By Robert Bruce Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson
October 2000
Pages: 524
ISBN 10: 1-56592-599-8 |
ISBN 13: 9781565925991
(Average of 5 Customer Reviews)
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PC Hardware in a Nutshell is a comprehensive guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, it features buying guidelines, how-to advice on installing, configuring, and troubleshooting specific components, plus ample reference material and a complete case study on building a PC from components.
Full Description
- Buying guidelines. In supplying advice on how to choose optimum systems and components, the book focuses on teaching the reader how to evaluate alternatives rather than on recommending specific products.
- How-to advice. The book is loaded with practical, hands-on information about how to install, configure, and troubleshoot specific components.
- Reference. Numerous tables and the topical organization let novices and professionals alike consult the book for the specifications and steps they need in order to perform discrete tasks.
- A depository of obsolescent or arcane material that didn't make the book but may still be useful to some
- New and updated material that will appear in updated editions
- Errata
- A Mail drop for reader feedback and suggestions
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Browse within this book
Cover | Table of Contents | Index | Sample Chapter | Colophon
Book details
First Edition: October 2000
ISBN: 1-56592-599-8
Pages: 524
Average Customer Reviews: (Based on 5 Reviews)
Featured customer reviews
PC Hardware in a Nutshell Review, May 07 2002
Let me start out with a huge thanks to O’Reilly. I’m not a big fan of large corporations or publishers – but I have come to trust O'Reilly implicitly wherever technical issues are concerned. Although I'm certain that they are not the "perfect" publisher, nor in the business for wholly (ha!) altruistic reasons, I AM amazed by the remarkable originality, diversity, range, quality, accuracy, and honorable business practices of this publisher. Oftentimes I wonder how they manage to maintain such a level, when their current library is so chock-full of tough-to-follow acts.
That said, PC Hardware in a Nutshell does not fail to meet up to these high expectations. Let me get the review portion of my review out of the way – simply put, this is the book I have been hunting for a couple years. That I did not immediately search the O’Reilly library only shows that I am a bit silly. I should have known better. End of review.
But I would like to carry this a bit further, and go out on a limb to discuss the only complaint prior reviewers have voiced: that the book is too "Microsoft-centric."
Rather than a weakness, I believe that this is actually a strength. Let me offer big kudos to the authors and publisher for realizing that a serious, yet accessible, compendium of computer hardware knowledge was necessary. The folks who register such complaints are those least in need of an in-depth introduction to PC hardware. These are the high priests of hi-tech, who rule the roost by virtue of their knowledge-monopoly on all issues technical. They would have you believe that if it was not hand-crafted from spare parts, duct tape, and copious amounts of solder and configured with the most obscure version of Linux, then it's only fit for a 4-year-old. They are, quite simply, dead wrong. Let them compile their own "PC Hardware for Only the Most Serious Tech Gurus", I say!
Thompson’s very first point is that he intended the book to be of the most practical usability possible. The practical reality is that the people who desperately need such a compendium are poor fools, like Yours Truly, who are too technical to be satisfied with tutorials on how to use Microsoft Office, yet are not quite knowledgeable enough to get right under the hood of their PCs (never mind build a Linux box from spare hatpins and Reynolds Wrap). We, the “psuedo-techies”, often do not come equipped with enough experience, knowledge, or confidence to take ourselves to the next level. We are the crowd who are using Microsoft products, yet would love to learn enough to understand exactly WHY Microsoft means "mush-mind" and Linux is God - but will never get there without a guide. This book is the guide, and to me it says, "Psuedo-techies unite! Power to the people!"
PC Hardware in a Nutshell Review, March 10 2002
Concise, straight to point and comprehensive.
PC Hardware in a Nutshell Review, April 03 2001
I own many O'Reilly titles pertaining to Unix and I bought PC Hardware in a Nutshell as an afterthought. What a suprise! While it is MS-centric, it is still a very good read. It is hard to put down. This book has really changed the way I think about hardware in ways that I never even considered in my 20 years of messing around with computers. Come out with one for Unix and I'll snap that up, too.
I recommend this well thought out book to anyone upgrading, building or buying a computer. Thank you.
