A hefty tome (Computer Shopper)

Member Name: GroundZero

Product:	Computer Shopper
Date:	10/12/00 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large number of adverts, cheap

Disadvantages: Too many adverts for some!

If you are considering buying anything computer-related, Computer Shopper is always worth a look. The heftiest of the computing titles available, the majority of the magazine is devoted to advertising, but this at least means that it is one of the cheapest computing magazines.

The actual content of the magazine (when you can track it down between the adverts!) is good, although it does tend to concentrate more on serious articles, with very little in the way of games coverage. While this is not a problem for myself, some people may find that another magazine like PC Format may provide a better balance. Personally my favourite magazine of this type is PCPlus, which also has better software available on its coverdisks. Computer Shopper's CDs tend to have software that you wouldn't really want anyway.

One criticism of the reviewing style is that the items being tested are not given an overall rating, as is common with most computing magazines. This can leave you wondering just how good an item is in comparison with another.

I have found Computer Shopper invaluable in the past when I have been trying to research parts I want to buy for my PC. The large number of advertisers means it is relatively easy to track down a particular part, although you will have to trawl through an awful lot of adverts if you want to find the best price though!

Summary: