CASIO fx-9860G Series
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| CASIO fx-9860G | |
| Released: | 2005 |
|---|---|
| LCD: | 128 x 64 pixels monochrome |
| CPU: | SuperH 3 @ 14.74 MHz |
| User RAM: | 64 KiB |
| Flash memory: | 1.5 MiB (800 KiB for AU version) |
| External memory: | Up to 1GB for SD version with an SD memory card. |
| I/O: | USB and serial I/O |
The fx-9860G series are CASIO manufactured graphing calculators. Some of the improvements compared to older models are a USB port, flash memory, upgradeable OS (through ROM updates) and a high contrast display LCD.
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[edit] Variants
There are several versions of the fx-9860G; the standard fx-9860G, often referred to as the 'vanilla' flavor, and the SD, AU and Slim versions.
- The AU version limits the amount of internal flash memory available to 800 KiB to meet Australian school regulations.
- The SD variant comes with an SD expansion card slot, allowing read and write access to up to 1GiB of memory on a SD memory card.
- The Slim version, the latest variant in the fx-9860G series, has a backlit display, on-board help, and is designed as a clamshell to minimize its size.
The usual fx-9860G and fx-9860G SD are marketed in France as Graph85 and Graph85 SD.
[edit] Programming
The calculators can be programmed through a couple of ways. The fx-9860G's come with a built-in BASIC-like interpreter, allowing the user to create simple programs, using built-in functionality.
The other method is to create an add-in. Add-ins are binary programs, executing directly on the calculators CPU. CASIO has released two official add-ins, GEOMETRY and PHYSIUM. An SDK was released by CASIO in 2006, allowing users to create their own add-ins, though no support is provided for this by CASIO. The add-ins and the SDK are available for registered users at CASIO's website.
Add-ins and the SDK allowed more powerful applications to be developed, and has been used to create an interpreter for the popular Multi-Platform Language for Calculators.
[edit] Critical Reception
When released, the CASIO fx-9860G received good reviews.[1][2] The only disappointment to a couple of users is that the fx-9860G didn't come with a Computer Algebra System (CAS), although on CASIO's website they indicate there is no CAS. Fans and CASIO enthusiasts have however made attempts in developing a CAS. One example is SYMBOLIX. Other than that, the fx-9860G has been regarded by some as the best non-CAS graphing calculator suiting many needs.[3] The high contrast display, fast CPU, Natural Textbook display and it's greater ratio of features/price compared to other non-CAS graphic calculators have been highlights of the fx-9860G series.
