Reviews (4)

Restoring Dignity and Nobility to the term "Hacker"
O'Reilly Publishing has been on an almost solo crusade it seems to elevate the word "hacker" to its former dignity and nobility.

The media has co-opted the term and used it for any variety of malicious computer programmer or Internet malcontent. I myself am guilty of "mis-using" the term and have even written that the hacker purists should just get used to it (see What Is In A Name?.

But, the roots of hacking are more benign. Hacking is about being clever, not malicious. Pure hackers set out to be ingenious, not notorious. The O'Reilly Hacks series of books is devoted to this interpretation of hacking and now true hackers who just want to know how things work under the hood and tinker with them to create new inventions of their own have a magazine to help them.

The beginning contains a lot of newsy sort of tid bits that describe various hacking projects or hacker tales, but don't include the complete details. For example, there are a few photos and a brief rundown of the home monorail system Kim Pederson built in his backyard. Five years, $4,000 (USD), and 300 feet of track later his monorail glides around his backyard with ease.

The middle section provides a handful of full-fledged projects, complete with an inventory of the materials and tools necessary, full details for how to construct it and illustrations to guide you.

If you are interested in hacking and learning how to convert and modify gadgets and gizmos to do your bidding, check out this magazine. If you have done some of your own hacking projects already, contact the editor to see about publishing it in an upcoming edition of Make.

Tony Bradley is a consultant and writer with a focus on network security, antivirus and incident response. He is the About.com Guide for Internet / Network Security (http://netsecurity.about.com), providing a broad range of information security tips, advice, reviews and information. Tony also contributes frequently to other industry publications. For a complete list of his freelance contributions you can visit Essential Computer Security (http://www.tonybradley.com).

a geeky blend of all my favorite mags
I just received the premiere issue of Make Magazine from O'Reilly yesterday. Let me just say this mag is a geek's dream come true. It's not a magazine about coding. Heck, I'm not sure if calling it a magazine is even accurate. It's more of a journal or zine (but with higher production values). A geek quarterly, if you will.

For example... the premiere issue features an article on aerial photography. Not geeky enough for you? Ok, how about aerial photography accomplished by rigging up a camera to a kite? Still not geeky enough? Throw in a homemade mechanism for triggering the shutter from the ground. The best part is, this isn't just an article full of theory. These guys DO this stuff. The article is full of pictures, plans and step by step instructions on how to make it happen.

That's not all... other How-To articles include: making a 5-in-1 network cable, making a magnetic stripe reader, XM Radio hacks, tips and tricks for your IPOD, gmail hacks, IPAQ hacks and a lot more. This puppy is just under 200 pages of D-I-Y technology.

Still not geeky enough? How about an article on how to make your own railgun, using magnets, a ruler and some steel bearings? There's also an article about hacking robotic dogs to sniff out toxic waste. This is geek goodness in all it's glory.

If you like reading 2600 (the hacker quarterly), Maximum PC and Scientific American, roll them all into one and you have Make (but without the attitude of Maximum PC and the leetspeak of 2600). I'm gonna subscribe!

A geeky winner!
Make: Technology on Your Own Time is not a book... exactly. It's a mook, which is a hybrid of a magazine and a book. It's a magazine, but not a typical one. In my initial perusal, I think I wasn't high on it because I'm not into home projects because I don't have time.

I read it closely. Shortly, I became engaged and enjoyed reading the articles. Though I don't plan to make anything (like I'm going to put a monorail in my backyard-yes, this is a real project), the stories and the writing drew me in.

I like geeky things, but I'm not a geek in terms of building computers from scratch and hacking gadgets. These are the kinds of projects covered in the mook. The premiere issue includes the following projects: magnetic stripe card reader, camera on a kite, $14 video camera stabilizer or buy one, and a 5-in-1 network cable.

The quarterly mook has a Web site with things not covered in the print edition as well as a blog. Its design is clever with color codes on the cover and side for the major projects. The initial issue has 192 pages of quality paper and color printing to justify $8.74 an issue.

The mook has a homemade yet professional feel and has "home improvement" style fonts to add to its DIY (do-it-yourself) theme. The photos give the impression they're taken by average people and not photographers. They're good quality and complement the articles.

People who don't have time to build and like technology will find it an engrossing read thanks to the personable writing and instructions that don't make eyes glaze. Few new magazines make it past the first year or so. Make should thrive for years to come.

Fantastic guide to cool projects
I've been waiting for this magazine all my life. Finally, it's here. There are enough ideas in here to keep me busy for the next several months, and even if I don't plan on building everything in it, it's a lot of fun just reading about how other people are making stuff.

It's more like a paperback book than a magazine, and there are very few ads in it, which means there's lot of room for plenty of do it yourself projects. ... Read more

From Amazon.com

Designed for the rabid PC hobbyist, Maximum PC brings tons of news and reviews written in an irreverent, edgy style. Full disclosure is the modus operandi here, and there's an almost overwhelming amount of tech specs and features for each product that's discussed, tweaked, stretched, shaken, and stirred. Whether you want to upgrade your CPU or compare the newest motherboards and graphics cards, Maximum PC is a great resource for all your PC computing needs.--Michael Lewis ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Best Mag for PC Enthusiasts
I've been reading this magazine for about 2 years (front-to-back) and it is absolutely the best pc magazine out there. The reviews are so well done that I often refer to old issues; something I can't say about competing magazines.

The articles are useful and succinct, usually covering issues well ahead of other publications. It is well organized and allows you to glance through it with their summarizing "Verdict" boxes on each review. The editors are very good about keeping with their readers, effectively relating to them.

A flagship occurance, as many other readers will tell you, that sets this magazine apart is that you might find a review telling you how horrible the product is on one page and on the next see an advertisement for that same product. I build many computers and I rarely disagree with their reviews. Another useful item is the benchmark, which lets you compare system and laptop performance to others they have reviewed as well as to your own.

For hardcore users, the magazine provides dependable, in-depth reviews. For beginners, it might be very intimidating, but after a couple issues, you should catch on to the style and humor enough to know more than the average person.

A con not mentioned in other reviews is that their web-site isn't all that spectacular. However, they finally hired someone to work on it, so it should improve.

A magazine for the true PC enthusiast
This is without a doubt my favorite computer-related magazine. While many of the well-known players in this field (especially the ones with "PC" in their name) have dedicated increasing portions of their magazines to business-related topics, Maximum PC has stayed true to the cause of helping the individual home enthusiast or expert get the most from his machine. If you want to read about B2B apps, corporate firewalls, or XML, look elsewhere, but if you want comprehensive reviews of the latest hardware and software written for people who don't need a tutorial to rename a file on their PC or insert a chart into an Excel file, look no further.

