How to Buy a Computer, or Upgrade What You Have

Charles R. Crawford, formerly an associate professor of computer science
at York University, is a computer-programming consultant.

Since a book usually takes longer to get on the market than a new model
of computer does, one would not expect to get good advice on buying
computers from a book. This book, however, does a commendable job. There
are detailed chapters on CPUs, video displays, disk storage, and
printers, along with catch-all chapters on important but less critical
components of a computer system. There is also a chapter on such
recent-but-soon-to-be-essential developments as “multimedia
add-ons.” Although White focuses on buying computer components, he
also explains how the various devices work and some of their development
history, and, using this background, advises on various models and
options for a particular device. In the chapter on printers, for
example, he discusses the merits and relative costs of dot-matrix,
laser, and ink-jet types (although the dot-matrix may soon follow the
daisywheel printer into oblivion). White writes clearly on these
technical topics, and provides tables and diagrams supporting his
explanations. He also maintains a conversational style throughout the
book, and doesn’t appear to take himself or computers too seriously.
The in-depth index includes acronyms and product names.