In the last few years a computing revolution has been started. We have arrived at a point where an individual can have access to a personal computer that has real advantages over larger minicomputers and mainframes for a number of significant applications. When the further step is taken of providing a communications link between that personal computer and those larger systems, the overall result is a combination of capabilities of unprecedented potential.

As in any revolution, there have been problems and mistakes along the path. Indeed there are still shortcomings and hazards to be avoided. Nonetheless, there are personal computing systems available which offer many advantages for a wide spectrum of academic and professional people. This document is intended as an overview of what is currently marketed, providing reference points for the interested individual.

An impressive number of reasonably priced personal computer software packages of interest to political scientists are now on the market. Owners of computers such as the TRS-80 Model III and the Apple II can purchase software for word processing and statistical analysis which can substantially increase their productivity. Scholars trying to meet publication deadlines need no longer be delayed by harried secretaries trying single-handedly to meet the needs of an entire department. A computer/word processor used by a typist of average ability is nearly the equal of a good professional secretary. And those with even fairly large statistical analysis requirements may no longer be tied to the university's hectic “computer center” where they must wait in line for terminals, try to think amid constant movement and never-ending conversation, or suffer errors produced by noise injected between their terminal and the main frame along telephone lines.

This is an analysis of statistical packages sold by four companies for use on a variety of low, moderate, and high priced personal computers. Our focus on these packages reflects our statistical needs for research and teaching. We were looking for programs capable of handling relatively large data bases and with the capacity to perform multiple regression and time series analyses. We needed a program that could be used to analyze data generated from small survey samples. This required both frequency distribution and contingency table development and analysis. Finally, we needed a program or programs in an affordable price range.