If you were a PC user in the 1980s and 1990s and wanted a good PC specific magazine, it was hard to go wrong with PC World. The October 1990 issue includes:
Previews
Paradox Muscles Up - An early look at Borland's Paradox 3.5.
A New Kind of Home PC - A preview of the Tandy 1000RL. Here the editors compare it favorably with the PS/1. It had lower end hardware (a 9.54MHz 8086 CPU, 512K of RAM, CGA graphics, 720K disk drive) but was quiet, ready to go out of the box, and already came with all the software most users would need, including DeskMate which made DOS easier to use.
Reviews
Laptops With the Light Stuff - A look at the latest "small and light" laptops. Reviewed here are the Compaq LTE, Toshiba T1000XE, Zenith Data Systems MiniPort HD, Compaq LTE/286 Model 20, Sharp PC-6220, Texas Instruments TravelMate 2000, and Toshiba T1200XE. They all include either an 80C86 or 80C286 CPU, 1MB RAM, 2400-bps modem, and floppy drive for prices ranging from $2348 to $3657.
Four SQL Data Bases: Mainframe Muscle in a PC Package - A look at four SQL database servers for OS/2 including IBM Database Manager, Oracle Server for OS/2 1.0, SQLBase SErver for OS/2 4.0.1, and SQL Server 1.0.
Data Base Alternatives: Client-Server Computing Without OS/2 - OS/2 was the primary choice for high end database software but there were also servers available for DOS and Netware including Informix-Online 4.0, NetWare SQL 2.10, XDB-Server, and Emerald Bay Database Server 2.1.
Printer Power: NetWare Pop-Up Utilities - A look at some NetWare utilities that provide file and printer sharing functionality including LANSmart/NV2.0, LANSpool 2.0, PS-Print 2,3, Printer Assist 3.0, and Q Assist 4.0.
Top of the News - Microsoft LAN MAN 2.0 released, IBM creates printer division, computer prices fall, Compaq systems to include EISA, new VGA card, 2.88 MB floppies, and more.
Industry Outlook - New Windows presentation software for Windows 3.0 like Microsoft's PowerPoint and Micrografx's Charisma challenge existing DOS software, vendors improve dot matrix printers as the face challenges from laser printers, fax boards spread slowly, dBASE IV 1.1 ships, and more.
Product Outlook - A look at new products including a PostScript cartridge for LaserJet printers, AutoWord (file conversion program), the Epson LQ860 (a color dot matrix printer), the NCR PC486/MC33 and AST Premium 486/33 (high end desktop PCs), QMS PS 410 (laser printer), DataEase SQL (SQL data base front end), Sharp PC-4741 and PC-5741 (portable computers), ReadRight (OCR software), IRMAtrac Token Ring Adapter/Convertible (4 or 16mbps network adapter), QEMM 5.1 and Deskqview 2.3 (memory management), and more.
Features
The Readers' Choice: 1990 World Class Awards - Readers pick the best products of 1990 in a wide variety of categories both in hardware and software.
Who Pays for Tech Support? - What to expect in regards to support when you buy a new PC.
WordPerfect Sets a Lofty (and Costly) Standard for Service - WordPerfect spent an average of $9 per sale on technical support.
Can You Depend on Your Dealer for Technical Support - A look at the quality of PC dealer technical support.
Buyer's Guide: The Best of Shareware 1990 - Some shareware mentioned here includes PKZIP and PKUNZIP, Procomm 2.4.3, Qmodem 4.2, PC-Write 3.03, QEdit Advanced 2.1, and much more.
Painless Programming With BASICA - A guide to using BASICA including with an example in the form of a DOS menu system.
Words Into Print - Word processor tips including spell checking in WordPerfect, customizing work dictionaries, and automating WordPerfect passwords.
Spreadsheets (A..Z) - Using Lotus 1-2-3's Data Query Extract command to extract records from a database.
Data Basics - Explaining database indexes.
Art of Persuasion - Choosing the right type for your documents and presentations and customizing Ventura headers and footers.
The Information Edge - Finding special interest newsletters with NewsNet and simplifying stock analysis with MetaStock.
Departments
Richard Landry - The world of software copyrights and interface patents.
Letters - Letters from readers about using Windows 3.0, the best math coprocessors, making backups, and more.
The Help Screen - Wild cards in Windows 3.0, running programs automatically, swapping printer ports, and more.
Network Q&A - Questions answered about using a database remotely. High speed options are discussed including using a T1 line (and all of the associated costs).
Consumer Watch - Alternative solutions to vendor tech support, including online services.
Developer's Toolbox - Tips for programming TSRs.
Taking It Home - Things you can do with a modem and online services such as Prodigy, CompuServe, and Dialog.
