Help me decide on a new computer for CS4

BelaMolnar · August 21, 2009

"I've been working and publishing this site from my Apple 800MHz G4 12" iBook these past two weeks. Not bad for Apple's bottom-of-the-line laptop from 2003! I doubt any Windows machines that old even work anymore, much less work well enough to do everything I need to do to run and publish a website these past two weeks on the road." KR.

I writing this on a same model, 2003 Mac iBook G4 12" . . . . Never needed servicing, and using it for everything. I have a 2000 MAC G4, and a MAC Pro. The 2000 G4 just don't want to quit. I know noting about computer, I only use them, my technician starving. Do I need to say more?

dawn_kelly · August 22, 2009

He told me that if I bought the <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#" target="_blank">Dell XPS One</a>, it was so high end and on the cutting edge that it would last me 10-15 years.

That is pretty much a lie. Considering that technology speed doubles about every 18 months, speed will have increased 6 to 10 times in new technology by that time.

josephbraun · August 22, 2009

mac makes a superior product IMHO

dpbours · August 22, 2009

Since I need to be mobile, I went for a Lenovo T500.

- T9600 processor, currently one of the fastest laptop processors;

- Screen 15.4", WSXGA+ (1680x1050, 129dpi, 200+ nit);

- Two internal video cards (!), one for the tough graphics works, one when on the road and needing to give presentations - saves energy to use a lower grade graphics card when you don't need the power of the good one...

- 8 Gb RAM, 320 Gb HD, Draft N wireless to connect to my file server etc.

And very important; 6.5 hours on one battery and the option to use 2 batteries.

http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/merchandising/US/PDFs/t400_and_t500_datasheet.pdf

And still way cheaper than a MAC, though they are superior once you start buying all you other equipment mac-compatible. Then again, I don't have a goldmine in my backyard ;-)

dhbebb · August 22, 2009

I woudn't disagree with any of the above, but my approach is nonetheless different. I run at least 5 PCs in my business, have no intrinsic interest in building/repairing computers, and find a dumb approach, buying off-the-shelf computers from computer supermarkets, meets all my needs (in fact the average computer, being specified for video gaming, is overspecified for still imaging). Super-large hard disks and vast amounts of RAM (over 4 GB) may be great for high-end video editing, for stills it's overkill.

The most important factors I find are

a) RAM - 1 GB is barely adequate, 2 seems to be fine for me, 4 would ideal

b) hard disks - regard an internal hard disk as storage for stuff you are working on - always store stuff elsewhere when a project is finished. A big internal hard disk will make you lazy about backup. I have 2 external hard disks, each 50% bigger than the internal disk, and back up religiously - I learned the hard way to do this after data losses.

c) anti-virus software. Totally essential, I use AVG. It slows the computer down but really seems to eliminate problems.

For several years, I have used laptops 7 to 8 hours day for desktop publishing and imaging. Although I avoid major repair work as not a cost-effective use of my time, I replace hard disks as routine after 2 years, this is very simple on laptops, as it is only necessary to remove a small panel, the 5 hours reloading software is a pain but much less so if you are doing it at a time of your own choosing and without the stress of losing data.

As regard brands, I was big on HP for years, tried a couple of Toshibas which were fine. The HP online store in Britain was so awful the last time I tried to buy something that I bought a Dell instead - fine so far, although it's only been installed a few weeks.

Build your own computer by all means - but only if this is your idea of fun!

dpbours · August 22, 2009

Whether or not you will need > 4 Gb of RAM memory also depends on whether or not you'll be scanning or printing large formats.

With > 4 Gb I can scan batches of 6 medium format negatives towards tiff at 9600 without any problems. Same accounts if you would print batches of A3+ photos. You can set software that it is making less use of RAM, but it will be slower then.

mikehynes · August 22, 2009

Have a look at <a href="http://www.pugetsystems.com">www.pugetsystems.com</a>.