If you're the sort of person who builds his own machine or is thinking of doing so, Maximum PC will likely prove itself useful to you. Likewise for those planning to do their own hardware upgrades. And if you're like me and just like to stay aware of and knowledgeable about current products and technologies then this is still an excellent and informative read.

To be fair, there are a few features that may be displeasing to some readers. The writing is occasionally glib with a tendency towards sophomoric humor. There's also a fair amount of focus on gaming, particularly 3D gaming technology. And the overriding theme of much of the magazine is maximizing the speed, power, and coolness of your machine. To me these aren't negative qualities, but this may not be of interest to some users.

All in all this is still my favorite magazine and the one I most look forward to receiving each month. I have no plans to end my subscription.

Excellent magazine
I like to read Maximum PC to keep up with the latest in the market. There are few magazines that are still true to this. I can always find the latest info and tech in this magazine.

Also, if you're a tech or business nerd the perfect book is now out for you. It's called the System by Roy Valentine and it was clearly written for nerds by an ingenious nerd. The book is clearly a step by step business process on how to get girls - and most surprisingly It Works! (I've just completed the R&D after getting my copy on amazon.com). Get a copy and you won't regret it.

More than just a PC magazine...its a PC Guide
I won't repeat what others already said. Instead let me add that this is the only magazine that I don't throw out. Each issue has a "How to..." guide. It can be anything from "Windows XP Secret Tools" to "How to overclock your PC." As I get each issue, I save it and build my own library of guides. If I ever need to know how to do something, I just go back to my Maximum PC library and select the issue that covers that topic.

Also each issue has a section where the PC techies take a new product and test it under hazardous conditions to see whether it survives or not. 3 issues ago, techies took 4 USB "keychain" drives and tested them in 4 ways: Dropped them from a 5-story building, put each one in a block of ice, in a clothes drier and put each one under the tires of a semi-truck. At the end, they let you know which usb drive survived and which didn't.

This magazine covers much, much more. However, I do not want to repeat other reviewers. Great magazine!

A PURE SHOPPING CATALOG FOR GAMERS
I'm disappointed with this magazine. As the title of this review suggests, this magazine is geared more towards gaming and gamers. In addition, the general pc articles were not very informative. ... Read more

From Amazon.com

Business 2.0 offers today's "visionaries" a refreshing blend of traditional and contemporary business strategies. Lighthearted perspectives give way to hard-hitting articles on industry trends, while historic references pay homage to some of the world's all-time-great business leaders. Regular features include "Startup" ("People, trends, wild conjecture"), "What Works" ("Tactics, tools, true-life adventures") and "Self Serve" ("Navigate your life, enhance your view"). Throw in some flashy graphics and unusual fonts, and a slant towards the Internet economy, and Business 2.0 is well-positioned for the next century of business.--Elizabeth Malker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Still Finding Itself
I got 'Business 2.0' when 'Red Herring' ceased publication (unfortunately.) I have a love/hate relationship with 'Business 2.0' and go back and forth with alternating issues on just how I feel about it.

In the pro column, it has excellent reporting on new and evolving tech companies which are breaking the mold and leading the world into the future. For that alone it is worth keeping. It keeps me up with what's happening in the business world (especially the tech world) better than any other magazine I read. I would buy it for this reason (and no other) alone.

In the con column, it seems to be frequently unfocused and runs articles you would expect to find elsewhere. This is especially true when it tries to be all things to all people and reviews things like cars and gadgetry. (Note to the editors: there are many other magazines that cover those things, and do so better and more authoritatively than 'Business 2.0', so stay focused.) Honestly, this distraction factor was almost enough for me not to renew my subscription simply out of annoyance. In the end I did renew, but like I mentioned previously, only for the coverage of tech companies.

'Business 2.0' has the kernel of a great magazine inside; it just needs to stay on target better to get there. Three stars.

Please.....
This magazine needs to be put out of its own misery.

New Economy rag with great potential.
The reviews for this magazine run the spectrum from "must read" to "waiting for my subscription to expire." Frankly, I would think most magazines would carry that type of baggage. I've been subscribing to BUSINESS 2.0 for more than two years and continue to enjoy it (it's not my favorite but I'm not cancelling either). Consequently, I would gauge my perspective as somewhat grounded toward the upper end of the enjoyment scale albeit not solidly.

Business 2.0 could be called a "New Economy" magazine, trumpeting the experiences of today's entrepreneur and proven giants and providing insight into "NE" business ideas and concepts. While I wouldn't call this a tech-based magazine, it certainly is slanted toward tech. For instance, the February '03 issue displayed Michael Dell as the coverboy and dove into the "Dell" business strategy questioning whether it was a model substantial and flexible enough to morph into other ventures. So, we have a tech-based company along with a discussion of business strategies and models. A mix of tech reporting and business concepts to be sure. This is the flavor of most of the articles contained in each issue.

Most articles are well written and provide a reasonable level of insight into a particular story or concept. One of my favorite staff writers is Andy Raskin (Raskin is famous in his own right. A tech entrepreneur cum journalist. Raskin writes for this rag, Inc. magazine, Wired magazine and a host of others including The Coffee Journal!!). In the same February '03 issue, he tackles the obscure subject of "Category Management," defined by Raskin as "a bizarre and controversial [concept] in which the nation's biggest retailers ask one supplier in a category to figure out how best to stock their shelves." This was a fascinating article; one obviously not slanted toward tech but certainly fitting the mold of New Economy business concepts. And, if you're not into the magazine, the BUSINESS 2.0 website is smashing. It contains additional treats over and above that found in the magazine.

My general gripes about BUSINESS 2.0 are composed of the "enigma" articles, those with seemingly no point but massive levels of "tech" filler. It would seem each issue has this type of article although they don't seem to be prevalent when looking at a particular issue as a whole. All-in-all, a very solid read with a dramatic level of future potential. This potential lies in the editors acumen in attracting and retaining the writers the magazine currently enjoys. If their track record continues, I suspect we'll see this become a top-flight rag within the next few years.

