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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments TI-34
The
TI-34 was one of the higher sophisticated calculators sold by Texas Instruments
in the year 1987. Compared with the TI-36 Solar
some statistical functions were removed and logical operations added.
A similar housing in a blue design could be found with the Math Explorer and the TI-32 Explorer Plus.
The design was later changed to blue function keys, compare this TI-34 manufactured in the year 1988 with the next TI-34. Production of the TI-34 was later shifted to Malaysia. You could recognize these calculators easily due to the smaller solar cells. Compare it here. A total of five different versions could be found here.
Another few years later the TI-34 got a more stylish housing.
Don't miss the Talking Orion TI-34 introduced by Orbit Research.
Texas Instruments was always listening for the demands of the classroom. Read some guidelines how to select the right calculator to ensure long-term satisfaction:
| Solar Power: Eliminates the need for batteries. The TI
ANYLITE™ technology allows operation even in low light. | |
| Durability: Plastic keys are tougher and more tamper-proof
than rubber keys. An extra window protects the LCD display and the solar cells. | |
| Keyboard: Color coding helps children quickly identify
functional key groupings. Large, well spaced keys are easier to find and press. | |
| Packaging: With a convenient storage caddy 10 or even 30
calculators are grouped together. | |
| Functions: Choose a model with only the specific functions
you need. Unnecessary functions clutter the keyboard and may impede a student's understanding of the concepts. |
In the year 1995 Texas Instruments provided a total of 6 different calculators (not counting the Graphing Calculators TI-80, TI-81, TI-82 and TI-85) to meet the above demands. View a comparision table here.
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If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.