Casio FX-9860GIII Graphing Calculator, 21.2 x 91.5 x 184 mm, Silver Colour

Good quality, quick delivery.

Another UK consumer rip off! Identical to the Casio Graph 35+EII Phython (often selling for £68, including delivery, from Amazon.fr).With twice the internal memory, and Python capability, it offers a worthwhile improvement, in terms of specifications, over the fx9860GII, and it's also 'plug and go' - you don't need special software to connect it up to a p.c. Like later versions of the fx9860GII, the operating system features an exam mode. When activated (by a simple key sequence) you're locked out of anything not permitted in the I.B. exam for 12 hour, thereby removing the need to delete apps and stored data.THIS CALCULATOR, IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THE NEW FX9750GIII COSTING ONLY £48 FROM AMAZON.COM, INCLUDING DELIVERY, MAKING IT COMPARITIVELY POOR VALUE-FOR-MONEY. The extra money is mainly for a slightly larger screen, and a backlight (I prefer a torch personally!).Unlike the older fx9750GII, calculator-to-calculator and calculator-to-computer leads are supplied (worth over £20 by Casio). The calculator is slimmer and lighter than previous models, and together with its blue sliding cover, looks more attractive.Negative PointsThe price is virtually the same as the fxcg50 which in addition to the features of this model, offers 3D graphing, a colour display, and the ability to overlay pictures in graph mode. This feature allows you to experiment with equations of curves in an applied maths situation, such as trying to match the shape of a bridge. It also offers Fourier waveform analysis. You can input waveforms via a special controller, e.g. a sound wave, and then get the Fourier coefficients needed to describe them mathematically. This highly advanced facility is more interesting rather than useful for the majority of students! The Casio Graph 90+E is identical in terms of specifications to the fxcg50, yet can often be had from Amazon.com or Amazon.fr, often for under £80.My impression is that the build quality is inferior to older versions. Already, I've noticed a number of these newer calculators for sale with defective keys, at bargain price, but I haven't noticed older versions advertised the same way! The quality of the keyboard and casing just doesn't seem as good as before, so it wouldn't surprise me if they can't withstand the same degree of abuse.Unless you're into Python programming, you're much better off with the older model, at half price, especially if you can get a cheap SD version offering expandable memory. All fx9860 versions offer programming in BASIC; with the full range of commands you'd expect, including subroutines for almost every feature the calculator offers, and every mathematical symbol and alphanumeric character you could want. You can write your own software to cover virtually anything you need, not built in to the operating system software. The main limitation will be your programming skills and mathematical knowledge, not the calculator's!