A must-read monthly
Monthly business magazines are hard sells. But I consider Business 2.0 a must read. It has really made the transition from "new economy" rag to general interest biz mag--and done it with style. I've been reading B2 from the start and I find I get more out of it with every issue. It's clear, smart and really puts me in touch with what works (which, come to think of it, is the name of a section in the magazine.) Where else will you read about Cocaine Inc., the Yoga business and the value of an MBA?

still in beta...
Hey folks, this is a decent magazine and if you have spare time on your hands it's worth reading if you like the new economy business perspective. However, I can't highly rate the magazine but it's not consistent in its quality. They now review cars??? Why? And gadgets? Why? Let Wired do that. Honestly, there's one or two REALLY good one-page aritcles I find in it montly, but outside of that, it's really not anything new. I'm happier with Fast Company. ... Read more

Abstract

The definite, solutions-oriented reference mag for businesss and professional people who use and manage the use of IBM-standard personal computers.
... Read more

Reviews (23)

Informative
Although there are very few magazines that I can sit down and read cover to cover, PC World has always been one of the magazines that completely captures my interest. I think that the magazine's diverse subject matter is it's most powerful asset because every month, without fail, there is always an article that is useful to me in some way or another. Many other computing magazines provide news and product reviews, but PC World is always concerned with improving the day-to-day computing experience of all of its readers. PC World's editorials are often the most helpful pieces. Editorial Director Kevin McKean begins each month's issue with a column called "Up Front," which always covers new things in the magazine or recent computing trends. Another editorial called "Consumer Watch" usually touches on the importance of privacy by tracking down recent cases of fraud and gives the reader advice on ways to "stay safe" while using his or her computer. The "Web Savvy" column highlights new and exciting developments on the Internet, and Steve Bass' "Home Office" editorial always contains helpful information intended to increase productivity while decreasing the reader's stress and confusion (for example, a recent column talked about how to combat junk e-mail). The "Bugs and Fixes" column covers the latest updates and patches to some of the better-known software in the industry. My favorite editorial, however, is Stephen Manes' "Full Disclosure," which never fails to contain insightful remarks about pressing issues in the industry. In addition to these editorials, PC World also has sections for letters, news and trends, cover stories, new products, "how to," and the "top 100," which is a ranking of the best hardware currently on the market that has positively influenced my purchasing decisions in the past. I feel that the magazine is very well rounded and it certainly appeals to a diverse readership; anyone that uses a computer is sure to find this magazine useful. Therefore, I encourage all computer users to subscribe to PC World -- it's informative, interesting, and sure can save you a lot of time and money by making you knowledgeable about one of the most useful tools in the home and in the workplace.

Go with the best, this is it!
I love this magazine, I personally think it is the most informative and entertaining PC magazine out there right now. It covers many different aspects of computing from the more advanced stuff like parts for building your own machine to the normal stuff like reviews of the latest computers by the leading brands.

The articles are very helpful and one of the nicest features about this magazine is it is web-ready. For example, if you have just read the article about the new IPaq pocket pc (Page 27 Jan. 2003 edition) there is a link at the bottom of the article for a URL on PC World's website (find.pcworld.com/32144) which will take you directly to the page about the item.

PC World includes the latest in tech trends and also has some great articles about software and I love to read Stephen Manes article, titled "Full Disclosure," at the end of each edition.

I am so happy with my subscription that the only reason I wrote this review here today was because I was on teh PC World product page re-subscribing. If you subscribe to this magazine today for Amazon.com's very low price you will deffinetely not regret it!

Take a look -- a nice resource
PC World is targeted towards the day-to-day Windows user, most likely someone using multiple machines or someone encountering different systems. This is not the best choice to help educate a first-time computer user.

However, PC World is a great resource. I've found numerous tips that have saved me time and money, and I find that they offer a nice blend of covering cool gadgets vs. noting the freeware or shareware that you may not hear of elsewhere.

I'm a long-time buyer, and now a new subscriber to the magazine--and will be for years to come.

Not the best
I found this magazine to be helpful for an introduction to advanced computing. That's about it. This mag seems to be biased towards certain products & manufacturers. They neglected to open my eyes wider. The reviews/articles that are published seem to favor big money companies (microsoft, dell, etc). They don't give credit to smaller, better, less-well-known companies and technologies. All the info is pretty basic for intro users, but if that's what you are interested in... then this is a great non-comlicated publication.

A Good Starter Magazine for Windows Users Only
I recommend this magazine for beginner-novice IT professionals and pc shoppers. Includes help sections with references to previous articles in more detail available on their website for subscribers, product ratings with explanations, and a how to/troubleshooter section.

My major complaint is that this magazine doesn't cover any other operating systems except Windows. However, I do plan to renew my subscription. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Some helpful bits amid the sass
The ranks of Macintosh magazines have always been thin. After the demise of MacUser (the best magazine) and MacWeek (the best trade), MacAddict came out of nowhere to fill some of that void.

As an alternative to MacWorld, the venerable option for Mac users, MacAddict brings some life to the party. Offering the content of MacWorld, but written like Maxim, the enthusiasm for the platform definitely comes through.

MacAddict is not unique in content. You get product reviews, how-to's, tips, interviews, and such. (Depending on your subscription, it may also include a helpful CD loaded with freeware, shareware, video clips, and other goodies - it's the CD that gives the mag its raison d'etre.) All things considered, it's your typical computer magazine. What sets it apart is its insider, wink-wink, Gen X attitude.

And that's where the strength and weakness of the magazine lies. How much you'll enjoy MacAddict depends how much you like the attitude.

Personally, I find it a bit grating and in-your-face simply for in-your-face's sake. MacWorld may be a better choice in this regard. MacAddict tends to be a bit thin page-wise, too. It's about half the length of comparable computer magazines. Part of that lies in the fact that the Mac universe isn't as loaded with as much debris as the PC's, but still, MacWorld has more content. And that content does have some bigger names writing it, too.

One area in which MacAddict does beat MacWorld is that it seems to be on a tighter publishing schedule - getting reviews of new products ahead of its stodgier cousin. But when you consider what is available in this regard on the Internet, this advantage doesn't seem so helpful.

If you are a Mac fanatic - and can afford it - get MacAddict with MacWorld. But if you are a normal user, I'd tip the scales toward MacWorld.

Best Mac Magazine Bar None
If you're looking for a macintosh magazine and can't afford subscribing to Macworld, MacDesign, and MacAddict, get MacAddict. Not only has it been redesigned from the ground up, but they got rid of their insipidly stupid mascot Max in the review section. No longer are we faced with the blech, freakin' awesome, etc... of this tiresome cartoon character.

But more than that are its features, reviews (that everyone can understand), games sections, get info, and more. It's irreverant, fun, sometimes a little too juvenile, but you get the impression that the people who run this magazine LOVE using macs. I never got that impression from the other mac magazines (except maybe MacDesign) or from any PC magazine on the market. With that said, it also comes with a monthly CD (which I believe is about $1 extra) just brimming with demos, freeware, shareware, movie clips, and more. It's a great magazine and you won't be disappointed. You'll look forward to each and every issue and read it from cover to cover (too bad it's not twice a month!).

