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By Robert Bruce Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson
July 2003
Pages: 874
Series: In a Nutshell
ISBN 10: 0-596-00513-X |
ISBN 13: 9780596005139
(Average of 3 Customer Reviews)
A longtime favorite among PC users, the third edition of the book now contains useful information for people running either Windows or Linux operating systems. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, the book is packed with useful and unbiased information. In addition to coverage of the fundamentals and general tips about working on PCs, the book includes chapters focusing on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, and maintenance.
Full Description
PC Hardware in a Nutshell is the practical guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs. A longtime favorite among PC users, the third edition of the book now contains useful information for people running either Windows or Linux operating systems. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, the book is packed with useful and unbiased information, including how-to advice for specific components, ample reference material, and a comprehensive case study on building a PC.
In addition to coverage of the fundamentals and general tips about working on PCs, the book includes chapters focusing on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, and maintenance. Special emphasis is given to upgrading and troubleshooting existing equipment so you can get the most from your existing investments.
This new edition is expanded to include:
Browse within this book
- Detailed information about the latest motherboards and chipsets from AMD, Intel, SiS, and VIA
- Extensive coverage of the Pentium 4 and the latest AMD processors, including the Athlon XP/MP
- Full details about new hard drive standards, including the latest SCSI standards, ATA/133, Serial ATA, and the new 48-bit "Big Drive" ATA interface
- Extended coverage of DVD drives, including DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW
- Details about Flat Panel Displays, including how to choose one (and why you might not want to)
- New chapters on serial communications, parallel communications, and USB communications (including USB 2.0)
- Enhanced troubleshooting coverage
Cover | Table of Contents | Colophon
Featured customer reviews
Excellent Resource, April 15 2005
Rating:
Submitted by
D.K. Easton
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This is one of the most comprehensive books I have ever used concerning PC hardware. A must have for any office!
PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review, October 29 2003
Rating:
Submitted by Scott
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What a joy to use! Having used the Macintosh platform for 17 years, I really needed to become PC savvy , and in a hurry, for a client project I agreed to work through. This is THE DEFINITIVE reference work to learn the ins and outs of PC bits and pieces. After reading this book (cover to cover) I purchased another guide to PC Upgrade and Repair, twice as thick, but with not even half as much useful info as the O'Reilly guide offered. This one is all you need!
PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review, August 06 2003
Rating:
Submitted by Marvin
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Shouldn't there be mention of networks & modems in here?
I hate to harp on this because otherwise it looks like a marvelous book.... I ordered it from Amazon thinking that being a brand-new edition and from O'Reilly this will almost certainly be the most up-to-date general reference for PC hardware I'm likely to find.
But I'm a bit dismayed at the fact that, after looking at the index and table of contents and flipping through the text, I can't seem to find a reference to network cards or modems at all. I see on page 5 there's a note saying that LAN is one of the less commonly available integrated functions on motherboards, which (having spent the last month shopping for components) strikes me as incorrect. 10/100 Ethernet or Gigabit LAN are available on many motherboards these days. Shouldn't there be a chapter explaining the difference between the two? I wouldn't expect a guide on installing home networks or anything, but maybe something addressing the differences between NIC, 56k modem, DSL, cable modem, and so on. And maybe some common configuration and troubleshooting issues? One doesn't build a computer without a networking component of some kind, these days.
Media reviews "Anyone who runs a hardware help desk, or who is responsible for presentations on hardware-related topics, should have this as a primary reference. 'PC Hardware in a Nutshell' is not just a catalogue of components, it contains a broad range of information about how various systems work and their relative merits, and background discussion of hardware-related topics that won't be found in other literature."
--Major Keary, PC Update, June 2004
Reviews From Previous Editions
"Do you want to know how to upgrade the memory on your computer? Or to add a video card or an extra hard drive? Husband and wife team Robert and Barbara Thompson run their own business showing people how to deal with hardware. This book brings together all their valuable advice into one resource."
--Roy Johnson, mantex.co.uk
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