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Photographic/Graphic Applications Photographic/Graphic Applications will stress your computer more than will stress your computer more than anything else you do with it. (If anything else you do with it. (If you’re not into gaming)you’re not into gaming)
Your Photos will be the most Your Photos will be the most valuable data on your computer.valuable data on your computer. They are costly to replace – If not They are costly to replace – If not
PC vs MacPC vs Mac There is no “right” answer. It depends There is no “right” answer. It depends
upon personal preferences, other uses, upon personal preferences, other uses, previous experience.previous experience.
My personal decision matrix followsMy personal decision matrix follows Desktop vs LaptopDesktop vs Laptop
Laptops are convenient, but are not ideal Laptops are convenient, but are not ideal computers for serious long-term photo computers for serious long-term photo work. work.
A personal decision – often driven by A personal decision – often driven by previous experience. My decision circa previous experience. My decision circa 19841984AttributeAttribute PCPC MACMAC
Application Application AvailabilityAvailability + (+ (More More
Major Computer ComponentsMajor Computer Components CPUCPU MemoryMemory Hard DiskHard Disk Video AdapterVideo Adapter Monitor/DisplayMonitor/Display
All of these affect the usability of a All of these affect the usability of a well-designed system and should be well-designed system and should be balanced.balanced.
160 or 250 GB160 or 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) 150 MB/sec Serial ATA (SATA) 150 MB/sec
transfertransfer 7200 RPM rotational speed7200 RPM rotational speed Two disks recommendedTwo disks recommended One for OS, Programs, OS swap fileOne for OS, Programs, OS swap file One for Photos, Photoshop Scratch One for Photos, Photoshop Scratch
Disk 1 – System and Programs 80 GB Disk 1 – System and Programs 80 GB ATA133ATA133 C: Boot Partition – 1GB FATC: Boot Partition – 1GB FAT D: OS and Programs – 20 GB NTFSD: OS and Programs – 20 GB NTFS E: General Data – 5GB NTFSE: General Data – 5GB NTFS F: OS Swap and General Use – 54GB NTFSF: OS Swap and General Use – 54GB NTFS
Disk 2 – Photos and Photoshop Scratch Disk 2 – Photos and Photoshop Scratch 200GB SATA 150200GB SATA 150 G: Photoshop Scratch – 20GB NTFSG: Photoshop Scratch – 20GB NTFS H: - ?? Photos 180 GBH: - ?? Photos 180 GB
Total ConfigurationTotal Configuration This is a total configuration done for me by This is a total configuration done for me by
my local suppliermy local supplier Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz (E) w/ 1MB Int Cache (800FSB, HT) on Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz (E) w/ 1MB Int Cache (800FSB, HT) on
1GB DDR PC-3200 / 400Mhz (Kingston)1GB DDR PC-3200 / 400Mhz (Kingston) 80 GB Ultra ATA 133 Hard Drive (7200rpm)80 GB Ultra ATA 133 Hard Drive (7200rpm) 200GB Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive (7200rpm, 8MB)200GB Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive (7200rpm, 8MB) ATI Radeon 9800 Atlantis (TV Output, DVI)ATI Radeon 9800 Atlantis (TV Output, DVI) Pioneer DVR108 DVD+/-RW 9-in-1 Drive 32x24x40 CDRW, Reads @ Pioneer DVR108 DVD+/-RW 9-in-1 Drive 32x24x40 CDRW, Reads @
16x DVD16x DVD Integrated 6 Channel SoundIntegrated 6 Channel Sound Integrated 10/100Ethernet Integrated 10/100Ethernet ATX #228 USB 2.0 Mid Tower Case (360W SilverStone heavy duty ATX #228 USB 2.0 Mid Tower Case (360W SilverStone heavy duty
Power Supply)Power Supply) PS/2 Internet Keyboard & Optical MousePS/2 Internet Keyboard & Optical Mouse Win XP Professional CD & LicenseWin XP Professional CD & License Total:Total: $ 1279.00$ 1279.00
DefragmentationDefragmentation BackupBackup Anti-VirusAnti-Virus Firewalls (Hardware and Software)Firewalls (Hardware and Software) Adware and SpywareAdware and Spyware
Disk DefragmentationDisk Defragmentation Deleting Files leaves empty spaces on the Deleting Files leaves empty spaces on the
disk which are then filled with the next disk which are then filled with the next data written.data written.
These spaces may be smaller than new These spaces may be smaller than new data, leading to multiple fragments of next data, leading to multiple fragments of next file.file.
Fragmentation Slows Disk AccessFragmentation Slows Disk Access XP comes with a Defrag Program that can XP comes with a Defrag Program that can
be scheduled with the Task Schedulerbe scheduled with the Task Scheduler 33rdrd Party Programs such as Diskeeper Party Programs such as Diskeeper
BackupBackup Backup Protects against mechanical failure, Backup Protects against mechanical failure,
human failure, and disaster (fire, theft, etc.human failure, and disaster (fire, theft, etc. No perfect backup method.No perfect backup method. Right Now – I would:Right Now – I would:
Archive Photos on CD-R or DVD-RArchive Photos on CD-R or DVD-R Backup System, Data and Programs on Backup System, Data and Programs on
Magnetic Tape or External Hard DiskMagnetic Tape or External Hard Disk Long Term Archiving IssuesLong Term Archiving Issues
Media FailureMedia Failure Media ObsolescenceMedia Obsolescence Expect to Re-record archives every 5 to 10 yearsExpect to Re-record archives every 5 to 10 years
Anti - VirusAnti - Virus Current Anti-Virus Program is absolutely Current Anti-Virus Program is absolutely
Essential if you receive E-mailEssential if you receive E-mail AV Program should update automatically, over AV Program should update automatically, over
the Internet.the Internet. AV Programs are sold on a yearly subscription AV Programs are sold on a yearly subscription
basis.basis. Even so Even so
Don’t run your e-mail program with preview window Don’t run your e-mail program with preview window openopen
Don’t open unexpected attachments (esp. .exe, .scr)Don’t open unexpected attachments (esp. .exe, .scr) Text E-mails are generally safe, but not HTMLText E-mails are generally safe, but not HTML
Adware and SpywareAdware and Spyware Generates POPup AdsGenerates POPup Ads Sends Information back relative to your Sends Information back relative to your
web surfing, could do much worse.web surfing, could do much worse. Known to slow down computers Known to slow down computers
substantiallysubstantially RemedyRemedy
Safe Surfing – surf legitimate web sitesSafe Surfing – surf legitimate web sites Safe Installation – Know what “free” software Safe Installation – Know what “free” software
you installyou install Detect and Clean SoftwareDetect and Clean Software
AdAware – Free Manual Scan – AdAware – Free Manual Scan – www.lavasoft.comwww.lavasoft.com Spyware Doctor - $ Auto Scan – www.pctools.comSpyware Doctor - $ Auto Scan – www.pctools.com