Cringeworthy
Where Macworld is bad, Addict is dreadful. It is dumbed down to the level of Teen Beat, and the "reviews" don't deserve the name. The extent to which it drools over Apple is embarassing, leaving no pretence of independence. Like its competitor, it exploits the crummy support that typifies the computer industry, so we get articles about the "secrets" of such and such product. A "secret" in the computer industry is a feature or defect that has not been properly documented by the manufacturer. This should be blasted, not applauded. But Addict is happy to exploit readers by selling them the information they should have gotten when they purchased the product. In Mac publishing, the best writers have deserted the magazines for the Internet.

what happened?
i got a subsription after not reading the mag for several years. its turned from fun and creative to mediocre and lifeless. It feels like this is being published out of someones basement. The articles are all a month behind Macworld and usually are based around the mags highest selling point, the demo cd. Then just for fun, theres articles on how to make your mouse blink or how to turn your mac on with the garage door opener.
The last 3 issues have been exactly the same, covering iLife and only get slightly more desriptive from the previous issue.
I used to love this magazine. Now its kinda just fallen into a steady groove.

the best Mac magazine
It's the most popular magazine at Apple and its reviews are less biased than Macworld's. Macworld has sadly deteriorated into an advertising rag. ... Read more

Abstract

Provides the latest news, reviews & tips on new games.
... Read more

Reviews (51)

Flawed, but still the best
Compared to the other gamming magazines I've read, (GamePro, OPM, PSM etcetera) EGM is the best, and it's especially better than those stupid "adult game mags" that try to look like Maxim magazine and FHM. When it comes to coverage of the videogame industry and magazine appearance EGM excels, however I think that they are a little inconsistent when it comes to the amount of time they put into the reviews of some games. What I mean is, it seems to me that really hyped games like say Grand Theft Auto get way more coverage and playing time put into them, where as other less talked about games get about three inches of review space-and some times a bad review. This problem isn't as bad in EGM as it is in other gamming mags (cough-GamePro-cough) but it is still at a level where it becomes unfair to those games that come from companies with less money than Rock Star or Square. Overall though, I think that the review system as well as the rest of the magazine is still top notch. I would also like to give props to EGM for their sense of humor, no other gamming mag is as funny as EGM, four stars!

Best gaming magazine out there!
EGM is a wonderful magazine. They have great news stories, informative special features every month, a nice format for previews, cheat codes, and the reader feedback section, and HUGE contests (most recently, the massive console giveaway for their holiday contest). They also have the best review system of all the gaming magazines (well, maybe except for PC Gamer). Instead of just one biased five-star score or a bunch of ridiculous faces (coughGAMEPROcough), three different reviewers rate the game from 1-10 (in .5 increments). This gives you a well-rounded opinion on the game. And best of all, unlike the recently canned Next Generation (good riddance), EGM is (for the most part) unbiased. They don't automatically rave about Metal Gear Solid 2 as being the best game ever long before it's released, nor do they completely ignore Nintendo (NextGen refused to even review Pokemon games or most N64 games, and they had zero Game Boy coverage). Though they've made some hair-brained decisions, (like saying Xbox was better than Gamecube, which, as most serious gamers know by now, is not true), remember that nobody's perfect, and that their overall quality makes up for occasionally questionable decisions. If you own more than 1 current gaming console (and even if you only have 1), this is the magazine for you.

About as credible as a Saddam loyalist
EGM has about the average amount of content as any mag or site for videogames but it mixes it with it's sense of humor (that really depends on if you like geek humor) but worst of all it's biased biased opinions. EGM will trash great games or not give them enough credit, especially Gamecube (if you own a gamecube do not even look upon this magazine). It praises games like Madden and Need For Speed (I don't know why) and gives some reviews that seem completely bogus. They are a propaganda machine that will always take PS2 above others and care very little about what the reader is looking for. They are unsympathetic to the different types of gamers that don't care for sports games and like a good RPG. If EGM are the Nazis ( and trust me they are) Nintendo is the Jew and Sony is the aryan race. The only way to say it is they are not credible and are blind to what other people want (since a critic is to help a reader choose and not to force their views upon them) the people calling it the best are either reading an older copy or agree with them because that is how they feel too and not because they are right.

About as credible as a Saddam loyalist
I have heard that EGM used to be a good magazine, but I don't think it is. I got a free subsciption to this magazine and found it is inconsistient and is completely biased. What they hold against one game will magically become irrelivant for another. A 9 rated game can easily be worse than a 7 rated game because the reviewers are so opinonated and have no intrest in fairness or benefitting the readers. They will make pointless comparisons and take off big points for trivial things. They reviewed Tales of Symphonia, a 80 hour game, 2 weeks before it came out. They have definite vendettas and lack credibility. They are a magazine for the gamers that will buy every football game and racing game on the market and pass up great RPGs like Tales of Symphonia. Their reviews have zero credibility so I would not recommend making a buying decision based on what those gaming Nazis have to say. Previews have good information and they are good about not spoiling games (but you can't spoil a game with no story like Madden which they love and they don't spend enough time with good games to even know enough to spoil). If you can deal with their no facts opinions or agree with their silly viewpoints this is a mag for you. EGM has good information but presents it like Nazi propaganda. I can't stomach it.

On second thought...
They're not as bad as I said they were. Really, the only problems I have is the ink (which I said last time) and that's about it. The new format has grown on me, and I dont really have much problem with the reviews section. I actually like the 3 reviewers now taking full hold. The staff page in the front is always funny, and the letters are too. They have one of the best in terms of an EIC and even though his column seems to be shorter than it used to be in the old format, it's still great. Yes I cant complain, about what some have said about there being too much red ink, but say what u want, white text on red, makes it very easy to read and red on white is easy to read too, along with white on black and vice versa. I love the comic they have in the back of the mag, called Hsu and Chan, and Hsu probably has something to do with the EIc, cause his last name is Hsu. They have pretty good articles in Press Start sometimes. And I can truly say that this one of the game magazines that I really like when it gets here each month. I've never read Seanbaby's reviews. Only his column. Same with their tips and tricks editor. And their rumor mill guy, Quartermann, is cool too. Both the page of rumors and his columns. Well, as always, all I can say is to go buy a copy, but you will probably want to subscribe, cause then you wont have to deal with the bags on the issues and all the other junk inside the bag. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

This is THE PC Gamer magazine
If you're into PC gaming, not consoles, this is the magazine for you. It has reviews, previews and walk throughs of the latest PC games as well as hardware reviews and recommendations. You don't have to wade through endless pages about PS2 or X-Box games to find what you really want (like with other gaming magazines). This is PC gaming goodness at it's best.

