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Inside the Machine: An Illustrated Introduction to Microprocessors and Computer Architecture
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 621.392
EAN: 9781593271046
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 1593271042
Label: No Starch Press
Manufacturer: No Starch Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: November 30, 2006
Publisher: No Starch Press
Studio: No Starch Press
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Editorial Review:
Computers perform countless tasks ranging from the business critical to the recreational, but regardless of how differently they may look and behave, they're all amazingly similar in basic function. Once you understand how the microprocessor-or central processing unit (CPU)-works, you'll have a firm grasp of the fundamental concepts at the heart of all modern computing.
Inside the Machine, from the co-founder of the highly respected Ars Technica website, explains how microprocessors operate-what they do and how they do it. The book uses analogies, full-color diagrams, and clear language to convey the ideas that form the basis of modern computing. After discussing computers in the abstract, the book examines specific microprocessors from Intel, IBM, and Motorola, from the original models up through today's leading processors. It contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available (online or in print) on Intel's latest processors: the Pentium M, Core, and Core 2 Duo. Inside the Machine also explains technology terms and concepts that readers often hear but may not fully understand, such as "pipelining," "L1 cache," "main memory," "superscalar processing," and "out-of-order execution."
Includes discussion of: Parts of the computer and microprocessor Programming fundamentals (arithmetic instructions, memory accesses, control flow instructions, and data types) Intermediate and advanced microprocessor concepts (branch prediction and speculative execution) Intermediate and advanced microprocessor concepts (branch prediction and speculative execution) Intermediate and advanced computing concepts (instruction set architectures, RISC and CISC, the memory hierarchy, and encoding and decoding machine language instructions) 64-bit computing vs. 32-bit computing Caching and performance
Inside the Machine is perfect for students of science and engineering, IT and business professionals, and the growing community of hardware tinkerers who like to dig into the guts of their machines.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Introductory text takes you from beginner to intermediary- and it is fun too!
I started with very limited understanding of computer architecture. What I had was a jumble of marketing terms I had picked up from reading popular PC magazines. This book helped me understand the basics of computer architecture, and quickly took me on a fun and insightful tour of major 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.
I have gained enough understanding from this book to move on to more quantitative treatments of processor design.
Rating:  - Very Good.
This book is very accessible. I came in with little knowledge of of a cpu works and came out with a lot more. It spends about half its time on simple theory or how a cpu works and the other half on showing how this was implemented in processors in the last three decades.
Rating: - Great Intro to Microprocessor Architecture
Jon Stokes takes us on a journey through time, beginning with a trivial hypothetical processor, marching through the fundamental design decisions and trade-offs that microprocessor designers have made over the years with subsequent versions of their products.
Each major component of microprocessor architecture is described. Rarely does a book so perfectly describe a complex subject in simple and easy to understand terms. The book is full of excellent color illustrations that help drive ... Read More
Rating: - Very good introduction and overview
I liked the simplicity in the book. It is very easy to read and understand things written on it. I classify the book as introductory level in computer architecture giving an overview on the today's microprocessors. I would recommend it for those who want to learn something about microprocessors on their own, outside the class or want to read some brief details about the most current microprocessors (i.e. Core 2 Duo) or architectural comparison between different microarchitectures (i.e. IBM and Intel ... Read More
Rating:  - Heavy on Intel and IBM, very light on AMD
First let me say that, with some hesitation, this book is worth the read. If you're looking for a easy to understand text on x86 and RISC computing, this is your book. But after reading it I was left with more criticism than accolades. So let's start with the good:
From top to bottom it describes the microarchitecture of every Intel processor from the Pentium to the Core 2 Duo and likewise with every PowerPC processor with the exception of the G6, (which was released around the same time ... Read More
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