I had a PC built by them a few months ago and was very impressed with everything about the company.

linh dinh · August 22, 2009

You should check this

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/workstations?~ck=anav&c=us&l=en&s=biz&cs=555&a=23~0~147180&navla=23~0~147180

Good luck.

alberta_pizzolato · August 22, 2009

Get a Mac. I've owned only three since 1987. None of them died. None of them froze. I upgraded them until software dictated I move on - faster processor, more memory. I use Time Machine for seamless auto-backups. I use an application weekly (MacScan) to delete tracking cookies but don't need virus protection at all. I've had no problem finding software for everything I want to do on a computer. And the user interface could not be better. Macs aren't computers, they're an experience, a lifestyle. If you're primary purpose for a new computer is photography and you get a PC, you'lll miss out on iPhoto, iWeb, iMovie, iDVD, movie transfer to iTunes, external sharing and storage with iDisk to name just a few image related things at which Apple excels. All extremely easy to learn. I wouldn't let a PC in the front door.

bob_h · August 22, 2009

While you are visiting the Oregon coast, consider visiting Manzanita Beach, a quiet coastal town, and a great place for a campfire or bonfire on the beach at night. This place is not as "touristy" as some of the bigger places like Canon Beach and Seaside, which are both worth seeing as well. You can tour the Tillamook Cheese factory in Tillamook. Their cheeses are quite good. Drive up to the top of the state, Astoria and across the bridge and up along the coast . The Astoria bridge and the town are photogenic. On the long beach peninsula see the harbor in Ilwaco WA, and hike the trail up to the lighthouse, and see Dead Mans Cove. In Portland, check out Powells Books, The Rose Garden, ride the aerial tram up to OHSU Hospital, ride the trolley from Lake Oswego to downtown Portland and back, drive up to the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, see Multnomah Falls and try some Tempura Fried Halibut at some of the Portland Restaurants. One more thing, have fun! Think about the new computer when you get back home.

carlos_pulido · August 22, 2009

As a rule I have always shied away from upgrading or making changes to more than one major component at a time. CS4, Windows 7 and a new PC all at the same time would scare me. Upgrading to just one of the three (any 1) would keep me busy for days. I can just imagine calling Adobe, Microsoft or Dell support if an issue came up. Each of them would point to the other two as being the problem. At the end of the day, you're going to be all by yourself trying to figure this thing out.

Anyway, attached is a link to the Adobe site on how to optimize the performance of CS3. If you haven't yet, try implementing them. See if it improves the CS3 performance. Note the memory limitations on the XP and Vista 32 bit OS. I don't know if they apply to the W7. Also, Dell may not be the best support but they are open 24 - 7. If you're going with a local custom builder, go with one that can provide your support needs.

Good luck and hope all goes well.

andre_noble5 · August 23, 2009

I faced the same decision 10 months ago. I went with a Dell XPS 630i desktop system. It has a 8GB RAM (I installed 8 GB of matching Crucial RAM on my own). It also has a 2.4 GHz Quad Intel Processor. I opted for the Vista 64bit platform and have had no problems with compatibility with my Nikon ED 5000 scanner after installing the Vuescan driver. I am able to use Nikon Scan. The system has been very robust. I handles the weighty programs such as Nikon NX2 and Optics DxO very competently. It works very well with Photoshop CS4 64bit. I highly recommend the Dell XPS 630I for photoshop. Get an even more powerful quad core intel processor if you want your computer to be relevent 7 or 8 years from now.

Christal1664882414 · August 23, 2009

To everyone,

Since I'm on vacation, I'll answer you all collectively. First of all, I have NO doubt that MAC's are fantastic. I hear that from so many different friends. And I also have an Apple store right here in town, so I could take the computer in for repairs if needed. But the main reason I'm not going to get one this time is that I'm simply used to Windows, and in the year I've owned my Apple laptop I haven't made or taken the time to figure out how to use the MAC to its fullest. I'm going to have enough of a learning curve trying to get better at photography and editing, learning CS4 and Lightroom 2. That's enough on my plate. I know myself, and I just don't think learning the MAC is going to happen at this point in my life....maybe later. :-) Having said all that, Alberta, I will have the capability to use all of those MAC programs because they're on my laptop. :-)

Thanks to a few of you for the further suggestions for systems and/or websites.......will definitely check each and every one out.