Not As Great As They Think They Are
PC Gamer has been my magazine of choice when it comes to reliable game reviews. For the most part, they're been on the money. Their writing is concise and full of humor.

What drives me nuts is their arrogance. They definitely believe they're the best games magazine out there. There's nothing wrong with confidence, but it's the overconfidence and at many times, the tendency to dumb down the writing that is truly annoying...as are the constant Vederman jokes (He's the guy who writes their hardware column. His name and variations thereof are a tired, ongoing punchline). I'd also be happy with less pictures and more writing on the games. Screenshots do not mean as much to me as a comprehensive review does.

Computer Games Magazine is a better choice if you're looking for more in-depth, intelligent writing about games. Maybe at 31, I'm just getting old, but it takes more to impress me than what PC Gamer offers.

it WAS good......
i used to love this magazine, but people are right. the magazine is half the size it was, and the 10 year anniversary issue was the smallest issue yet. it's also behind the times - an E3 wrap-up in the AUGUST issue? E3 WAS IN MAY! the demo disk is useless - one demo per disk - they need to switch to dvd's or why pay extra when i can download demos? i'm done when my subscription runs out.

The Best PC gaming magazine out there
I have been a subscriber to PC Gamer for several, I think six years, and I can honestly say this is the best PC gaming magazine I have ever read, and I have tried all that I have come accross. They have several features (special stories) every month, whereas the majority of magazines barely have anything other than the previews/reviews/strategies/occasional special story. I read through every issue almost cover-to-cover devouring it's witty writing and great personality. I have agreeded on their review for every game I have played, as well.

This review is based on the subscription with CD, but the magazine is no different.

May be the best PC games magazine, but...
that isn't necessarily saying much. I've been a subscriber for several years, but lately have been disappointed. The magazine is getting noticeably thinner - the content watered down. The writing is becoming hackneyed - they overuse terms like "gaming goodness" or call a game "pants" without offering more substantive commentary. The Scoops feature gives you an early look at games in beta testing - which can be interesting. Their cover story is usually weak, but hey they need to put something on the cover. The reviews are inconsistent. Too often the reviews and the scores are incongruous, and they don't tell you a thing about how they determine a score - is 88 really different from 92? A 100 point scoring system is silly. The hardware features are good, except their hardware guy Vederman has a pointless column, that would be okay if it was funny, but it never is. The other columns are also inconsistent: those on mods, simulations, war games are fine, but they need to get rid of 2 columnists Whitta and Desslock - these are recent (re)additions to their staff and they are both - how should I say it - pants. With worthwhile content down, and ads up, I'm considering not renewing. I wish there was an alternative. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Practical examples and ready for action.
This is more of a trade magazine than it is for casual chitchat. The assumption is that you already have the job and this book subscription is to brush up on the latest and fill in the gaps. Even the advertisements are for products of interest. You can get back issues on CD's and many of the scripts are available also. I save a backlog of the hard copies for when the subject comes up. If you really get interested in a subject most of the authors leave their address. ... Read more

Abstract

Connection point for technology buyers making brand decisions for their companies. Aims to analyze, eveluate & review all technology solutions that build a modern business.
... Read more

Reviews (14)

When I grow up, I want to be John C. Dvorak
Actually, growing up might hinder the process... oh, never mind, on with the review.

Since the birth of the original IBM personal computer, PC Magazine has been the premiere publication for computer enthusiasts from all walks of life. The magazine has kept pace with technology, so readers with interests in consumer electronics, networking, and web programming will find valuable information alongside the traditional product reviews. Unlike some similar periodicals, PC Magazine artfully manages to provide technical detail for IT professionals and "bottom line" advice for consumers without diminishing its user-friendliness and readability. It also strikes a proper balance between fact and opinion, and between content and advertising.

Because PC Magazine is published bi-weekly, it provides more up-to-the-minute coverage of the ever-changing world of technology than any of its monthly competitors, and the predictions of its well-informed staff often turn out to be correct (yes, I keep some of my back issues). Additionally, each issue contains detailed product reviews, excellent feature stories on new technologies, and a joke page that's actually funny.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to read PC Magazine is due to the quality of its columnists. Every issue begins with a variety of insightful and thought-provoking editorials, from the visionary ramblings of John Dvorak (my hero) to the infuriating nonsense espoused by "Extreme Tech" Bill Machrone (whom I would personally like to strangle with a Cat 5 patch cord). In short, PC Magazine provides actual journalism in a genre filled with overglorified catalogs, and I can not praise it highly enough.

Good industry coverage, not too in depth
PC Magazine makes a good easy read. I really enjoy the John C. Dvorak column and industry gossip piece. In fact, all the columnists have interesting things to say, and they are not foolish like Jerry Pournelle (check out Byte for his computer enthusiast column).

The feature articles tend to be pretty good. They had one on security that had a picture of an "evil" web server (complete with horns). It had good information for business people, but the tech content was a bit weak. Anyway, they have pretty good buzzword coverage and do a good job explaining things for people who would just call themselves computer literate, but that is about as deep as it goes.

The issues tend to run about 190 pages and are printed on glossy but thin paper. There are a few of those annoying insert cards, but not too bad. Plenty of ads! If you want to be up on the latest in the computer industry check this out. If you are a programmer or want deep technical info, look elsewhere.

Good, but...
PC Magazine has a lot of good reviews, offers many helpful tips, and covers breaking technology. It's targeted a little more towards the "what will be" area of computing as opposed to PC World, which is very product-centered.

I enjoy this magazine, and am a new subcriber, but if forced to choose only one, I'd take PC World over this mag.

Lots of stuff, but lots of junk as well
I'm old enough to remember the first issues of PC Magazine. Those were the days when PC was still a novelty and I religiously read every word printed in PC Mag in order to "hack" my PCs (which cost over $2000 with *no* hard drive!). Over the years it became a thick magazine packed with reviews and tips on how to get the last bit of performance out of DOS.

Then a few years ago the founding editor retired and PC Mag's parent company was taken over by a Korean company called Softbank. The magazine (and its sister publications including PC Week) became rather stale and conservative. Every issue became totally predictable, and the number of reviews dropped, probably a victim of its cost-conscious Korean bosses. To this day, PC Mag is an overall solid magazine that you can't get excited about. The editorials all sound the same (conservatively futuristic with no clear viewpoints), the reviews shallow and unreliable, and the Internet sections neither serious nor fun-to-read. The back pages, devoted to "after hours," are close to being useless.

