TI-86

The TI-86 is a programmable graphing calculator introduced in 1996 which was produced by Texas Instruments. The TI-86 uses the Zilog Z80 microprocessor. It is partially backwards-compatible with its predecessor, the TI-85.

TI-86

Type	Graphing calculator
Manufacturer	Texas Instruments
Introduced	1996
Discontinued	2006
Latest firmware	1.6
Predecessor	TI-85
Calculator
Entry mode	D.A.L.
Display size	128×64 pixels, 21×8 characters
CPU
Processor	Zilog Z80
Frequency	6 MHz
Programming
User memory	96 kB of RAM
Other
Power supply	4 AAA's, 1 CR1616 or CR1620

In addition to having a larger screen than the TI-83, the TI-86 also allows the user to type in lower case and Greek letters and features five softkeys, which improve menu navigation and can be programmed by the user for quick access to common operations such as decimal-to-fraction conversion. The calculator also handles vectors, matrices and complex numbers better than the TI-83. One drawback, however, is that the statistics package on the TI-83 range doesn't come preloaded on the TI-86. However, it can be downloaded from the Texas Instruments program archive and installed on the calculator using the link cable.^[1]

The TI-86 has been discontinued.^[2]

Specifications

• CPU: Zilog Z80^[3] 6 MHz
• RAM: 128 KB, 96 KB user-accessible
• ROM: 256 KB non-upgradable
• Display: 128×64 pixels high-contrast monochrome LCD
• Data Communication: Serial link port; allows two TI-86 calculators to be connected to each other, or one TI-86 to be connected to a PC, for data transfer via a special link cable
• Programming Languages: TI-BASIC, Z80 Assembly language (ASM)
• Power: 4×AAA, 1×CR1616 or CR1620 (for backup power)

See also

• Comparison of Texas Instruments graphing calculators