I learned so much from this book. I not only better understand how my computer works, but I now have confidence that I can build my own. I plan to buy more Dummies books about computers. Very helpful!

I am new to the computer world and have found the books for dummies to be extremly helpful and very entertaining. I would recomend these books to anyone with computer questions or just for an amusing read. Carol from Ohio.

I am the typical "dummy" when it comes to computer hardware. But, I managed to build my first PC with the guidance from this book. You will not become a professional but will gain sufficient knowledge for you to learn the mechanics of assembling your own computer. The book also includes a glossary that serves as a useful reference tool.

**Sufficient information explained in an easy-to-understand manner**

I found this on the "new books" shelf at the local library and took it home for a look-see.

I must say, I was disappointed. This book will not help anybody build a computer. The information is superficial and dated. There is a shortage of illustrations (NEED LOTS MORE PHOTOS!)

Now, I have indeed built my own computer, but that project would have been a disaster if this book had been my guide. Instead, I heartily recommend "Building the Perfect PC" by Thompson. (Interestingly, the blurb on the front cover of this Dummies book says "Build the perfect PC..." Coincidence? I think not). Less than a year ago, the Thompsons' book WAS my sole source, my cookbook for how to put together a computer, and it covered all the gotchas encountered in the process. It has abundant photos, and they're in color. With the rapid pace of computer development, even that is showing its age, and the authors aren't updating their web site as promised, but it's still leaps and bounds ahead of this "For Dummies" book.

(This is a review of the 5th edition)

I'll admit it... I buy my PCs when I upgrade. I'm getting more at ease with hardware since I've started doing all these book reviews, and I probably *could* build a PC now without too much angst, but I still buy. But if I were to decide that my next PC would be "home-built", I'd be comfortable with using the book Building a PC for Dummies by Mark L. Chambers.

Contents:
Part 1 - Can I Really Do This?: What's in a Computer, Anyway?; What Type of PC Should I Build?
Part 2 - Building Your PC: Building the Foundation - The Case and Motherboard; A Bag of Chips - Adding RAM and a CPU; The Three PC Senses - Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard; Images "R" Us - Adding Video and a Monitor; Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices
Part 3 - Adding the Fun Stuff: Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD; Let Your PC Rock!; Modems and the Call of the Internet
Part 4 - Adding the Advanced Stuff: Attack of the SCSI Monster; So You Want to Add a LAN?; Life in the Fast Lane with Broadband; Input and Output - Scanners, Cameras, Video Capture, and Printers; More Power User Toys
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC; Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User's PC; Ten Important Assembly Tips; Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC; Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague
Part 6 - Appendixes: Choosing Your Operating System; Glossary
Index

This book is most likely going to appeal to the hardware-phobic computer owner (like I was for quite awhile) or the first-time PC builder. Chambers has an amusing writing style which will make you smile as you figure out the next steps to take in your PC adventure. If you've already built a PC or you dwell in the land of needing to know every last technical spec of a device before you install it, there's probably not much here to offer you. Even I know most of the material *about* each device and what type of rationale you should apply (buying new vs. refurbished, why hard drive capacity is important, RAM is king, etc.). My downfall would be actually having all those devices spread out on a table with an empty computer case in front of me. But I'm pretty confident that I'd be able to stand a pretty good chance of getting everything to actually work the first time if I followed the information here. There's even a center section with color pictures to show you what to expect. It's a nice touch...

If you're looking for an approachable book on getting past your first computer build, this one would be a good choice. Easy to follow, fun to read, and the intimidation factor is nonexistent.

Even though it's a little harder to save money on a bare bones PC, this book will help you build a game player's dream PC for much less than those models you find in the back of PC Gamer. This book covered everything I needed with recommendations on what to buy. Pick this one up, you won't be disappointed.

While I was reading/assembling my computer I found the book to be poorly written, with not nearly enough specific info. I was very frustrated, and needed to purchase a different book to correctly assemble my rig. Since then I've read 15-20 other books related to computer hardware/software/networking affording me a fair amount of perspective. This book ranges from badly outdated general info. to just plain incorrect info. I can say now with confidence that using only this book as a reference will almost guarantee an improper assembly of your computer. You will be frustrated and you will probably waste a decent amount of money.

For the absolute beginner, this book is an excellent tool.

Its only problem is that in attempting to cover a broad amount of information in a small amount of space, it must leave out particulars such as in depth explanations of the various components of each part. Explanations such as these would make choosing parts and understanding jargon a lot easier and would make the book more resistant to the passage of time (the recommendations are quite dated).

If you want a computer that would have been the bee's knees in 1999 this is a great resource; otherwise, you will definitely need to use this book in conjunction with a more exhaustive source.

For the absolute beginner, this book is an excellent tool.

Its only problem is that in attempting to cover a broad amount of information in a small amount of space, it must leave out particulars such as in depth explanations of the various components of each part. Explanations such as these would make choosing parts and understanding jargon a lot easier and would make the book more resistant to the passage of time (the recommendations are quite dated).

If you want a computer that would have been the bee's knees in 1999 this is a great resource; otherwise, you will definitely need to use this book in conjunction with a more exhaustive source.

One day I decided to try to play around and build a PC for grins. I then went out and bought this book. The first 2 or 3 chapters give you a lot of hope and inspiration that it could be done. The author didn't go into depth about XP, but if you can read between the lines and are bold enough to take on the challenge, you can reach that goal of completing the task. I found myself using several books in addition to this one to do so. The author didn't quite give you enough details about what to buy specifically, for any system. Good luck to all that attempt without any book.

This really is a "how-to" hands-on book. The author uses a logical approach (unlike other assembly guides I have seen that are impossible to follow in a linear fashion). It also helps you understand what's involved in upgrading pieces of your system. CPU installation is covered in general, so I found it easy to install my P4 without specific coverage by following these steps, but there's no mention of Windows XP or the newest high-speed memory.

Overall, a good guide and I can recommend it.

PC hardware and software changes rapidly, and this book desperately needs updating. No discussions of Pentium 4 class systems and related current memory and operating system updates. Save your $. If you are ready to build, cuy the OReilly "PC Hardware in a Nutshell" book instead.

I really liked the book, I found it easy to read and understand and full of humor. I can now, confidently, build my own PC.

Chambers should have spent more time on the subject and less time on poor jokes. The only thing I got for reading this book is confidence. I fiqure if this doofus can build a computer, anyone can.