PC Mag does have a decent website; just don't try to use its useless search function. This is a magazine you can read in the library, not something worth paying for. For something that can probably arouse your passion in PC computing, try "Maximum PC" magazine.

Every few issues has something interesting...
I signed up last year for a free subscription I found on the web. Not bad for free, but I did not renew the subscription (I would have to pay this time). The magazine was ok, but really only had interesting items every few issues. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Only Photography Magazine I've Ever Loved!
I must admit that although I love photography, and have been taking pictures for decades, I've never actually liked reading photo magazines...until I got into digital cameras, and read back issues of this magazine. I love this magazine! It's answered so many of my digital photography questions, and has loads of product info on cameras, printers, scanners, etc. It also keeps you updated on all the new prodcuts coming out.

The reviews of products are not for those who want hard hitting criticism, however. They seem to believe it's best not to come right out and say something is not the best about a product, and this very well may be ad money talking. But I personally don't believe this is such a bad thing--most products have those who love it and those who hate it. I just hope PC Photo refuses to review a product that has MAJOR problems.

I've been into digital photography for 6 months, so I guess I'm still a beginner. But for some reason I doubt I'll outgrow this magazine. I've read more advanced digital photography mags, and they don't interest me. This one suits me best, and probably always will. It keeps me up to date, and is not too complex. I'd rather be taking pictures than reading about how to do so.

One word of warning about subscriptions--I got a 4 year subscription of this mag for a very low price at eBay. After the max. time of delivery--16 weeks--I still had yet to receive an issue. I have never received an issue from that seller--tonycia1. You can't leave feedback after 16 weeks, and both eBay and PayPal refuse to do anything about the situation after 16 weeks. That's one reason I left eBay. So, be careful of getting magazine subscriptions off of eBay.

Decent for rank beginners and reading ads, not much else
This is a great magazine for two groups of people, absolute beginners and people that like to read advertisements from photo shops.

It's not that it's really a bad magazine. The one or two actual articles in each issue are usually pretty good. They are usually written in a style aimed squarely at absolute beginners in most cases. The two or three monthly columns are usually somewhat interesting as well.

However, the "reviews" of cameras and other photo equipment in each issue can hardly be classified as reviews. They are basically expanded versions of the press release given by the company. I can't recall one "review" they have printed that ever said anything remotely negative about a camera in the magazine, which is rather suspicious.

And, as with most other Photo magazines, about 1/2 of each issue is devoted to advertisements from Photo equipment retailers, more than a few of which are of dubious reputation.

That being said, I do enjoy the magazine at times. It's good for about a 15-20 minute read each month at most. The only reason I did not give the magazine a lower score is due to the fact that I receive the magazine at a greatly reduced price. If I had to pay the actual subscription price listed here, I would probably award it 2 stars if not 1.

Tutorials are Great
I love digital photography. I'm always looking for new ways to edit and share my photos. This magazine provides great tutorials and information on dealing with digital photography. After reading an article I find myself saying : "I didn't know I could do that with my camera!". This magazine is a must for anyone interested in digital photography.

Best PC Photo magazines
This is one of the best magazine for learning how to take great pictures with your digatal camara.

Beginning Digital Photography
This magazine is great for beginning to intermediate digital camera users. I think that it is especially great for beginners. There are articles about how to choose the right camera for your purpose and about what all the specifications mean. There are question and answer sections that answer a broad range of questions including how to avoid common computer errors and how to format different digital devices. I like the photo editing tips, which explain some of the more elusive aspects of most digital photo editing programs and how to use them. The photo-editing program described most often is adobe photoshop and photoshop elements; however, quick advice is also give about how to apply these tips to other programs. For more advanced film camera users, there are tips for how to make the same quality image with a digital camera and stories of professional photographers who have switched to digital. However, most professional photographers will use macs to edit their photos rather than PCs and more advanced photo editing software. Mostly this magazine caters to amateur photographers and the lower end photo-editing programs that are most often used. There are also reviews of new gadgets, which are often fun to read, and plenty of market place like advertising in the back. This magazine is what it advertises and nothing more. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The only authority for Real Software Engineers
I must say I am a long time subscriber and reader of this magazine as I was the C++ Report and still subscibe to Embedded Systems Journal and Engineering Times. Real engineers who solve real problems who want real solutions will not waste their time with Microsoft based tripe, such as Dr. Dobbs or MSDN. This is a magazine for those of us who still use the analytical side Computer Science. Even so, it appears that this magazine has recently dabbled into the realm of Java and C# and probably will continue to do so to attract a more well rounded set of subscribers.

A must for professional C/C++ developers
For better or worse, the C/C++ User's Journal is really the only pure C/C++ magazine around. In terms of depth of treatment of the language, broader magazines such as Dr. Dobbs Journal don't come close.

If you are using C/C++ on a regular basis, this magazine needs to be on your bookshelf. In very few other places will you find coverage of current developments in the language, such as template metaprogramming.

The only downside is that the issues are fairly thin. Every month I'm left wanting more...

Best C++ Magazine left
This magazine is essential for professional C++/C programmers. It's not C++ Report (which has died) but it does tend to focus on the problems of real programmers. C++ shouldn't be the only tool in your arsenal but it's not the same language you learned when you were in College, unless you just got out. Meta programming in C++ has changed everything about this language. Read it and keep your job.

A Very Good Resource for C++ Programmers
I have been a subscriber to this journal since the later 1980s when it was called "The C Journal". I've tried other software development journals, but have stuck with this one over the years because I have been primarily a C/C++ programmer and I have often found some very valuable and practical help in this journal for doing my job and for solving problems in a better way. There have been several times when C/C++ Users Journal (CUJ) articles presented a very valuable solution to a problem that had direct application to my work. Software in the articles is provided for download at the CUJ web site. While this software is often not of production quality, its always enough to give you a good start in implementing your own solution. It's true that some of the articles contain material that is distilled from books by the authors, but the most valuable examples and code I have found in CUJ were not published in books. There are many good C++ books available and CUJ is no substitute for them. But it is a very good compliment to these books. It is a good way to read some sample material from those authors before investing in their books. My shelf is lined with good C++ books but I still find something useful in nearly every issue of the C/C++ User's Journal.

Yes, it's good to learn and use languages other than C++, but (practically speaking) many of us can't be dabblers in many different programming languages). Taken together, C and C++ are probably the most widely used and generally useful computer languages (in spite the claims made for that other wildly popular, industry hyped, proprietary language from Sun Microsystems). If C++ is your mainstay and you care about good software design and implementation, you will find this journal very useful and worth the time spent reading it.

