Photo Credit: Michel Tcherevkoff

It’s impossible to think of modern-day image making without computers. The digital age has spawned a dizzying array of models and configurations, each soon to be upgraded. But despite the many choices, all computers share the same basic component design—processor, hard drive, memory, some interfaces—differing only in the speed, power or capacity of these components and the price tag attached. When you’re shopping for a computer, it all boils down to performance, how much you’re willing to spend and whether or not you’ll be carrying it with you.

Options for Purchase

A desktop system designed for the professional photographer (or the consumer who wants a pro system) offers superior features like super-fast memory, large hard drives and a powerful video card, plus the relatively easy ability to upgrade all of these at a cost of $2,500 and up.
    The mid-level system is aimed at the advanced amateur who enjoys working with images but doesn’t want to empty his wallet. Like the pro system, it’s capable of editing, organizing and printing images, just not as fast. Both memory expansion and the video card are limited to fit the price point—between $1,200 and $2,500—and its components are more difficult to upgrade because they’re commonly built into compact or all-in-one enclosures. The good news is if you’re not planning to run a high-end photo business, it usually doesn’t need much upgrading.
    Entry-level systems, which cost around $1,200 or less, are appealing in price, but are built less for photographic processing and more for sending e-mails, surfing the Web and chatting on IM. While you will be able import pictures from your compact digital camera, you can expect a long wait each time you attempt to edit large image files as these systems must typically sacrifice processor performance, graphics performance, drive space and memory in order meet the lower price range. Ultimately, an entry-level system is suited only for photographers with an absolutely strapped budget and endless patience, and those who plan to upgrade to a new system as soon as they can.
    Portable systems usually fall into these same aforementioned categories, though a high-end, pro-level portable is universally slower than a high-end pro-level desktop. There’s a price to be paid for convenience. Still, many professional photographers choose to use only their laptops for all their photo needs.

Mac or PC?

For Mac-based photographers, picking a system is pretty easy. The current MacPro lineup represents the professional market, the iMac line the mid-level system and the Mac mini the entry-level setup. In laptops, the MacBook Pro straddles the mid-level-to-pro range, while the MacBooks serve the entry-level to mid-level models.
    For Windows-based photographers, companies such as Dell and Gateway tend to target machines to their enterprise or gaming customers (for the pro), SoHo (mid range) and home (entry-level). Of course, Intel-based Macs (all models shipping currently) can boot into either the Mac operating system or Windows, making them more flexible around the studio. Luckily for photographers, the range of computers available is better than ever, each vastly more powerful than systems of just a few years ago.
    Whether you choose a Mac or a PC, if you’re buying a system destined for photographic work, you’ll want to pay special attention to monitor choices, as a high-quality display is key to effective image editing. Apple, Dell, LaCie, Samsung and others all make great displays, just be sure to pick a model that is specifically targeted to the photographer. Again, a bargain model at Best Buy may satisfy the budget-conscious, but it won’t ensure high image quality.