[Solved] What's a good PC magazine?

[janas19]

Hi guys,

I guess I should explain this thread. I am looking to increase my knowledge and familiarity with computers. I'm not ready to sign up for any CS classes but I thought something casual, like a magazine, would be a nice place to start and cultivate an interest.

I would like to subscribe to a monthly magazine with articles/sections including:

-PC Hardware
-PC Applications
-OS info (Windows and Linux primarily, possibly OSX as well)
-DIY articles for upgrading/fixing PCs
-Info for both beginners and more advanced

I'm not sure if a single magazine would contain ALL these elements, but I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Makaveli]

honestly I don't know anyone that gets this information from magazines anymore when you have internet access and sites like anand,hardocp,techreport are around. Maybe another member may have some ideas.

 

[janas19]

Thanks.

 

[General Kenobi]

www.anandtech.com

Oh, wait, did you say a magazine? I don't see any need for one, sorry.

On the internets? What Makaveli mentioned plus Hardware Secrets, Hardware Canucks, Guru3D, JonnyGURU, KitGuru, and HardwareHeaven.

 

[janas19]

www.anandtech.com

Oh, wait, did you say a magazine? I don't see any need for one, sorry.

On the internets? What Makaveli mentioned plus Hardware Secrets, Hardware Canucks, Guru3D, JonnyGURU, KitGuru, and HardwareHeaven.

I guess I'm old school when it comes to my reading, then. Growing up I read lots of gaming magazines like GamePro and EGM, and I guess I just like having something physical to check the mailbox for.

 

[kornphlake]

Whatever a magazine publishes will be 2-3 months behind the info available on the internet and probably not as reliable. This is in general, not just considering PC magazines.

 

[Slugbait]

When I discovered boot Magazine back in 1997, I let all of my other subscriptions run out without renewing.

They changed the name to Maximum PC (Minimum BS) in 1998. You can download individual issues dating all the way back to December 2003 from their PDF Archives if you wanna example of how they write. Gordon gets a little cranky sometimes, but everybody loves him anyway.

As the name implies, they only spend a little ink on Linux and Mac. But they cover everything else in your requirement list.

 

[janas19]

When I discovered boot Magazine back in 1997, I let all of my other subscriptions run out without renewing.

They changed the name to Maximum PC (Minimum BS) in 1998. You can download individual issues dating all the way back to December 2003 from their PDF Archives if you wanna example of how they write. Gordon gets a little cranky sometimes, but everybody loves him anyway.

As the name implies, they only spend a little ink on Linux and Mac. But they cover everything else in your requirement list.

Ah, thank you Mister Slugbait. I was just at Fry's today, and out of the "general content" PC magazines (ie, those not focusing on a specific OS or only software/hardware) it seemed to have a lot of content that was informative and interesting, not just fluff.

Hmm, maybe Maximum PC is what I want then.

 

[janas19]

Whatever a magazine publishes will be 2-3 months behind the info available on the internet and probably not as reliable. This is in general, not just considering PC magazines.

Yeah, I guess I'm behind the times on this one. I need to get more up to date on PC content websites.

Thanks to you guys above for your recommendations.

 

[Slugbait]

Whatever a magazine publishes will be 2-3 months behind the info available on the internet and probably not as reliable. This is in general, not just considering PC magazines.

Some magazines are behind with info, but others make changes up to the deadline of going to press. And I don't think MaxPC has ever been two months behind the rest of the world when it comes to tech news.

One primary reason is reliability...print material in America has a responsibility, and they actually have a long history of taking that responsibility seriously. It is widely accepted that the internet has been the single most unreliable source of news known to mankind since 14.4 baud was King (with the exception of oppressive governmental regimes, of course).

Add in all the websites that report rumors, and you have a primordial mix of misinformation.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Some magazines are behind with info, but others make changes up to the deadline of going to press. And I don't think MaxPC has ever been two months behind the rest of the world when it comes to tech news.

One primary reason is reliability...print material in America has a responsibility, and they actually have a long history of taking that responsibility seriously. It is widely accepted that the internet has been the single most unreliable source of news known to mankind since 14.4 baud was King (with the exception of oppressive governmental regimes, of course).

Add in all the websites that report rumors, and you have a primordial mix of misinformation.

I subscribed to Maximum PC until very recently and just havent gotten around to renewing my subscription. I would recommend it if you really want a print magazine. Granted you can get most of the information from the internet, but sometimes I like to get another perspective from Max PC.

 

[janas19]

I subscribed to Maximum PC until very recently and just havent gotten around to renewing my subscription. I would recommend it if you really want a print magazine. Granted you can get most of the information from the internet, but sometimes I like to get another perspective from Max PC.

Alright cool. That's two nods from ATGH folks for Maximum PC.

Thanks guys! Will be subscribing in the near future.

 

[ManBearPig]

check out CPU (computer power user). i get it for free and it's actually a pretty sweet magazine.

 

[Krynj]

I get it for free too. I filled out the form for a complimentary issue last year, and I've gotten them all for free since then. Do they just give out free subscriptions to anybody that wants one or what?

 

[radhak]

One primary reason is reliability...print material in America has a responsibility, and they actually have a long history of taking that responsibility seriously. It is widely accepted that the internet has been the single most unreliable source of news known to mankind since 14.4 baud was King (with the exception of oppressive governmental regimes, of course).

Add in all the websites that report rumors, and you have a primordial mix of misinformation.

This.

You want authentic, but wide coverage, a single magazine can give you that. A single website will not - you will need to visit a number of them, collate their information, and apply your own filters for veracity. Magazines still make sense in today's world.

 

[corkyg]

Well, I guess I'm old school. I subscribe to several mags - my favorite is MaxPC. My PC mag library is in the bathroom - Internet access does not exist there.

 

[Makaveli]

Well, I guess I'm old school. I subscribe to several mags - my favorite is MaxPC. My PC mag library is in the bathroom - Internet access does not exist there.

There is this new thing called WiFi you should look into it sometime

 

[Jman13]

CPU is a really good magazine. Been a subscriber for several years, and I think I've gotten it for free for the last year or two.

 

[mfenn]

I get it for free too. I filled out the form for a complimentary issue last year, and I've gotten them all for free since then. Do they just give out free subscriptions to anybody that wants one or what?

Yeah, they'd rather keep the distribution count up so that they make more money from advertisers.

 

[jjsbasmt]

A big nod from me for Maximum PC. In my early PC days I started with DOS World, Windows Magazine, PC Magazine, PC World, and Boot (now Max PC). For about 10 years now Max PC exclusively. I have found that Max PC never has failed to educate, entertain and enlighten me. FWIW, Max PC comes in two print versions, One with a monthly CD of free and shareware programs and a couple of podcasts ($24 for 12 issues), and a non-CD version for about $12-15 per 12 months.
Also check out their website "maximumpc.com"

 

[superxero044]

Maximum pc doesn't offer the disk version afaik. Its a pretty solid magazine. Also their podcast is great but doesn't release regularly.

 

[corkyg]

There is this new thing called WiFi you should look into it sometime

I have Wi-Fi - and no way is that sucker going into my bathroom. <LOL>

 

[frozentundra123456]

I have Wi-Fi - and no way is that sucker going into my bathroom. <LOL>

Best use I have found yet for my tablet.

 

[jjsbasmt]

As a matter of fact, 2 days ago I recvd an email from Max PC stating that the CD version is no longer offered and that they would extend my regular subscription for an additional 3 months since I am no longer getting a CD with each issue. Thanks "superxero044" for the correction.