PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 874 pages
• Published by: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
• Edition: 3rd Edition July 24, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 059600513X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0596005139
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Weighs: 2.3 pounds

Reader Reviews
This review is from: PC Hardware in a Nutshell (Nutshell Handbook) (Paperback) Short review: it's O'Reilly, buy it. Longer review: this is a fantastic book. It is concise, current, inexpensive (how often do these words apply to computer books?), enjoyable to read, and, above all, USEFUL. The authors mingle sound advice and dry humor with a casual writing style, keeping the reader engaged and entertained as s/he absorbs the most (by nature) boring technical details. Technicians who charge by the hour should buy this book immediately... it will pay for itself in a week or two. That said, this book is NOT "the only book you'll ever need". Though I agree with most of the authors' opinions, honest debate is always a good thing (for example, they write that, as of June 2000, Socket 7 is obsolete. I think now is the time to buy, as several of my clients are budget-conscious and still essentially happy with their 486s). Additionally, this book needs a chapter on modems, and more second-tier reviews would be nice, but I suppose that's what the website is for. Bottom line: get yourself a big thick "phone book" on PC repair (Bigelow and Mueller come to mind) and this book and you'll be equipped for most any upgrade or buying decision that comes your way. But without a strong technical background or a huge reference work nearby, don't open the case. Comment | | (Report this)