Re: filmscanners: Computer System Recommendations

["Tom Scales" <tscales@attglobal.net>]

I have an unusual setup, but it works well for me.  I use two machines,
networked together, as my scanning platform.

The scanner is attached to the first machine.  It's a modestly equipped
older machine with a P3-500 and 512MB memory, running Windows 2000.  I start
a scan and it saves the scan to the hard drive of the second machine.

The second machine is a Dell Dimension 8100 (current model is the 8200).  It
is a P4-1.7Ghz (current model is 2Ghz).  I have 1GB of memory and a fast
7200rpm 60Gb drive.  It runs Windows 2000 also.

If I was going to buy a machine now, I'd buy:

Dell Dimension 8200
P4-2Ghz
512Mb Memory (add another 512Mb aftermarket for a lot less)
60Gb 7200rpm drive (bigger drives are still all 5400rpm, I think)
Windows XP Home

Assuming no monitor (that's a pretty personal decision), you're looking at
about $1500 -- not bad at all.

The differences between XP Home and XP Pro are very small.

If I had a single machine, I'd buy the same one. The benefit of the two
machine setup is that scanning doesn't slow down editing at all, while on a
single machine, it can.

Hope this helps -- just my opinion.  Take it for what it is worth <g>

Tom

> Looking to upgrade our current system and would appreciate specifications
> from the list.  Need typical PC based business machine (Microsoft
Products)
> and the strongest possible system to support our scanning and photography
> habit.  Would greatly appreciate input on specifications.
>
> Will use Polaroid Sprintscan 4000, Epson 1280, Photoshop, and Silverfast
for
> photo based work.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Glenn