PC Format

Most computing magazines are either Internet, Games, Hardware or Advert orientated.
PC Format is a totally different magazine.
The magazine is divided into sections.

PCF News
This section informs you about all the latest news in the computing world. For example the hottest hardware, the latest and greatest games and even ISP news, with all the so-called free ISP's going under it's always good to keep ahead on what's going on. Basically, this section gives you up to date information.

Practical.
All throughout the magazine, there are loads of practical hit and tips, and advice on how to perform certain tasks. The issue I bought had a spread on Can You Fix It. It gave lots of practical advice on what to do if your computer crashes, develops a virus, won't start etc etc. I found this section really easy to understand, everything is written jargon free. This page was a god send to me, because at the time I was experiencing major troubles with my computer.
Every issue features these practical hints and tips, and normally there are about 4 or 5 subjects.

How To.
This section explains to you How To do different things, for example make your own portal, build your own Quake level, create your own comic strip plus lots more. This is a really big section, and obviously every issue has a different theme.

Gameplay.
This section takes up a large percentage of the magazine. It features previews of games to be released. There are tonnes of reviews. Not just full priced games though, there are even budget game reviews. All the games are honestly rated, with realistic system requires, and of course the price. Also if you are stuck on a particular game, there are lots of tips and tactics to help you along. People even post in their cheats so if you are stuck on a game, you may find the answer in this magazine.

Tried and Tested.
This is an invaluable section if you are planning to buy a new piece of hardware or software. It has detailed reviews printer, scanners, CDRW's, joysticks, computer systems and DVD players. In addition, it features a software section this also has detailed reviews on DTP software, Anti-Virus, Graphic Programs and Music software. Basically, if you can buy it, they will show it.

Helpline.
This is a section where people post in their computer related problems; this section can feature any type of question. Some questions are simple where as other are of a more complicated nature. This is a very informative section.

Buyer's Guide.
This section is like a yellow page, it has easy to read hardware reviews, with rating and a comment. Games are rated in alphabetical order and every ISP is listed with the website address.

This magazine normally has a two CD's with it. The CD's contain latest game demos, applications and the usual stuff you get on a CD, if you know what I mean.

From the review, I have written you would imagine I have nothing but praise for this magazine. Well I do in theory. The magazine is one of the best I have ever come across, mainly because it features a bit of everything, which does make to magazine very interesting.
But I would never buy this magazine again.
The reason why is that this magazine costs £4.99 which I feel is to over priced. If the price were lowered to £3.99, I would probably purchase this magazine. But until it is lowered, I won't be buying it.

If you don't mind paying out this sort of money, that's fine as it is an excellent magazine.