subject: Which Personal Computer Is Ideal For Digital Photography? [print this page] If you want to create slide shows of your images or edit and print your own photos at home. A personal computer is essential. So what should you look for when selecting a PC to use for digital photography?
A personal computer (PC) ideal for digital photography can be thought of as a digital darkroom. What used to be done in an actual 'dark room' full of noxious fumes and poisonous chemicals can now be done in daylight, sipping coffee, listening to music and with relative ease.
Anyone keen on getting hands-on with their pictures, particularly when it comes to playing around with printing, creating enlargements or making slide shows with music and special effects, will need a personal computer (PC).
What Type of Personal Computer is ideal?
There are two main types of PC on the market: portable laptop PCs and desktop PCs. Whether you buy a laptop or a desktop is down to the tasks you want to do and whether or not you'll want to do them 'on location' and need portability, or work from a fixed location such as your home. Whatever your need, remember that laptops tend to have slower processors, smaller hard discs and (often) smaller screens, but they will probably have built-in wireless connectivity.
Which Operating System (OS), Windows or Mac?
Whether you buy a desktop or laptop, it will use a specific operating system (OS). This is simply a computer program used to make a computer run. The most common is the Windows operating system. Around 95% of people who own a PC use a Windows PC. They're made by a variety of manufacturers, Dell, IBM and HP are good examples; the latter even produces specific PC systems for digital imaging.
The second main type of operating system is Mac OS used in Apple Macintosh (Mac) computers. Originally designed to be simple enough for children to grasp quickly, Macs do essentially the same job as Windows PCs. Both these type of computer come in laptop and desktop form. A Mac tends to be more expensive 'of the shelf' but comes loaded with proprietary software- and the right hardware- for imaging .it contains everything you'll need to get started including CD and/or DVD creation, image manipulation, music and slide show software. Its basic but it's there and it gets your started.
A Windows PC has some of this but will not always have the right graphics abilities (it may need upgrading, so be sure to ask before you buy) or the software you might need. However, like Macs , you'll get the basics.
Compatibility
Mac or Windows software can only be used on the type of operating system it's been created for and is not transferable. In other words, once you have a Windows software (that makes Windows software run on a Mac for example), but it is not cheap and makes things run very slowly. However, new 'Intel' Mac can run both Mac and PC software.
Which Features to look for?
You need to ensure that the computer you buy has a large hard disc, as this is where all the programs and files are stored. Image rapidly fill up storage space; buy a PC with the biggest hard disc you can afford but ideally a minimum of around 100 gigabytes (80GB). Another item to ensure you have in a PC is 'fast' processor; the processor does all the computing for you. Intel is a well-know manufacturer that makes Pentium processors make Celeron processors. Either way it is worth buying a PC with a recognizable brand name such as these. Yes, you'll pay a little more but it will be reliable and fast. Get the fastest available within your budget.
To save space on your desk, buy a computer with an LCD screen. They're very thin and light. Most PCs now have these as standard. A laptop is also good in this respect as it has its screen built into the lid. Larger, old-fashioned style CRT (cathode ray tube) screens are big, heavy and take up loads of room by comparison.
Also ensure you get a PC with a built-in CD/DVD drive, preferably one that can both play and create CDs and DVDs. Check the PC spec carefully for this as there are many variations, without such features you won't be able to author your own slide shows for example.
Maximise the RAM
There's one simple thing you can do to make your digital imaging experience faster on your PC - maximise the amount of RAM. Random Access Memory (RAM) is different from 'storage memory' (the hard disc) as your PC uses it to carry out the takes you give it. All of your commands and the resulting data are processed here, including the data for your photos.
So, the more your PC is doing at once, say processing changes to one image while you try to print another, the more quickly the RAM gets used up, and the slower your PC becomes- no matter how large it's hard disc. But , you can avoid this simply by ensuring your have as much RAM installing as you can afford. It's also much cheaper to get extra RAM fitted (if needed of course - check when you buy as your PC may already be 'fully loaded') when you buy a PC. The retailer should be happy to advise and fit it for you too. Adding RAM is an extra, but not excessive, expense and it will be money well spent. The end of Digital Photography Tutorial
