I have just puchased a sony dsc-f505v dig. cam. I intend to use it for business purposes including capturing images for a web site and for reworking (graphically manipulating)into ad copy for newspapers and magazines. I am shopping for a new computer and would like to know what hardware components and software would you suggest. I will probably stick with Adobe Photoshop but does that allow for creating catalogs with photo icons for quick browsing? How fast of a computer is really necessary? What would you say a good computer set-up (for <$2,000) would be? Thanks for the help!

-- dan (capitella@msn.com), July 25, 2000

Answers

Photoshop , pagemaker and Illustrator will set you back at least a grand alone unless you already have the software. You could go with an iMac if you can tolerate the screen and of course a G4 would be nice, the 400mhz $1599 model will do , but add 128MB RAM. On the PC side, a PIII 700 or equivalent Athlon, 128MB, GOOD monitor, Epson 1160 for proofing. I dunno about the $2000 thing, we're way past there without a scanner.....

-- Cris Daniels (danfla@gte.net), July 25, 2000.

Dan, What computer do you now have? Your question is pretty vague. Images for a web site are generally no problem. If you are talking ad creation then you probably should look at Quark or Adobe In-Design in addition to Photoshop and Illustrator. Photoshop is not noted for its ability to handle type well. Also keep in mind that Photoshop is primarily an image editing program. Are you talking about creating an on-line catalog or a print catalog? Two separate issues here. When using Photoshop the most important quality for the computer is how much RAM you can cram into it. Processor speed is very secondary. Today I ordered 3 of the new Mac G4s each speced with 1gig of RAM. RAM rules in Photoshop. I would seriously suggest spending your money on upgrading what you now have unless it is a serious clunker. Fred

-- fred (fdeaton@hiwaay.net), July 25, 2000.