Why have Texas Instruments graphing calculators maintained their high retail price (~$100) despite using technology from the 1990s?

Texas Instruments has dominated the educational calculator market for decades with their iconic TI-83 and TI-84 models. Despite minimal hardware updates and the existence of cheaper alternatives, they've maintained a stronghold in mathematics education through clever marketing and strategic partnerships. Test your knowledge about this mathematical retail phenomenon!

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TI has established exclusive partnerships with standardized testing agencies like the College Board that approve specific calculator models for exams
The high price reflects continuous hardware improvements and powerful new processors that justify the premium cost
TI maintains a seasonal pricing strategy with significant discounts during back-to-school periods that average out the overall cost
The calculators contain proprietary mathematical algorithms protected by patents that competitors cannot legally reproduce