DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

Texas Instruments TI-34

Date of introduction:	1987	Display technology:	LCD
New price:	DM 69.95	Display size:	10 + 2
Size:	5.6" x 2.8" x 0.45"
Weight:	2.4 ounces	Serial No:
Batteries:	n.a.	Date of manufacture:	mth 07 year 1987
AC-Adapter:		Origin of manufacture:	Taiwan (I)
Precision:	12	Integrated circuits:	Toshiba T7988
Memories:	1
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner
		Download manual:	(US: 5.9 MByte)

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 first version of the successful TI-34 calculator was manufactured by Inventec Corporation in Taiwan, a contract manufacturer even 20 years later still in charge for Texas Instruments. The printed circuit board (PCB) looks very typical for a far-east design of the 80s.

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.

The TI-34 is featured in the Texas Instruments Incorporated sales catalog CL-1233 dated 1994 and Texas Instruments France SA leaflet ECD044F dated 1987.

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