Posted by Rene de Heer on September 8, 2007 at 9:58 AM
I am also looking into a new Windows PC, can someone recommend the best possible spec for a Digital imaging machine. I prefer to stick with Intel. I found this machine on the web. Is this any good?
Posted by Joanne Mead on September 8, 2007 at 1:11 PM
I can recommend a company called PC Specialist, www.pcspecialist.co.uk. They build bespoke computers and do a good job for a good price - they provide local call rate tech support and you will know exactly what is in the box - you specify it.
I suggest an Intel Core Duo processor (I have the 2x2.6GHz option), a minimum of 2GB DDR RAM (faster the better), mid-range graphics card, plenty of hard disk space and you can choose to have XP installed rather than have Vista foisted upon you. DVD writer and a DVD ROM drive, built-in card reader. You will get a reasonably spec'd system from £800 upwards.
The warranties are simple and you'll get all the installation CDs etc with the machine. For the digital darkroom, dual-core is fine - it's what Photoshop has been designed to utilise.
The trouble with the above is that they don't tell you much detail - and it doesn't appear particularly cheap either. PCS I can vouch for.
Jo
Posted by Paul Gibbs on September 8, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Sounds ok, Rene, but i think, you could get more for your money. I always build my own systems (i developed systems for a company for 5 years so its almost second nature).
Saying this, work use Dell systems and they seem pretty good, out dublin design office have similar spec systems, i've just put the numbers into Dells's site and they offer a higher spec system for that price...
Posted by Javier Martin on September 8, 2007 at 8:32 PM
After spending lots of time browsing eBay and other Internet shops I decided on this one after advice form my IT friends, according to them HP is much better than other companies that offer very high specs for the same money but apparently use very cheap components as some of the Internet shops might do. Two year warranty and a highly reputable company were also important in my decision. I did buy the monitor on eBay though, a very nice Dell UltraSharp 2007FP 20 inch for £209.
Discussion
3 replieshttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-Quad-Q6700-Aguila-Tower-Computer-System_W0QQitemZ130149974632QQihZ003QQcategoryZ179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
many thanks for any advice
Rene de Heer
I suggest an Intel Core Duo processor (I have the 2x2.6GHz option), a minimum of 2GB DDR RAM (faster the better), mid-range graphics card, plenty of hard disk space and you can choose to have XP installed rather than have Vista foisted upon you. DVD writer and a DVD ROM drive, built-in card reader. You will get a reasonably spec'd system from £800 upwards.
The warranties are simple and you'll get all the installation CDs etc with the machine. For the digital darkroom, dual-core is fine - it's what Photoshop has been designed to utilise.
The trouble with the above is that they don't tell you much detail - and it doesn't appear particularly cheap either. PCS I can vouch for.
Jo
Saying this, work use Dell systems and they seem pretty good, out dublin design office have similar spec systems, i've just put the numbers into Dells's site and they offer a higher spec system for that price...
http://www.johnlewis.com/Technology/Computers/Computers/Desktops/396/230437723/Product.aspx
After spending lots of time browsing eBay and other Internet shops I decided on this one after advice form my IT friends, according to them HP is much better than other companies that offer very high specs for the same money but apparently use very cheap components as some of the Internet shops might do. Two year warranty and a highly reputable company were also important in my decision. I did buy the monitor on eBay though, a very nice Dell UltraSharp 2007FP 20 inch for £209.
Javier