The Indispensable PC Hardware Book: Your Hardware Questions Answered
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
For PC programmers and design engineers, this reference to PC hardware provides programming information on the low level hardware aspects of the PC. This resource covers EISA systems, the Intel overdrive chips, and microchannel, including the advanced 32-bit and 64-bit bus modes.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0201624249
ISBN13:9780201624243
Release Date:January 1994
Publisher:Addison Wesley Publishing Company
Length:960 Pages
Weight:3.50 lbs.
Dimensions:1.8" x 6.7" x 9.2"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
"The One Book", for me at least, on PC Hardware
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I have not been using this book so much recently, but in the past it has been absolutely invaluable. Definately the best single reference for technical specifics for the PC.There seem to be dozens if not hundreds of "upgrade your PC", "Fix your PC" and so on - nearly all light weight and I consider not worthwhile.It has tables on pretty well everything, and the information is quite dense. I have not found it to be inaccurate. Not merely factual tables (Addresses, IRQs, layouts of structure, PCI) it contains good descriptions of of what is going on. Now in its fourth edition - and I think I have owned all of them, it has stood the test of time and continues to be updated.
Best in the genre
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Hands down, this hulking book is the best in its class. It expansively covers CPUs (from the 8088 to Pentium Pro), Floppy Drives, AT bus, PCI, and Hard Disk Drives (MFM, RLL, ESDI, IDE, SCSI), PCMCIA, and just about everything you would ever want to know about the PC hardware.Unfortunately, even a book this large must leave things out. What is not covered: USB (can fill a book of its own), AGP, DMI, SMBIOS, IMPI or newer specifications. Also, portions of the book are geared towards explaining a technology rather than giving hard details about using it.Still, it is the best overall book I have found on the PC in a while.
helpful key to editions - for buying used
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
excellent book, later editions better first edition, 10/1993, 985pp ISBN: 0201624249second edition, 3/1995, 1344pp ISBN: 0201876973third edition, 7/1997, 1384pp, ISBN: 0201403994third edition, 5/2000, 1408pp, ISBN: 0201403994 fourth edition, 1/2002, to be published, ISBN: 0201596164
An almost complete PC bible
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This is the best book i've ever read. It covers almost every single importand part of the PC, and better up, it does it with great depth.
Great reference
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
You do, of course, need some extensive background on assembly language and basic knowledge computer architecture. If you have that, you'll be treated to quite a wide scope of material. This text is very clear, and the welth of information is staggering. From all Intel chips (alomst all, rather) to chipsets, to support chips to storage hardware. I have just this one book (in addition to some manuals from Intel) and I never needed any more sources.Also, if you need even more info, you can supplement the book with free manuals from Intel.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
