Gookin Dan. Buying a Computer for Dummies

Wiley, 2004. — 339 p. — ISBN 0-7645-7653-4.Contents at a Glance : Part I: Understanding the Whole Ordeal - Part II: Hardware and Software Overview - Part III: Finding Your Perfect Computer - Part IV: Living with Your Computer - Part V: The Part of Tens.Welcome to Buying a Computer For Dummies — a book which assumes that you know nothing about a computer but are strangely compelled to buy one. If that’s you, you have found your book!
This book is not a buyer’s guide. In it, you won’t find endless, boring lists of prices and products and useless part numbers. Instead, this book assumes that you need a computer for some reason. You’ll discover that reason and then read about how to find software to carry out that task. From there, you’ll match hardware to your software and end up with the computer that’s perfect
for you.
Because this is a For Dummies book, you can expect some lively and entertaining writing — not boring computer jargon. Nothing is assumed. Everything is explained. The result is that you’ll have your own computer and enjoy the buying process.
Buying a computer is a five-step process, which this book fully explains. Along the way, you’ll read about computer hardware and software and fill in some worksheets that help you configure a computer just for you.
The five steps to buying a computer are outlined in Chapter
1. Based on that information, the book is divided into several parts, each of which occurs at a different stage in the buying process:
Part I overviews the entire process.
Part II discusses computer hardware and software: what it is and why you need it.
Part III details the buying process: where to buy, how to read a computer ad, and how to find service and support before the sale.
Part IV deals with setting up your new computer.
Part V is the traditional For Dummies Part of Tens — various lists for review or to help you get on your way.