PC World
| File:PC World logo.svg | |
| Company type | Digital magazine (formerly print magazine) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer magazine publishing |
| Founded | November 1982 |
| Founder | David Bunnell, Cheryl Woodard |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (51 countries) |
Key people | Jon Phillips (editorial director) |
| Products | Computer magazine, digital content |
| Parent | Foundry (since 2025) |
| Website | www |
PC World (also presented as PCWorld) is an internationally distributed computer magazine issued monthly by IDG. Since 2013, it has transitioned exclusively to a digital format.
The magazine offers guidance on personal computing, Internet technologies, and related tech products and services. Each edition features evaluations and tests of hardware and software from a variety of manufacturers, covering items such as digital cameras, audio equipment, and televisions.
Currently, Jon Phillips, formerly associated with Wired, serves as the editorial director. He took over from Steve Fox in August 2012, who had been at the helm since December 2008. Fox succeeded veteran editor Harry McCracken, who resigned following disagreements over editorial direction.
Internationally, PC World is issued under alternative titles including PC Advisor and PC Welt. The publishing division, IDG Consumer & SMB, operates out of San Francisco. Certain non-English versions of PC World have been redirected to other IDG properties; for instance, PCWorld.dk now points to Computerworld.dk.
History
The magazine was introduced during the COMDEX exhibition in November 1982 and made its first appearance on newsstands in March 1983.
Established by David Bunnell and Cheryl Woodard with Andrew Fluegelman as its inaugural editor, PC World has garnered numerous accolades from organizations such as Folio, the American Society of Business Publication Editors, MIN, and the Western Publications Association. It stands out as one of the rare technology magazines to have been nominated for a National Magazine Award.
Prominent writers who have contributed include Steve Bass, Daniel Tynan, Christina Wood, John C. Dvorak, and Stephen Manes. The editorial team has featured leaders like Harry Miller, Richard Landry, Eric Knorr, Karl Koessel, Phil Lemmons, Cathryn Baskin, Kevin McKean, and Harry McCracken.
In February 1999, PC World achieved a milestone by reaching a paid circulation exceeding 1,000,453 subscribers—the first monthly computing publication to do so. By 2006, its audited circulation stood at 750,000 copies, making it the highest-distributed computing magazine worldwide. In April 2005, the television program Digital Duo was rebranded as PC World's Digital Duo, continuing for an additional 26 episodes.
On July 10, 2013, IDG announced the conclusion of the magazine’s three-decade print edition; the August 2013 issue marked its final printed release before fully embracing digital publication.
In December 2024, PC World broadened its coverage of personal technology by merging with sister site TechHive, known since 2017 for its focus on smart home and video streaming technologies.
In March 2025, Foundry—the parent company of PC World—was acquired from IDG/Blackstone by Regent.
Countries
Operating from San Francisco, the original U.S. edition of PC World is distributed in 51 countries worldwide under various titles:
- Published as PC World in Albania, Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Brazil, Denmark, Greece, India (from July 2006), Kosovo, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
- Issued as PC Advisor in Ireland and the UK (publication ceased in 2017).
- Known as PC Welt in Germany.
- Released under the name PCW in Hungary.
- Distributed as Info Komputer in Indonesia.
- Published as Kompiuterija in Lithuania.
- Available as Thế Giới Vi Tính (also referred to as PC World Vietnam) in Vietnam.
Controversy
In May 2007, editor Harry McCracken abruptly resigned amid allegations that incoming CEO Colin Crawford sought to suppress a critical article about Apple and Steve Jobs. Crawford denied these accusations. Later reports suggested McCracken claimed that International Data Group (IDG) pressured staff to avoid negative coverage of key advertisers. On May 9 of that year, Crawford was reassigned and McCracken returned to his editorial role until his departure in 2008.
See also
External links
- Digitized PC World issues available at the Internet Archive
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Monthly periodicals issued in the United States
- Australian computer magazines
- Discontinued computer periodicals from the United States
- Indian computer magazines
- International Data Group publications
- Italian computer magazines
- Periodicals launched in 1982
- Periodicals ceased in 2013
- Digital magazines with discontinued print versions
- Spanish computer magazines
- Publications based in San Francisco
- Mergers and acquisitions in 2025
- International Data Group