tom_berkowski Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I need a new desktop computer and would like recommendations on configurations. Photo editing is the most power- intensive computer activity. Other work is basic word processing, spreadsheets, internet. Ideal budget: about $800 including a new monitor. I use Canon DPP to work on 12.8 megapixel raw files. Benchmark computer: current laptop has Pentium dual core T2060, 1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM. Desktop would ideally be faster for photo editing. For example, photos take too long to load when I want to do "quick check" of keep vs. toss. I'm not very computer literate, so basic advice is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songtsen Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 iMac 20-inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwaks Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 If photo imagery is the most important application I think it best to shop for the monitor separately. What gets thrown in with a $800 package may not be the best choice. I would also want a computer with separate video card, rather then trust a system with built in video in the motherboard as such is the nature of low priced systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabseye Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I built one a few months ago for about that price. E7200 C2D, P5K-PRO MB, 4 GB GSkill RAM, 500 GB Seagate 7200.11 SATA HDD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RW, ATI 3850 512 MB GDDR3, FDD, Pretty matte black case with blue LEDs. Already had the keyboard, tablet, and monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 about 800$ with monitor!? no mac for you. if you where ready to add more a Imac would ahve been a pretty good choice. Hopefully you understand that for 800$ you wont have a good monitor and a good machine. A good monitor suit for photo editing start at around 800$...a decent PC is also around 800$... what you ask is a miracle if you want something serious to be able to work with. Maybe it would be better to upgrade your latop and max it out instead and get a good monitor alone. Below 1600$ i dont think you will get far, for photographic oriented need i mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_martines Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 iMac 24" - hands down! You can run your Windoze stuff and you will love the monitor. Go to your local dealer and at least look at one. Bring a USB drive with some pictures and play around. I would be surprised if you wouldn't be tempted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songtsen Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Btw the iMac base model is 1199 USD at the Apple Store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_fouche Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Warning: the 20 inch iMac uses screen technology inferior to the 24-inch iMac and probably not ideal (some would say, not even acceptable) for photography work. Explanation here: http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2007/09/an_imac_display_dilemma_20inch_value_or_24inc.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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