Dawn.....yes, I agree......or if I wanted to be charitable I would say he was exaggerating. :-) I was certainly suspect when he said it could last that long!

And a few of you mentioned memory. I'm sure I'd be fine with any computer off the rack for now. But my problem has been with every single computer I've owned is that I get what I think is plenty, and then several years down the road I need more, the computer starts getting sluggish, etc. So this time I'm going to go with WAY more than I think I need....at the very least 4GB.

And Carlos, I hear you. But I don't think Windows 7 will be that hard for me to learn. I've learned every other operating system pretty quickly. It will be hard for me to learn CS4 though. But I don't have CS3 now.....wish I did. I have a very early version of Elements......it doesn't have levels or curves and it's very limiting.

Andre....It has been suggested that we get the quad core processor, which we've decided to do......that will help us gain a little time before the computer becomes irrelevant.

And last, but not least....to Bob......thanks for the travel advice. I'm sitting in a motel on Cannon Beach at this very moment. We arrived too late to take many pictures, but it's an amazing place. And to think we almost didn't come here because we had heard it was too touristy. That it is....a bit. But the rocks are amazing, and you shouldn't miss seeing them, IMO. We won't make it to Astoria on this trip. We're starting in C. Beach, then heading south down to Bandon Beach. Yes, we'll definitely stop at Tillamook Cheese, and we've been to Multnomah before. I'll store away your other suggestions for future trips. We have relatives who live in Portland, so we'll be back often. We DO love it out here! We've never been to the coast up this far north......only between LA and San Diego. It's really beautiful here!

I appreciate how everyone is trying to give me their two cents.....it arms me with enough information so that at the very least I'll know how to ask an intelligent question (hopefully) and think about all the things that I'll need on my computer. But Bob said it best.......it's on to vacation time now folks. :-) My best to all of you!

Uhooru · August 24, 2009

Lasting 5 - 6 years. That will be asking a lot and depending on what you are doing with it, it could. But if you upgrade programs now and again, I doubt you'll get that much time. Don't forget computer years are like doggie years. Those who do get that kind of time span tend to be those who are computer savvy enough to upgrade their computers themselves and others that relegate the computer to doing more simple tasks. If you use the same programs and versions as at the time you buy it, then maybe it could give you that type of service. All you would need to do is add ram if possible and put in more internal and/or external drives for data storage. Maybe wipe the drive at some point and re-install everything (after of course off-loading all your data).

Generally, given the OP's original post, she would be doing good to get 3 or 4 years out of it or the kind of use she has been getting now.

Christal1664882414 · August 25, 2009

Barry,

Precisely why I want to get the latest version (CS4) and lots of RAM.....to prevent me from having to make many upgrades in the future. We don't do gaming, so I can't imagine putting any more really powerful programs on to this new computer. So maybe I'll get lucky and have it last me a bit longer than average. Thanks for your post!

Christal1664882414 · August 25, 2009

Barry,

Precisely why I want to get the latest version (CS4) and lots of RAM.....to prevent me from having to make many upgrades in the future. We don't do gaming, so I can't imagine putting any more really powerful programs on to this new computer. So maybe I'll get lucky and have it last me a bit longer than average. Thanks for your post!

garrison_k. · August 25, 2009

I think we are finally near the plateau. Cameras will remain around 12 to 15 meg, we finally have CS4 in 64-bit, and $300 buys 12 gig of ram. Other than faster solid state drives to swap in a few years, I can't see things getting much faster. Or, rather, I can't see a need for people to go much faster. We've been able to rely on many versions of Windows OS's loading onto many generations of hardware so I can't be concerned there either. I think we'll be buying and building computers less in the future.

But then comes video and we'll be craving faster transfer speeds...

carlos_pulido · August 25, 2009

Also... LCD monitors last a long time so don't skimp on the size and quality.

