Tech head-to-head
TI-84 PlusvsTI-Nspire CX II
TI-84 Plus and TI-Nspire CX II are both Texas Instruments, and they average 7.7 and 8.2. TI-Nspire CX II takes Performance, 9.0 to 6.8.
TI-84 Plus
Texas Instruments
7.7
The monochrome original that schools bought by the crate. Indestructible, everywhere on eBay, and visibly old.
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 Performance, TI-Nspire CX II ahead 9.0 to 6.8. They come closest on Durability, 8.6 to 8.2. Left of center is TI-84 Plus, right is TI-Nspire CX II.
Which one to pick
Take the TI-84 Plus
Leads on Value, Durability and Ease of use.
- You want the same keystrokes your teacher uses for very little money
- It's a loaner or a spare that may get lost or dropped
- You want a calculator that runs on any AAA in a drawer
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
What each one gets wrong
TI-84 Plus
- Overlapping graphs on a low-resolution screen will slow you down
- The listing shows "Property of" engraving, because school units are often sold without the school's say
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 | TI-Nspire CX II |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Monochrome, 96×64 | Color, 320×240, backlit |
| Power | 4 AAA batteries plus a backup coin cell | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Memory | 480KB archive, 24KB RAM (TI) | — |
| Connectivity | Mini-USB and link port | — |
| Input | — | Touchpad plus full keyboard |
| Programming | — | TI-Basic, Lua, Python (OS 5.2 and later) |
| Exam mode | — | Press-to-Test |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Both are Texas Instruments. Which one do I want?
- TI-Nspire CX II leads on Performance and Design. If Value, Durability and Ease of use matter more to you, take the TI-84 Plus instead. TI-84 Plus averages 7.7 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?
- Performance is the widest gap, TI-Nspire CX II ahead 9.0 to 6.8. Every axis lands somewhere different, so the profile shapes differ as much as the totals.
- Which one ranks higher in "Graphing calculators to buy used, by exam"?
- TI-Nspire CX II sits at #2 in "Graphing calculators to buy used, by exam", TI-84 Plus at #4.