which computer components are most critical for scanning?

[runnah]

I'd send everything out to get scanned. Cheaper and less hassle.

 

[jrhandyman]

Im the OP and have learned a lot from your answers, such as the scanning isn't what I need to be concerned about but the editing is. I'm going to be using Photoshop Elements to edit. The computer I'm looking at getting is a Dell with the following:

Processor & Memory:*
4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770 processor 3.4GHz (8M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz)24GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - *4 DIMMs

Drives:
2TB (7200 RPM) Hard Drive + 256GB Solid State DriveBlu-Ray Drive (Reads BRD, Writes DVD/CD)

Operating System:*
Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

Graphics & Video:
2GB AMD Radeon HD R9 270

My only concern is Windows 8, but thats another topic altogether.

Thanks to all for your advice!

 

[Msteelio91]

Sounds like a solid rig. Don't be concerned about windows 8, if just say hold off on installing 8.1 as there are still some compatibility issues with it when it comes to drivers.

Grab the iobit windows 8 start button and you'll barely even notice you're using windows 8. It's free and a proven tool. If you're scared of free stuff get the Stardock start 8.

 

[JerryLove]

That's a monster/beast for stills... a Ferraru for your grocery commit. The only thing that might run low is the 2TB of HDD (you can expand later though). Photos can get quite large depending on the format and resolution.

 

[SnappingShark]

Any computer will do. Seriously.

However, if you're looking for input generally, I'd suggest an Intel based processor (never had fun with AMD), and any amount of ram over 8gb (and keep it as either 8, 16, 32, 64GB ram - don't get a weird 6, 12, 24gb mix - they're not optimal).

As for hard drives - do you want fast, or plenty of space - cos you can't get both in one.
If you want fast, get an SSD, if you want a lot of space, get a fast HDD (7200rpm or better) - but to be honest, a dual set up such as a 128gb SSD for system, and a good 7200rpm HDD for storage ain't bad.

hmm, backlit keyboard will make sure you can type in the dark just fine too!!

 

[Derrel]

I'd send everything out to get scanned. Cheaper and less hassle.

I would seriously consider runnah's suggestion...scanning gets old realllllly quickly. There are a number of services that offer scanning very affordably, and their operators are VERY experienced, and they have the skill, software, and the hardware to do the job well.

Scanning is not just a machine-driven, one-and-done, easy-peasey thing...it takes a lot more SKILL than many people realize. If you have never scanned, don't expect that you'll be able to magically make great scans from anything that is even remotely tough to scan.

 

[SpikeyJohnson]

The computer you posted will get the job done extremely quick, regardless of the job. I have windows 8.1 and honestly, it is stable, especially with the components you would have and with dell backing it. I say get to 8.1 because it is large upgrade over 8. I have a pretty similar build at home but mine is custom built by me and it still has no diver issues.

Out of curiosity, what is the price of that Dell build?

 

[lambertpix]

Im the OP and have learned a lot from your answers, such as the scanning isn't what I need to be concerned about but the editing is. I'm going to be using Photoshop Elements to edit. The computer I'm looking at getting is a Dell with the following:

Processor & Memory:*
4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770 processor 3.4GHz (8M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz)24GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - *4 DIMMs

Drives:
2TB (7200 RPM) Hard Drive + 256GB Solid State DriveBlu-Ray Drive (Reads BRD, Writes DVD/CD)

Operating System:*
Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

Graphics & Video:
2GB AMD Radeon HD R9 270

My only concern is Windows 8, but thats another topic altogether.

Thanks to all for your advice!

If you're handy with computers, I'd consider adding a second 2tb drive to mirror the first. Last I checked from Dell, you can't really order that, so you'd have to add it on yourself. The 24GB of RAM is sort of interesting - that must be two 8's & two 4's? Regardless, that should be sufficient for quite a while.

The Windows 8 thing is sort of a mixed bag, I guess. It was really pretty atrocious when it first came out, but it's getting better as MS slowly recants and adds back in all the stuff they took out to make it look "tablet-y". The just announced more of these changes at their Build conference. My biggest headaches were driver issues, but if you're getting everything from Dell, I *hope* they've largely sorted that out for you.

Good luck!

 

[Robin Usagani]

I like how the OP asked this question and he bought the top of the line puter LOL. I was expecting a link for a $600 computer or something.

 

[Derrel]

I like how the OP asked this question and he bought the top of the line puter LOL. I was expecting a link for a $600 computer or something.

Yeah...it's top of the line TODAY....give it a year...it'll be in the middle of the pack...if it lasts three years, it'll rank right there with the $349 systems sold at Fry's Electronics in Wilsonville...

 

[Gavjenks]

Derrel I bought basically that same computer in terms of core specs for like $1200 3 years ago. Also from Dell. They don't get obsolete THAT quickly. (Desktop, mind you. Laptops turn obsolete more quickly)

Anyway, for the classic "shoebox full of photos" I think runnah nailed it: send it into a shop and spend your $200 (or likely much less) having them do it all for you.

Consider that if you do it yourself, you're paying $100s for a scanner AND slaving away for untold hours of your labor (and not having fun in the process) = probably $200 more for a typical salary's worth of time.
Versus sitting on your porch sipping mint juleps and watching the sprinklers the whole time and saving money at that.




I "scan" my 4x5 negatives with a DSLR, but it's only because they trickle in 1 or 2 at a time as I occasionally take them, making it impractical to send them out anywhere. If I had a whole shoebox full of them, I wouldn't do those myself either.

 

[Robin Usagani]

How much do you think it will cost to pay someone to do it? I dont think it is as cheap as you think especially if you want high res. The professional that will dust off the film first, apply dust removal on the digital will likely to charge a lot of money per frame.

 

[Derrel]

How much do you think it will cost to pay someone to do it? I dont think it is as cheap as you think especially if you want high res. The professional that will dust off the film first, apply dust removal on the digital will likely to charge a lot of money per frame.

Check out the rates at some of the places located in India...

Or....ScanCafe - Photo Scanning, Negative Scanning, Slide Scanning, Video Transfer, Photo Restoration

Gav: "It's called 'humor' "; perhaps it's not available in Iowa???

 

[Gavjenks]

My local camera shop is $0.25 a print for 1000+ and I'm not shopping around at all to get that price.

An Epson V750 the OP suggested buying = almost $800 + let's say $200 he may have been willing to pay extra in computer components if they were relevant = easily enough to pay to have "several thousand photos scanned" like he says he has.

 

[Gavjenks]

And more likely than not, the OP probably doesn't actually need every single photo scanned (maybe! but probably not). Spending 2 hours to cull that number down to 1/3 of the most important photos would save you $650 in scanning fees, which is a pretty damn good wage to pay yourself. Much more lucrative than slaving away scanning things.