Re: 83 vs. 85


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Re: 83 vs. 85



> > What's more, the average person does not want to put the
> > effort into learning the 85. I admit the 85 has a rather
> > steep learning curve, but it isn't all *that* bad, and
> > once you've learned your way around, it's far easier and
> > faster to use than the 82.
>
> Except for the table, but if you need it that bad, you can always find
> a program to emulate it.
>
> > The reason that I would go 85 instead of 83 is sheer
> > flexibility--strings, infinite numbers of lists, constants,
> > etc. etc.  The 85 is meant to be a *very* flexible calculator.
>
> I have an 82 and 85, and I have to say that a lot of times, given the
> choice for some quick and dirty work, I will go with the 82.  The keys
> are slightly larger on my 82, and are somehow more tactile, so it makes
> prolonged list entry faster than on the 85.
>
> The screen doesn't affect my eyes as much since the numbers are bigger,
> and typing numbers and arrows to get around the menus is faster sometimes
> than shifting through a catalog or pressing MORE six times to get to
> a certain menu portion...




I don't know about anyone else, but I have not found one use for the
table yet.  I have an 85, but I have watched math teachers mess
around with the table on the viewscreen and it takes forever to get
the answer.  Say you have an equation in y1 and you want to find out
what the x value is when y is some number.  If this is an easy
equation, you could probably do it on paper quicker, but if it is a
complex one then the calculator comes in handy.  On the 82 or 83, you
would use the TABLE.  First, you have to set up the table to the
right decimal places, etc.. before it will give you the right
results.  Then you have to scroll down and find out when y turns to
the number.  To me, this is like a trial and error type way of
solving it.  On the 85, however, just go into the SOLVER and hit the
F key that corresponds to y1, type in a value for y, and press F5.
That's it... very easy.


Also, I find that the 85's menus are very easy to use once you get
used to them and know where the stuff is.  I also like it better
because the menus don't take up the whole screen like the 82 or 83,
but only take up the bottom row.


I would pick an 85 over an 82 or 83 any day.


-Ed


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