TI-81

Last updated

TI-81
TI-81 Calculator on Graph Screen.jpg
A 1994 TI-81 showing graphs
Type Graphing calculator
Manufacturer Texas Instruments
Introduced1990
Discontinued1997 [1]
Successor TI-82
Calculator
Entry mode D.A.L.
Precision13 digits
Display size96×64 pixels, 16×8 characters
CPU
Processor Zilog Z80
Frequency5 MHz or 6 MHz [2]
Programming
Programming language(s) TI-BASIC, Assembly
User memory2400 bytes of RAM
Other
Power supply4 AAAs,
1 CR1616 or CR1620
Weight168 grams (5.9 oz)
Dimensions173 mm × 79 mm × 22 mm (6.8 in × 3.1 in × 0.85 in)

The TI-81 was the first graphing calculator made by Texas Instruments. It was designed in 1990 for use in algebra and pre-calculus courses. Since its release, it has been superseded by a series of newer calculators; most of these are functionally similar to the TI-81, with the exception of the TI-Nspire series.

Contents

Features

The TI-81 is powered by a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, like those used in most other Texas Instruments graphing calculators. However, its processor is clocked at 2  MHz, whereas the others run at a frequency of either 6 or 15 Mhz. It has 2.4 KB of user-accessible RAM, with additional RAM being allocated to the calculator's internal firmware.

The calculator uses Texas Instruments' own in-house operating system, the Equation Operating System; the firmware used by all other Texas Instruments graphing calculators derive from this. The TI-81 can perform two-dimensional parametric graphing—in addition to standard two-dimensional function graphing, trigonometric calculations in units of either degrees or radians, simple drawing, the creation and manipulation of matrices up to a size of 6 by 6 pixels, and the execution of simple programs in a propietary, statement-based language. [3]

In late 2009 an exploit was found that can be used to execute machine code on the TI-81, using manual input of code. [4] The TI-81 has no data link interface; its only means of input and output are the keyboard and screen.

Like most other Texas Instruments graphing calculators, the TI-81 is powered by four AAA batteries and one button cell backup battery; the backup battery makes sure that programs loaded in memory are persistent during battery changes. Some early TI-81 units omit the backup battery. [5]

Texas Instruments produced an emulator for the TI-81 and its Equation Operating System on a desktop computer; it is compatible with MS-DOS. [6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Woerner, Joerg (2009-02-08). "DATAMATH: TI-81 (1995)" . Retrieved 2013-01-27.
  2. ↑ "TI-Planet's calculator comparison tool". TI-Planet.
  3. ↑ Christiansen, Brad; et al. "TI-81 Guidebook" (PDF). Texas Instruments, Inc. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  4. ↑ Evans, Travis (2009-08-17). "User Machine Code Execution on TI-81 Becomes a Reality" . Retrieved 2013-01-27.
  5. ↑ Woerner, Joerg (2009-01-27). "DATAMATH: TI-81 Engineering Sample" . Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  6. ↑ "PC-81 on ticalc.org". 1998-04-28. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
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