| Product: |
Computeractive |
| Date: |
26/05/05 (65 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Easy read, interesting information, great price
Disadvantages: The price of this magazine keeps climbing !
Computeractive is a magazine that I have been buying for the last two years. Its not one that I buy every time it comes out, but I will buy it when I see that there's a main feature that I have an interest in, a workshop that could come in handy or I need something to read. This magazine is released every two weeks and costs £1.35 but this has increased quite considerable over the last couple of years. I was paying £1 back in the beginning for an issue. This is a great magazine but not comprehensive enough for the more hardcore computer fan, but a great read for catching up on the latest news, hardware and software. All articles are accompanied by pictures or graphics and is very soft on the eye. I have outlined and reviewed each of the sections available in the magazine.
News
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Each issue comes with the latest and biggest news from the technology world. It is great for a quick round up of anything that is happening and is all displayed neat and tidy. There isn't a copious amount, but enough for a good interesting read.
Consumeractive
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Consume ractive is the part of the magazine where Computeractive "fight for your rights" against retailers and sellers of information technology products. It is an opportunity to see where you stand on certain issues and what you can do about them. You get to read about other reader's problems and Computeractive does the run around work and tries to solve the problems with companies. You can submit your case to them and they could include it in a future issue to make other readers aware.
Reactive
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This is the section of the magazine where the readers can get interactive. One section is "Reader Offers" which gives the readers a chance to subscribe to the magazine and to buy back issues on CD-ROM.
No problem is a section where readers write, or e-mail in their computer problems and the experts at Computeractive solve the problems. This is great because if you are a computer user, its more than likely you will be able to relate to some others problems and you can also use anything from this section for any later problems you might encounter with your own PC. This section also gives the readers an opportunity to answer other reader's problems.
Letters is a section of the magazine where you can have your say on anything to do with the magazine or anything to do with computers. This is a common section of all magazines and a chance of read other peoples opinions on things.
Computeractive always includes a competition for some great technology prizes. I haven't won anything yet!
Regulars
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Computeractive include some great things in every issue and the first being the net chart. This is a chart of some of the best web sites on a certain subject. You can find some really good links here, especially if the subject of the fortnight is one that you are interested in.
Best buys shows the products that are really worth the price and the good thing about this magazine is that they offer some great honest advice. If a product is bad, they will say even if it has a big named brand stamped on it.
There is also a page covering what will be in the next issue.
Features
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Each issue has at least three main features that can cover anything from building your own PC to making money on E-bay. The features that are included are clear and great to read without being too technical. If you are a fan of computers, then the features could be an interested to you. Even for the more advanced user, this magazine is still a great light
read.
On Test
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Computeractive tests hardware (a certain range each issue), CD-ROMs and games. The hardware tests can cover anything from flash drives to computer servers and everything in between and are once again clear and gives some great advice. The CD-ROMs covered are usually on a particular subject that changes from issue to issue. The magazine also reviews
games and gives their opinions. All the reviews on the CD-ROMS and games are very minimal and you will find more in-depth reviews from magazines that are particularly aimed at these subjects, but this magazine is still good for an overview. You can always go and away and research for more information if you find something that you fancy.
Reviews
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This magazine includes a lot of reviews of hot new products, this is one of the most attractive things about this magazine. They give a lot of opinions on products and if you do find something you like you can research further into it.
Workshops
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This is my favourite section of the magazine where you are given step by step guides to accomplishing things on your PC. It can be anything from installing and using a new device to photo editing. There are three workshops to an issue and range from easy to hard levels. Each issue the workshops are followed by a hints and tops page, where you can find some
great little titbits on tweaking programs and make the most of software.
Conclusion
*************
Computeractive has advertisements included in the magazine but they are kept to a minimum, which is good for those who hate going through ten pages of adverts until you reach the content page! Sometimes it is good to have advertisements, especially if you are looking for a new PC or upgrades, you wont find that from this magazine, so you will be better off going for a magazine aimed at advertising computer equipment.
Computeractive includes a jargon buster on a lot of its pages. As you read through the magazine you will find words
highlighted in red, these words are computer terms. The jargon buster are boxes of definitions that are their so you can find out a basic definition of the word. Which is great for new or beginner PC users.
You won't find any hardcore, in depth analysis of anything in this magazine, but this is a still a great read and well worth the price. You will enjoy this magazine if you're a beginner or a professional. If you are looking for game reviews, buy a magazine that is specifically aimed at PC gamers, as this magazine just won't meet you requirements!
I am going to continue to buy this magazine as I enjoy it. It makes for a good read during work coffee breaks.
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