PC Hardware in a Nutshell Review, February 06 2001
For the many people who are using MS software, this is a great book. It is extremely readable. I buy many books and manage to finish few of them. This one I have both enjoyed and finished. I look forward to the possibility of other books by the Thompsons -- either covering other PC related areas like net work adapters, DSL, etc. that they couldn't cover and keep PC HARDWARE IN A NUTSHELL to a reasonable length or possibly -- or some other area of consumer electronics.
PC Hardware in a Nutshell Review, November 24 2000
Overall, the book was worth the price. While much of the technical information about the hardware and architecture are available in other books, the case studies are unique to this book.
One thing I did not like was the MS-Windows centric view in designing the systems. Many of the readers who are going to bother building their own PC are going to be GNU/Linux users (like me.) It is apparent from the first chapter that the author is NOT anti-Linux, nor is he ignorant about its potential. I just would have liked to see more OS-neutrality throughout the book.
My approach to recycling PC hardware is just the opposite to the author's: When I build myself a 'bigger and better' PC, I load it with GNU/Linux and recycle the old one for my four-year-old son with MS-Windows 95. The only reason I do that is solely for the learning games that he has.
Other than that one complaint, I say again, this book is well worth the price.
Good job.
Media reviews
"The authors combine years of experience working with PCs
to create this guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing
Intel-based PCs...accessible to both beginners and experienced
professionals."
--SciTech Book News Set 2001
"I am confidant that you will be as pleased with
the book as I am"
--Bill Klutz, PC Alamode, August 2001
"I you want to buy a new computer or component, this book will help you decide what to look for...I've looked through, used, and reviewed many hardware volumes, but this is the best I've seen to really explain all that stuff under the hood, and how it works, in Standard English...an outstanding addition to the library of anyone who wants to better understand hardware. " --Babette Bloch, GGCS Newsletter, July 2001
"I kept a copy of PC Hardware In a Nutshell at my elbow Chapter 2 is likely to save you the $29.95 cost of the book by itself." --Jim Aiken, Keyboard, Jun 2001
"an excellent book for anyone who uses or is shopping for a PC."-Phil Smith III, Monitor, May 2001
"a great reference book to have on hand if you ever need to troubleshoot, upgrade, or just plain understand any component of a personal computer. Like most O'Reilly books, this is stuffed full of the information you'd think would come in the manual to your PC (if you got one)." --Deborah Lynne Wiley, Online, June 2001
"This is another one of those great O'Reilly books. I am sure you have seen those large books on PC Hardware at Sams Club or Barnes and Noble. They have lots of information in them, but I must say this book cuts to the chase, packing in the most important information, and is light enough to carry in a briefcase without breaking your arm in the process. I highly recommend this book." --Cecil Munson, Kennebec Valley Computer Society Newsletter, May 2001
"In this superb new release from the O'Reilly publishing company, authors Thompson and Thompson produce a wonderful work on computer hardware that stands above many existing hardware works now on the market." --Dale Ferris, Golden Triangle PC Club, Dec 2000
"The O'Reilly 'in a Nutshell' range has a very solid reputation for successfully dealing with difficult subjects. This book is no exception-- an excellent resource for PC users with a bit of experience who are keen to take the plunge and dive inside the box." --Daniel Potts, Australian Persola Computer, April 2001
"O'Reilly Strikes Again! Here's a great reference for beginners and experts alike. For those of you in support as well as those of you simply wanting to get the most out of your own personal computers, good reference books are a key component of tech support. PC Hardware in a Nutshell from noted technical publishers O'Reilly & Associates, is a nice source for both novices and experienced techs. This book is well researched and written to be easily accessible to users of all experience levels. I can honestly say that I've never gone wrong with an O'Reilly book when it comes to just about any computing topic you can name. The O'Reilly editors really know how to distill a topic down into what's most important to know without creating a reference that's too dry in the process. This is just about as perfect a book as you're going to find for your needs. Not only does it explain things in mostly every day language (some jargon is to be expected--it is a technical reference!), but the authors always pay attention to how you can get the most for your money for your particular needs. Whether you're thinking of upgrading, building or buying, or even when you just need some troubleshooting tips, you'll find a wealth of information in this surprisingly small package!" --Holly Henry-Pilkington, Focus On Computer Support, April 2001
