From YourSITE.com
FAQ: PC Computer System Recommendations for Digital Scrapbookers
By Shelleyrae Cusbert 2005
Nov 17, 2005, 23:09
PC Computer Systems
for Digital Scrapbookers
While digital
scrapping is seen as a cheaper alternative to traditional scrapbooking it
doesn’t take long to form an expensive wish list of technological wizardry.
Most users discover
that their computer systems that have been perfectly capable of a wide range of
tasks, begins to struggle under memory intensive software, large files and a
huge stock of downloaded elements. While most new systems have standard features
and performance ability that will enable you to create digital scrapbook
layouts, improving the specifications of your computer system leads to an
improvement in performance, particularly speed, which becomes more and more
crucial as you experiment with the effects that digital scrapping are capable
of.
The list of
recommended system specifications below has been compiled from the experience
and knowledge of digital scrappers and technical experts. The list of minimum
requirements is similar to what is required by the main software programs like
PhotoShop, Photo Impact, Paint Shop Pro and Digital Image Pro. The list of
recommended requirements is what most digital scrapbookers would recommend to
others as a minimum as of end of 2005 for consistent, quality performance. The
features are ranked in order of importance.
|
Minimum
Requirements |
Recommended
Requirements |
|
256MB RAM |
1GB RAM |
|
The more
installed memory your PC has, the more applications you can run at once, and
the better the system will perform |
|
|
|
Pentium 3 or
Athalon Equivalent |
Pentium 4 or
Athalon Equivalent, |
|
2.6 GigHTz
Processor or Athalon Equivalent |
3GigHTz
Processor or Athalon Equivalent, |
|
Determines
how quickly the PC runs applications and performs many tasks
|
|
|
|
Intergrated
Graphics Chip |
Dedicated
Graphics Card 256MB |
|
|
ie
DDR NVidia
GeForceFX-based or ATI Radeon 9800 XT
|
|
The
graphics board or integrated graphics chip generates all images on the PC |
|
|
|
60GB Storage |
120GB Storage + |
|
The larger
the hard drive, the more data you can store.
|
|
|
|
Combo Drive CD
RW Burner |
Combo Drive
CD/DVD RW Burner (or Dual Layer) |
|
DVD’s hold more information than CD’s are capable of |
|
|
|
2 USB ports |
6 USB ports
(including 2 frontal ports for easy access) |
|
Most devices now connect through USB ports |
|
|
|
17 inch CRT
Monitor |
19 inch + CRT or
LCD Monitor |
|
Consider both
monitor resolution and size for clearer viewing.
|
|
|
|
Mouse with
scroll wheel |
Optical mouse
with scroll wheel and/or a Graphics Tablet |
|
A graphics tablet is ideal for working in fine detail. |
|
|
The brand of the
computer is almost incidental as long as it meets the specifications you need.
People tend to have preferences based on previous systems they have owned and
warranty, support and service plans that a manufacturer/store offers may also be
a consideration, particularly if you have limited computer technical knowledge.
You should also
consider, no matter the system you buy, its ability to be upgraded. Some brands
have only a limited ability to upgrade specific components.
Buying a system that
exceeds the minimum requirements will ensure that you will extend the usefulness
of your PC. While models can become obsolete all too quickly as technological
ability advances the innovations are slowing down somewhat and the recommended
system above should provide you with several years of digital scrapping
enjoyment.
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