How to Avoid Buying a New Computer

Charles R. Crawford, a former associate professor of computer science at
York University, is a computer-programming and mathematics consultant.

This guide offers timely information about how to get a better computer
by installing new components rather than buying a whole new system. Two
or three years ago updating systems required such serious changes that
it was cheaper to buy a new one. Now, however, systems that were new
then can easily accommodate such upgrades as a larger hard drive, a new
operating system, or a network connection.

The book begins with general information about basic components and
simple maintenance (such as replacing the CMOS battery), then discusses
installing circuit boards, drives, CD-ROMs, and tapes, as well as
replacing memory chips, CPUs, and motherboards. The final chapter looks
at the promise of the future and some disappointments of the present.

The information is well presented and accurate. For example, inserting
and extracting a circuit board is described in full detail. (The detail
is important since most computers are not mechanically well designed;
they work well once all the parts are together, but fitting them
together can be very difficult.) Other topics are explained thoroughly
and clearly making this a very useful guide for those upgrading their
computers.