"This book distinguishes itself from its most popular competitors by emphasizing the authors' opinions on hardware products. It's refreshing to see authors recommend Product A for high-performance systems in which price is not an issue, Product B for economical home systems, and Product C for organizational workstations...a high-quality tutorial on designing and assembling a system from zero." --David Wall, amazon.com, Jan 2001
"The writing is clear, and the technical depth is very good without overwhelming the ordinary reader. A book that empowers consumers; descriptions and comparisons are presented in a way that enable readers to make informed decisions." --Major Kearny, PC Update, March 2001
"Valuable resources for Hardware Shoppers...PC Hardware in a Nutshell was invaluable during my search. This book is a high-quality reference about hardware. If you buy, configure, use or modify PC Hardware, you need this book." --John D. Ruley, Windows 2000, March 15, 2001
"People working at a professional level should find this a very useful resource,presenting comprehensive information in a compact form. Anyone intending to buy a pre-built system should read this book first, it will help sort out dealerfact from fiction." --Major Kearny, PC Update, Feb 2001
"Well written...the authors should be proud of their efforts in knowing that thetime spent in researching and compiling the data for this book is certainly beneficial...I would recommend this book to anyone even if you are a novice and/or dreamer and wish to build your own computer." --Ray Jamroze, Wind-News, March 2001
"O'Reilly published what appears to me to be the most useful book they have ever published. If you have ever thought about building your own PC, and you can read a technical book without dozing off, PC Hardware in a Nutshell provides a ton of useful information for the do-it-yourselfer." --Eb Guenther, Ha-PC, Feb 2001
"an excellent book for both novice and advanced users." --Linux Format, Feb 2001
"In this superb new release from the O'Reilly publishing company, authors Thompson and Thompson produce a wonderful work on computer hardware that stands above many existing hardware works now on the market. Well known computer writer Jerry Pournelle says of this book, "It's really the best book you'll find on this subject." While I am certainly NOT equally qualified as Pournelle to remark on this book, I do think it is one of the best among the many competing books on computer hardware you can now find. What sets apart this work is the emphasis by these authors to provide useful information on computer hardware, a goal difficult to achieve, but in this case, they manage to succeed. In this essential book on PC hardware, you will find a wealth of very useful information that goes beyond the merely interesting, to being of great use right now to those working on their computer hardware...a highly valuable and necessary book." --Dale Farris, Golden Triangle PC Club, Dec 2000
"a wealth of information, easy to read and packed with information." --Greg McClure, Winnepec PC User Group, Feb 2001
"An excellent book for both novice and advanced users, shame GNU/Linux is not covered in more details. Rating 8/10" --Linux Format
"The book starts out with a good intro, has a good premise, and is definitely the piece of documentation I would give to someone about to build a D.I.Y. computer for the first time definitely a worth-while read for novice and experienced users alike the information is valuable, and I found myself learning a couple things or digging out a couple pieces of knowledge that I had forgotten about." --Patrick Mullen, www.thedukeofurl.org, Feb 19, 2001
"Finally, keep in mind that the manual that came with your computer isn't enough. Consider buying a book about hardware. One I can recommend is
PC Hardware in a Nutshell by Robert Thompson and Barbara Thompson." --Bill Husted, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 2001
"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. And it's much more than a quick reference. They provide a practical guide for those who wish to maintain, upgrade, and even build computers. It's full of tips and recommendations on the selection of hardware, advice on fitting, and warnings. Anyone involved in repairing, maintaining, upgrading, or building computers will be interested in the advice they offer. There's a marvelous section on knowing how and where to buy components; how to judge the prices you are quoted; and what goes on behind the scenes which makes prices fluctuate so much."--Roy Johnson, www.mantex.co.uk, Jan 2001
"The book of the month...like all O'Reilly books, this one is well-edited and has a decent if not excellent index. This book is lean and spare, as are most Nutshell books. It's also available now, and as good a desktop reference work as you'll find. The advice on how to do things is specific and clear, and the reference data is excellent. You'll get your money's worth out of this book. Recommended." --Jerry Pournell, Byte.com, Dec 18, 2000
"Here's one PC hardware book that pulls no punches. It even recommends specific brands and models, and tells you why -- so you can evaluate whatever's on sale when you're ready to buy. The authors speak to you as if you're planning to build your own computer from scratch. That's the "big kahuna" PC maintenance project, so the book's easily up to any "smaller" challenges -- like adding a CD burner, or maybe replacing your motherboard. And it's all new -- not padded with obsolete data and techniques. Specific, comprehensive, and relentlessly useful -- superb!" --barnesandnoble.com, October 2000
