Texas Instruments launches the TI-84 Evo with a 156MHz ARM Cortex CPU, USB-C, icon-based home screen, and 319x209 graphing display.
Key Takeaways
Processor jumps from 48MHz (TI-84 Plus CE) to 156MHz, roughly 3x faster; display area increases 50% to 319x209 pixels.
New icon-based home screen, simplified keypad, and smarter categorized menus aim to reduce steps to reach common math tools.
Points of Interest Trace highlights critical function points automatically; faster intersection detection skips setup for two-function cases.
USB-C replaces USB-mini; 3.5MB user memory vs 480KB on the original TI-84; rechargeable battery and Python programming included.
Approved for SAT, AP, ACT, PSAT, and IB exams; marketed as distraction-free with no internet access.
Hacker News Comment Review
The Z80/eZ80 retirement after three decades is the biggest technical news; commenters confirm ARM Cortex via cemetech.net teardown analysis, not TI’s marketing copy.
Consensus pushback on exam relevance: SAT, AP, and ACT testing apps already embed Desmos, making dedicated handheld approval a weakening selling point over time.
Recurring criticism that CAS is deliberately withheld across the TI-84 line despite the Nspire CX CAS existing for 15+ years, and that SAT rules prohibiting CAS give TI cover to maintain artificial product tiers.
Notable Comments
@ndiddy: Cemetech teardown confirms ARM Cortex CPU and 156MHz clock, details TI’s first departure from Z80 family in three decades.
@mikeknoop: Reverse-engineered TI’s TestGuard on old Z80 models to build SafeGuard, blocking admin memory wipes – a small window into the platform’s hacker history.
