Customer Reviews

The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide, 16th Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Minasi's earlier editions were good (and hardcover - what happened to that?). This one was apparently rushed out without any proofreading just to keep up with the Joneses (Mueller). There are so many errors in the first two chapters, it's unbelievable... Maybe the rest of the book actually got re-written and proofed, but the first part is very disappointing and makes me unlikely to grab this volume when I need an accurate answer.

E.G.
p.17 figure 1.5 shows connectors on back of PC, points to a Centronics 36 connector, labeling it a 25-pin parallel port. Same figure labels a DB-25 port (male? female?) as "External SCSI". (Could be, if a VERY old scsi card is in there... )

p.17 "... be the expert on how many millions of polygons a particular sound card can render per second." Huh?? Since when did sound cards start rendering geometric shapes?

p.22 "Quick Steps: Installing a CPU" gives 6 steps. No mention of heatsinks/fans. Just pop it in, button up the case, and get the marshmallows ready!

Sybex and the authors have updated this long running and successful text with the 16th edition. The rapid changes in personal computer hardware mean that you might want to consider getting this book for its comprehensive advice of a wide range of hardware items.

I should say that even with the changes in this industry, if you have the 14th or 15th editions, you may well want to stick with those. Not everything changes between consecutive editions, and those still hold considerable relevance.

The book's remit extends across a broad range of hardware. Not just items that might be directly plugged into your computer. For example, there is discussion about routers for your local network. Where these might be wired or wireless devices.

Typically, across all the hardware they describe, there is enough information to be able to install that hardware, even without the manufacturers' instructions. Sometimes, the book's instructions may even be clearer!

Ordered this new edition because of my experience with earlier ones.

This edition lacks the CD which the other edition contained.

The format of this edition is not done as well as the previous one.

I am dissapointed in it's new format and lack of CD.

I am not a very technically savvy guy with a computer. I was looking for a book to explain to me how I can upgrade my computer and keep it in fairly good maintenance. I saw this one and it seemed to have a good description. It turns out this book is massive, but most of it is devoted to computer peripherals. I was not impressed because it is not a very user friendly book and didn't have more of what it was titled to be. It would be an excellent book for someone that has a lot of time and already should know most of this stuff and what's to change their peripherals mostly.

Who want to work in computer repair then need this book.