What? You think I’m gonna review hardware in this article? Are you insane? I’ve cracked open a few PCs. I yanked stuff out and I’ve shoved new stuff in but I would never claim to be any sort of expert on computer hardware. When I need to know what’s the best memory upgrade or where to get the best price for a new hard drive, I go where the geeks are. Those pocket-protected, pimple-faced freaks know hardware better than I ever will.

"You want the best product for the best price and you want advice from an impartial expert. Not some kid, working on commission at the Best Buy."

Fortunately for poser-geeks like you and I, we need not go far to find untold treasures of information and opinion on all that is hardware. These junk jockeys build massive resource sites, stacked to the rafters with reviews on almost any piece of PC-related hardware. In addition, many of the sites include cool articles, message boards, newsletters, shopping comparisons and detailed how-to guides.

As I’ve said before, I’m no expert when it comes to computer hardware. I’ve done some upgrades but I’ve never built a whole computer from scratch. A lot of the upgrades I did, I had to figure things out through trial and error.

For example, way back in 1996, I had a computer without a modem card. I needed a modem. I was still a virgin who had never opened a computer case before. I wanted to keep it that way so I bought and external modem. I looked at the System Requirements on the box, thought I had the right stuff and took it home. Only problem was, I couldn’t get it to work. I had no clue about I/O settings. I called over a friend -that was supposed to be a geek- and we stayed up all night trying to get this shitty, little 14.4 K external modem going but it just wouldn’t go. After he left, I just sat down and fucked with any setting I could. I read the directions. I re-read the directions and I finally got my modem to work. To this day I can’t tell you how I did it. Don’t get me started on the nightmare I suffered when I tried to replace my first CD-ROM drive.

The point being, you may never be adventurous as I am. I’m not afraid to install hardware. I’ll add some more RAM. I’ll replace a sound card or a video card. I like messing with ribbons and cables and buses. Just the same, I’m scared as shit to crack open my laptop. I’ve never had to do it and I dread the day I do. I’d rather take it to a shop or buy a whole new one. These damned machines still cost a lot of money and for adult webmasters, they are our lives.

Whether you’re the kind that wants to do it yourself or you’re the kind that would rather leave it to the professionals, there’s going to come a day when you need some new hardware. You want the best product for the best price and you want advice from an impartial expert. Not some kid, working on commission at the Best Buy.

Listed below are five sites where you can learn anything about hardware. These places all contain solid reviews of everything from printers to PCMCIA ports. You’ll find tips and tricks and tutorials. Some have a lot of ads and a few pop-ups. Some sites aren’t the most pleasant to look at. However, each one contain lots of information and information will make you a better hardware shopper:

1. Tom’s Hardware Guide
(http://www.tomshardware.com)
This is one of C-Pimp’s favorite hardware sites and with good reason. Search his extensive article database. Read his killer guides. When you find what you need, compare prices and never leave Tom’s site.

2. PC/Hardware Reviews from About.Com
(http://compreviews.about.com)
About.Com may be all corporate and ad-heavy now but it’s still got the goods when it comes to real, usable info. Each category has it’s own guide and this category, PC/Hardware Reviews has a guide named Mark Kyrnin.

3. CNET Reviews
(http://reviews.cnet.com)
Talk about ad-heavy! I love CNET even though they bought out my other Favorite ZDNET. CNET, ZDNET, it’s basically the same company. Nevertheless, among the ad banners and text links you will find honest reviews, helpful guides and clear opinions on computer hardware.

4. Dan’s Data
(http://www.dansdata.com)
I dig this Aussie site. It’s a little messy but the advice is tight. He’s also got some great how-to articles for the down and dirty. Check out his piece on creating USB storage with an old hard drive!

5. Sharkey Extreme
(http://www.sharkyextreme.com)
You know you’re in geekland when the moderators on the message board have nicknames like Mandorallen of Molynnr, Galen of Edgewood, and Wurm. Sharkey’s Forum rules. So does its reviews and price comparisons.

Maybe you’ll never be a do-it-yourselfer. But I guarantee, as long as you are an adult webmaster, you’ll always be a hardware buyer. Read some reviews. Compare some prices. Don’t leave your fate and your pocketbook in the hands of that greedy kid from Best Buy!