Review: PC Hardware in a Nutshell

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Reviewed by
Bruce Cramer

Book Review of:
PC Hardware in a Nutshell
Desktop Quick Reference, 3rd Edition

From the November 2003 issue of PC Alamode Magazine

I was afraid that this was simply another big fat hardware reference book but after reading through it I found this book to be quit refreshing and full of information regarding new hardware and the technologies behind them. The authors say that the intended audience is anyone who buys, builds upgrades or repairs computers. As the authors’ points out, "PC Hardware in a nutshell" is an oxymoron and that is quite evident by the myriad of PC hardware topics covered in this 850-page paperback book. The realm of computer hardware is ever expanding and the job of keeping on top of new computer technologies is never ending but I find that to be the love of the labor.

The authors have done an excellent job in covering some very relevant topics from computer cases to video adapters, including some newer technologies such as DVD-RAM, flat panel display screens and more. The authors have inserted some very helpful notes indicated by graphical panels. A picture of a bear trap indicates dangerous procedures; conduct this procedure at your own risk and bear tracks to indicate “asides” meaning supplemental information if you care to delve deeper into the subject. In this 3rd edition the authors have included information about Linux because as they have stated it is a serious contender.

I must compliment the book’s format and layout. It is an easy read, not like you would think an 850-page computer hardware book would be. Beyond just giving you fifty some odd pages about CD Writers, at the end of the chapter the authors give you links to the Internet for more about the subject and their recommendations referred to as “Our Picks”. In the case of the CD writers under Our Picks the authors give you recommendations for EDI, SCSI as well s USB writers, CD recording software and CD media. I like it when a book not only provides information but also gives you a recommendation based upon the study and research that has already been conducted. In the section that discusses high capacity floppy disk drives such as the Zip and LS-120 SuperDisk, the authors flat out tell you that these types of drives have seen their day. There is basically no market for these types of drives any more as CD rewritable technology has gotten better and cheaper.

Pros
I found the book to be very informational and up to date, very well laid out and an easy read.

Cons
With the ever evolving world of personal computers the information will be a little out of date in a year or so. I would have liked more pictures.

This book is priced at $39.95 on the cover and sells for $27.95 on Amazon.com which by the way gave it a 5 star rating based on 26 reviews. The book is 850 pages, published by O’Reilly, July 2003. ISBN 059600513X.