This looks really cool. Too bad you can't upgrade the calc's cpu.

Maybe the TI-87 or something will use this.

Hm... I know *I* want a TCP/IP stack for my calc.</sarcasm> For the purposes of calculators, it pretty much looks like a Z180 that's about twice as fast. (has mult which z180 has, etc.) the use of 24-bit might help the memory usage some. the only thing i'd like if i had it would be the mlt instruction. some pretty neat stuff could be written with a fast multiply op.

It's not just the TCP/IP stack, Kirk :) They've made a lot of other improvements.
Although it wouldn't be bad for someone to design software and hardware to run a web server off an 86.
*pondering*

--BlueCalx

I don't see many other imporvements. For the use of TI's:

a) 24-bit
b) faster

that's it. as opposed to the z180 that is, since the z180 has been out for a while anyway.

Actually, the TCP-IP thing might come in handy. If someone made a program that would allow for the use of a proprietary web serving format and installed it on ticalc.org's server, and then client software was developed for the calculators, then you could surf, download, and install programs all on your calculator. Heck, it's unlikely but it's always possible.

while were at it since ti isnt gonna make a calc out of this any time soon, can we have someone out there with the knowhow to make a rom and mess with electronics make a combine this new chip with an 86 and write the appropriate rom for it... if all that were possible could he then release instructions for doing all that and give us the rom then we can make our own 86+ and make use of that TCP/IP feature... TICALC doesnt mind being nominated as a base host for the super 86 download webpage does it?

Heh.. there's probably two problems with the new EZ80. First, I bet it's more expensive than Z80. Second, I bet it takes more batteries.

if that, finding a volunteer, and time to do it are the only problems then id like to see it done... im sure there are solutions to the power prob and cost well i spent-well peop spend $150 ffor the 89's i only spent $65 :P- how expensive will this chip be?

It'd be nice if TI would make a TI-86 Plus and installed the eZ80 into the 86 plus. Would make the 86 even better than it already is.

I haven't read the article yet, but usually faster/better processors bring higher energy consumption with them. That's generally the reason to use slower processors in calculators, as battery life is paramount.
--
Phil

Yummy. 80Mhz. I'm not too sure that calulators need that kind of clock speed though.

In case it matters, the proper spelling is "ZiLOG".

(Please don't delete this comment)

Bryan, Keep that "please don't delete this comment" stuff up, it's making me laugh like hell. Yeah, it is a good Idea to put it there, try not putting it and see if they delete it! ha, and umm to make this on topic-off-topic sorta mix, I think the new Z80 chip would be good for calcs if the calcs were using AA's rather than AAA's. GET IT!!???? BLAH BLAH, I'm full of horse shit today. LINUX RULES!!!!!!!!!!

...Who cares? :)

Um, the proper spelling is "Zilog." By the way, putting "(please don't delete this comment)" doesn't actually change whether your comment will be deleted or not.

Um.. take a trip to http://www.zilog.com/ and you will see that I am right.

(Please don't delete the above comment)

Heheh... thanks. :)

Hehe, sheesh. :)

Nathan, the true spelling IS ZiLOG. yup, that's right, your wrong and Bryan's right. ha ha ha.

sorry, couldn't help rubbing it in.

<<Building on the Z80’s legacy, ZiLOG reengineered its popular Z80 core with embedded Internet and DSP capabilities, among other enhancements, to meet customers’ rising performance needs. The company will license its new eZ80 core, beginning in November 1999, to unify the highly fragmented Z80 market under a new "ZiLOG Certified" eZ80 industry standard.>>

see?

KAKE
IP perhaps i too will be removed...

Are most of the posters on these boards in high school?

At least he posts using an account and provides his real name and e-mail address.

You can't post w/o an account but you can choose not to list your name or email.

--BlueCalx

Okay, you two. I took a trip to the bookshelf in my bedroom and got my "Z80 Microprocessor Family User's Manual," which was sent to me by Zilog.

The logo can be transcribed as "ZiLOG," but everywhere in the text you can only find "Zilog."

If Zilog suddenly decided to change the spelling of their company name (as I don't think they've always done in caps that way), well, it's weird, and probably only to make the company name stand out.

I think it looks tacky, myself, but if they're happy with it, more power to them.

I'm going to stick with my original statement and say that "Zilog" is correct, but I'm going to concede that "ZiLOG" appears to be a newer official spelling. Strange. It'll take me some time to get used to. :)

No offense or anything, but if the /company/ changed its /name/, then the name is /changed/.

That means they like and want to use "ZiLOG" and /NOT/ "Zilog". :)

What if someone was constantly spelling your name wrong? Wouldn't you want to correct them so they got it right?

Yes Brian, if my name were Mike, and some guy spelled it MiKE, I'd probably kick his butt. (uhh... yeah...) :P

The name is "Bryan". :P

And some companies are very picky about their names. I mean, for goodness sake - its their name! You don't see people spelling things like "rEdhAt" or "dEbIAn" do you? Of course not...

My name is /\/1{|< |)154|3470 ;)

--81|_|3<41><

You are very creative. You should write all the news items in that font. That would be cool.

cool but itd take me a while to read doesnt help that he put :) on the end of his statement... heck itd take me a while to read my own name in that script..