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iPhone Manual for Beginners vs. iPhone: the missing manual. Which book is better for your iPhone

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The two best-selling books on using your iPhone are the iPhone Manual for Beginners by Joe Malacina and iPhone: the missing manual by David Pogue. We are often asked which one of these books is the best? So we decided to give both books an evaluation and put together the following comparison review.

First, let me start out by explaining that both books do an excellent job at explaining how to use the many functions and abilities of the iPhone. However, they each utilize their own approach and style in delivering the information, and there are many other aspects to consider, such as price and additional features.

Which book is easier to read physically?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners

By this question, we mean which book best utilizes illustrations, font size, formatting, and style? Both books contain color illustrations throughout the text that demonstrate exactly how to perform certain tasks on your iPhone. The Missing Manual book has more illustrations than the iPhone Manual for Beginners, however the latter’s illustrations are larger and easier to comprehend. In addition, many have complained that the Index in the Missing Manual is jumbled and difficult to use, so we give the Index advantage to the iPhone Manual for Beginners. For readability, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is the clear winner here with large font and smooth spacing between paragraphs.

Which book contains more information?

Winner: iPhone: the missing manual

There is no doubt that iPhone: the missing manual has the edge when it comes to the amount of information contained in the text. The Missing Manual comes in at 720 pages with a size of 6″ x 9″! Conversely, the iPhone Manual for Beginners comes in at 144 pages with a book size of 8.5″ x 11″. If you are looking for a big box manual that contains every possible ounce of information, then the Missing Manual book may be right for you. On the other hand, the iPhone Manual for Beginners utilizes a different approach; it can be read in its entirety in one day, and teaches using a building blocks approach, which seems to be best for beginners who are trying to learn from the ground up. In summary, the iPhone: the missing manual contains much more information than the iPhone Manual for Beginners, however, that does not mean that it is a better book.

Which book is best for different iPhone skill levels?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners

This one is a no-brainer. At 720 pages, I do not expect a complete beginner, let alone an intermediate user of an iPhone to read the entire Missing Manual book. On the other hand, a complete beginner would find the iPhone Manual for Beginners very easy to read and complete. In my opinion, the book has a better flow of information and is structured so that beginner concepts you use in early chapters are utilized more fully in later chapters. In addition, as the book continues on, the author covers more intermediate and advanced functions of the iPhone. In summary, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is the better book for users of all skill levels, including beginners. The only exception would be if you are a highly experienced IT professional, then the Missing Manual book may be better for you.

Which book is cheaper?

Winner: iPhone: the missing manual

This was somewhat surprising given that the Missing Manual contains nearly 600 more pages than the iPhone Manual for Beginners. However, it should be noted that physical quality of the iPhone Manual for Beginners is slightly better than the Missing Manual with better colors and better binding. The cost of the Missing Manual seems to fluctuate almost daily, however it can usually be purchased for between $16.99 USD and $29.95 USD. The iPhone Manual for Beginners’s price is more steady, and can usually be purchased for between $19.95 USD and $24.95 USD.

Which book has better availability?

Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners (just slightly)

By availability, we mean which book is available in more places and will ship the quickest? This was a difficult question to answer definitively. The iPhone Manual for Beginners is available in most countries, including the United States, Canada, all of Europe, and Australia, and also ships from within these countries so delivery is quite fast. The Missing Manual is stocked by more bookstores in comparison, however we were not able to verify if the Missing Manual is locally available in more countries.

Which book is best? The iPhone Manual for Beginners or iPhone: the missing manual?

Overall Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners by Joe Malacina

Taking everything into consideration, the iPhone Manual for Beginners is a better book for most people when trying to learn how to use the iPhone. We prefer its style compared to the Missing Manual and also prefer its organization. The iPhone Manual for Beginners utilizes a step-by-step approach with illustrations for most functions, and also presents information in an easy-to-follow manner. In addition, the organization of the book is superb, with a clear and concise Table of Contents and an understandable Index. The only downside of the iPhone Manual for Beginners is its additional cost (by about $4-$6), however the additional cost seems to be worth it given its overall presentation of information. In conclusion, we would recommend the iPhone Manual for Beginners for iPhone users of all skill levels, including beginners and intermediate users.

Both books can ordered on Amazon and other websites:

Order iPhone Manual for Beginners on Amazon.

Order iPhone Manual for Beginners on Infinity Guides

Order iPhone: the missing manual on Amazon

-DummiesBlog.com Review Crew

Learning your new iPhone – An iPhone Manual or Video Guide?

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How to learn your new iPhone

I often get asked what is the easiest way to learn how to use your iPhone.  My answer: it depends.  There are a lot of variables to consider.  Some people have never used a smartphone in their life.  Some people have never used an Apple product in their life.  Others are switching from a Samsung or Motorola smartphone.  I’ll break down my recommendations here so if any apply to you, you can evaluate the advice.

The iPhone is your first “smartphone”, and you have no idea what you are doing.

The first scenario is quite common, and finding help for these people can be tricky.  What do I mean by your first “smartphone”?  By smartphone I mean a phone that utilizes a touch screen for the majority of its features and that can browse the internet and download apps.  Older flip phones do not count.  So what are you to do in this scenario?  It depends on how you like to learn.  The two options I would recommend are either to get a book that teaches you how to use your iPhone, or watch a video course on how to use your iPhone.  I have found that many seniors prefer to go the book route, whereas many baby boomers seem to prefer the video.

If you want to learn via a book, I would recommend the iPhone Manual for Beginners.  The book is very successful at teaching people how to use their iPhone and contains detailed illustrations to help the learning process.  It also works as a great reference manual for when you need a quick review.

If you are looking to learn by watching a video, I would recommend How to Use the iPhone for Beginners.  The video is about 30 minutes and covers most of the important aspects of the iPhone.

You are switching from a Samsung or other smartphone to the iPhone.

If you fall in this category, learning to use your iPhone will be much easier.  The iPhone shares some similarities with other smartphones and you can pick up on these pretty quickly.  Most people in this category probably won’t need a book or a video guide.  You can most likely figure out the iPhone slowly over time.  However, if you feel the need for a quick course on the iPhone’s ins and outs, I would recommend the video guide How to use the iPhone for Beginners.

You just got an iPhone, but you have experience using an iPod or iPad.

Lastly, if you find yourself in this category there is no need to seek outside assistance in learning your device. Upon using your iPhone, you will quickly realize that the iPhone is almost identical to the iPad and iPod touch in terms of how it works.  So if you have used those devices in the past there will be very little adjustment needed.  If you think you still need some assistance with your iPhone, subscribe to my newsletter on the right.  I send out weekly emails with tips and tricks for using your iPhone, including my monthly recommended apps.