"Best" C++ magazine??? The only one rather and slowly dying:
volume's down, price's down, CMP bought all tech publications, and tries to keep them from their (timely) demise, I'm not sure how long they'll be able to do that. Anyway, it's a largely irrelevant magazine for people who like to engage in C++ trivia and spend their lives discussing finer points of the latest C++ language standard. Most articles are really excerpts from books that you should read instead of this mag in the first place. As a practising professional you're likely to have so much to learn on your hands that you won't have time to read this mag. Read books, and don't forget that C++ is just one tool among many in your arsenal, so don't get hung up on it, diversify. I fear that this publication is heading in the general direction of SIG's C++ Report. And rightly so, it's just not interesting and necessary. If you want to waste your time on magz, read Dr Dobbs instead. If you need C++, read TCPL and related, and then pick papers from the web. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Perfect for the Casual User
This magazine is great for the casual Mac user. As a student, I use my computer for basic stuff like word processing, internet, music, and email/IM. MacHome is great because it teaches me how to use my computer without going over my head and keeps the articles interesting. I couldn't care less about managing my money or setting up a webserver, but I am interested in fonts, fun downloads, and programs that allow me to be a more involved computer user. I recommend this magazine for anyone who just wants to stay up to date and likes to know exactly what's going on with his or her computer.

MacHome is fun and useful
I have been subscribing to MacHome for about 3 years, ever since I
returned back home to the Mac Faithful after buying an iMac G3 400.
I find MacHome useful - lots of tips and HOWTOs, fun - not stuffy
like some other mags, and easy to read - articles are short, to the
point, relevant, timely, and informative. They have a lot of
reviews in each issue which I like. I don't play any games yet
it's fun to see what's available and they have good game coverage.
They still report on OS 9 for those people who have not seen the
light and moved to the fantastic MacOS X.

I think it's a great value for the price.

MacHome-A Good Buy
Great magazine. Good layout. Informative. Usefull articles. Enjoyable and educational. Reasonable rates.

Nice new design
This magazine has recently gone through a facelift, and the new design is a breath of fresh air. ... Read more

Abstract

Title formerly called Dr. Dobbs Journal. Directed to advanced software programmers. Covers new language developments, 8-bit and 16-bit technology, compilers, editores, assemblers/cross assemblers, utilities as well as algorithms.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not for those trying to stay ahead of the curve
Solid practices fill this journal, but don't go looking for the cutting edge here. This magazine follows a theme every month, August 2004 is Testing and Debugging, not just a hodgepodge of articles slapped together with relevant advertising. In a given issue, the articles range in expertise from simple concepts of HTTP interactions to advanced techniques in runtime monitoring. It does seem to focus on two languages nowadays; C++ and Java.

It is a good supplement to you subscriptions. Every month I tend to find only two or three articles out of the dozen or so they print to be interesting.

The journal falls short in staying timely, a couple articles every month on emerging technology or practices would really improve this journal.

No longer the Dr. Dobbs you knew in '92
Any review placing this shell of a former mag in a five-star category doesn't remember how good it used to be, doesn't have anything to compare it against, or hasn't read it lately.

I'll be blunt: this isn't Dr. Dobbs. This is an imitation of Dr. Dobbs, now with less content than ever before.

I started a subscription recently after letting mine lapse a few years ago, and my first thought was how thin this magazine had gotten. Ads galore, the venerable PC-Lint product is still throwing code at readers with aspirations of deification, but a decided *lack* of relevant content.

Then I thought about it, and here's the problem: Dr. Dobbs wants to cover practical computer science each month, but it's gotten too big (too specialized, too complex, too broad) to cover well in a single magazine weighing less than ten pounds per month.

Add to this the absolute panoply, the metaphoric world of resources now available today just with some decent Google skills, and Dr. Dobbs is suddenly less relevant, less *necessary* than it once was.

You can still get algorithmic optimization lessons in an issue or two. Once in awhile, you'll get something worth that issue's cover price. More often than not, you'll read about things you don't use, or don't understand, because in reality, nobody can keep up with every trend in CS. The ACM and IEEE have about 150 specialized magazines just to make the attempt, so how can Dr. Dobbs even pretend to be a full spectrum resource?

No, Dr. Dobbs had a primary mission once that could make it great again: talk about the code. Code, code, and more code, and the less esoteric, the better. There are 50 million COBOL programmers in the world, and five XSLT-SOAP-webMethods package writers. What's more relevant, even today?

How to stay current with trends in software development
Dr. Dobb's Journal is one of those must-have periodicals on your software development bookshelf. Sure, there are other magazines and journals that are better at covering specific areas, but Dr. Dobbs will keep you updated on the entire world of software development.

Each issue has a general theme, such as graphics, programming languages or algorithms. Articles span a wide variety of development languages and are generally easy to read, even if you aren't familiar with the subject.

Beyond the C
There is a lot more to this magazine than meats the eye or mind for that matter. It covers cross platform and cross language information to well round your programming skills. This magazine keeps you from being pigeon holed and expands your list of abilities for future projects.

It is also down right fun to read and you wont want to miss an issue. ... Read more

Abstract

Features mail-order ads for hardware, software, peripherals, & accessories for IBM, Macintosh & Unix Systems, plus a quick reference-product index.
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Reviews (13)

Easily the BEST
Computer Shopper is easily the best magazine for anyone looking for technology products! It is easy-to-read, insightful and gives more choice and selection than any of the other PC magazines. I had been a subscriber years ago and just renenewed for another 3 years because I find it indispensible. Check it out on the newsstand and see for yourself.

Get your smarts from the experts!
Computer Shopper came to the rescue! I didn't know how complex buying a computer could be. After three years of struggling with an old PC my brother gave me, I decided it was time to upgrade to a system that would allow me to do all the fun things I wanted to do - play and record music, watch movies, create my own photo album online- I wanted to do it ALL! After hours spent listening to often conflicting advice from well-meaning friends and co-workers, I was as in the dark as I had been when I started, if a little more confused! Then a friend showed me a desktop review and comparison guide in Computer Shopper. What a lifesaver! After a couple hours of reading, I felt informed enough to decide exactly the system I wanted AND where to get it. Their article on retailers was very informative. Since then, I haven't bought anything for my system without referring to Computer Shopper for help. Although some topics covered in their articles are a bit too advanced for me, I find that the issues and reviews I am interested in are easy to read and very useful. Computer Shopper has really opened up my eyes to how much fun computing can be, and I am even beginning to surprise my "expert" friends with my new-found knowledge! Thanks Computer Shopper!

