Rating: 
Summary: Learn EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about computers.
Review: We used this as one of our textbooks for a computer repair class I took and I must say, it is VERY comprehensive about various computer technologies. It explains in great detail, with great illustrations, on how various technologies work and were developed.Among what it talks about include: - internal hardware like the motherboard, RAM chips, hard drives, floppy drives, CD-ROM/DVD drives, - software, - networking, e-mail, the Internet, - printers, - peripherals like printers, scanners, OCR, digital cameras, etc. You will learn EXACTLY how each of these devices and technologies work. It explains very clearly and you will understand how all this works. It makes this most technical of contents understandable in plain English. If you're into computers or want to learn more about computers, this is great place to start reading about them. If you are slightly, or even advanced, in knowledge of computers, this book is a great supplement to your knowledge base. This book lives up to its name. It definitely tells you how computers work, and then some. Recommended reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: This interesting guide showed me how microchips, software, memory, and hardware all work together in my computer with detailed (but easy-to-follow) explanations and full-color illustrations. Of course, there is one problem with this book: it doesn't include the very latest information on recent developments in Internet technologies, multimedia sound and video, Pentium III processors, DVD drives, digital cameras, cable modems.... But i think that it was worth to buy this book and i'm waiting for next editions.
Rating:
Summary: Will not hesitate to buy again and again!!
Review: This item is a brand new book and the price is less than 1/10th of the brand new one. I recommend this company to everyone. Excellent shipment.. Thanks for a very fast service.
Rating:
Summary: This Book WILL Answer Your Questions
Review: Some people are content to spend their lives not knowing or caring what is under the hood of their car, inside their watch, or in their TV sets. To them, the end product is all that matters. Other people are not content with that - they want to know how things work. What magic is taking place that allows them to watch events thousands of miles away or toast their bagel. There are few inventions as imposing as the personal computer to understand. Integrated Circuits, ISA connections, Hexadecimal code, and many other seemingly complex words float around in descriptions of hardware and software. This book demystifies the PC - with flare. Each component of the PC - CPU, drives, printers, mouse - is described with a down to earth, step by step description and exceptional illustrations. It is just technical enough to allow the power user to be satisfied, but easy enough to understand so us non-Computer Science majors can gain some knowledge. My only criticism involves the CD - the layout was good, but it only included some of the information in the book. Had it been more comprehensive, I would have enjoyed it more. This is similar in quality to "The Way Things Work" by David Macaulay. "How Computers Work" will answer the questions you've had about computers, and many that you haven't thought of. It is the perfect mix of information and illustration. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Completely Updated and Expanded Edition!
Review: Ron White has written an expanded of edition How Computers Work. The Millennium Edition offers readers a totally updated and refreshing view of computer technology that will take them into the next century. Readers are treated to new graphics, new insight into computer operations, new developments in the computer industry, and new technology to incorporate into their personal and business computing! This new edition of How Computers Work is a beautifully illustrated and designed book that clearly and concisely explains the overall operation of computers. Readers will learn how individual computer components work, how the Windows operating system and a number of software applications work, how various audio, graphics, and video technologies work, and how a number of essential peripheral accessories work. Readers will also pick up on some helpful information about the Y2K phenomenon. Readers are taken on a breath-taking journey through the operation of the bios, cache, chips, memory, ports, hard drives, CD's, diskettes, zip drives, graphics boards, sound boards, modems, monitors, mouses, joysticks, printers, surge protectors, back-up power supplies, digital cameras, scanners, and much more. White includes discussion of cutting-edge Pentium technologies and how Web browsers, e-mail, networks, virtual reality, multimedia, and data compression work. This book is perfect for company employees, for students who may be using computers for the first time, and beginners starting out with just an interest in computers. This book is great for classroom use and will also make a fine gift for the first-time computer buyer! It is must reading for anyone wanting to learn more about the computing scene. The CD included with the book offers a cool multimedia interactive tour no one should miss out on!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent illustrations with text used only when necessary
Review: On occasion, I teach a course with a title having the form, "Introduction to Microcomputers", where the goal is to introduce students to some of the fundamentals of how computers work and what they are used for. Generally, the material that they find easiest to understand is that which can be illustrated by examples demonstrated on a computer. In second place are the concepts that are explained using high quality illustrations. That is where this book is extraordinary.
