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Choosing a Computer System for Digital Imaging
prints with friends and family, inkjets are the way to go.
But if you have higher aspirations, you'll need more computer power and a better
scan than you can get at home. Again, this is where service bureaus come in.
You're not going to get fine art quality out of a home printer, no matter how good
inkjet printers get. They'll always lag behind the state of the art, because of cost
simple engineering economics. A $250 inkjet printer cannot be designed and built
to the same standards as a $250,000 continuous tone printer. Consider your needs
and make your choices.
Should you get an inkjet printer for proofing your images before sending them to a
service bureau for high end output? Absolutely not. This statement is going to stir
come controversy, but consider the ramification. Proofing on one device for output
on another device throws more variables into the equation. Those of use who
struggled with math in school understand the importance of minimal variables.
Proof on the same device you use for final output and you'll avoid a lot of
headaches.
Budgeting Decisions
Now you're ready to get down to the details. Where do you spend your money?
Choose a monitor or, preferably, monitors. Buy an excellent monitor for your
working monitor, then get a cheap one for your tool palettes. Next, decide how
much RAM you'll need. Look up the price of RAM, and plug it into your
spreadsheet. Then add in the software. Now you'll see how much you have left over
for a computer and peripherals.
Low end system
● 512MB minimum for working with 35mm originals
● Software = PhotoShop or other
● Monitors = 17-inch for images, 15-inch for tool palettes
● Backup device = CD-RW
● Scanner = low end film scanner
● Printer = inkjet for sharing files with friends and family
● Hardware calibrator for monitor
● Computer = Whatever is left in your budget
High end system
● 1GB minimum, but more is better
● Software = PhotoShop, there is no other clear choice
http://www.photo.net/photo/computers (8 of 33)7/3/2005 2:19:07 AM