Name of Site: PC World
URL:
www.pcworld.com
Plug-Ins: Yes
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Heavy, Good Quality
Internal Links: 33+
Review: The magazine has a circulation of 1.25 million, and with that success comes the ability to build a huge complimentary Web site. In fact sales could go way down, as everyone realises the value of pointing and clicking their way through the magazine's content. The simple fact that you can link straight to advertisers' homepages, or download software right in the middle of an article is a cool thing. The site is handily sectioned off into reviews, news, how-tos, features, downloads and a product finder which covers just about everything you might need. 'Top ten' charts abound, giving you an idea of the leading products in any category. There is an explosion of hardware products around, and PC World is staying right on top of the boom with expert reviews and very good industry relationships. The 'how-to' section is not that big, because there are more specialised sites catering for this. If you want to get your hands on the good gear and keep up with the latest news, PC World is here to help. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Guru 3D
URL:
www.guru3d.com
Plug-ins: No
Navigability: Medium
Graphics: Medium, Good Quality
Internal Links: 25
Review: What better people to turn to for advice on hardware than the fanatics who use the products to maximum effect - the gamers? If blistering hard core shoot-em-up video game action won't test your computer's components, I don't know what will. Here you have an extensive selection of video cards, mother boards, sound cards, RAM - all the things that make your PC go "kaboom!" There are articles, price comparisons, forums and news, and tons of really detailed product reviews, researched and written by people who make sure they know their stuff, because their obsession depends on it. After you've bought your dream set up, it's time to get serious with the gaming, and the Gurus are happy to offer their library of cheats and hints, help to tweak and tune your system for optimum performance, and link you to the respective homepages of each manufacturer for any driver downloads the lads may have missed. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: CNET Computers
URL:
www.cnet.com
Plug-ins: Yes
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Heavy, Good Quality
Internal Links: 30+
Review: Plug in and turn on, baby, CNET is about to launch you into hardware overdrive. A virtual metropolis dedicated to everything digital, from motherboards to MP3 players, scanners to enterprise network servers, the CNET fine-toothed comb is passed through the lot, providing not only product reviews, but a complete suite of departments dedicated to helping you get the most out of your computer experience. They even provide special live applications that check your hard drive for security flaws, possible software upgrade options and bandwidth performance, not to mention the huge array of third party downloads. They are very well supplied with advertisers, so following through with a purchase after boning up on the specs is as simple as clicking the mouse. Subscribe to their numerous newsletters, read up on the latest IT industry machinations and satisfy your eternal lust for the latest, greatest, coolest gear. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: Lycos Shop - Computers
URL:
shop.lycos.com/index.cfm?id=1139
Plug-ins: No
Navigability: Medium
Graphics: Medium, Good Quality
Internal Links: 36
Review: What does any good search engine do when it realises it has a captive audience of millions? Turn itself into a supermarket! Lycos follows the lead of other search giants and pushes the shopping trolley as fast as its wobbly wheels will go. Not too wobbly, actually, because they have secured some strong retail partners and built a huge listing of devices and accessories, as well as fully blown systems that you can browse and buy. The departments are set up neatly, with some specials, ideas, news and reviews, as well as a set of buying guides and tech help. The outright commercialism might send some people looking for more independent resources to aid their decision making, but having a well-established online retail business probably makes for a smoother buying process all round. - SS
Rating: ***
Name of Site: Hardware Central
URL:
www.hardwarecentral.com
Plug-ins: No
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Medium, Good Quality
Internal Links: 20
Review: A mere niche of the ubiquitous internet.com corporation, this site presents clean, clear and concise coverage of all things of a hardware bent. Some thought provoking news stories and articles head up the clickable odyssey through discussion forums, interviews, editorials and reports, through to tips and tutorials - lots of tutorials. They sit on the cutting edge of the IT business, so there are some interesting peeks at up and coming devices and developments. Being hooked up to the larger network, this site links you to a wealth of other resources, so that no matter what you may be using your computer for, you will definitely find a host of useful connections here. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: MKData Illustrated Hardware Guide
URL:
www.mkdata.dk/click/index.htm
Plug-Ins: No