The author and illustrator clearly put a great deal of thought and effort into the structure and appearance of the illustrations, they are the best demonstrations of computer fundamentals that I have ever seen. The publishers are also to be commended for using high quality coloring and paper, which makes the pictures very easy on the eyes, although there are a few times when the contrast between the text and figure colors is not enough to make it easy to read the text. They quite correctly let the illustrations do as much of the explaining as possible, resorting to text only when necessary.
It is split into eight parts: * Boot-up process.
* Microchips.
* How software works.
* Data storage.
* Input/output devices.
* Multimedia.
* How the Internet works.
* How printers work. covering all of the material that is the normal coverage in an introduction to microcomputers course. There are also occasional segments of glossary, where the key terms in the section are defined.
This is a high quality book, the best introductory material on how computers work designed for the novice that I have ever seen. If study questions were included, I would start using it as a textbook. This review refers to the seventh edition.
Rating:
Summary: The best so far about technology and computers
Review: When i first pick this book i expect to have a book with some nice pictures about how computers works, now that i{m reading the book i have to say that i become adicted to it. Easy to understand, and very interesting topics about the different devices that computers and thecnology can bring to us explained in a very nice manner and with incredibly clear draws and diagrams. PLUS a very nice cd rom with a virtual tour inside a computer and better yet some nice links to get more info.And it doesn{t stops there, because the cd rom have some really useful SW you can use and try in your computer. It{s been a long time since the last time i pick such a nice book.Give it a try it worth each dollar you invest on it and more.
And for the end i never write reviews so it tells how much i like this book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful overview of internal Computer components, et al
Review: I work in the IT / Computer Repair industry, and I personally feel that this book is very helpful to most individuals, especially those who have little familiarity with computer systems, internal structures, gadgets and whatnots.
I found the detailed and heavily-illustrated sections regarding chipsets, processors, memory buffers, etc. to be very helpful. Most computer manuals are very technical and assume you know a computer inside and out, already (despite constant development in the industry and the fact that by the time a computer hits the shelves it is out-dated).
These "How Computers / Internet," etc. books are wonderful manuals for those who just want to know "how the heck does this crazy thing work, anyway ?!?!"
You won't be able to pass your A+ Certifications with this series of books, but you will understand much of the jargon people throw-around in the office, and you will see flow charts of "How Computers Work."
I sincerely appreciated the diagrams of a Techtronix Printer!
Suffice to Say, if "a picture is worth a thousand words," this book is pricesless for the novice and very helpful for the beginning (uncertified) Techs in the computer repair field. The usual Black & White Illustrations in computer manuals aren't exactly condusive to really getting a feel for the stuff you might be yanking out and replacing. However, this book is full of numerous full-color, full-page illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: Leave "Computer Clueless" status behind...
Review: with this book. You want a fun, entertaining introduction to computers? Get this book. The excellent pictures and diagrams clearly explain how all that hardware and software interacts in plain english. This book is good enough it can actually be a great aid in studying for A+ certification. I've met a lot of supposed "techs" who could actually gain something by reading it. When I took it to work people would laugh - until I handed it to them and they started reading. They quit laughing and many of them quickly aquired their own copy soon after. It won't make you a computer guru. If that is your eventual goal you'll need other books. But everyone has to start somewhere and this book can make the process more understandable and enjoyable. The cd is fun to watch and is yet another way to continue learning. For those who own Macs there is a Mac version of this book that is every bit as understandable and fun to read.
Rating: 
Summary: A GOOD PIECE....., BUT PRICEY.
Review: If you are a computer novice, (we all once were), then this book may be a good starting point. It is straightforward and beautifully illustrated. It also offers brief historical evolution of both computers and computer components. However, its high cost takes away the shine. There are several cheaper options in the market.
Another sour point is that the attached interactive CD-ROM falls into coma quite often. It will give you an impressive virtual reality tour if it remains healthy; but may not respond to all the conventional revival you may apply, if digital epilepsy grabs it.
| 
