This book investigates the technical architecture, operational capabilities, and programming environment of the Amstrad CPC664 home computer. Ian Sinclair, a prolific technical author of the era, provides a structured examination of the machine's hardware specifications, its built-in BASIC interpreter, and the practical application of its unique features for users transitioning into home computing. The text serves as a comprehensive manual for understanding the machine's internal logic and peripheral integration.

The text functions as a standard technical reference for the mid-1980s home computing market, offering a clear and systematic approach to mastering the CPC664 hardware. Its focus on practical implementation and hardware-level understanding makes it a representative example of the instructional literature produced for the era's popular microcomputers.