I went through this text chapter by chapter. I worked it fully as part of an A+ curriculum at a Career Technical School, including accompanying workbooks, labs and online testing through Cisco's Net Academy. Therefore, I believe I'm very qualified to give it a worthy review. So here goes...
I'll start off with the good stuff. The book did prepare me for the A+ certification tests; though I'm glad my school program didn't expect it to carry the educational burden all on its own. The Cisco text was all that was offered for the hardware portion (it's a balance of hardware and software information). In addition, our class worked a two book set from ElementK, which was excellent.
Now back on track: I feel that the Cisco program is headed for providing a fine tutorial for computer geeks to be. In my opinion it presented important knowledge in good order, understandable language and context. It's got potential.
The problem is that it appears to be a *very* rough draft that was rushed out to market and never edited again. It is stacked to the brim with miscaptioned images, confusing sentences, tested or reviewed information that's never covered in the chapter being quizzed. There are plain technical screw-ups where incorrect and sometimes dangerous information is given. In short, I'm very glad I came into it having a comfortable relationship with PCs, because, otherwise, I might have damaged something along the way, or burned the book as a sacrifice to the gods of better editing.
Don't give Cisco your money. They're trying to pawn an alpha test off on you as a functional product.
At first glance, I was a little shocked to see Cisco Press publish a book titled,
I.T. Essentials 1: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide. After all, this is a company in which its name is synonymous with routers and switches. However, this book is intended for those folks who are just starting out in the I.T. world and those of who are attending an Authorized Cisco Network Academy. That does not mean that you have to be a student of an Academy to grasp the practices and concepts packed in this guide.
This book was designed for individuals who want to understand the workings of a computer, both hardware and software. I.T. Essentials 1 does a great job in covering the basics of computers while teaching you how to prevent, maintain, and troubleshoot both hardware and software issues. The companion guide is laid out in the normal Cisco Press fashion we have grown accustom to - starting out with the chapter objectives and ending with a chapter summary and "Check Your Understanding" review questions.
As expected, I.T. Essentials 1 is packed with screenshots, figures, and diagrams to help illustrate the information clearly. For those of you who wish to pursue their A+ certification, this book will not disappoint you. All thirteen chapters are dedicated to help you achieve your CompTIA A+ certification.
The accompanied CD-ROM contains three test engines as well as interactive labs, videos, and PhotoZooms. For individuals studying for the CompTIA A+ exam, supplemental material includes a certification map that correspond the books chapters to the A+ exam objectives.
One thing I did find disappointing with the book was the organization, you're the lack there of. The chapters appear to be in no particular order. I found myself jumping around from one topic to the next and then back again. However, this would hardly be a reason not to purchase this book.
In the end, I felt Cisco Press; et al did a great job in relaying the information clearly. Weather you are a student at an Authorized Cisco Network Academy, an individual just starting out in the I.T. world, or someone who is studying for their CompTIA A+ certification I.T. Essentials 1: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide will not disappoint you.