PC World was perhaps the most popular PC specific magazine from the 1980s through at least the early 2000s. 1980s issues especially had huge page counts with this one coming in at over 450 pages. The October 1986 issue includes:
Getting Started
Up From the Drafting Board - CAD on the PC. Choosing the right software and hardware. Available CAD software at the time included AutoCAD, VersaCAD, ProDesign II, Personal Designer, EasyCAD, ProDesign II, RoboCAD-PC, and others.
Community
World Class PC - Readers pick their favorite hardware and software in over 39 categories. Some winners include: IBM PC AT (best desktop computer), Compaq Portable 286 Model 2 (best transportable computer), Data GeneralOne (best lap-size computer), Hayes Smartmodem 1200 (best modem), SixPakPlus (best memory expansion board), 20MB ST 225 (best hard drive), WordPerfect (best word processor), 1-2-3 (best spreadsheet), Norton Utilities (best utility), Crosstalk XVI (best communications software), Turbo Pascal (best programming language), Microsoft Flight Simulator (best game), and many others.
Timothy Leary's Looking Glass - A look at Mind Mirror, a "mental adventure" game designed by Timothy Leary and published by Electronic Arts.
Table of Contents from the October 1986 issue of PC World
Review
Andrew Tobias: Right on the Money - A look at the latest version of Managing Your Money, a series of related programs for managing your finances.
A Plan for DBASE III - A look at the latest version of dBASE III Plus. The menu driven assistant, greater programming power, and new networking features are a few of the major improvements.
Mapping Strategies - A look at mapping software for the PC including Atlas AMP, Map-Master, and Randmap.
State of the Art
The PC Prescription - New PC medical programs help doctors administer medicine with greater accuracy.
TARGA's Vision Vision - A look at AT&T's TARGA 16 image capture and display board which allows the capture of still images from video.
Table of Contents from the October 1986 issue of PC World (continued)
Hands On
Outlining With Style - A look at Microsoft Word 3.0's outlining capabilities using style sheets.
BASICally Better Menus - Creating custom menus with BASIC and batch commands.
Departments
David Bunnell - PC vs. Macintosh.
Letters - Letters from readers about desktop publishing on the PC, Volkswriter 3, computer dealers, and more.
REMark - The difference between tools and solutions.
PC World View - Mitch Kapor leaves Lotus, government PC purchases, Z-Glove input device, and more.
From the Hardware Shelf - A look at the PC+ from Thompson, Harriman & Edwards, the Kimtron KT-7/PC, and more.
From the Software Shelf - A look at the Traveling SideKick organizer, SmartNotes, The Printing Press, and more.
