The calculator market is controlled by TI. They push textbook makers to be TI-specific. TI is constrained largely by test security requirements, which vary a bi

The calculator market is controlled by TI. They push textbook makers to be TI-specific. TI is constrained largely by test security requirements, which vary a bit. For example in France TI had to add a blinking LED to indicate test mode, which disables some features. The ACT prohibits an algebra system, but the SAT allows it. If not for that, and the disinterest TI has in doing cool stuff, imagine what could be done. Architecturally, the calculator could be a PC with SVGA. It could run a clone CPU with features as recent as the Pentium III era without needing a patent license, though 8088 is adequate and it is likely that TI could get good pricing from AMD or Intel. Putting all the non-volatile storage in a MicroSD card that sticks out above the screen would allow some test security; if that gets pulled out then the calculator reboots into the built-in software.