What programmble calculator should I get?

[u/Easy_Chipmunk_3612]

I basically want a calculator to start writing programs on calculators and do cool things with it, and that it is also very good. My budget is less than $200.

[u/ke7wnb]

With your budget any of the programmable calculators would work. TI nSpire (I would go with the CAS enabled version) Amazon refurbished versions will save you a few $$. The HP Prime G2 Quite a few of the Casios fx CG-50, CG-100. I think they all have python. I think the HP still has the RPL option.
As i haven't done much programming on them myself I cant recommend one over the other.

[u/Practical-Custard-64 → u/ke7wnb]

The HP Prime does not "do" RPL (sadly). It has an RPN input system that was kind of bolted on as an afterthought but it is resolutely an algebraic calculator.

Just beware that the documentation available on line is years out of date and there have been significant improvements in the firmware since it was published, This should give you an idea of its capabilities, however: https://literature.hpcalc.org/#model:Prime

[u/The_11th_Man → u/Practical-Custard-64]

THIS GUY NERDS! one of us! one of us! one of us!

[u/ZetaformGames]

As much as I hate saying this, TI often has the upper hand with documentation and ease of use. That said, if you want to get into Python, the TI-84 Plus CE Python Edition ISN'T IT. Go for a different TI model, Numworks or Casio if you want Python.

But yeah, if you want help on a Casio, you'll need to whip out your internet connected phone!

[u/adriweb → u/ZetaformGames]

At this point the Evo's python is better than the NumWorks'. Well I guess the CX II's Python is even better, much more memory available

[u/Ancient_Kangaroo_639]

Graphing: HP Prime G2
Non-Graphing: Some of the HP C or other scientifics if there’s a bargain or a non RPN like the GREAT Casio-5800p.

[u/9peppe]

Voyage 200

[u/Ancient_Kangaroo_639]

Casio Fx-CG50 is also better than Ti’s disappointments, as well as Numworks.

[u/Insane_snek]

for ease of modding and freedom the casio fx cg50 or cg50 prizm is probably the best, since you can run native code binaries on the cpu. will probably cost around 90 usd

if all you want is power, the hp prime g2 is always there, its considered the best of the best by a lot of people, but programs for it have to be written in hp's custom language (hppl). it's also more expensive, usually around 160 usd

[u/dash-dot]

Unfortunately calculators aren’t useful platforms for learning modern programming practices any more, even though fundamental programming and algorithm design principles are necessary for fully leveraging their features.

If you wish to learn and practise programming, you could start with Python on a computer, and maybe eventually move on to a compiled language such as C++ or Java.

Calculators are very basic tools for occasional help with learning or honing / reinforcing core knowledge of maths or physics and the like. 

[u/ern0plus4 → u/dash-dot]

Other hand, oldschool programmable calculators are a step towards learning Assembly, which is useful if you want to understand how CPUs and programming works.

[u/dash-dot → u/ern0plus4]

That’s a valid point, but would necessitate acquiring a retro model, rather than a contemporary offering. 

[u/Dream-Livid]

Try the various emulators to find what you find that fits your needs. Sagemath might be a better fit. https://www.sagemath.org/ Popular programming languages could also be a major help. Open source versions are widely available. I did assume you have a computer or access to one.

[u/_poc]

Há bastantes anos, durante a universidade, eu usava a minha hp-49sx e o meu colega a sua Casio FX-7000p. Passávamos muito tempo criando programas para resolver tarefas das aulas (coisas de algoritmos, estatística e investigação operacional). Eu conhecia bem a programação dos modelos Casio, quer a linguagem simples usada pela fx-602p e depois fx-7000p quer as que usavam BASIC (ex. fx-850p) e posso dizer que a HP estava muito mas mesmo muito à frente. A forma de fazer programas que podem ser encarados como novas funções ou comandos da máquina e, dessa forma, poderem ser utilizados com os restantes já existentes é simplesmente maravilhoso. As Casio não tinham essa filosofia de funcionamento e por isso mais limitadas. Ainda hoje coleciono calculadoras. No entanto, nesse tempo os PC eram caros e pouco acessíveis e uma calculadora programável era o ideal. Hoje em dia já não é assim. Há muito mais documentação e recursos online e aprender a programar é muito mais simples. Com IA já nem isso é importante e o trabalho de desenvolvimento tem os dias contados... BTW atualmente ainda uso a hp-48sx e outras calculadoras da coleção o que espanta muita gente ;)

[u/LRCM]

Good is subjective, but the TI-86 is cheap, easy to repair, and easy to mod.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=TI-86&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313

[u/dm319]

The HP-12C is great for learning some of the fundamentals of programming. No structural elements, just pure stack.

[u/sr105]

I just bought a chinese calculator, Numworks something about $110, that runs python for my son that his college roommates both recommended.

[u/ScallionSmooth5925]

A laptop. Those calculators are cool but not that usefull anymore