Casio FX-9750GII Graphing Calculator Review

Casio has always marketed its products as affordable and simple to use alternatives to other brands. When we talk about calculators, this statement also turns out to be true. Now, WoWPencils is considering the FX-9750-GII, its graphing calculator, as a budget variant to Texas Instruments. In this review, we will take a closer look at the main characteristics that make this device quality and inexpensive at the same time.

Main Features

The Casio FX-9750-GII is the little brother of the FX-9860-GII. It was released in 2009 and introduced a number of significant and useful improvements. This model has a USB port, which makes it easier to upload applications and upgrade its operating system. It is less powerful and smaller than the 9860-GII, but still it looks bulky. This calculator is less expensive than its predecessor, and at the same time, it is cheaper than similar options offered by competitors.

Design

The layout of buttons is similar to the 9860-GII, and all of them are logically arranged. The menu system is also identical. This is very helpful for users who have owned a previous version.

Even if you haven’t use a graphing calculator before, it will not be hard to master this one. Users have no trouble navigating around the device. The calculator is not big and saves space in a student’s backpack full of books.

However, it is large enough to have a clear screen, and the keys are a convenient size to press. Its design is not quite sleek, but this is not actually the most important point that you focus on when buying a graphing calculator.

The device is very durable. It comes with a case that covers the screen and the keys. It comes in three colors – black, white, and pink.

Battery

This model is powered by 4 AAA batteries. New calculators are sold with preinstalled batteries.

Display

The FX-9750-GII is a low-cost calculator, so it has a standard non-lit screen with an average resolution for a graphing calculator. Users can fit 7 rows down and 21 characters across the display. As the screen resolution is low, some menus and graphed lines contain abbreviated words.

This model also lacks one thing that we take for granted in modern graphing calculators: MathPrint.

When we enter an expression in the FX-9750-GII, the input is not printed in the form which we’re used to seeing in textbooks. For example, it shows a fraction bar instead of division symbols in fractions. This is quite inconvenient to read when doing higher-level calculations.

Speed of Processing

The low resolution of the display doesn’t make the device unusable. On the contrary, as the FX-9750-GII doesn’t have to draw a lot of pixels, it allows you to graph lines very quickly.

Accessible Applications and Functions

When you press the “menu” key from any screen, the calculator shows you all the applications available on the device. This model doesn’t have a great number of apps, there are only 14 of them. These applications are ordinary and don’t include anything special. The device doesn’t contain CAS (computer algebra system) or an app for unit conversions, which more expensive models have.

The main apps are matrices, lists, for graphing conics, financial functions, recursion, for polynomials and simultaneous equations, dynamic functions and others. All the installed apps are what users really need. Graphing, lists and tables are very easy to use.

One more piece of functionality that the FX-9750-GII lacks is exact values. Square roots are not simplified, but returned as decimals. This is also true with trigonometric values.

Programming

This Casio model exhibits the most capable programming interface, which uses Basic as a programming language. If users are familiar with this language, it will not be difficult to program this calculator.

Programming your device will help you add more functionality to your calculator. As the FX-9750-GII cannot simplify radicals, you can install the program which will allow you to do this.

To find the programming interface, press the “menu” key and scroll to the ninth application. Inside this app, you will find a list of all the programs. With a push of one key, you can edit or run it.

The way you access the program commands is via a mini-menu. This is the one more downside because this is a small section with a lot of abbreviations that are difficult to understand. The system is usable, but it is not quite comfortable.

Graphing

The graphing is very easy to use. You enter the graphing application and enter functions in a list. After that, you press “F6” to draw, and the lines are graphed. The graphing screen is able to calculate intersects, minimums and maximums.

The table application has everything you need for work. You enter a function and create a table. Without scrolling, you will be able to see up to three functions at a time. You will see four rows, but you can scroll through 20 “x” values at a time (what is rather limiting). From the same screen, you will be able to enter “x” values and get ”y” values.

Where It Can Be Used?

This calculator is allowed at major standardized tests in college and high school. It can be used on PSAT, ACT, SAT, IB, Math AP exams, and other related tests.

Pros & Cons

The FX-9750-GII is an amazing device. Still, it lacks some things which most users find convenient in expensive calculators. Of course, technically, this item is not able to support such improvements.

Price Range

Speaking of the price range, the FX-9750-GII has no competition. For minimal money, you can buy an excellent graphing calculator with all the necessary functions and apps. This is a good way to cut your budget and get a quality branded device. You will never find a calculator with similar features and functionality cheaper on the market. In addition, students don’t have any troubles using it for school exams. This is a fantastic price for the quality.

Overall Impression

The FX-9750-GII is a solid device with a tremendous amount of features. If you are looking for an entry-level graphing calculator, this is the cheapest offered by a trustworthy brand like Casio. You choose an excellent item that has the main capabilities and functions offered by graphing calculators. You cannot find a better deal! If you need a more sophisticated device, look through a selection of the best graphing calculators recommended by WoWPencils.

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