All TI graphing calculators include a calculator-to-calculator link cable. For linking to a computer, a separate cable is required (which may be included with your calculator as well depending on the model). There are several ways to link to a computer. The most common method is via the TI Connectivity Cable USB ("silver link") which works with most calculator models. TI's newest calculators can also use a direct USB cable ("TI Connectivity Standard A to Mini-B USB Cable") which is included with the calculator. TI also still produces its older serial cables, the TI Graph Links ("black link" and "gray link"). Lastly, you can make a homemade cable yourself.

If you have a Macintosh, your only choices are the TI Connectivity Cable USB, the USB direct cable, or the cheaper, build-it-yourself PICLink. There isn't any software for MacOS to support the other homemade cables. If your calculator came with the direct USB cable, that is recommended. Otherwise, the TI Connectivity Cable USB is the best choice for modern Macintosh computers (which have USB ports but no serial/parallel ports).

If you have a PC, you have several choices. For newer calculators that include the direct USB cable, that is your best choice. For most other calculators, the silver link (TI Connectivity Cable USB) is your best choice. If you have an older computer with serial ports, the TI Graph Link will work with most calculators. Homemade cables such as the serial link or PICLink also exist but are no longer cost-effective for most users and are limited to older calculator models. The homemade parallel cable is the cheapest to buy or build, and has more supported linking software than the serial link. If you don't have a free parallel (printer) port, you might find it better to obtain a serial cable, which is slightly harder to build than the parallel cable and a little more expensive.

The classic TI-Graph Link, an official link cable, comes in both "black" and "gray" colored variants. Both use the serial port and only differ in how the computer interfaces with the calculator. The gray version uses standard serial protocol and converts it to the TI linking protocol inside the Graph Link. The black version requires that the linking software toggle the serial port lines directly. Either version is fine for most users and the black is more common.

We would recommend that most users use a USB cable instead (see bottom of the page).
» Linking Software
» Texas Instruments' TI-Graph Link page

The parallel link (also called the "$5 link") is perhaps the most popular homemade link, due to its easy construction and large amount of compatible link software. It requires a computer with a 25-pin parallel (printer) port. You can check out the schematics and build your own, or buy a pre-built cable from a vendor.

Before deciding to buy or build a parallel link, it's a good idea to check out our chart of linking software and make sure there's a program compatible with your operating system and calculator.
» Linking Software
» Parallel Link Plans
» Original parallel link plans

The serial link (also called the "$4 link") is another popular homemade link. It's also inexpensive but by many accounts is more difficult to build than the parallel link, and it isn't supported by quite as many linking programs. By several reports, newer versions of TI's free Graph Link software support homemade serial links in "black cable" mode, however, making the serial link a very good choice for both compatibility and low price. It requires a computer with a 9- or 25-pin serial port. You can check out the schematics and build your own, or buy a pre-built cable from a vendor.

Before deciding to buy or build a serial link, it's a good idea to check out our chart of linking software and make sure there's a program compatible with your operating system and calculator.
» Linking Software
» Serial Link Plans

The PICLink was designed to be compatible with the TI-Graph Link, thereby allowing it to be used with TI's software and, in theory, with the Macintosh. It is fairly simple to construct and should work with any calculator through the TI-Graph Link software. It also costs less than TI's cable.

» Linking Software
» PICLink Plans

The Connect-85 link was one of the earliest homemade links, and was designed to work with the TI-85 and a special linking program. While TI-85 users may consider putting together a Connect-85 cable, it's hard to recommend over the other homemade designs with broader software support.

Before deciding to buy or build a Connect-85 link, it's a good idea to check out our chart of linking software and make sure there's a program compatible with your operating system and calculator.
» Linking Software
» Connect-85 Plans

The silver USB Connectivity Cable was supposed to be the successor of TI's original TI-Graph Link. It has a much faster transfer rate than the TI-Graph Link, however it does not suport the 82 or 85 for the Windows version. It was the first USB cable produced by TI. The connectivity kit comes with cable and computer software, both of which work with your computer, TI handheld, data collection technology and TI-InterActive! The software includes a Data Editor, Screen Capture, OS Downloader, Group Explorer, and the Device Explorer. The TI-84 Plus, TI-89 Titanium, and newer calculators use a direct USB cable that plugs into the mini USB port on the calculator. The direct USB cable is faster than the silver link and should be used when possible if your calculator included one.

» Linking Software
» Texas Instruments' TI Connect page