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What kind of
computer do I need to get into digital imaging?
There has been a lot of mis- and even dis-information
about what one needs in a computer in order to work with photos. You’ll
hear that you have to have this or that brand, or this type of computer
processor chip, or you have to spend many thousands of dollars. None of
this is true. Here are the critical requirements of a computer that will
be used for digital imaging.
Random Access Memory (RAM). You need to have at least 64 MB
(megabytes) when working with photo files. Anything less than that can
work for smaller images, but it will also make you more susceptible to
crashes and will definitely slow the computer down. 128 MB is better, and
if you plan on doing large prints, you’ll need even more than that.
Large hard drive. Hard
drive prices have plummeted in recent years, a real boon to photographers
as photos use up disk space in a hurry. You’ll need at least 2 GB
(gigabytes), and more is much better.
Fast modem. Most
computers come with a 56K modem today, and you’ll need it if you plan on
using the Internet to send photos. (Sure, a 28.8 K modem works – but data
is sent and received at a slower speed.)
Large monitor. If you are very serious about digital imaging, go for
at least a 17-inch color monitor. The software you use will have an
interface that will often take up much of the screen area – leaving less
than the full screen for the image area. You need a large monitor so you
can see the photos better on your screen.
Removable storage. You will need to take photos off the computer to
take them to a photo lab and to store backups of important images safely.
Zip drives are ubiquitous and give you 100-250 MB of removable storage
(depending on the drive model). CD-RW drives are also great for
photographers as they allow you to store over 600 MB of photo files quite
cheaply on either CD-R or CD-RW disks. These disks are easily read by
nearly any computer and are very durable.
Processor. Any processor made in the last couple of years, for either
Windows or Mac computers, will work fine as long as you have enough RAM
and hard drive space. Faster processors (measured in megahertz such as
300, 400 or 500) will make faster work of your photos, but if you have
time, they are not a necessity.
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