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Texas Instruments TI-58C

Date of introduction:  1979 Display technology:  LED-stick
New price:  
 $90 (October, 1981)
Display size:  10 + 2
Size:  6.4" x 3.2" x 1.5"    
Weight:  8.5 ounces Serial No:  7857181
Batteries:  BP1A Date of manufacture:  wk 23 year 1982
AC-Adapter:  AC9131 Origin of manufacture:  USA
Precision:  13 Integrated circuits:  TMC0501E, TMC0591, CD2400, CD2401 TMC0573, TC5047
Memories:  0-60    
Program steps:  480-0 Courtesy of:  Joerg Woerner

The main disadvantage of the TI-58, the non-permanant program storage was corrected with the TI-58C. Using a low-power C-MOS memory (a Toshiba TC5047 in this machine) battery drop caused by the NiCd's itself was quicker than drop caused by the memory.

TI-58C_PCB.jpg (338295 Byte)This unit from 1982 carries a different chip set compared to the TI-58 but the technical data were identical. Read more about your first steps of programming this calculator here

If you are interested in the calculating accuracy of scientific calculators don't miss the Calculator forensics.

The TI-58C continued the usage of the Solid State Software Modules™ with up to 5000 program steps introduced with the TI-58 and TI-59 already in 1977. On the backside of the TI-58/59 you'll note a small lid with a place for a module. The Master Library with 25 different programs was included, a lot of other modules were available. We know four different approaches of the module expansion:

Standard modules like the Master Library use only the small sticker above
the A,B,C,D, and E keys.
Other modules like the Pool Water Analysis developed by Olin Corporation
make use of a colourful keyboard mask.
Customized calculators like the USMC AV-8C calculator or insurance calculators
sold by Allianz and others use special keyboard arrangements.
The CAL-Q-TAX and incotax calculators use an extender instead the usual 
drop-in modules. 

The TI-58C carries the connector to the printing cradle. It seem to work on the  PC-100C revision.

The calculator was available till the year 1983.



If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.