Personal Computer World

:This article refers to 'Personal Computer World', a British computer magazine. It should not be confused with PC World, which can refer either to an unrelated magazine, or to the British computer retailer.

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Personal Computer World (usually referred to as PCW) is a long-running British Computer magazine, which was launched in 1978. It is currently owned by VNU Business Publications.

Related Topics:
British - Computer - 1978 - VNU Business Publications

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At present, it features a mixture of articles, mainly related to the Windows PC, with some Linux and Macintosh-related content. The news pages include reports on various new technologies. Large parts of the magazine are taken up with reviews of computers and software. There is also a 'Hands On' section which is more tutorial-based. Advertising still makes up a large proportion of its bulk, although this has diminished somewhat since its peak in the 1990s.

Related Topics:
Windows - PC - Linux - Macintosh - 1990s

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The magazine typically comes with a cover-mounted CD or DVD, the latter containing additional content. Although the magazines themselves are virtually identical, those with a free DVD cost noticeably more than those with a free CD.

Related Topics:
Cover-mounted - CD - DVD

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Despite containing a high proportion of Windows PC content (reflecting the current state of the IT field), the magazine's title was not intended as a specific reference to this. At its inception in 1978 'personal computer' was still a generic term, and did not refer specifically to the Wintel (or 'IBM PC compatible') platform; in fact, such a thing did not exist at the time (the original IBM PC itself would not be launched for another three years). Similarly, the magazine is unrelated to the Amstrad PCW.

Related Topics:
IT - Wintel - IBM PC compatible - IBM PC - Amstrad PCW

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At one stage, the magazine was (effectively) sold as 'PCW', but this abbreviation was dropped from the cover after just a few issues.

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The magazine has changed (both in terms of style and content) on many occasions since its launch. The latest of these changes took place with the November 2005 issue, when the magazine was relaunched with an updated look (including glossier paper and a redesigned layout), new features, fewer advertising pages, and a slightly higher price tag.

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