Not much value add
The problem with Computer Shopper is, it's neither a serious trade magazine like PC Mag, or a shopper's paradise like its former self was. If you want hardware tips, Maximum PC is way better. You can find pretty much everything in Computer Shopper for free on the web ...

Fantastic resource for PC builders.
A few weeks ago, I started building my first PC from scratch and have found Computer Shopper magazine the best resource. The reviews and articles really helped me decide what parts to use, and the recent "how to" guide on assembling a PC was a godsend. I don't think there's another magazine out there that provides such in-depth advice -- their writers really know what they're talking about! Plus, if I can't find what I'm looking for in the magazine itself, Computer Shopper's Web Buyer directs me to the sites where I can find what I need -- both technical help and the cheapest parts. I can't thank them enough for saving me all that time I would have spent surfing the Internet myself. I'd definitely recommend that anyone interested in customizing their own PC should sign up for Computer Shopper.

GOOD READ, VERY USEFUL
I have been reading Computer Shopper since it helped me buy my first home computer three years ago. I usually save the previous 12 issues for reference. Product guides are very useful and I use the articles to help me upgrade my computer or solve nagging problems that I can't fix. I also use the Web Buyer section to discover new sites. ... Read more

Abstract

Covers the tradition & culture of computer gaming by providing reviews, previews & strategies for core gamers.
... Read more

Reviews (12)

It's now the best PC games magazine.
Well, imagine my surprise when I picked up the February 2004 issue, and found that things had drastically changed. Mainly in the Editor's letter. It used to be 1 page, now it's just a small little column now, that is exactly like other Ziff Davis game mags, Now the redesign isnt as bad as other ZD game mags, but the removal of the 1 page editor's letter, really steams me up. At least they didnt bother Executive Editor Robert Coffey's Scorched Earth column. It's still 1 page. It's on the last page usually. And yes the redesign is really bad in terms of readability. Most of the time they have a red or blue or yellow background, and it's really hard to read the text at times. Now at least their disc will auto-load, unlike PC Gamer. And what really pisses me off, is when a magazine has a Hot 100 section, or a best PC's or videocards, or peripherals section, and they hardly ever change the captions or descriptions come with it. I'm sorry if I got off track a lot, but I felt the need to. I hope this review helped you. EDIT: 5/8/2004 PC Gamer recently changed Editor's and the Editor-In-Chief was re-assigned to become the Editor-In-Chief of the Official Xbox Magazine. The new EIC of PCG is the former Executive Editor, and I hate him, so this is why I say CGW is now the best PC games magazine.

If you're only to get one, this is it
Computer Gaming World has the best reviews going. Unlike most anywhere else I can think of, its reviewers insist on games ... and grade accordingly. Occasionally they even correct lapses of judgment, as in the spectacular re-rating of Black & White. That the magazine is also less youngster-orientated in the writing is a welcome bonus: the writers occasionally stray outside the ten thousand most common words in the language. Oh, the shock!

Another nice feature is a print summary of predicted game release dates ... Every issue has a strategy section for one or more games. This content ranges from useless (occasionally it feels like someone copied down bits of the manual & on-screen unit descriptions) to very strong, with my favorite semi-regular feature being two guys playing head-to-head in all types of games (shooters, sims, rts, even the Sims[!]) with annotated turn by turn carping and analysis. Reminds me of The General magazine....

The downsides are all the common ones: even this magazine occasionally feels a bit like a junior high school bus trip, the magazine is short and getting shorter, way too much time spent on previews (though many like this).

Amazon Magazine Subscription Services are lacking in SERVICE
While the magazines are fine, the subscription services operate in the dark ages, which adds a middleman to the address change process. This caused errors in the delivery of my magazines and the company was unable (unwilling?) to send the missing issues.

After you subscribe to the magazine you may wish to submit an address change. Neither subscription service company used by Amazon has an online process. You either send an email or make a phone call.

In my case I sent an email to Magazine Express, Inc. and they erroneously changed the mailing address to the billing address which sent 3 months worth of magazines to the wrong address. After getting them to correct the mistake, they were unable to get Computer Gaming World to send the misdirected magazines to the correct address.

If the magazine subscription services had an online process for address changes, this would eliminate the middleman and reduce errors.

My future magazine purchases will be made through companies that offer a better online service.

Please open the cover and read
This is the best PC gaming magazine you'll find anywhere. It covers the lastest games and hardware. A bonus, the issue comes with a free demo disc every month. Although PC games are fading out of the picture, XBOX is a good way to keep them alive. This magazine covers everything you need to know. It's the best thing to do if you want the most out of your PC. A good choice to start with is this. Get this magazine, your won't regret it.

Best PC Gaming Mag period
Dont miss this one. This mag has a great reviewing staff that online gaming sites find tough to beat. This mag also has a top notch hardware section so don't miss out=) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good enough
And while this magazine doesn't go into great depth on to which products are the best (you could call it indirect advertising), it does one important job. It introduces you to the newest products and what's out there.

Think about it, where the heck am I going to look on the net for new cell phones that haven't come out yet? I'd have to search forever and at multiple websites.

With laptop mag, I look at all the things that I've never seen before and then look them up on the net (isn't that what internet is for?). It's a great resource for seeing some of the latest products. The user needs to do thier own homework and make a researched decision about the product.

Finally, when looking at electronics, I like advertising. It's another way to get either new ideas on products you never thought or if you want to buy something, it's easier to locate with an advertisement.

Informercials in a magazine binding
Laptop Magazine focuses on laptops, PDAs, and wireless computing. Laptop Magazine seems like it's trying to be both technical and exciting; however it lacks the objectivity of PC Magazine and the deep enthusiasm of Wired. Thus, it reads like a series of infomercials where each "article" paints a rose-colored view of each technology and the vendors products followed by paid ads of the same vendors portrayed so happily in the text. Their conclusions all seem predetermined: new technology is better.

Not a serious magazine
Laptop Mag can be best described negatively: it's not a really serious computer magazine. It's more or less like Consumer Guide, which is basically paid advertising. This means you can't really trust the article here because you don't know if they are not written by unbiased writers. In the end, I feel this is a waste of money. Besides, you can get all the info for free on the web, from CNET or ZDNET, anyway.

LAPTOP is incredibly helpful...
This is the magazine to read regularly! It covers all kinds of mobile gear and offers lots of good advice on the latest products and technologies. Of particular interest to me are the articles on wireless, handhelds and the notebook reviews. Check it out for yourself! ... Read more