Last, but certainly not least, invest in a good monitor calibration tool. Datacolor makes some good ones. <a href="http://spyder.datacolor.com/index_us.php">http://spyder.datacolor.com/index_us.php</a>

You won't believe your eyes... :-)

jkiffmeyer · August 28, 2009

Plenty of great advice here, nothing wrong with a PC. I don't get the logic of the mac laptop and PC desktop, if you get an iMac you will quickly adjust to life with a mac, and you will be able to share software between computers and make the most of your laptop. If you get a PC, you have no incentive to figure out your mac laptop. When you do get your PC I suggest loading Windows 7 on your mac laptop with boot camp and keep it simple with one OS. At least then you can have the same software on both, and not fight to keep two OS straight.

Based on your self description, I think you are typical of the computer user who would be happiest with a mac. You don't want to figure your computer out, you don't want to build it, you don't want cheap equipment, you don't mind spending money for quality, you don't have a close friend willing to build and maintain your computer, and you simply want to turn it on and have it work. I got sick of PCs, even though I could build my own and maintain my own just fine. I paid money for decent quality, reformatted each year, and spent countless hours helping friends and relatives keep their PCs running. Then I got a mac and now I just turn it on and use it. When friends ask for help on their PCs I just tell them I don't know squat about Vista and don't want to learn. I'll help if they are on XP. Windows 7 sounds good, but so does Snow Leopard...

You will notice I never said once that mac was better, just more fitting for my lifestyle and possibly for the OP. :)

mike_keran · August 30, 2009

<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=3862080">Phyliss Crowe</a> said:

Very reliable tech sources say once Win 7 is released in final, Vista will no longer be sold, and tech support for it will stop in early 2011. It's so crappy even Microsoft is throwing in the towel on it.

</blockquote>

Just to clarify: Microsoft will <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&x=10&y=13&p1=11707">discontinue mainstream support</a> in April of 2012. Extended support (security updates, KB articles, etc.) will be available through April 2017.

Say what you want about Microsoft, at the least they stand by their products. Hell, they still support <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps/#Internet_Explorer">IE6 on XP</a> even through it's two versions old, much to the chagrin of every Web developer on the planet... Having said that, I'm writing this on the Window7 RC and have been using Win7 (both beta and RC) for about six months. Win7 is what Vista should've been -- it rocks!

jonathonswersey · August 30, 2009

Must admit, I love this thread - Garrison - thank you for the outstanding and thoughtful guidance you've provided. If I may ask, with your proposed setup, would you need a video cards as well?

I've taken my laptops apart, replaced fans, upgraded hard drives - but never built my own desktop - and this thread is giving me an itch. If I do scratch, and assuming it doesn't exist elsewhere on pnet, maybe I'll catalog the experience.

Happy shooting!

Christal1664882414 · August 31, 2009

Hi everyone.....I'm still on vacation but am finally able to check in. I see there are more responses.......great!

Garrison, You're probably right about the pace of advancements in computer technology may be slowing a bit. But still technology changes at lightning speed as far as I'm concerned!

Carlos, Thanks for the suggestion. I've never calibrated my monitor, and I'm sure that could be why some of my images have gotten poor responses from others.......it couldn't be photographer error, could it?? ;-) Anyway, I'm sure other people don't see the colors the same as I see on my computer. I will definitely calibrate any new monitor I buy.

James.....Gosh, you've really been 'listening', haven't you? At the beginning of your 2nd paragraph, you've characterized me perfectly. With regard to your 1st paragraph.....hmmm....you're partially right, I know. If I had ONLY a MAC, it would of course force me to learn the new system eventually. But the logic in having both a PC and a MAC is this. Our desktop PC was grinding to a halt slowly, and we didn't want to get stuck without a computer. We decided to get a MAC laptop to take when we travel.....based on suggestions from many people.....saying how user friendly it is, how virus-free it is, etc. But the major determining factor for us was that we have an Apple store right here in town and I could talk eye-ball-to-eye-ball with a real person when I have trouble. Well, I've just never really picked up on the system, and I really hate using a laptop in general...especially for pictures....too small of a screen for one thing. Granted, I haven't spent the time I should in learning it.....so I shouldn't complain about that. But honestly, until my current PC started having 'issues', I've really never had too much trouble with the XP OS. Also, if I do build my own computer (if I can find someone who will offer me customer service), then I could conceivably spend much less money than on a MAC. So I have some decisions to make. But this thread of informed suggestions has helped me enormously. And I thank you so much for your cutting to the chase and looking at my fundamental needs/ skills (or lack thereof). I'll go armed with your info when I talk to the computer tech who helps me when I buy my new system. Thanks a million.

