Customer Reviews

A+ Certification Training Guide

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You're probably wondering why I gave only 3 stars to 'an excellent book', so allow me to explain.

It is *THE* most complete book about computer hardware on the market - I have no doubts about that - but that fact alone is the reason why I can not recommend it to anyone wanting to prepare themselves for the A+ Certification test. Reading this book is a humbling experience at best, and pure torture at worst. The sheer amount of information presented is such that you'll very quickly become very discouraged and totally overwhelmed since there's no way of knowing what you're REALLY supposed to know (i.e. memorize) for the test. It also contains quite a few typos and mistakes throughout but that, as we know, is the norm when it comes to computer books, unfortunately.

The illustrations are all top quality, as is the book as a whole. The CD-ROM is nothing to write home about but a nice feature is having the whole book in PDF format (good luck locating it through the maze of the clumsy interface). There are about 100 practice exams on it, but you're expected to pay another $50 for some 800 additional questions - no comment.

So it makes for an outstanding reference book - the best, really - but only for after you've passed the test. For that, I think I'll use the Meyers book since it goes straight to the point in a very clear and relaxed way.

And just for the record, my copy has 1000+ pages and it is a red hard cover instead of the blue pictured here, but the ISBN is the same - go figure.

This book covers the core exam fairly thoroughly, and is a good reference for the technical person with an electronic background and working with PCs. It might be too much detailed information for a novice who is studying for the A+ exams and might be confusing, otherwise it is very good.

The book is a little lame on the Windows/DOS portion of the exam. You will definitely need another source to bring you up to speed in this area. "Reggie's A plus page" has some excellent online questions to work your brain.

I also bought the additional 800 questions on the CD. Good value in my opinion. Passed both exams without much difficulty using this book and online exams.

If you don't have a technical background, I've heard Mike Myers book is an easier read. Good luck in your exams.

This book is for the serious computer geek who is tired of "A+ for Dummies"-style books. This book does not coddle beginners -- there are no cute explanations and analogies, just the bare facts. Although the book contains more information than is needed for the test, that is one of its best attributes -- it is intended for readers who want to learn all about computer hardware, not just the ones who simply want to pass the test.

The book isn't perfect -- the sections on troubleshooting are repetitive, and the author's prose (especially in the technical parts) is sometimes difficult to follow. Nevertheless, anyone who seriously wants to learn the fundamentals of computer hardware should read this book.

I used this book alone and pass both parts of the exam. This book is worth all I paid for it and more. I reccommend this book to anyone wishing to be A+ certified...

The technician using this book needs to be competent in Trig and have an excellent pre-existing feel for computers. It is like wading through an encyclopedia of information. I was not impressed with the authors incorrect spelling or altogether wrong information given to the user.

This book is by far the best book on pc hardware/software I've seen with the possible exception of Scott Mueller's Upgrade/Repair 10th anniversary edition. If you work through this book and understand it you'll not only be able to pass the A+ exams, but be able do the job of an A+ technician fairly well. That being said, this is not a book for the experienced technician just looking to grab a quickie certification... for you folks, just grab a quick guide and beef on your weak spots. For the newbies, this book seems intimidating, but it'll make a technician out of you. No paper certifications with this under your belt. So buy it, read it, sleep with it, and learn it inside out. And when you're done, you'll be very glad when you go to your first technical interviews... you'll have the headstart on them all >:)

I enjoyed reading this book, but it had many typo errors that would have left me to confused or misinformed had I not known better because of my experience with computers and other reference I had available. The CD ROM has cute videos, but were poorly done and not of much value to me. The CD did not have any sample tests, but the quizes at the end of every chapter and the corresponding Q&A at the end of the book were good learning tools. Over all, I think it is a good book for exam prepararion and a good resource to have, but it seems like the book and CD videos were rushed to press.

THIS BOOK HAVE EVERY THING U NEED.. TO GO FOR A+ CERTIFICATION .. I THINK THEY DIDN'T MISS ANY THING IN THIS BOOK .. ABOUT THE 890 Q .. ITS THE BEST ..

This book is similar in style to the MS Press Book "A+ Certification Training Kit": hardly any photos, lots of charts and diagrams and wordy. Not for the faint-of-heart, this is one of the largest texts I've studied from, over 1,000 pages! Novices will have difficulty unless used as a supplement to formal education or hands-on work experience.

I think we must start by saying that this is one of the better books for A+. It is almost totally exaustive and exausting to read! I bought this book alongside a class we had at GW and the professor exploted the text quite well. Especially the printing troubleshooting and the explanations of how one goes from A to B. Like other people have said, it is a long book. I would not really use it as a text for classes just because many times the info is not staring you right in the face, you have to dig for it. It is a good reference book and I use it whenever there is something unusual that happens in our network here at work. Still, it will help you pass the exam.