The Computer Buyer's Handbook. (book reviews)
by Mike Hubbartt

If you're in the market for a personal computer or just want to learn more about computers in general, then you should take a look at this new guide. Author Wayne Parker's experiences as a writer and a computer programmer/user allow him to cover the A-Zs of selecting a computer to fit your needs.

The Computer Buyer's Handbook cuts through the rhetoric so pervasive in today's advertisements, explaining in layman's terms the technical jargon that surrounds peripherals such as monitors, modems, hard drives, printers, and mice; and the handbook offers recommendations regarding brands to try. Unix and OS/2 also receive coverage, and new computer owners will welcome the overview of software.

Although quite partial to 80386 IBM and IBM-compatible systems, the author does briefly cover other systems like the Macintosh, NeXT, and Amiga computers. The Computer Buyer's Handbook lacks an index, does not cover in any detail either interrupt or I/O address conflicts between add-on cards, and uses price information that was inaccurate as of April, 1991 (understandably, since the publication date is November, 1990, and six months can make a big difference for prices in the computer industry).

Loaded with valuable information, The Computer Buyer's Handbook proves both useful and an enjoyable read. Before wantonly purchasing your peripherals, consider picking up The Computer Buyer's Handbook. Its$16.95 price tag could save you money, time, and plenty of headaches.