Nice item, escecially when you need it for class
What else can be said, but this is another calculator made by TI that works and is required in the class room.

Completely Illegal, yet lots of fun.
After using this calculator throughout 10th grade Algebra II, I thought I might as well get around to writing a review of this newest TI product.

The Pros:
Elegant and efficient solver screen. This calculator does everything: it solves equations, matrices (in pretty print, no less), factors, solves systems of equations...just about anything you ask it to. I could *almost* use this calculator exclusively in algebra class and sleep through the lectures. The only problem I ever had with it was when I wanted it to "complete the square;" a rather obnoxious process in Algebra that takes forever to do by hand. The prevalent pretty print is nice, and I agree with the reviewer who said that parentheses errors are a thing of the past with this calculator...as well as fractional errors, radical errors, order of operations errors, etc...

The Cons:
Just like most of the other reviews said, terribly documented. Figuring out this calc is a real hit-or-miss, guess-and-check process. I cannot access half of the graphing features on this calc, and I don't even know where to begin when doing stat plots. The ability to run split-screen programs is nice; especially if your problem asks for the XY chart of a graph. However, finding intercepts, linear-or-quadratic regression, stat plot trends, etc, are all pretty much lost in translation, and I don't have the time to figure the features out in the middle of a test. Thus, even though I have the calculator that can do everything, I still need to use my TI-84 at times, which draws jeers from my classmates (as in "Geez, how many calculators do you NEED?!"). Also, this calculator is prohibited on almost all standardized tests, as well as most school tests, due to its ability to solve equations, so it loses value right there. Minor issues include screen contrast and button placement (I have big thumbs, and often times, the side of my finger inadvertently hits those annoying little letter keys). One further problem is that the N-Spire's keyboard features different keystrokes from the scholastic standard TI-84, so you have to adapt to classroom demonstrations on the fly, which can get annoying while trying to take rapid notes.

Overall, I love this completely illegal piece of cutting edge technology, but be forewarned: get your PhD in rocket science first if you want to use all this calculator's features, because you sure will need it. Or else, bring your TI-84 along as backup and endure the jeers of your classmates.

Great Potential but fails big on key features v/s TI89
Hi All,
I have been using this calculator for 4 months,I've previously owned a TI-89... TI-NSPIRE CAS has a nice resolution, but the LCD is really difficult to read, your eyes must be perpendicular to the calculator and with very good lightning. The spreadsheet function is nice but you cannot use it as a real excel (like in TI-89), if you want to select a range of cell (ie. =A4*B6) you must type it, no way for navigate to them as with the TI-89. Also no functionality with MS excel (you cannot send it directly from excel to the calculator), No MS WORD support also if you want to save text files. Finally it is extremely big (I'm, 6" tall and even for my hand is too big). Also there is no SDK kit (so you cannot port other applications i.e SIMPLEX or a game ie. Chess etc.)
I hope Texas will improve the software and the LCD (why not color LCD??)I really enjoy maths and I'd like to have a companion for hard on the go calculations, but I will advise to all of you to stay away until texas changes the software and the Guidebook (is really bad!!!).
Regards form Chile!
Patricio

Great Learning Computer
I bought this after reading many reviews and actually had already purchased a TI-84 Silver Edition prior to this. Had I known about the Nspire coming out I would have waited the month till the release date.
I own the TI-Nspire as well but bought the CAS version since it had more power to solve more problems and with the 1.4 OS release it just keeps getting better.

The only bad thing I didn't like about this calculator was the fonts are not that big as there is very little difference between the medium and large size. And they should have included something to tilt the screen so that it could lay down and you still see the numbers on screen.

I have never done well at math at all hardly ever, but thanks to the help of this calculator, I at least am going to pass for the first time with a B in math class.

I'll stay with the TI-89 and Voyage 200.
Having used this calculator I have to say I am dissapointed. The green letter keys are WAY to close to the number keys. I am constantly having to correct simple numerical inputs that come out like "4p5km31t". TI should include a feature on an updated operating system that allows a user to "lock" alpha keys so that they won't muddy up inputs if they are accidentally pressed. The keys are very sensitive so even if you lightly press them you will have to make corrections. The screen's resolution is dim. TI should have included a tilt-screen so people wouldn't have to raise the whole clunky calculator up to see results of a calcuation. The features on this calculator probably work best with the computer software version of nSpire.
**Review update: I pawned this calc for $30 after using it for about two weeks. I don't recommend this calculator. I do recommend the TI-89 or Voyage 200.