.com/Casio-fx-9...B00154GSQA [amazon.com]

Is the era of the $100+ graphing calculator coming to an end? [thehustle.co]
I bought that exact Casio model at a Target clearance endcap for under $15. I've since then updated the software on the 9750GII to get the functionality of the more expensive 9860GII using commonly available online instructions [omnimaga.org].

At the same time, this calculator is not a replacement for my TI-nspire which I use side-by-side with this calculator. I can certainly recommend some alternatives among the TI family, but as suggested in the original post if you're going to need a TI calculator that's about all there is to it. For an advanced user of calculators you can indeed swap between these devices and use the right tool for the job. For someone struggling to learn in a classroom setting the last thing they should be encumbered with is "but how do you do that on my calculator?"

Good luck!
Jon
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Enceladus
07-18-2021 at 12:38 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:38 PM.
Not a Python version (CE-T) unfortunately.
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UnoriginalGuy
07-18-2021 at 12:38 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:38 PM.
Quote from LavenderCrow1542 :
Their first graphing calculator was the TI-81 released in 1990. Before you talk down to somebody get your facts straight (especially if you just got those facts 2 minutes ago from a poor google search).
What does that have to do with the architecture of the CPU? I replied to a condescending post claiming it changed (and therefore the inflated prices are justified), I pointed out that it did not in fact change. You're now, what? Trying to use pedantry to "gotcha" even though it is completely irrelevant to the discussion? Neat. In particular as the TI-81 also uses the same Zilog Z80 CPU architecture, as the Zilog eZ80 found in this TI-84 CE.
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:40 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:40 PM.
Quote from LavenderCrow1542 :
Check with your prof before you get one of these. I had a teacher in college trig that taught based on the layout of the TI calcs and if you had a different brand he wouldn't help you if you couldn't figure it out or catch up.
This is critical. In fact, it can even be tricky among the TI calculators. One of my favorite early TI-nspire models had a switchable keyboard allowing it to operate in either TI-nspire or TI-84 mode depending upon which keyboard was installed. I daresay I kept it in TI-84 mode for plenty of my toughest engineering classes just to follow along with what was being presented!

This is a decent price for a new TI-84 model. Depending upon your class requirements and restrictions you could do better, but plenty of high-school or lower-level college courses will default to TI-84 or NOTHING (essentially considering some alternative models cheating).

If you do have some flexibility consider some of the older nspire models for better functionality, though they could lack the nice screen, rechargeable battery, and could require some astute shopping to ensure you're not getting a beater. On the battery front I use rechargeable batteries in my TI-nspire and keep alkaline backups in my pencil case just in case!

Good luck!
Jon
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:42 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:42 PM.
Quote from MikeyMike01 :
The only downside to the CE is that you have to remember to charge it before exams. No option of spare batteries in your pencil case.
One of the upsides in its defense is that the batteries really do hold a charge. But otherwise I still use the strategy you describe... and most of my math work is by hand or in Matlab! laugh out loud

Good luck!
Jon
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:46 PM.

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07-18-2021 at 12:46 PM.
Quote from justye :
There are so many used Ti-83s and Ti-84s out there. I wouldn't waste money on a new one unless you're a germophobe. I lost my Ti calculator in college and then just decided to get a used one even though I was against buying used things at the time. I didn't want to deal with losing an expensive item again and there are so many out there because barely anyone uses them after finishing college.
One piece of advice I'd give is to shop for a model that wouldn't have been the typical high school kid's beater model. College models don't get treated much better, but the CAS solver calculators were less common and often (possibly thanks to their higher starting price) can be found in pretty good condition after surviving their owner's last few college courses.

Unfortunately you will need to bounce those models off your given class' restrictions as CAS models, for example, aren't allowed by some courses (since they will effectively "solve" the problem for you in some cases).

Good luck!
Jon
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belsbbb
07-18-2021 at 12:46 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:46 PM.
I agree calculators are way over-priced. There are apps that are better than calculators. But, phones are not allowed in the classroom or for standardized tests, so we're stuck with calculators. I think used calculators are ok if they're not abused. It's amazing how beat up some calculators can be in a short time.

There are reviews for various TI calculators. From what I've read, TI-84 Plus CE is better than TI-84 Plus. The CE version has better screen, is faster, and similar to TI 84 Plus. The calculator can be used for both ACT and SAT tests. The sale price is very good. The site does not specify the OS version. If the ability to run assembly is important, than buying used might be a better option to ensure the OS is OS 5.5.0 or lower.

Another calculator to consider is one with CAS. "CAS" stands for computer algebra system, which means it can show answers in fractions and pi form without converting them to decimal form. (Huge advantage.) CAS calculator is allowed for SAT test, but prohibited for the ACT test. The TI-Nspire CX II CAS is the most current version. Notice the 'II' and the 'CAS.' The 'CAS' is on the top right corner of the calculator. If it's not there, it's not CAS. The calculator runs python (but I haven't tried it). I've read that it's great for calculus class and others. A big drawback is that the TI-Nspire CX II CAS is different from the TI-84 Plus, so the student might need to watch you-tube videos on how to perform some of the functions.
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:52 PM.

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07-18-2021 at 12:52 PM.
Quote from Mike D :
Some absurd arguments being made here. I can buy TI having invested some time in refactoring and optimizing for the TI-84 Plus CE's recent revisions. But that does not explain their now several-decades long stagnant pricing. Simple economics--and an obvious monopoly, driven in no small part by curriculums and textbooks--does.

Here's a now seven year old article delving into the TI calculator monopoly: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ne...lassrooms/ [washingtonpost.com]

Not much has changed since this was written, other than TI adding color screens, rechargeable batteries and newer flash memory.
Actually it is almost hilarious what has changed inside since companies like TI (Casio does this as well!) are basically maintaining their software (the part that justifies their monopoly) but cost-cutting on the hardware by leveraging modern components.

Ben Heck has been collecting a bunch of calculators in advance of a calculator project he's working and you can see some of what's changed over time here: https://youtu.be/z7yPz7Zn1eg

The monopoly is real, but the only way most students can manage it for now is the secondary market and slickdeals!

Good luck!
Jon
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The_Love_Spud
07-18-2021 at 12:55 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:55 PM.
Quote from belsbbb :
Another calculator to consider is one with CAS. "CAS" stands for computer algebra system, which means it can show answers in fractions and pi form without converting them to decimal form. (Huge advantage.) CAS calculator is allowed for SAT test, but prohibited for the ACT test. The TI-Nspire CX II CAS is the most current version. Notice the 'II' and the 'CAS.' The 'CAS' is on the top right corner of the calculator. If it's not there, it's not CAS. The calculator runs python (but I haven't tried it). I've read that it's great for calculus class and others. A big drawback is that the TI-Nspire CX II CAS is different from the TI-84 Plus, so the student might need to watch you-tube videos on how to perform some of the functions.
Part of the good news is that there have been loads of CAS model revisions, which means the secondary market is just chock full of these essentially overpowered monsters being treated like rejects from the island of misfit toys. In reality, they'll do more than anyone could ask and they still use the commonly understood TI interface. But again, I wouldn't be surprised for many trying to evaluate this deal if their intended course explicitly limits them to a TI-84 model (or less) ONLY.

Good luck!
Jon
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ListedGuru
07-18-2021 at 12:57 PM.
07-18-2021 at 12:57 PM.
Quote from Enceladus :
Not a Python version (CE-T) unfortunately.
Is the Python version overkill for an incoming freshman (high school)?

Thanks,

-Guru
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