zlacker

>>lewisf+(OP)
I had a TI-89 in school because having CAS in your pocket was just plain awesome. Besides, it was much cheaper than mathmatica. Interestingly once I got into higher level[1] stuff the abilities of your calculator were of much less importance. Really computational stuff was done on a computer (in the lab) and any math in class could be handled with a basic calculator. When I sat for the FE and PE (fundamentals and professional engineering exams) they require you to use a dumb calculator. No programmability allowed. https://ncees.org/exams/calculator/

[1] I have an electrical engineering degree from a US public university.

>>intrep+PJ
I took the FE in 2003 in Illinois. All I took in was my basic scientific calculator (no programability or graphing). I was shocked when they turned around (against our pre-exam instructions) and allowed non-querty graphing calculators. I went through the first half with my scientific calc, then ran home at lunch to get my TI-89 for the second half. Thankfully I lived nearby the testing facility. Passed the FE on the first try. I've never taken the PE (have never worked under one for the required period).