Casio fx-991CW Scientific Calculator Review
TLDRThe Casio fx-991CW Scientific Calculator is a revamped version of the popular fx-991EX, designed for high school and engineering students. It features a circular convex button design for ease of use and reduced typing errors. The calculator retains the same functionality but introduces a new user interface with higher contrast and four shades of gray. Some controversial changes include the use of cursor keys for menu navigation and the amalgamation of functions into a single format key. The calculator also lacks the ability to copy values from the calculation history and erases history upon switching apps or auto power off. Despite these, the fx-991CW is praised for its exact answers, matrix support, and equation-solving capabilities.
Takeaways
- ๐ The Casio fx-991CW is a design update of the popular 991EX, aimed at high school and engineering students.
- ๐ It features circular convex buttons, a departure from traditional calculator designs, aiming to reduce typing mistakes.
- ๐ The calculator comes in a series including 570CW, 350CW, and 82CW, each with varying features and functionality.
- ๐ The display on the CW supports higher contrast and four shades of gray, enhancing the user interface.
- ๐ The calculator includes an additional app called 'math box' for simulating dice rolls and coin tosses.
- ๐ The navigation system has changed, requiring the use of cursor keys instead of numeric shortcuts, a move that may polarize users.
- ๐ The 'Format' key now brings up a menu, consolidating several functions, which may slow down some operations but offers a cleaner design.
- ๐ The 'Answer' key has been moved to above the keyboard, which might take getting used to for long-time Casio users.
- ๐ Store and recall buttons have been replaced with a single variable key, streamlining the process of managing variables.
- ๐ The 991CW is not yet available worldwide but is expected to replace the 991EX in the global market.
- ๐ It shares strengths with the 991EX, such as support for exact answers, 4x4 matrices, and equation solving, but also retains some weaknesses like the inability to copy values from the calculation history.
Q & A
What is the Casio fx-991CW Scientific Calculator?
-The Casio fx-991CW is a scientific calculator designed for high school and engineering students. It is an updated design of the popular fx-991EX, aiming to be more approachable and easy to use while preserving the same functionality.
What are the key differences between the Casio fx-991CW and the fx-991EX?
-The Casio fx-991CW features circular convex buttons, a slightly different display with higher contrast and support for four shades of gray, and a streamlined user interface with menus navigated using cursor keys instead of numeric shortcuts. It also has a unified format key and a new variable and function management feature.
What is special about the buttons on the Casio fx-991CW?
-The buttons on the Casio fx-991CW are circular and convex, which is a design not commonly found in scientific calculators. This design is intended to reduce typing mistakes and make the keys easy to press from any angle.
How does the display on the fx-991CW differ from the fx-991EX?
-The display on the fx-991CW supports a higher contrast and four shades of gray, which are used subtly throughout the user interface, but the overall difference from the fx-991EX display is not dramatic.
What additional app does the Casio fx-991CW have that the fx-991EX does not?
-The Casio fx-991CW includes an extra app called 'Math Math Box' that simulates dice rolls and coin tosses.
How has the key placement on the Casio fx-991CW been altered from the fx-991EX?
-The key placement on the Casio fx-991CW has been altered significantly, with changes that will be discussed in the video, including the removal of store and recall buttons in favor of a single variable key.
What is the controversy surrounding the 'Format' key on the Casio fx-991CW?
-The controversy is that the 'Format' key on the Casio fx-991CW brings up a menu, requiring the use of cursor keys to select an option, which is unusual for frequently used buttons located at the bottom right of the calculator.
How does the Casio fx-991CW handle variable and function management?
-The Casio fx-991CW has a single variable key that, when pressed, shows all variables in memory along with their values. This allows for easy recording or storing into those variables, sacrificing speed for better visibility and management of variable states.
What are the strengths of the Casio fx-991CW Scientific Calculator?
-The strengths of the Casio fx-991CW include support for exact answers, 4x4 matrices, equation solving capabilities, and a generally faster processor than its competitors.
What are some of the weaknesses or limitations of the Casio fx-991CW?
-Some weaknesses of the Casio fx-991CW include the inability to copy arbitrary values from the calculation history and the erasure of calculation history when switching between apps or when the calculator auto powers off.
