CASIO fx-991CW CLASSWIZ - Additional Thoughts and Speed Test

[@irishchocolate3872]

The biggest single problem of the new Casio FX 991CW is the difficulty finding the function you are looking for. I am finding that is the biggest complaint among engineers etc. Other than that it is a good machine. A little more capable than the TI-30X PRO. However, the 30X PRO usually does everything you need it to do and you can actually find stuff.

[@scottcollins7513]

Menus are always a mixed-blessing. They bring a cleaner/simpler look, but they make everything harder to find and slower to invoke. I prefer the messier-but-faster approach if it is something I am using frequently. If TI would bring the 30X PRO MathPrint to the US it would be my preference over the fx-991CW, but for now we only officially have the 36X PRO which is somewhat dated feeling/looking and not as good for exact answers.

[@dgm2006]

@@scottcollins7513 I’ve seen the 30x on Amazon. I was considering it before I bought the cw, but thought “no, need to stick with Casio”.

[@irishchocolate3872]

@@scottcollins7513 I got my 30X MathPrint PRO from the UK by going through Amazon. It was $40 several years ago. I don’t know what it is now. It is a nice machine if you like a better looking and functioning 36XPRO.

[@dgm2006]

I didn’t know you posted this one. I actually like the ex font better. I think it looks classier. But I must admit the CW screen looks more crisp. It’s almost as if it never needs contrast adjustment. Do you see a difference also? I know it has some grayscaling and you can see it in the spreadsheet mode, but still. Don’t know what else it does that makes use of it.

[@scottcollins7513]

I had not noticed the grayscaling you are describing -- I would not think the display was capable of that, but I'll have to check out the spreadsheet mode. I just spent some time looking intently at the screens of each, and they seem just slightly different, though I am confident they are not the same. I think the thin-ness (single pixel lines at the bottom of 3 for example) of the 991EX font causes it to cast a shadow that is not the case on the thicker font of the 991CW. Also, I'm wondering if the CW has a display that is less prone to shadows.

[@dgm2006]

@@scottcollins7513 It does seem to be a better technology if ever so subtle. I bought and still have a Casio color power graphic that has color but no backlighting. I noticed immediately you sacrifice a lot of contrast with the color capability. I’m surprised it’s not the case with the CW.

[@alexmo1941]

I'm going to take my precalculus midterm, should I buy the fx-991cw or fx-115es? We've just about covered quadratics, their inequalities and halfway into logarithmics.

[@scottcollins7513]

A few questions: 1 - Do you live in a country where the TI-30X Pro MathPrint (make sure it is a "MathPrint") is available for around the same price? Even though I have traditionally preferred CASIO (and even SHARP), I like the TI best for this type of calculator. But, if your only option is the TI-36X Pro, it is less compelling b/c it is just an old design. 2 - Would you prefer the benefit fewer keystrokes to get to the answer at the cost of being less user-friendly? Or, do you like the benefit of user-friendly at the cost of things taking more keystrokes to answer? My personal GENERAL preference would be: 1st - TI-30X Pro MathPrint 2nd - CASIO fx-115ES PLUS 2nd Edition 3rd - CASIO fx-991EX 4th - TI-36X Pro My personal PRECALC-specific preference would be: 1st - TI-30X Pro MathPrint 2nd - CASIO fx-991EX 3rd - CASIO fx-991CW 4th - CASIO fx-115ES PLUS 2nd Edition

[@alexmo1941]

@@scottcollins7513 thank you so much for replying. I'm in the US and I'm looking for the best possible non graphing scientific calculator due to testing restrictions for my class. I do have access to the TI-30x pro. I already own a Numworks calculator and an Nspire Cas II, I don't have any budget constraints when it comes to math learning. I prefer user friendliness but I really do want features like quadratics solvers and inequalities. Thanks again.

[@alexmo1941]

@@scottcollins7513 Hi, thank you so much for responding. I'm in the US so I don't have access to the TI-30x unless I import it. I own a Numworks calculator and I unfortunately can't use it on these upcoming tests, just non graphing scientific calculators. I don't mind a few menus as long as I can understand what to do intuitively with no hidden commands only learned through a menu. I don't have any budget constraints, math learning is a top priority for me. Thank you for your help!

[@scottcollins7513]

@@alexmo1941 Could you further clarify what you mean by "no hidden commands only learned thru a menu"?

[@alexmo1941]

@@scottcollins7513 Sorry, I mean something that doesn't show up on screen as an option and you have to read the manual instead to find out how to proceed.

[@thinhan6102]

People getting used to the navigation --> Casio released a new model screwing up our muscle memory. Like, it's not broken, why change the UI?

[@scottcollins7513]

I feel like this happens all the time, everywhere. Somehow people think different equals better. And, at times it actually is better, but often it is merely different. Regardless, I agree w/ your general sentiment (especially when it comes to software) and appreciate the comment.