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Heavy, Medium Quality
Internal Links: 100+
Review: Although this site looks like it was designed some time in the last millennium, the information presented is well worth a look. It is a "click and learn" concept, offered in three languages, where you simply browse the site and in doing so become an expert on the inner workings of your favourite box of chips. Each component of your system is covered, with photos of various devices, charts of performance, logic flow-charts of how your computer operates and a complete dictionary of all those terms and acronyms we are so conditioned to, but probably don't know what the hell they stand for. The whole thing has been created by one man, in a quest to enlighten the planet to the wonders of computer hardware. Anyone with anything less than a complete understanding of computers would be well advised to spend a little time here. You'd be amazed how simple it all is, once it's explained. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: PC Magazine
URL:
www.pcmag.com
Plug-Ins: No
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Heavy, Good Quality
Internal Links: 50+
Review: Another big player at the newsagents brings the best of their editorial, technical and marketing prowess to the Web. It looks and feels like a magazine, but the linked content offers a lot more than any centrefold could deliver. They claim an independent stance when discussing or reviewing any product, but still manage to represent a healthy selection of big names in the hardware game. The site is nicely categorised into zones and topics that steer you in the right direction, whether you are simply browsing the latest products or delving more deeply into the world of computer technology. Free membership accesses the forums, downloads and email newsletter, whilst casual browsers can find a host of solutions, tips, news, expert industry analysis and advanced product testing. For the enthusiasts, 'Extreme Tech' digs beneath the surface to reveal the mysteries lurking behind the screen. With so much on offer, you are going to feel guilty if you don't subscribe to the magazine, which of course they would love you to do. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: Gateway Computers
URL:
www.gateway.com.au
Plug-Ins: No
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Medium, High Quality
Internal Links: 80+
Review: Form the outset this hardware retailer site is attractive in its deceptive simplicity. Clicking on any link opens up a whole new level of functionality geared towards making everything easy for you, the customer. Customise any computer any way you like it, adding gigabytes here and video cameras there, whilst the site does all the hard work calculating the damage to your credit card. They've really thought of everything, catering for the novice right up to the pro with complete attention to your needs. They even provide ISP services, a Web portal with Net guide and training. Add to that a software catalogue of some magnitude, and you may never need to shop anywhere else. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Dell Computers
URL:
www.dell.com/ap/au/en/gen/default.htm
Plug-Ins: No
Navigability: Easy
Graphics: Medium, Good Quality
Internal Links: 20
Review: It's interesting to see how different companies deal with the complexity of choosing and buying computer gear online. Dell's approach is to cut to the chase and deliver up the systems and goodies up front, offer the customisation options with a set of drop down boxes, and herd you straight to the checkout. No handy hints, tips and tricks, expert columnists and forums, just straight-shooting product information. How to buy, how to shop, how to take delivery, how safe your privacy is when you submit your order. There is a technical support section, which has been cleverly geared to cater for your level of knowledge, but the tutelage is reserved for those who bought product. Not a bad approach, really, because there are plenty of other sites around, the main objective for Dell is to make sure you get yourself a killer machine and since they made it so easy, you will come back again in three months time when the whole system becomes obsolete. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: ZDNet
URL:
www.zdnet.com
Plug-Ins: Yes
Navigability: Medium
Graphics: Medium, Good Quality
Internal Links: 100s
Review: The definitive source for all things tech, ZDNet are a veritable entire civilization of geeks and nerds, encouraged by some very able business minds, scouring the globe for anything that may even slightly be of interest to computer users. Whether you are a neophyte or a developer, the channels are all open to explore. IT Headline news fronts the portal which takes you through buying guides, product reviews, editorials, showcases, tutorials, downloads, virus alerts, ezines, even web site building applications, auctions and forums. Even though the site is so large you don't get lost, with easy drop down navigation items, search and quick links. All the while your next big hardware purchase is only a few clicks away, with major manufacturers clamouring to splash themselves on every available square inch of space. It's all too much, and you'll love it. - SS
Rating: *****
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