Customer Reviews

Building a PC For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is another great book in the Dummies series. I had never built a computer before, but this book showed me how. My brother and I built two computers in about a day and a half, and this book was a big help. But although the book was a great introduction to computers and components, and although it did a great job convincing me that even I could build a computer, it was a bit outdated when it came to hardware. That's a dilema, of course, because new computer products come onto the market so fast that by the time a book makes it to the market, it's already a bit behind. I suggest that the publisher post an "update" chapter on its website. Then, even if the book gets a bit outdated, readers can download the "update" chapter to find out about important recent developments in computer hardware that the book didn't already cover.

As a Value Added Reseller, I have been building computers for the last 15 years. I am now recommending "Building a PC for Dummies" for first time computer builders and those who want to open the hood and understand what's inside. The book takes a humorous approach to the construction process and provides a complete "How To" step by step processes. The components of a computer system can change each month. Information about the latest and greatest parts can be gained from many other sources, such as Toms Hardware. For the first timer, this book is a must have.

Dave Barnett Vice President SDSI Business Systems

(This is a review of the 5th edition)

I'll admit it... I buy my PCs when I upgrade. I'm getting more at ease with hardware since I've started doing all these book reviews, and I probably *could* build a PC now without too much angst, but I still buy. But if I were to decide that my next PC would be "home-built", I'd be comfortable with using the book Building a PC for Dummies by Mark L. Chambers.

Contents:

Part 1 - Can I Really Do This?: What's in a Computer, Anyway?; What Type of PC Should I Build?

Part 2 - Building Your PC: Building the Foundation - The Case and Motherboard; A Bag of Chips - Adding RAM and a CPU; The Three PC Senses - Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard; Images "R" Us - Adding Video and a Monitor; Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices

Part 3 - Adding the Fun Stuff: Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD; Let Your PC Rock!; Modems and the Call of the Internet

Part 4 - Adding the Advanced Stuff: Attack of the SCSI Monster; So You Want to Add a LAN?; Life in the Fast Lane with Broadband; Input and Output - Scanners, Cameras, Video Capture, and Printers; More Power User Toys

Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC; Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User's PC; Ten Important Assembly Tips; Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC; Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague

Part 6 - Appendixes: Choosing Your Operating System; Glossary

Index

This book is most likely going to appeal to the hardware-phobic computer owner (like I was for quite awhile) or the first-time PC builder. Chambers has an amusing writing style which will make you smile as you figure out the next steps to take in your PC adventure. If you've already built a PC or you dwell in the land of needing to know every last technical spec of a device before you install it, there's probably not much here to offer you. Even I know most of the material *about* each device and what type of rationale you should apply (buying new vs. refurbished, why hard drive capacity is important, RAM is king, etc.). My downfall would be actually having all those devices spread out on a table with an empty computer case in front of me. But I'm pretty confident that I'd be able to stand a pretty good chance of getting everything to actually work the first time if I followed the information here. There's even a center section with color pictures to show you what to expect. It's a nice touch...

If you're looking for an approachable book on getting past your first computer build, this one would be a good choice. Easy to follow, fun to read, and the intimidation factor is nonexistent.

One day I decided to try to play around and build a PC for grins. I then went out and bought this book. The first 2 or 3 chapters give you a lot of hope and inspiration that it could be done. The author didn't go into depth about XP, but if you can read between the lines and are bold enough to take on the challenge, you can reach that goal of completing the task. I found myself using several books in addition to this one to do so. The author didn't quite give you enough details about what to buy specifically, for any system. Good luck to all that attempt without any book.

While I was reading/assembling my computer I found the book to be poorly written, with not nearly enough specific info. I was very frustrated, and needed to purchase a different book to correctly assemble my rig. Since then I've read 15-20 other books related to computer hardware/software/networking affording me a fair amount of perspective. This book ranges from badly outdated general info. to just plain incorrect info. I can say now with confidence that using only this book as a reference will almost guarantee an improper assembly of your computer. You will be frustrated and you will probably waste a decent amount of money.

PC hardware and software changes rapidly, and this book desperately needs updating. No discussions of Pentium 4 class systems and related current memory and operating system updates. Save your $. If you are ready to build, cuy the OReilly "PC Hardware in a Nutshell" book instead.

The book goes in to deep detail about building pcs. However it is a little outdated expically when it talks about installing operating systems. but If you have no clue about computers and want to learn this is the best book to read.

-Brian Peace

One day I was trying to play a star trek demo that I downloaded and it woudln't run on my cyrix MII machine, so I said "forget this, im going to buy a new comptuer", then I said "nah, i will just pay a friend to make it", then i said "forget that...I WILL MAKE IT". I then went out and bought this book. The first 2 or 3 chapters give you alot of inspiration..and "you can do it"'s. The author gives you alot of invaluable background information, but I didn't find myself using the book to make the pc. I mean how many words does it take to tell how to install a pci card..and the author didn't quite give you enough details about what to buy specifically, In the beginning when it came down to video cards and a motherboard, i found myself looking into newsgroups (which the author reccommended). Well the moral of the story is i promised myself i wouldn't write a review unless it was from my new computer..and here I am fulfilling my promise. a PIII 550, 15.0 gb hard drive, 128mb ram, 32 mb tnt2 video card, 16 pci soundblaster, blah blah blah..i spent $1200 grandtotal including monitor. be prepared to spend money for a good system. You will not find a secret to building your own computer for $300. my system works, this book got me started, but once i was past the starting phase I needed more resources. Good luck to anyone trying to build a computer and if you have any questions email me at igiantsl@aol.com AND bobbyt10213@aol.com and i will try to help you.

This really is a "how-to" hands-on book. The author uses a logical approach (unlike other assembly guides I have seen that are impossible to follow in a linear fashion). It also helps you understand what's involved in upgrading pieces of your system. CPU installation is covered in general, so I found it easy to install my P4 without specific coverage by following these steps, but there's no mention of Windows XP or the newest high-speed memory.

Overall, a good guide and I can recommend it.

For the absolute beginner, this book is an excellent tool.

Its only problem is that in attempting to cover a broad amount of information in a small amount of space, it must leave out particulars such as in depth explanations of the various components of each part. Explanations such as these would make choosing parts and understanding jargon a lot easier and would make the book more resistant to the passage of time (the recommendations are quite dated).

If you want a computer that would have been the bee's knees in 1999 this is a great resource; otherwise, you will definitely need to use this book in conjunction with a more exhaustive source.