Is there a plan for the Casio fx-991CW to replace the fx-991EX?
-Yes, the Casio fx-991CW is expected to eventually roll out worldwide and replace the fx-991EX, offering a more modern and user-friendly design.
Outlines
๐ฑ Overview of the Casio fx-991CW Calculator
The video introduces the Casio fx-991CW, a design update of the popular fx-991EX scientific calculator. Aimed at high school and engineering students, the new model attempts to be more user-friendly while maintaining the same functionality. It's part of a series of CW calculators, including the 570, 350, and 82 models. The video highlights the unique circular convex buttons, which are designed to reduce typing mistakes and are easier to press from any angle. However, this design choice leads to less space for additional key labels, resulting in a cleaner look but potentially requiring users to rely more on menus. The key placement has been altered, and the display now supports higher contrast and four shades of gray. The calculator includes an additional app called 'math box' for simulating dice rolls and coin tosses. The video also discusses the controversy over the new menu navigation system, which requires the use of cursor keys instead of numeric shortcuts.
๐ In-Depth Analysis of Design Changes
This section delves into the design changes of the Casio fx-991CW, contrasting it with the fx-991EX. The video points out that the new model has combined several functions into a single 'format' key, which brings up a menu for selection, a change that some find controversial. The format key's behavior differs in base mode, where it toggles between bases without a menu. The video suggests that the format key's menu function may not be necessary, as users can convert values using other methods. Another significant change is the elimination of store and recall buttons, replaced by a single variable key that displays all variables in memory. This change is praised for its convenience. The video also notes that global functions and definitions have been consolidated into a single screen, and the calculator's strengths, such as support for exact answers, matrices, and equation solving, are highlighted. The weaknesses, like the inability to copy values from the calculation history and the erasure of history upon app switch or auto power off, are also mentioned. The video concludes that while the 991CW is a bold design move, it may not be necessary for power users to upgrade from the EX model.
๐ Final Thoughts on the Casio fx-991CW
The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of the design changes in the Casio fx-991CW. It contrasts the new model with older Casio calculators that used number-based menu navigation and similar keyboard layouts. The video appreciates Casio's attempt to innovate with the CW series and believes it will be more approachable for high school students. However, it acknowledges that the changes may not please all power users due to the trade-offs made. The video ends on a positive note, appreciating the new circular buttons, the unified number format toggle, and the new variable and function management features. It expresses interest in seeing how these features will evolve or be adopted by other manufacturers in the future. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe and stay updated with new content.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กCasio fx-991CW
๐กDesign Update
๐กCircular Convex Buttons
๐กUser Interface
๐กMini Navigation
๐กFormat Key
๐กVariable and Function Management
๐กControversial Changes
๐กGlobal Functions
๐กAuto Powers Off
๐กExact Answers
Highlights
The Casio fx-991CW is a design update of the popular 991EX scientific calculator.
Aimed at high school and engineering students, the calculator is designed to be more approachable and easy to use.
The 991CW is the most advanced in a series of CW calculators, including the 570, 350, and 82 models.
Circular convex buttons are a distinctive feature, making the calculator more ergonomic.
The space between keys is designed to reduce typing mistakes.
The display supports higher contrast and four shades of gray for a subtle UI enhancement.
The calculator includes an additional app called 'math box' for simulating dice rolls and coin tosses.
Menu navigation has been changed to only use cursor keys, a move that may polarize users.
The format key now brings up a menu, requiring the use of cursor keys to select options.
The answer key has been moved to above the keyboard, which may take getting used to for long-time Casio users.
Store and recall buttons have been replaced with a single variable key showing all variables in memory.
Global functions and definitions have been amalgamated into a similar screen for easier access.
The 991CW retains the strengths of the EX, such as support for exact answers, 4x4 matrices, and equation solving.
It has a faster processor than its competitors and shares the same weaknesses, like the inability to copy values from calculation history.
The calculator is expected to be rolled out worldwide and replace the EX model.
Casio's design changes with the CW are bold and may be more approachable for high school students.
The new circular buttons and unified number format toggle are innovative features of the 991CW.
It will be interesting to see if these features persist in the future or get copied by other manufacturers.