New Computer & Monitor?

[arhuranna]

Hello,

It's time to upgrde my computer and would like some advice. I have about $1200.00 to spend on the computer and $3-400.00 on a monitor. I have been looking at a Dell Vostro 20 or the XPS 420. Any help on how to set it up would be great. On the monitor I think I will probably have a CRT on my budget, suggestions would be great. I am not a computer guru, just like it when they work. I use Elements 6.0 and have Lightroom but have not spent much time with it. Again thanks for any help and recomendations.

Regards,

Mitch

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by arhuranna

Hello,

I am not a computer guru, just like it when they work.

Spend US$ 1,200 on an iMac and get a breathtaking 20" LCD monitor as a bonus!

Macs just work.

And you can also run all your old Windoze software on an iMac too, if you want.

Have fun!

[arhuranna]

Thnks for the help,

So far I am looking at a Dell Vostero 400, and the XPS 420. I will stay with the PC format so as not to have to repurchase a lot of programs.

Regards,

Mitch

[nasoj21]

There is a lot of debate between mac and pc about the same as the debate between canon and nikon.
I chose to stay with pc and I do like my dell. I am not using either of the two dells that you are looking at though I do like the xps stuff. Just make sure you have plenty of ram and that it is upgradable for the future when you can afford to put more into it,

[arhuranna]

Both models I am looking at will have 3 gig of ram. I think this should hold me for a while. I am on the board of directors of a telephone and internet provider and they are a dell dealer so will stay with them. The guy I am dealing with said the XPS was more set up for gaming and I don't do any of that so thought I would save a little and go with the Vostro. What would the ideal setup be? Any other thoughts on the differences between the two would be appreciated. This computer will be used for photoprocessing with Elements 6.0 and web browsing. Thanks for the help.

Mitch

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by arhuranna

The guy I am dealing with said the XPS was more set up for gaming and I don't do any of that so thought I would save a little and go with the Vostro. What would the ideal setup be? Any other thoughts on the differences between the two would be appreciated. This computer will be used for photoprocessing with Elements 6.0 and web browsing. Thanks for the help.

Mitch

Gaming laptops typiclally have the most power so just because it's tagged "gaming" isn't a bad thing. Compare the two units and their exact config. It's impossible to just look at a particular model line because there are so many customized variations possible.

First, you'll want a decent processor. It doesn't have to be at the top end. More RAM (as you've mentioned) is better and pick the fastest available for that processor's bus speed. More RAM on the graphics card is also better BUT too much doesn't really have much of an effect on 2D work (which is most of the photography applications). 128Mb should be fine. Higher isn't bad but won't have the most bang for the buck. Faster RPMs on the hard drive will speed up retrieval and paging file performance.