Mike.....You're reiterating what I've heard over and over.....that W7 DOES rock! It sounds great, and I don't even think it will have the normal amount of 'bugs' at the beginning. From what I'm hearing it's a pretty darn near perfect OS. Thanks for your input!

Jonathon.....I couldn't agree with you more. This has been the most helpful information I've ever received here on Pnet. No snide remarks.....no disintegration to an argument between MACs and PCs.......nobody making fun of me for my lack of knowledge......just informed and VERY helpful advice. I am greatly appreciative of everyone who has taken the time to give their input. I'm in the same boat as you......I've replaced RAM, replaced drives and done basic things like that. The hardware stuff isn't the problem for me.....it's the software side of things that baffles me. But I also have the 'itch' to try to build my own system, so before buying a system outright I'm going to explore that option locally and see what I come up with. It may be awhile before I actually do it (several months), but I'll post my experience about it, and I hope you'll do the same.

ruth_nicholls · October 12, 2009

Hello, I'm new to this wonderful site. I stumbled on it when I fed into Google almost exactly the same as Christal's original question. I am also in more or less the same position as you are Christal, and have customised a spec from pcspecialist.co.uk ( I live in the UK). However if this thread has gone cold, please could the moderator move my post to where it ought to be.

I have pasted in the spec below and would value opinions, suggestions and advice from all you clever helpful people.

The asterisks indicate that I will add my two existing hard drives WDC WD3200JS-00PDB0 [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) 7200 speed. and my LG DVD RAM optical drive.

I plan to have Win 7 64 bit,and all the programmes including CS4 and LR 2.5 on the 150GB Velociraptor drive, and my images on the other two.

I'm not sure whether that is sensible. When Photoshop is working, and you have an image (from a different drive to the one that has CS on it ) open, which drive does CS actually use? Say to run a filter on a big file. Should the image drive be the fast one, or the programme drive?

Thanks for your help.

<tbody>

<tr>

Processor (CPU)

</td>

Intel® Core™i5 Processor i5-750 (2.66GHz) 8MB Cache

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Memory (RAM)

</td>

4GB CORSAIR XMS3 DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY!

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Motherboard

</td>

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2: DDR3, SATA II, 2 PCI, 1 PCI-Ex

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Operating System

</td>

Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (Pre-Order - 22/10/09) (£99)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

USB Options

</td>

8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Memory - 1st Hard Disk

</td>

150GB WD VelociRaptor® SATA 16MB CACHE (10,000rpm)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

2nd Hard Disk

</td>

NONE *

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

3rd Hard Disk

</td>

NONE *

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

4th Hard Disk

</td>

NONE

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

RAID (HDD 1 & 2)

</td>

NONE

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

1st CD/DVD Drive

</td>

22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

2nd CD/DVD Drive

</td>

NONE *

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Graphics Card

</td>

512MB ATI RADEON™ HD 4850 PCI EXPRESS

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

2nd Graphics Card

</td>

NONE

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Sound Card

</td>

ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Network Facilities

</td>

WIRELESS N 300Mbps PCI CARD (£16)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Modem

</td>

NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Floppy Disk Drive

</td>

NONE

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Memory Card Reader

</td>

INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Case

</td>

STYLISH PIANO BLACK FUSION CASE inc. 2 FRONT USB

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Power Supply & Case Cooling

</td>

450W Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£25)

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Processor Cooling

</td>

INTEL CORE i7 STANDARD CPU COOLER

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

Firewire & Video Editing

</td>

2 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORTS (1 onboard, 1 at back panel)

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

Sign In

Help me decide on a new computer for CS4

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in