Maximum PC (1-year auto-renewal)

If you're the sort of person who builds his own machine or is thinking of doing so, Maximum PC will likely prove itself useful to you. Likewise for those planning to do their own hardware upgrades. And if you're like me and just like to stay aware of and knowledgeable about current products and technologies then this is still an excellent and informative read.

To be fair, there are a few features that may be displeasing to some readers. The writing is occasionally glib with a tendency towards sophomoric humor. There's also a fair amount of focus on gaming, particularly 3D gaming technology. And the overriding theme of much of the magazine is maximizing the speed, power, and coolness of your machine. To me these aren't negative qualities, but this may not be of interest to some users.

All in all this is still my favorite magazine and the one I most look forward to receiving each month. I have no plans to end my subscription.


Awesome magazine!   January 7, 2002
D. Hunter
59 out of 62 found this review helpful

Okay, if you're a hardware power-junkie, this is your mag. Max PC rips on those who disappoint (should have seen the slamming report on K-mart's "Blue-light special" PC awhile back) and give out the coveted Kick-a** award to only those deserving few. It covers specialized PC modifications (Specialty paint jobs, lights, windows, panels, conversions, etc), hardware issues, love/hate issues with new PCs and products on the market and so much more!

This magazine is also a lot more easy-going on a language level than a lot of other PC magazines. They don't say things "We believe this to be an inferior product". They say "This thing sucks!". It makes it a little easier to read than the standard, overly serious PC-mag.

Also, once a year, the folks at Max PC put together the ultimate PC of the year. This is a PC builder's midnight fantasy full of the latest (most expensive) hardware. Then they give you a run-down on it's scores.

I've recommended this mag to everyone I know who is even slightly interested in computers.

They've also saved me much headaches (and a lot of cash) from their "Watchdog" column, which monitors a vendor's customer service, and/or financial problems with refunds/ returns or patches.

I'd say get signed up, this mag is worth the cash!


A Real Surprise!   November 6, 2003
Bruce in California (Sacramento, CA USA)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

MaximumPC wasn't my choice. It was sent to me uninvited to complete a subscription I had for a magazine that went defunct. On top of that, I have only a passing interest in PC's; I am certainly not a technician, nor am I an avid gamer. To complete the disconnect, I am 59 years old. With that background, you might be surprised to learn that I look forward to receiving each issue. So was I.
It's hard to put a finger on what makes this magazine so appealing to someone like me. First I like the style. Other reviewrs have described it as edgy, but I think of it as fun and accessible. I have ever read any other PC book or magazine that I would describe as anything even close to fun, but this one definately is. Secondly, it has fascinating hardware articles that are incredibly clear and understandable. I have learned more about video cards, memory types, and processors than I ever thought I would want to learn, all while being entertained. I have to admit that the article on building your own super PC made me want to do just that, although I would opt for the budget version, which they also included in the article. Finally, the software reviews are first class, honest, and hardhitting. They are written by avid, unabashed gamers, and they are not shy about calling a toad a toad. I have used their reviews to buy christmas and birthday gifts and have never been disappointed.
This magazine is one of those rare combinations of information and entertainment. I read it cover to cover each month, usually smiling most of the way. Needless to say, I renewed my subscription.


The best Computer Magazine   August 5, 2005
williesbest2 (United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I think this magazine is the best computer magazine around. However, this magazine is more towards the gamers and the extreme PC enthusiasts (like me). I don't know why anybody would want the disk version because it just costs more and there's nothing really good on the disk. As for the magazine it reviews pretty much everything that you would want to know about, even a few things you don't really want to know about. A lot of people get mad at Maximum PC because of the way they put there reviews and everything. Some months it'll be focused on MP3 Players and other months Motherboards or CPU's or something like that. I don't know how many people like this type of magazine, but I sure do. If you have come from PC World or PC Magazine and are looking for a more entertaining magazine this is for you. If you like PC World and PC Magazine and are looking for an addition to these, do not get this magazine unless you are very sure that you are going to like reading about graphics cards and cpus. So all those people that don't like computers, don't like computer gaming upgrade advise, and don't like entertaining magazines stay away from this one and stop spamming amazon with reviews of the magazine that are bias.


The straight scoop   October 31, 2001
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Thank god this is not a Ziff Davis publication. MaxPC will actually tell you if a product is bad. They will print just what they think about something; no sugar coating. I would compare their style to Car and Driver. Technical, but they know how to have a good time.