Expert: Scott Valentine - 8/13/2007

Question
Do you know of some respected sites where I can compare computers used for photography?

Answer
Hi Tom,

I did some reading to find a good solution for you, but I think your best bet will be to check a few forums and see what is really being used out there. The most popular choice seems to be a Mac, but this is largely a 'cultural' decision based on the perception that Mac is aimed at creatives.

My recommendation is to figure out whether you like Mac or PC, then figure out your needs and budget. Not many computers are optimized for digital photography beyond having large hard drives, a lot of RAM, a current operating system, and a modern processor. The video card need only have enough memory to keep up with large 2D images so you won't need a 3D powerhouse.

Two good forums:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/ (look for Mac and PC forums near the bottom)

http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/ (no specific forum, but you can find discussions on hardware and software to help you choose your platform)

A search on Google will also help you find articles and blogs that deal with choosing a system and configuration. If you know which platform you want, just take some time to work out your budget and decide what features you need. I highly recommend keeping a general configuration in mind then spending a few weeks hunting for good deals. Chances are you won't find the exact system you want, but if you are flexible, you will probably find an equivalent or better.

In the PC world, check Dell's Outlet and Refurbish section. I'm not sure if there is a Mac equivalent, but it would be worth checking out.

Happy shooting!

-Scott