Computer Shopper (US magazine)
Encyclopedia
Computer Shopper was a monthly consumer computer magazine published by SX2 Media Labs
, it ceased publication in April 2009.
The publisher continues to run ComputerShopper.com, a related website.
The site comprises central pages for all major computer hardware and software categories. One section lists break out the site's most recent coverage according to category, while another lists provide guidance to the five best products in a given category. The site provides succinct summaries (including videos) of how to shop for PC hardware in over 30 categories. Editors blog new product releases and first impressions.
A forum
enables readers to engage in debate and get answers to computer buying questions and operating troubles. The site's download area provides access to thousands of free, shareware, and trial software apps, maintained on the back end by CNET.com
.
. It began as a tabloid-size publication on yellow newsprint that primarily contained classified advertising and ads for computers (then largely kit-built, hobbyist systems), parts, and software. The magazine was created by Glenn Patch, publisher of the photo-equipment magazine Shutterbug Ads, in the hopes of applying its formula to a PC-technology magazine.
The magazine rapidly expanded into the then-burgeoning area of popular factory-built computers such as the TRS-80, as well as models from Apple Inc., Atari
, Texas Instruments
, and others. For a time, it was a popular source of info for users of these soon-to-be-outmoded home computer
s. Then, as the white box
IBM PC compatible
business exploded in the mid-1980s, it became a source of shopping info—via its editorial content and its volume of direct-sales advertising—for the clone-PC revolution. Dell
and Gateway, Inc.
sold their wares through ads in the pages of Computer Shopper.
In August 1984, the first perfect-bound issue of Computer Shopper debuted (at 350 pages), and the phone-book-size magazine regularly topped the 800-page mark during the early 1990s. It was during this time that the magazine was sold to Ziff-Davis Publishing (first as a limited partnership, then solely owned). It was later sold, in 2000, along with Ziff-Davis' ZDNet Web site, to CNET
. CNET sold Computer Shopper to its current owners, SX2 Media Labs, in 2006. In April 2009, SX2 Media Labs discontinued the print version of the magazine.
SX2 Media Labs
SX2 Media Labs LLC is a New York City based company which owns and publishes two United States technology magazines: Computer Shopper and the once-yearly College Buying Guide....
, it ceased publication in April 2009.
The publisher continues to run ComputerShopper.com, a related website.
Web Site
The web site is a portal with reviews, product roundups, help and how-to coverage. It has a comparison-shopping component that allows buyers to connect with the lowest prices on technology products from online sellers.The site comprises central pages for all major computer hardware and software categories. One section lists break out the site's most recent coverage according to category, while another lists provide guidance to the five best products in a given category. The site provides succinct summaries (including videos) of how to shop for PC hardware in over 30 categories. Editors blog new product releases and first impressions.
A forum
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
enables readers to engage in debate and get answers to computer buying questions and operating troubles. The site's download area provides access to thousands of free, shareware, and trial software apps, maintained on the back end by CNET.com
CNET.com
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
.
Magazine
Computer Shopper, the print magazine, comprised the following sections at the end of its publication:- Boot Up. A commentary and product-news section written by the magazine's expert editors. A column written by Senior Editor Sarah E. Anderson examined tech-buying and related issues from a working mother's perspective.
- Reviews. Over two dozen in each issue, in-depth product reviews were the core of Computer Shopper's mission. Computer Shopper's reviews comprised rigorous lab testing and thorough analysis by some of the industry’s foremost experts on PC hardware and software.
- Features. Typically two or three per issue, the feature stories were typically product-centric, comprising head-to-head roundups and hardware and software buying guides. In addition, help and how-to features assisted readers in getting the most out of the technology they already own.
- Help and How-To. Here, Computer Shopper editors assisted readers with their tech troubles. Also, "Weekend Project" stories gave step-by-step directions on exactly how to perform common upgrades, PC-based leisure and productivity tasks, and much more. PC-building coverage also kept readers apprised of the latest in PC-hobbyist products.
- Shut Down. A retrospective look at technology through the archives of Computer Shopper.
History of Computer Shopper Magazine
Continuously published for 30 years, Computer Shopper magazine was established in 1979 in Titusville, FloridaTitusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
. It began as a tabloid-size publication on yellow newsprint that primarily contained classified advertising and ads for computers (then largely kit-built, hobbyist systems), parts, and software. The magazine was created by Glenn Patch, publisher of the photo-equipment magazine Shutterbug Ads, in the hopes of applying its formula to a PC-technology magazine.
The magazine rapidly expanded into the then-burgeoning area of popular factory-built computers such as the TRS-80, as well as models from Apple Inc., Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
, Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
, and others. For a time, it was a popular source of info for users of these soon-to-be-outmoded home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
s. Then, as the white box
White box (computer hardware)
In computer hardware, a white box is a personal computer or server without a registered brand name. For instance, the term is applied to systems assembled by small system integrators and to homebuilt computer systems assembled by end users from parts purchased separately at retail. In this latter...
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
business exploded in the mid-1980s, it became a source of shopping info—via its editorial content and its volume of direct-sales advertising—for the clone-PC revolution. Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
and Gateway, Inc.
Gateway, Inc.
Gateway Computer Corporation, is a computer hardware company headquartered in Irvine, California, USA which develops, manufactures, supports, and markets a wide range of personal computers, computer monitors, servers, and computer accessories...
sold their wares through ads in the pages of Computer Shopper.
In August 1984, the first perfect-bound issue of Computer Shopper debuted (at 350 pages), and the phone-book-size magazine regularly topped the 800-page mark during the early 1990s. It was during this time that the magazine was sold to Ziff-Davis Publishing (first as a limited partnership, then solely owned). It was later sold, in 2000, along with Ziff-Davis' ZDNet Web site, to CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
. CNET sold Computer Shopper to its current owners, SX2 Media Labs, in 2006. In April 2009, SX2 Media Labs discontinued the print version of the magazine.
List of Editors-in-Chief
- Stan VeitStan VeitStan Veit was an entrepreneur and publisher who played an important role in the early days of the personal computer industry in the United States. He ran "Computer Mart," the first computer store in New York City, was the personal computer editor of Popular Electronics Magazine, and then...
(1982-1986) - John DickinsonJohn DickinsonJohn Dickinson may refer to:* John Dickinson , lawyer, Governor of Delaware and Pennsylvania, signer of U.S. Constitution, and namesake of Dickinson College* John D. Dickinson , lawyer and U.S...
(1986-1988) - John Blackford (1988-2000)
- Janice Chen (2000-2006)
- Rik Fairlie (2006-2007)
- John A. Burek (2008-present)