Review – I always think that scientific calculators look cool. I can also say that I have never needed to use it for any other purpose besides ordinary calculator functions. On the other hand, my son started using calculus in high school and has to use it almost every day since then. When this NumWorks Graphing Calculator was reviewed, I thought it looked particularly cool, and I knew who could put it aside.
What is it?
If the name of NumWorks Graphing Calculator is not revealed, it is a scientific calculator with graphing functions, built-in Python and a very user-friendly navigation scheme.
What’s in the box?
- NumWorks Graphing Calculator
- protecting mask
- USB-A to Micro-USB charging cable
- Safety guide
- NumWorks stickers
Hardware specifications
aspect: 6.3 x 3.2 x 0.4″ | 5.9 oz
CPU: 216 MHz ARMv7 processor
memory: 8mb flash memory, 256kb static RAM
Screen: 2.8″ color IPS LCD, 320×240 pixels
strength: Rechargeable 1450 mAh LiPo battery via Micro-USB connector
run: ~20 hours actual use
Design and features
The NumWorks graphing calculator stands out with its all-white appearance, color screen, and yellow charging cable.
Their website has a complete Emulator/emulator This allows you to use all the features in your browser before making a purchase. You can even download the emulator if needed.
When using the calculator, the cover can protect the screen and slide or snap into the back.
The rechargeable LiPo battery provides 20 hours of use and is quickly charged using the yellow (RAD!) Micro-USB charging cable included.
set up
As with any rechargeable product, the first step is to plug it in and fully charge it. Connect the Micro-USB connector to the port on the calculator, and plug the USB-A end into the power source.
The cover slides down in either direction, and can then leave or snap in/slide to the back during use.
After opening, the calculator reminds me that there is an “update available” notification.
To do this, you need to visit numworks.com/update and create a NumWorks account where you can connect the calculator to your computer and use a WebUSB compatible browser (such as Google Chrome, Chromium, or Edge) to run the update. After identifying the calculator, the update only took about 30 seconds.
If you have urgent calculations to do, you can also skip this step, but these updates are worth doing. Since August 2017, there have actually been 24 updates to resolve bugs, improve features, and general improvements.This is a link to Version history. It’s cool to see this level of detail.
Performance
Science and graphing calculators can be a bit daunting, and this is where NumWorks really excels. When Satchel (my son) started learning calculus, the recommended calculator was TI-84, and the course was designed around it, so that if you have a different model it might be difficult to keep up. There are several reasons for me to propose this…
- If you are learning on TI, HP or other things, then you may be very effective in using the features you use frequently. This will not necessarily translate to NumWorks. However, if you need to find unfamiliar functions, the opposite is true. Satch can easily enter “i” as an imaginary number on NumWorks, but it took him nearly 5 minutes to find out how to do it on TI, which he is familiar with.
- In a structured curriculum environment (high school and above), a specific calculator may be required to simplify teaching.
- However, it does meet all the requirements of the ACT calculator policy and is listed on the approved calculator list for all college council tests (including SAT, AP, and PSAT).
Out of the box, the on-screen menus and hierarchical structure feel familiar, which helps to easily navigate through the arrows and OK keys to find functions. Satch found it easy to start using NumWorks immediately. The navigation is clear and can literally help you find the feature you are looking for. The color screen is easy to read and very vivid. When I asked him to compare NumWorks and his TI-84 Plus CE, or at least describe the difference between them, he opened the settings screen for each. This comparison is of great significance to me, because it puts me in the NumWorks camp.
When he went to update the software, it asked to create an account and at some point asked for some additional information, including the school. He noticed that all schools seem to be elementary to high school, which somewhat confirms the status of TI and similar solutions in the higher education system. This is not to say that the calculator is useless or more powerful, but that anyone who already uses TI may continue to use TI.
As for running functions and actual drawing, here is a side-by-side video where Satch runs similar things on NumWorks and his TI-84. You will see where the navigation looks more friendly on NumWorks, and how he clearly understands his way around TI.
I haven’t been exposed to the functions of Python, mainly because it is not my business. Satch explained that you can basically import your open source scripts, or scripts you write yourself, and then load them into NumWorks via a USB cable. They load very fast and cover everything from Mandlebrot Set (fractal and infinite magnification) to Pong and other games. This is a far cry from being able to insert numbers similar to words when the calculator is upside down.
what do I like
- This thing looks cool
- Home screen and navigation are intuitive and familiar
- Built-in python is both concise and powerful
- Ideal for entry-level drawing and discovery
What will i change
- Want to see the number buttons displayed in unique color blocks
- If you are used to a particular calculator, you may still be faster
Final thoughts
Numworks is an excellent alternative to the traditional calculator models of classic brands. Its design and menu structure invite you to explore and eliminate the intimidation factors that may appear in some scientific calculators, so it is very suitable for any beginner. The great thing is that their simulator allows you to try all the features, so you can really give it a test drive first. It may be most suitable for young users, as higher education courses are usually tailored specifically to the TI-84 series or other long-running brands. This is also a good introduction to Python, which can appeal to young people (maybe even this old generation).
Price: USD 99.99
Where to buy: Digital factory and Amazon
source: The sample of this product is made by Digital factory
