> but M & M are poor tools for spur-of-the-moment computation.
I don't really see how this is the case. The only advantage of a stand-alone calculator, now that I'm done with standardized test taking, is its portability. And when most of my work takes place in front of a computer anyway, I might as well just keep a copy of Mathematica humming so I can use it as soon as I need to do a calculation.
In fact, having to pull out a standalone calculator, turn it on, and adjust my frame of mind from "computer" to "standalone calculator" would probably be very bad for spur-of-the-moment calculations.
Well, I was thinking of more when I'm talking over my whiteboard with a co-worker, or something like that. Also, M & M are not light on the footprint... I don't especially enjoy leaving them open.
That's definitely true when you're in a conference room working over something, though nowadays I'm just using a scientific calculator app on my Android phone instead, since that means I've got one less device to keep track of.
I don't really see how this is the case. The only advantage of a stand-alone calculator, now that I'm done with standardized test taking, is its portability. And when most of my work takes place in front of a computer anyway, I might as well just keep a copy of Mathematica humming so I can use it as soon as I need to do a calculation.
In fact, having to pull out a standalone calculator, turn it on, and adjust my frame of mind from "computer" to "standalone calculator" would probably be very bad for spur-of-the-moment calculations.