Rating: Summary: Udated but to the Microsoft Slant - overall its okay. Review: A+ certification has been revised and everybody now taking the exam must find new training material. Microsoft Press has put together a book that will help you pass the exam once you understand that this book has a tilt towards the Microsoft way of thinking.Completely updated for the newest exam the self=paced course is very useful in shoeing the user what they need to accomplish in order to pass the exam. The drawback to the self study is you need to provide the equipment and this can get expensive, Overall you learn at your pace and although there is no review questions this text still provides excellent reference material. You'll cover topics such as number conversions, CPUs, power supply, motherboards and bios, hardware, laptops, networking, operating systems and troubleshooting. The cd-rom included with the book has videos to enhance the learning process, the entire text in electronic format. What are not included are practice tests to allow the user to have the chance of seeing the exam before taking it. If Microsoft makes a few changes and updates the cd-rom this book would be one to have. Overall the items missing may make it hard for the technician to compensate for.
Rating: Summary: Very good a must if you ask me Review: After purchading on the recommendation of a friend I had my doubts, but no more. The information in this is, is not only accurate but very easy to understand. Not only did i pass both sections of the A+ exam when I took it I passed with flying colors. With scores that high I became extremely marketable and now I am making the money I deserve and it wont stop there. MCSE here I come!
Rating: Summary: not the one Review: Although the third edition, ISBN 073561265X, was published 3/7/2001, there is still not a whisper about Windows XP in the book. Very much the best book on the subject is Scott Mueller's, ISBN 0789729741.
Rating: Summary: Great book for beginner! Review: As a computer beginner(end-user experience only), I was finding A+ to be extremely difficult. I went through the A+ "boot-camp" at a school, studied their textbook "Mindworks" and still felt I had so many gaps to fill. This book filled them and yes I passed both exams on the same day 7 weeks after my first class with 80% on both. Someone with experience would probably want the Meyers book - I looked through it at a bookstore. I would probably want to use it too when and if I ever get a job in the field. But for someone who is just starting and needs to learn a whole lot of sometimes overwhelming information -IT'S A GOOD BOOK. However practical experience counts as well and I don't believe I could have understood the information as well without the practical "hands-on" certification class.
Rating: Summary: VERY Microsoft-centric Review: Don't get me wrong, this is a comprehensive book, but while reading you have to keep in mind that it is basically Microsofts "opinion". It presents a history of computing that shines a very favourable light on the Windows operating systems and, as should probably be expected, look after their Intel buddies. It is not the best book for a study guide, but rather is written in a format that is possibly a bit more logical - it's goal is not simply to get you past the exam, it actually tries to TEACH you what the principles of the A+ Certification are testing. An experienced technician looking to formalise their knowledge with a piece of paper would probably find this book tedious and boring, but for an absolute novice, I strongly recommend that you read another version on PC history AS WELL to maintain a balanced view - a study guide from a different publisher would probably be sufficient to "round out" your A+ certification reading. As always, complement with online study guides and as many practice tests as you can lay your hands on.
Rating: Summary: Lemme explain.... Review: First of all, for the price of this book, I would sure hope you would get a better book. Also, as stated before, their is too many typos on the book. At the same time, the book may be good to introduce newbies into slightly more technical ideas, but I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone that has much experience, nor wishes to pass the A+. A extremely good book I found was the A+ Exam Prep by Cert Insider. While I won't go on about here too much, it covers what you need to know and makes a good reference guide for after you pass the test. The MS book on the other hand, will merely collect dust on your shelf. The one thing I liked about the book was it was hard back, and that it was quick to read. This book won't get you ready to take the A+, it will merely get you familiar with the terms and ideas that you will need to learn more in depth from another book.
Rating: Summary: It's ok, don't get fooled by the publisher Review: First of all, I must say that for the reputation that Microsoft has, it is unacceptable to have typos in their books. Anyway, this book is ok to use to pass the exam. I was disspointed, however. I expected a lot more from it. The book is very elementary and covers a lot of the history of computers which is not in the test at all. I recommend it to "newbies" in the field. The A+ exam does have much more than what they talk about in this book. It is good only for reference.
Rating: Summary: Think Microsoft only does MCSE - think again! Review: Having taken the A+ exams and having taught A+ for over a year now you'll find hundreds of books and resources to help you on the way, so what separates this book from the others? Simply that fact that book gives you all the information you'll need and you can learn at your own pace. The book is written to be completed in just over 35 hours, remember that your completion time is based on the schedule you set. Starting with hardware and then covering the software, the book works the exam objectives in fairly complete manner. From objective like the power supply, ESD, Safety, hard drives, floppies, monitors and video to DOS, Windows 3.X and Windows 95. Remember this book covers the current exam so newer technologies are not included. The are many hands on exercises as well as exam questions, what this book doesn't have is practice exams and that may keep some people from buying. Filled with diagrams, figures, tables and notes you have everything you need. The next edition will be updates for the more current exam and the book should then included practice exams in the current testing format. Overall this book is very good and with a little work this book will become the choice of any aspiring technician.
Rating: Summary: Good but not enough... Review: Hey all.. this book is a really good resource for the exam, but for sure it is not enough, cuz it doesn't cover the new 2003 objectives such as WinXP in the OS section and many other things in the core section.. I passed the tests using this book as one of my study materials, as well as the Microsoft Readiness Review and A+ Exam Cram, A+ Exam Prep (useful for WinNT), and Macaraft PrepLogic 4th edition, and still non of these books cover all of the new 2003 objectives... Good luck all...
Rating: Summary: Totally outstanding!!! Review: I bought this book to start studying for the A+ Certification, but I got a lot more then what I paid for. As being an IT Tech in the Navy, I found many solutions for some of our computer problems. I'm going to recommend our ADP Department purchase this book and keep it on hand for an easy reference and problem solver.
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