Thread: HP50g vs. TI-89 Titanium

Hi,
I'm entering into first year engineering (at ANU in Australia) and am wondering what calculator to buy. I realise i don't 'need' this much power, but i want it to help with studying (checking answers, mainly). I'll have to get a simpler scientific calc as well that Ill be allowed to use in exams. I had a casio fx for college, but had to give that to my sister now that shes started college and I thought Id take the chance to upgrade.

From my research the TI seems far more popular. I'm not entirely sure what the basis for this is; do they just have better marketing, or is it actually a better product?
I'm not too concerned about usability, as either way Im starting with something i havent used before, and Im sure Im capable of learning either. Id like to know about the actual capabilities of each. From what Ive read they seem to be virtually identical in what they can do.
Thanks

Reminds me when someone asks which computer to buy ... a Mac or a PC.

the TI is much like the PC ... large user base, lots of support available.

HP is kinda like the Mac ... hardcore users swear by them, but the user base is relatively small.

I still have an HP-35 scientific that I am very comfortable with and use it for most everything that doesn't require a graph.

Both are good calculators ... pick one and run with it.

Thanks. I think Ill go for the HP50G, if i can find one relatively cheaply. So far Ive only seen them either damaged or at about $AU100 more than the TI-89T. I might wait until Im actually at uni and I might find someone selling one.
If anybody else has any reason to go for the TI over the HP, I'd still be interested