Digital darkroom from scratch

[Gventure]

I need to purchase a new computer and new processing software. So, knowing that there are a million opinions out there for PC v. Mac and Elements v. Nikon Capture v. CS2 - are there basic commonly held and supported reasons to get one of CS2 (education version $300), Nikon NX, or Elements 4 over the others? I am an amateur shootng people and places with a D200 - no commercial work. And, once that is established, Mac over PC I suppose?

I do not want to spend over $2500 so no whiz bang computer need apply.

Thanks for your help.

[troglodite]

Personally, if I had to do it all over again - I'd buy a new macbook, one up from the bottom and CS2. There will be a newer version of CS2 that will come out directly for the new processor's but I don't think you'll notice too much of a difference speed wise to gripe over this.

Plus you'll be able to store your photo's on you hard drive on the go- something I am kicking myself for since I just sold my laptop.

I'm a big fan of the new Unix kernel in the new mac os too.

A decent macbook with dvd burner for 1200 (with education discout or 1299 without) plus photoshop and you have enough left over for a macro lens or gas money for a week or whatever. =]

My only gripe is no picasa for Mac (yet) but iPhoto does roughly the same.

I work with mac and pc and linux all day long, and that would be my suggestion. of course like belly buttons, everyone has an opinion.

=]

[wxwax]

Mac or PC, doesn't matter. Just get a fast processor, big hard drive and lots of memory (2GB would be nice.) A good monitor and calibration software are highly desirable.

Software depends upon your needs. Education version of CS2 can't be upgraded, I don't believe, so it might be a false economy in the long run.

Photoshop Elements is good and affordable but more limited. Lots of folks like PaintShop Pro.

[troglodite]

I have the educational CS upgrade from adobe7 - which was an upgrade - i don't think there is any restriction on it.:scratch

[Mongrel]

restriction on Educational Version upgrades:

http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/faq.html

[wxwax]

restriction on Educational Version upgrades:

http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/faq.html
:thumb Cool.