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Comment by evan950 | Hacker News Reader

While the calculator itself seems really cool, I'm really perplexed by this design.

I see little point to advertising it as something that can input and execute python if it takes you at least 5 minutes to type

`for i in range(10): print(i)`

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I think this tradeoff was to keep it compatible with Collegeboard's (archaic) calculator policies, which forbid keyboards. [1] Being able to market the calculator as SAT-approved is probably super valuable since most students won't buy multiple calculators.

[1]: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/exam-polici...

It'd be pretty tough to use it on the SAT if you take most of the allotted time trying to type out a function.

You can use it just like a TI-84, its just that it uses Python (which programming curriculums in k-12 are increasingly using) instead of TI-Basic.

While you're right about how long it takes to type a function on a calculator like this, this calculator is a huge step up from the TIs kids use on the SAT right now.

That's valid.

It’s exactly the same situation with TI and Casio calculators (but with Basic instead of Python). For larger programs, it’s best to just download/write them on a computer and transfer them to the calculator.

Writing smaller programs (at least on a Casio calculator) isn’t actually that bad once you get used to the layout and menus.

I did this on the old TI-89 back in the day. It was fine for writing physics functions out. If you wanted anything more complex you presumable write the program on another computer and upload it to the calculator.

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