CasioFX-CG10 PRIZM Color Graphing Calculator (Black), One Size

If you are looking for a calculator for Calculus or Stats classes this is the one to get. Having used the old Ti-84, its most recent updated version the Ti-84 Plus CE (it's basically a slimmer version of its cousin the Ti-84 CE with a tad faster processor and a rechargeable and replaceable battery pack) and the Casio FX-CG10 Prizm, I have to state that the Casio FX-CG10 is hands down the better of the lot of calculators mentioned.It is simply a better designed calculator from a user perspective. From its color screen, sharp fonts and large fonts, Math I/O which is a feature ( like TI's Mathprint that displays math notation as you would see in your textbook with the answers and inputs generated by this calculator), larger screen real estate (much larger than the newer Ti-84 CE plus update which feels tiny in comparison), faster color graphing ability (it graphs as fast or faster than the revised Ti-84 Plus CE even with its updated processor), the default option to not only see the change in x and y values of a graph when tracing but also it gives you the derivative (slope) at the given point on the trace of a graph, the ability to get exact or estimated answers via the press of a single button (big plus here over the Ti-84 series which lacks this feature), and various other STEM class related features (stats, physics, geometry apps etcs which are on par with the Ti-84 series if not slightly more refined) all makes this the bigger winner here for any student looking for an all purpose graphing calculator.Then there is also the price factor in that this graphing calculator is simply a lower priced and a more attractive choice for someone looking to invest in a graphing calculator when comparing it against the newer and updated Ti-84 Plus CE. Of course like all graphing calculators it does have a learning curve to adjust to but it is no harder than learning to use a Ti-84 and in many areas it's easier due to its icon driven menu screen.The only negatives I can think of are basically dependent on a person's individual personal preferences in terms of keypad design. In other words the Casio Prizm key layout strays from the traditional separated key layout for its buttons which might not "feel" right to some people and I have to admit it kind of irked me for a little bit of time until I just got used to this tactile difference.Then there is also the fact that this calculator uses standard batteries rather than a rechargeable battery pack like the newer updated Ti-84. However the Prizm does support the use of rechargeable individual Ni-MH batteries if you really want to use rechargeable batteries.Last but not least, if you don't care about a color screen or want to save on a few bucks (about 20-30) then get the monochrome version of this calculator known as the Casio fx-9860GII (or the Casio fx-9860GII SD version but it costs as much as the Prizm, if not more due to the expandable SD memory card option which is useful for those who like to create programs for these types of calculators) which is a Prizm like calculator minus the color screen and with traditional separate key buttons,. It also draws graphs faster than the Prizm or Ti-84 series even when compared to the monochrome version of the Ti-84.In the end however you will not be disappointed with this graphing calculator IMHO if you can accept its two aforementioned "issues". Of which the keypad design is the only really one you cannot work around and is based upon individual user preference or ability to adapt too the tactile differences in the style of keypad used, etc.P.S. Yes you can create programs with the Prizm and in fact you can import color images to overlay graphs on if you like as well. I believe the Prizm uses a BASIC based coding language so that it is easy to pick up and start creating programs for this calculator. Oh and updating the firmware is pretty easy and the software Casio makes for doing so is straightforward. I recommend downloading their OS firmware update software from their website rather than using the cd that comes with this calculator.

I have been using this calculator for over a year now, and I can't be more happy with it.I had an old $20 Casio calculator before and I liked it, so I decided to get this one, and would keep it for the last 2 years of High School and then College. The build quality is great, the screen has gotten some scratches but I can tell it's really durable. I leave it in the front of my backpack all the time and it takes quite a bit of abuse. So it's durable. The battery life is great, I am still running on the original batteries that it came with (Although it is just about dead), but a year of battery life, that's pretty good considering that I use it for an hour on weekdays.When it comes to the software I am very impressed. There is a slight learning curve, and you will really need to figure it out so you can fully use this calculator, but once you get past that it is amazing. Every single thing I have done in class, this calculator can handle with ease. Everyone else has the WAY overpriced Ti-83 and it takes much longer to get things done on that, while this just looks better because of the color screen, and is easier to do. The best way I can describe it is that everything looks just like it does in the work books. For example, the exponents, when you use the TI-83, you have to use the karat symbol. So if you wanted to do 4 squared it would look like this "4^2" and that just looks confusing. Where the Casio Prizm looks like this "4²" (I dont know if Amazon printed it out right, but trust me, it looks correct, and how I am used to). And it works like that for every other function. All the buttons just make sense in their location, with all the items with similar functions around the same area. I just love it, it all makes sense.Oh, and I forgot to mention that this calculator is approved to take on all the big tests, so you don't need to worry, that is great, I couldn't recommend this if that wasn't true.Your doing the right thing by looking at this calculator, and do you self a favor and buy it.

The Casio Prizm is far and away the best graphing calculator in terms of price, performance, and features.This innovative calculator (3 years old) can be picked up for less than the price of the aging TI 84 Plus (nearly 20 years old).It has a 32-bit SH-4 RISC processor which leaves the 8-bit Z-80 processor of the TI 84 line in the dust.It's graphing features are easier to use and much more flexible than those found on the TI 84. For example, no need to specify left and right bounds for determining roots of an equation and all graph functions are available via soft function key presses (clearly labeled at the bottom of the graphing screen). Both y= and x= equations can be graphed (TI 84 only allows graphing of y= equations). The Modify graph feature allows viewing changes to parameters of the standard types of algebraic and trig functions - an impressive feature which facilitates a student's understanding of function behavior - and not as easily implemented on the TI 84. The ability to model and graph real life recursive functions (such as compound interest) is yet another unique feature of this graphing calculator.There are many YouTube videos covering all aspects of this calculator - no need to crack the manual for learning how to use it. Start off by viewing the "Guided Tour" videos (5 - 10 minutes each) and you can be productive with this amazing tool in under an hour. For more advanced features - the SeeMathRun series of videos is very instructive as well.In summary, this is the most underrated and easy to use (watch the "GuidedTour" videos on YouTube) graphing calculator out there and definitely gives the "greatest bang for the buck". .