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Below are the parts that make up our dream computer. We'll note both the bare minimum for running today's software and also what we really feel you should buy to be happy. None of these picks is influenced by the manufacturers as most of this is stuff we've either bought for ourselves or will buy as we need new equipment. Where possible, we've provided links so that you can order the equipment.
Since a computer is not just a box, but also a number of peripherals that all work together, we've also listed a number of other related products.
The ComputerThere are several decisions to make when buying a PC. The first is to choose which chip to buy. At today's prices, we wouldn't suggest anything less than a Pentium IV or Athlon XP. |
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Computer Systems |
Operating SystemIf you truly want the best performance, you want Windows XP. Unlike the Windows 9x and Me series which is just an extension of 16-bit DOS, Windows XP is completely 32-bit. You will sacrifice compatibility with a very small number of programs, mainly games and low-level utilities, but you'll find that your graphics software will run much more smoothly. Almost all new computers offer you the choice of installing Windows XP. Go with it, you won't be sorry. |
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Windows 2003 Server Operating Systems |
MemoryDon't even consider buying a new machine with less than 512 MB. With the price of memory today, it is best to buy as much as a machine can hold. 2 GB is not overkill if you will be working with large graphics files. For those with 128 MB or less in your current machine, it is well worth upgrading as soon as possible. |
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Hard DrivesIDE Drives are popular because of cost. But the publishing industry really takes advantage of SCSI devices. This means that you can have up to seven devices connected to one card including hard drives, scanners, CD-ROM drives, optical drives, zip drives and much more. Firewire and USB 2.0 are the latest and greatest connection technologies that provide a fast connection, numerous devices and reasonable cost. Your main hard drive should be at least 100 GB on a new machine. Getting larger drives usually doesn't cost much more so give it strong consideration. The speed of the drive is affected by the revolutions per minute (RPM) and the amount of onboard cache. We definitely recommend you stick with 7200 RPM drives or faster. |
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Internal Hard Drives |
Other DrivesWe all know how quickly you can run out of hard drive space. And there are plenty of removable drives where you can store extra files. Everyone needs a CD-ROM drive and DVD drives sure come in handy for a number of different things. No matter what type of drive (or media) you need, we've got a link for you. |
Click for Product DetailsBlank Media
CD-R and CD-RW Media Drives
CD-ROM Drives |
Video CardsBeware of the bundled video cards. They may look great on paper, but their drivers are often buggy. This is the number one cause for problems in CorelDRAW. If you are crashing frequently, it is probably not Draw, but your video drivers. We are huge fans of cards based on the nVidia GeForce chips. They are the fastest 3D cards on the market, support dual monitors and have good driver support. There are two major connector types for connecting a video card to your PC motherboard. The fastest is the AGP port and should be standard equipment on machines made after 1999. Note that AGP comes in speeds from 1x up to 8x. So make sure the card you select is matched to the speed of the connector in your machine. Older (or low-end) machines use the standard PCI slots for video cards. Coming soon are PCI Express based cards that are even faster than AGP! |
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MonitorsSize is important! A 17 inch (or larger) monitor is a must when working with graphics software. Buy bigger if at all possible. After all, aren't your eyes worth it? Also very important is the dot pitch. The smaller the better. |
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20" and Larger Monitors |
Networking ProductsNearly every computer is connected to a network today. For some, that is simply a connection to the Internet. For those with a broadband connection, you may want to get a router so that the connection can be shared with multiple computers. Or you could simply need a hub to connect multiple computers. If the computers will connect via wire, you would need networking cards in each machine and cable to connect it all. Finally, there is wireless networking and that gets a bit more confusing. Wireless as a whole falls under the "802.11" standard. But this standard is subdivided into a number of other standards. 802.11b is the most common in use today but it is limited to 11 Mbps. Some variations of it can theoritically get to 22 Kbps. 802.11a is much faster, but not in wide use. Lastly is 802.11g which is backward compatible with 802.11b and has the speed of 802.11a. The links at right will give you the information you need to get the parts for your network. |
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802.11a Computer Wireless Networking Products |
Input DevicesNotice we didn't call this category mice? Mice will hurt your wrist! And drawing with a brick on a string is not very natural. Get a tablet!!! Our favorite is the Wacom Intuos 6 x 8. But we've got to admit the Graphire tablets pack a great punch for a small price and they come in cool colors. You probably won't be able to find them in your favorite stores, so we've got them all listed at right. For those who insist on having a mouse in addition to a tablet, the Microsoft Intellimouse is the best. We’ve suggested that all graphics users need a tablet. It makes drawing so much simpler and less painful than working with a brick on a string. Don't wait for the pain, start using a tablet now! Beware because not all tablets are alike. If it isn't a Wacom, we wouldn't recommend it. |
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ScannersAt right are listings for scanners. Simply looking for the lowest price could be a big mistake. This doesn't mean you can't find a very good scanner for under $200 and probably lower. Ultra-high resolutions aren't as important as having at least 36-bit color depth. Attachments for scanning transparencies don't work nearly as well as having a dedicated slide/transparency scanner. The easiest connection today is a USB 2 equipped scanner. It will still work on a computer with USB 1.1 and the speed is much faster if you have USB 2 connections. Lastly, the software driver provided with the scanner is extremely important as it controls the input into your favorite image editing software. We've used both the Hewlett-Packard and Canon software with great results. |
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Flatbed Scanners |
Sound and VideoA few years back, sound and video were only a luxury for those who also entertained themselves at a computer. But now they are very important components for content creators integrating sound and video into their creations. |
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PrintersThe most important thing for a proofing printer is that it contains PostScript. For color printers, we prefer the Tektronix/Xerox Phaser solid ink printers. They provide great quality color in large quantities at a low cost per page. For those of you looking for inkjets, the various models from Epson give you the most bang at a very low cost. Consumer Reports likes the HP. |
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Color Laser Printers |
SoftwareIf you are looking for software, some of the most popular categories are listed at right. For other software and training listings, visit our Training Page. |
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Bestselling Software |
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