Texas Instruments TI-30XS

Description

Brand: Texas Instruments
Model: TI-30XS MultiView
Type: Scientific calculator
Picture: TI-30XS
Batteries: CR2032 x 1
Lifetime: Introduced: 2005
Terminated: unknown
Notes: The TI-30XS MultiView and its variant, the TI-30XB which has a different colour scheme, introduced in 2005 is still for sale as I write this in 2026.

Despite its looks it does not have a solar cell. It just uses the same case as the solar cell variant, the TI-30XS Solar.

According to this Wikipedia page (link validated 2026-01-25), the TI-30XB and the TI-30XS where Texas Instruments’ very first non-graphing TI calculators with a dot-matrix display.

TI-30XS Display It is called MultiView because it can display results in two modes called Classic and Mathprint. In Classic mode, results are shown as decimal results. Using Mathprint, results are shown mathematically. For example, in RAD modus the result of "cos(π/4" will show the mathematically correct answer: "√2/2". For some reason the items on its display have a dark blue tint.

The ◄► key can be used to switch between mathematical results and their decimal representation. For instance, type the number ".125" followed by pressing the ◄► key and the equivalent fraction "1/8" is shown. Press it again to switch back to decimal mode. When calculating the root of 2 the result is √2, press ◄► to see its decimal approximation.

Some functions are available under menus. It has statistical functions, it can work with tables showing a list of values of a given formula and a specified step size.

It has multiple memory locations called "x, y, z, t, a, and b".

In a way it is semi programmable, by means of the K function. Its primary use it to perform repeated calculations. Define K as "×5 + 3" to calculate "y = 5x + 3" for any value of x followed by pressing enter. It gets more interesting when using ans as part of the definition of K! So far, however, I have not found a practical application of this possibility.

All in all a powerful scientific calculator for school use. It is very easy to use and works intuitive. Use the arrow keys to go back and reuse previous calculations or their results.

This calculator was donated by its previous owner, Arnoud Helmantel. Very much appreciated! This is already his sixth donation to this museum!
Series: The TI-30 series started with the TI-30, an ordinary scientific LED calculator. But Texas Instruments kept extending this line, turning it not into just a model number but a whole calculator series. Trying to make it the non-programmable scientific calculator for school use.

So far I’ve found mention of the following types (probably incomplete):


©2026 Ernst Mulder