OK, I have been monitering this topic ever since it came out, and I have come to the conclusion that:

1) The TI86 has a better OS than the TI83+/SE
2) The TI86 has more RAM than the TI83+
3) The menu system is very contraversial - so I wno't get into it...
4) The TI86's larger screen does not make much difference to the usability
5) The Assembly capabilities of the TI86 have been exploited more than those of the TI83+/SE
6) Many TI83+ ASM programmers have not tried to make a flash app
7) The TI83+SE has more the same amount of RAM as the TI86, and a faster processor
8) The TI83+SE has "link assist", thus has higher transfer rates to the PC
9) The number of keystrokes to get into a program is VERY important
10) People don't like installing apps.
11) The apps that must be installed to give the ti83+SE similar capability to that of the TI86 take up more than 1.4MB (this is plainly false)
12) The TI86 is a better programming plaform than the TI83+SE, as the LCD is memory mapped.

As I am a developer for the TI83+, and have tried to program for my friend's TI86, I have found that the official information regarding the TI83+/SE is MUCH GREATER than that of the TI86.

The TI83+ Flash Debugger allows you to moniter and emulate a TI83+ without using a ROM image, and the 800 page SDK is a great resource.

In conclusion, I have given My vote, to the TI83+/84+SE

This is memwaster, signing off.

Of course we don't like installing apps....they take about 5-10 minutes to send!!!!

The lack of documentation from TI on the 86 is TI's fault, not the calc's.

Isn't everything to do with the calc's OS ti's fault as well.

This time i'm REALLy signing off.

What I meant is that it doesn't make me like the calculator any less.

I have no opinion since I've never used a TI-86 and haven't used a TI-83/TI-83 Plus/etc. for quite a while (my primary calculator is a TI-89).

Do you mean the 83+ of the 84+? Not too many people can say they've tried the 84+ yet.

I e-mailed Texas Instruments and this is what I got back. I was actually surprised by the debth they went into...
============

Morgan,

Thank you for contacting Texas Instruments, an educational technology
company.

I cannot say that one model is more advanced than the other because the
TI-83 Plus and the TI-86 have different features and are designed for
different users and curriculum. The TI-83 Plus is ideal for use in
virtually any class. That is why it is the top choice among U.S. High
School students. The TI-86 is designed for college mathematics,
engineering, and science.

The main differences in the functionality of these handhelds are listed
below.

Items found on the TI-83 Plus that are not included in the TI-86's
functionality:

- Flash technology for Electronic upgradability and Handheld Software
Applications (Apps)
- Finance
- Inferential statistics
- Split screen
- Graphing sequences
Note: There are some Apps for the TI-83 Plus that mimic some of the
functionality of the TI-86. These include Polynomial Root Finder and
Simultaneous Equation Solver and Science Tools Apps.

Items found on the TI-86 that are not included in the TI-83 Plus'
functionality:

- Differential equation graphing
- Polynomial root finder
- Number base conversions
- Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues
- Physical constants
- Metric conversions

You can also refer to the TI graphing handheld comparison chart for
additional information:

http://education.ti.com/ downloads/pdf/us/ graphing.pdf

I hope you find this information helpful. If you have further questions
or comments, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Mulanda Kamba