Designing your own microcomputer: Constructing your own micro will give you experience, more power for your money, and a system that will do just what you want

Whether you are a potential entre-preneur who wants to keep inventory records, a future engineer who needs to do repetitive calculations, or a hobbyist looking for a home computer, you have to decide how much computing equipment you will need and what kind will best fulfill your requirements. You will also have to decide whether you are better off building or buying your computer equipment. If you are inclined to buy, remember that you are stuck with the choices the designer made when the computer was originally planned. While you can never get completely away from having to make compromises, you can minimize them if you build your own system. You can also save money — or get more computer for your money — because you are providing the labor yourself.