A Plus for any Computer User (PC Plus)

Member Name: KerriLou

Product:	PC Plus
Date:	16/04/03 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good helpdesk and masterclass sections

Disadvantages: Price slightly steep

PCPlus is a computer magazine that covers news, reviews, and new developments and also has a helpdesk section.

***FRONT OF THE MAGAZINE***
PCPlus usually has 3 ?SuperDiscs? on the front. There is normally 5 ? 10 full programs on the discs, and also freeware programs. There is also trial software, open source software and also on the DVD edition are Linux programs and tweaks. The programs are always useful, but be careful not to go overboard on the installation and the uninstallation! Also included on the discs are all the helpdesk and master classes, that are in the magazine (read on to find out more).

***IN THE MAGAZINE***

REGULARS

News ? this gives the latest news in detail, including company news, new legislation and possible new products.

Mailbox ? the mailbox gives the readers the chance to write in and give their points of view across, about any subject, the star letter will win a prize, and this is not normally one to be sniffed at.

Campaign ? the Campaign gives the readers the opportunity to write n and complain about any computer related companies that have caused heartache. PCPlus will then try and get in touch with the company and will print their rely. This in effect names and shames companies that cause problems and enables people to make their own decisions as to whether to use the companies, some of them big companies that you would expect better from.

There is also a section, which names a good guy of the month, which gives a company the praise it deserves, sometimes it?s the little companies that are the best.

ON TEST

This regularly has one big test, probably a computer system test. This will test 10 pc?s from different manufacturers for a certain criteria e.g. under £799. Three awards are normally given ? Editors Choice ??the top award for products that combine exceptionally performance with superb value for money?. Performance Award ? ?awarded to produc
ts that excel in out performance quality tests where money is no object?. Value Award ? ?awarded to products that represent outstanding value for money, giving you more bang for buck?.

PCPlus uses a benchmark to test the pc?s it says it provides an objective and scientific way of testing pc?s.

Each review gives the price including and excluding VAT, the supplier, the phone number and the website of the supplier. It gives the verdict of the magazine, the points for and against a certain product as well as the overall score. Each review also gives an in-depth write up of the item.

There is also an in-depth analysis table, which gives all the specifications and contact details of the computers tested.

They also test the latest hardware and software products around so that we may see what products we are really buying before we buy them.

Each test also uses the above rating system, which uses the following criteria: Value ? this judges the cost of the actual product against what the product actually contains. Features ? this gives detail on how the features and components rate against what the product was supposed to do. Performance: this takes in the speed and power against the overall price and specification. There is then an overall score which lets you see quickly whether the product is worth having or not.

Typical products tested are mobile pc?s, applications and peripherals.

NETWORK
This part of the magazine is a part that is dedicated to business and enterprise computing. Also in this section they review the best hardware and software for business as well as the latest news.

This is a small section in the main magazine, it takes the same format as the main magazine and is dedicated to the business world, but although it is aimed at the business market there may be bits in it that may interest the home user.

HELPDESK

The helpdesk section answers readers letters a
bout problems they are having with their computers, and also software problems along with hints and tips that will enable you to get things done quicker and far easier. This section is usually an invaluable source of information and may readers have the same problems as you and therefore some of the most frustrating problems can be solved. All Helpdesk problems, hints and fixes are available on the SuperDisc.

MASTERCLASS

The master class section is a part of the magazine, which gives workshops on a wide range of topics from creative graphics to programming.

Expert Workshops: this may take the form of taking some of the software on the front cd?s and giving a hand in getting started. The magazine gives a project time, a skill level from beginner to intermediate to advance, it also tells you what you will need to complete the project. They then work you through step by step and then give you other hints and tips about going further. These are normally ongoing projects and there maybe several instalments over several issues.

PROGRAMMERS WORLD

This section is obviously dedicated to programming and the skill level ranges from intermediate to advanced. Sections include C#, Visual Basic, Delphi and C++. All the files needed for any of the master classes or programmers world are on the super discs.

SUPERDISCS

The SuperDisc section goes through each full program that is on the cover disks and explains how and what you use the software for.

Each full program has a section dedicated to it and gives details on how to use the software and what may be done with it. It gives information on system requirements, the skill level required, how to obtain a serial code, and any other information that may be required.

There is also information on how to upgrade and save money; PCPlus has rights to enable its readers to upgrade its super disc?s full programs to the latest releases at special prices.


PRICE
The price of the PCPlus CD version is £5.99, I don?t know what the DVD editions costs. This is fairly expensive for a magazine but the excellent content and the excellent cover discs do make it fairly good value for money.

You can also subscribe to PCPlus either by direct debit - £12.50 for the CD edition every 3 months or £13.75 for the DVD edition every 3 months. It?s also possible to pay for 13 issues at once, this costing £49.99 for the CD edition and £54.99 for the DVD edition.

CONTACT DETAILS

www.pcplus.co.uk
Letters for publication: pcplus.mailbox@futurenet.co.uk tel: 01225 442244 fax: 01225 732295
SuperDisc problems: pcplus.support@futurenet.co.uk
Subscriptions: customerservice@futurenet.co.uk tel 0870 444 8662/01458 271135 fax: 01458 274378

VERDICT

This magazine tackles anything from the home user to the professional. The helpdesk section is an invaluable source of information and help. The master classes help you to use different kinds of software and gives you handy hints.

The reviews help you to decide what to buy and what not to buy, giving reviews to the latest products on the market.

This is a good magazine that anyone at any level would find interesting and helpful. The price is a little steep but the cover discs are such an excellent source of free software that it makes up for it.

Overall a great magazine.

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