Tech head-to-head
TI-84 Plus CEvsTI-Nspire CX II
TI-84 Plus CE and TI-Nspire CX II are both Texas Instruments, and they average 8.4 and 8.2. TI-84 Plus CE takes Ease of use, 8.8 to 7.6.
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.
TI-Nspire CX II
Texas Instruments
8.2
Strongest non-CAS graphing calculator here, approved on the ACT. Make sure the listing isn't the CAS model.
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 Ease of use, TI-84 Plus CE ahead 8.8 to 7.6. They come closest on Design, 8.6 to 8.4. Left of center is TI-84 Plus CE, right is TI-Nspire CX II.
Which one to pick
Take the TI-84 Plus CE
Leads on Value and Ease of use.
- 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
Take the TI-Nspire CX II
Leads on Performance and Design.
- You are headed into calculus or engineering and want document-style work with graphs, tables, and notes linked together
- You are sitting the ACT and want the most capable calculator it permits
- Python is on the syllabus
Durability scores identically, so that axis can't break the tie.
What each one gets wrong
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
TI-Nspire CX II
- Your teacher teaches on a TI-84, since the menus share almost nothing
- The seller can't confirm whether it's the CX II or the CX II CAS
Specs, side by side
| Spec | TI-84 Plus CE | TI-Nspire CX II |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Color, 320×240, backlit | Color, 320×240, backlit |
| Power | Rechargeable lithium-ion, USB charging | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Memory | 3MB archive, 154KB RAM (TI) | — |
| Exam mode | Press-to-Test | Press-to-Test |
| Body | Thinner and lighter than the TI-84 Plus (TI) | — |
| Input | — | Touchpad plus full keyboard |
| Programming | — | TI-Basic, Lua, Python (OS 5.2 and later) |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Both are Texas Instruments. Which one do I want?
- TI-84 Plus CE takes Value and Ease of use; TI-Nspire CX II takes Performance and Design. Neither leads on more axes than the other, so it comes down to which of those you care about. TI-84 Plus CE averages 8.4 and TI-Nspire CX II averages 8.2, over the 5 axes Tech is scored on.
- Where do the two Texas Instruments models actually differ?
- Ease of use is the widest gap, TI-84 Plus CE ahead 8.8 to 7.6. Durability comes out level, so it won't help you choose.
- 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", TI-Nspire CX II at #2.