Customer Rating: 
Summary: No true geek should be without a subscription
Comment: This fine magazine is a cross between WIRED, American Woodworker, Popular Mechanics and Scientific American. Each issue features four very detailed DIY projects, along with short descriptions and general guides to a few others. Combined with the DIY info, there is the usual mix of opinion articles, political commentary, news summaries, letters, articles about crazy DIY-folk, etc.
The four "core" DIY projects in each issue include step-by-step instructions, full parts lists and extensive photos (or screenshots). All parts lists also include sources, which is important in an age where the parts department of Radio Shack just isn't what it used to be.
The projects featured in each issue are usually funky, weird, stuff that only a tiny fraction of the readers will actually build. As another reviewer said, most of the projects are simply not that useful. However, just because the projects aren't exactly useful doesn't mean they aren't cool. Will I ever build a timed cat feeder powered by a castoff VCR and a recycled hand-crank meat grinder? No. Do I think that the idea of recycling the motors and control circuits to do such a thing is neat? Of course, and any "real" geek would agree.
Most electronic projects assume basic soldering skills (an introduction to soldering is available in Vol 1), and most computer projects natrually involve more skill than just booting the machine.
Outside of the "core" projects in each issue, the "DIY" section features a bunch of abbreviated project summaries, with the expectation you will have to scrounge some of your own parts, and be able to read a schematic diagram. A geeky friend could probably help you out with those if you are in over your head.
Yes, this magazine is expensive. $34.95/yr for four issues sounds like a lot. However, the ads are far less intrusive than they would be in a cheaper magazine, the articles better written, and to make it suitable for use in an actual workshop, it is printed on sturdy bond paper and bound with a cardstock cover.
As with any magazine, some issues and some articles are better than others, but on the whole, the quality of the magazine is quite high.
Many have said that most of the tutorials in the magazine can be found on the web in various forms, scattered about. That is completely true. Nevertheless, it is convenient to have the information in a fairly well-tested magazine that has the added advantage of being on paper.
In summary, if the sort of topics covered in MAKE interest you, I know of no other magazine on the market that is better.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Magazine of Great Projects
Comment: First, let me say that this publication will definately bring out the kid in you. It's basically a 'how to' manual for fun projects along with some great editoral. While MAKE is more geared toward the hobbyist crowd, there are plenty of projects for novices. And the whole point is to get you building, creating, and having fun--so you can move on to those bigger, more ambitious projects. And YES, buy one off the magazine rack and try it out first--what goofball buys a subscription to a magazine before reading it???
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Has the promise to be a great mag but ...
Comment: Had great expectations, for the expensive subscription you get some really great coverage of neat hardware hacking stuff happening out there (and available on the web). The how to make stuff takes many many unnecessary pages, get the feel that they are trying to fill the pages with large photo spreads. Still has a way to go before it becomes a successful combination of Wired magazine, Elektor electronics, and hardware hack websites. Would definitely like more stuff like making an XYZ mill/router instead of a feature on the MIT fab lab. In spite of all the above I have renewed the pricey subscription - am still hoping ...!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mostly junk, of very limited interest--buy a copy first
Comment: I made the mistake of subscribing to Make, based on the hype. It turns out to be long and tedious, with instructions on how to make really messy junk of virtually no interest or use. Successive issues have gone down hill, and by issue 4 they were dealing in vanity pictures of people's garage workshops. Maybe you'll be the one in a million who wants to make useless junk, but buy a copy or two at the newstand before you subscribe. It's not obviously wonderful.
Customer Rating:
Summary: For Anyone Who Thinks Outside the Box
Comment: 'Build a Light-Seeking Robot from an Old (Computer) Mouse' on the cover of V2 was the hook that drew me in. Now I find myself seriously considering the purchase of a soldering iron...
I have been a longtime subscriber to Scientific American and many years ago they ran a column called 'The Amateur Scientist' which discussed the physics behind everyday occurrences and offered many hands-on projects to explore the world of light, radiation, physics, etc. Now we have Make. Don't misunderstand me - this is not a science magazine, but it is an exploring and thinking magazine. Make will appeal to anyone who has ever hesitated to throw out old electronics or appliances because maybe there were parts they could reuse, or who ever took something apart out of curiosity to see what was inside. There are other perks as well - I found the 'Toolbox' section of the mag to be a great starting point for stocking stuffers.
Make magazine recaptures that 'knowledge for it's own sake' feeling. Each issue provides you with detailed and well-illustrated articles showing how people can adapt existing technology and products to new and different uses, or just make the existing product better.
With 3 jaded house cats, Mousey the Junkbot could be just what we need to shake things up around here.
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