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Rating: 
Summary: Indexing is weak
Review: I have purchased copies of the book for the past 6 or seven years. Mark Minasi is the computer guru! His capacity to take technical questions of intimidating proportions and reduce them to a level us peons can understand well enough to get the job done. Brilliant people in my life have always had that ability to take an abstract piece of information ( something like the origin of the solar system) an distill it into language the rest of the world can understand. Mark Minasi does this year in and year out with the latest PC's and there components.After reading and listening to him over the years I've come to feel reasonably well versed in upgrading our home computers, here in Dryden New York. No small feat when you consider that I am an art teacher by profession.
However in your latest release of Mark's work I noticed that the indexing is less than half the size of the previous year's version. Sadly it is not nearly as thorough. This may sound like a miner point but for some of us readers it will prove to be a critical one. I past years whenever I had a problem I would run across an unfamiliar term or network protocol, you could look it up in the index and follow the solution to your problem through to completion. As I see it the value of the entire book is to guide you through a problem you've run into on your own, as well as making for fun reading of course. The weak index creats a broud obstruction at the very center of the process of self education which is what Mark has taught flawlessly for years.
While Minasi work still remains flawless, getting to his answeres will be hindered buy a poor indexing job. By way of qualification, perhaps this type of indexing would be fine in other books. We just got spoiled with having the best of everything in past 13 editions. I want to repeat the mark Minasi has lost none of his accuracy or wit. The quality remains. Its just the indexing that limits the overall effectiveness of getting to the write answere when you need it . Fred C Wendell
Rating: 
Summary: Making it easier to become a technician.
Review: One of the first books I ever read in the computer industry was Mark Minasi's Upgrade & Maintenance guide 8th edition. From there I was hooked and a fan ever since. Minasi's style is one that makes the reader comfortable with the material without over stating. Minasi dos not over complicate that material so every level of knowledge and skill would be able to comprehend the text.The book is also well suited for several certification exams such ad CST or A+; and the material is technically accurate and up to date. The book covers all hardware topics from the hard drive to add-on cards to networking and everything in between. What the author has done for you is break down the topics and detailed information that allows you to grasp the concept(s). What I think is missing is a lab manual to go along with the material to make is easier to study from. If you are looking to break into the technical arena, study for the A+ exam or looking to enhance the knowledge base you have, then this book may be one to get a hold of. Overall Mark Minasi is a respected and trusted author and this release is certain proof of that.
Rating:
Summary: Making it easier to become a technician.
Review: One of the first books I ever read in the computer industry was Mark Minasi's Upgrade & Maintenance guide 8th edition. From there I was hooked and a fan ever since. Minasi's style is one that makes the reader comfortable with the material without over stating. Minasi dos not over complicate that material so every level of knowledge and skill would be able to comprehend the text. The book is also well suited for several certification exams such ad CST or A+; and the material is technically accurate and up to date. The book covers all hardware topics from the hard drive to add-on cards to networking and everything in between. What the author has done for you is break down the topics and detailed information that allows you to grasp the concept(s). What I think is missing is a lab manual to go along with the material to make is easier to study from. If you are looking to break into the technical arena, study for the A+ exam or looking to enhance the knowledge base you have, then this book may be one to get a hold of. Overall Mark Minasi is a respected and trusted author and this release is certain proof of that.
Rating: 
Summary: An awesome computer book!!!
Review: This is the ultimate book for upgrading and repairing computers. A must-have for any beginner or professional. I read it cover to cover and was amazed at its excellence.
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