Tech head-to-head
Casio fx-9750GIIIvsTI-84 Plus CE
Age hasn't cost the 2015 TI-84 Plus CE the lead: it averages 8.4 against 7.9 for the 2019 Casio fx-9750GIII, and takes Design 8.4 to 7.0.
Casio fx-9750GIII
Casio
7.9
A full graphing calculator with Python, allowed on the SAT, ACT, and AP exams, at a fraction of a TI's cost.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
TI-84 Plus CE
Texas Instruments
8.4
The calculator most teachers demonstrate on, with a color screen and a battery that charges over USB.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Design, TI-84 Plus CE ahead 8.4 to 7.0. They come closest on Durability, 8.2 to 8.0. Left of center is Casio fx-9750GIII, right is TI-84 Plus CE.
Which one to pick
Take the Casio fx-9750GIII
Leads on Value.
- You need a graphing calculator for one course and would rather not spend TI money
- You want a backup calculator in the bag for test day
- You'd rather swap AAA batteries than keep track of a charger
Take the TI-84 Plus CE
Leads on Performance, Durability, Ease of use and Design.
- Your teacher demonstrates on a TI-84 and you want your keystrokes to match the board
- You want one calculator from algebra through AP Calculus and AP Statistics
- Hunting for AAA batteries the night before an exam is not something you want to do
What each one gets wrong
Casio fx-9750GIII
- Your teacher will demonstrate every step on a TI-84 and you'll want the menus to match
- You need a color screen to tell overlapping graphs apart
TI-84 Plus CE
- The listing shows a battery that won't hold a charge and no replacement is included
- You want a computer algebra system that does symbolic algebra, which this model doesn't have
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Casio fx-9750GIII | TI-84 Plus CE |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Monochrome, 128×64 | Color, 320×240, backlit |
| Power | 4 AAA batteries | Rechargeable lithium-ion, USB charging |
| Programming | Casio Basic, Python | — |
| Connectivity | USB | — |
| Exam mode | Built-in exam mode | Press-to-Test |
| Memory | — | 3MB archive, 154KB RAM (TI) |
| Body | — | Thinner and lighter than the TI-84 Plus (TI) |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- The Casio fx-9750GIII is 4 years newer. Why does it score lower?
- Because the axes didn't move the way the release dates suggest. The 2015 model takes Performance, Durability, Ease of use and Design, widest on Design at 8.4 to 7.0. Value is where the 2019 model answers, and whether that is enough is the whole question.
- What did the 2019 model improve?
- Value. Value runs 9.2 to 8.2. That is not enough to move the average, which stays 8.4 to 7.9.
- Which one ranks higher in "Graphing calculators to buy used, by exam"?
- TI-84 Plus CE sits at #1 in "Graphing calculators to buy used, by exam", Casio fx-9750GIII at #3.