Two hardcover copies of the same 1979 reference handbook are sitting in the magazines, textbooks, and reference section of a secondhand bookshop, and the choice is knottier than it looks. The Giant Handbook of Computer Projects, compiled by the editors of 73 Magazine, is a project-packed collection aimed at adults and advanced computer science students. One copy is listed as the first edition; the other is a 2nd printing. Both are hardcovers with a Good condition rating and English text. The real question is whether the first edition's extra details are worth choosing over the 2nd printing.
Quick verdict: Take the first edition if you want the earliest edition hardcover with an adult/further-education focus. Pick the 2nd printing if you can accept front-cover damage and creased corners.
Listed Prices at a Glance
| Title | Listed Price | Price Bar | Condition | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Giant Handbook of Computer Projects by 73 Magazine Editors 1979 Hardcover | USD 25.00 | Good | 1st Edition; Ex-Library; Illustrated; Language English | |
| Giant Handbook of Computer Projects by The Editors of 73 Magazine 1979 HC 2nd Pr | USD 23.00 | Good | 2nd printing; Language English |
Where Each Product Wins
- The 1st Edition wins when you want the earliest edition of this 1979 handbook.
- The 2nd printing wins when you want the lower listed price; it also includes the ISBN 9780830697243.
Product Notes
#### The Giant Handbook of Computer Projects by 73 Magazine Editors 1979 Hardcover
This is the copy to pick when you want the first-edition package of the 1979 hardcover. It is a 1st Edition, Ex-Library, Illustrated hardcover, with dimensions of 8.5 x 5.38 x 1.75 inches. The 503-page collection targets advanced computer science students and adults seeking further education, which fits a reader who wants more than a dabbler's overview. The Ex-Library marker suggests library marks or wear typical of an institutional copy. The edition detail and illustrated hardcover presentation make it the easier choice for a reference shelf. If you need a cover in better shape than the 2nd printing, this is where your attention should go.
#### Giant Handbook of Computer Projects by The Editors of 73 Magazine 1979 HC 2nd Pr
This 2nd printing is a hardcover from 1979, in English, with the ISBN 9780830697243 for easy identification. The trade-off is visible wear: the front cover has damage from what looks like a peeled-off sticker, the corners are creased with graphic loss, and the pages are in decent shape. If your goal is to read the projects and you can look past the cover condition, this copy does the job. The limitation is clear: on a display shelf or as a gift, the creasing and front-cover damage will be obvious. Choose it when the copy's function matters more than a cleaner cover.
Final Choice by Use Case
For a first-edition reference hardcover with adult-level context, go with the first edition. For a reading copy of the same 1979 handbook where the front-cover wear is acceptable, the 2nd printing is the pick.
