LINDAJEAN
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:05:15 PM new
One last computer question before I go out and buy the new one.
Anyone have experience with both a Celeron or Athlon and Pentium computer using it to scan in images?
I am very happy with my scanned images for Ebay on my Pentium 4 but am looking at a Celeron for my laptop purchase. I hadn't really thought much about any difference in processor and outcome until I was watching an old movie I taped and ran across a ad for the new Pentium 4 (old movie).
They stated it was best for photography because of the processor something or other.
Anyone use both so you know if the difference is real or not?
So many decisions to make on this I am getting a headache
|
neglus
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:21:31 PM new
I use regular cheapo emachine celeron processors ( i have two emachine computers) and have been VERY happy with their image scanning capabilities! A friend told me that unless you are trying to find the square root of PI a celeron should suit people like us just fine!
|
TheFamilyBiz
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:24:11 PM new
The name of processor will have absolutely no impact on the quality of your pictures. I don't mean to be obnoxious about it - but any salesman who tells you that one processor family is better than another for pics just should be taken out back and SHOT!
What you might have heard, however, is that the Pentium IV is better for photos and graphics because it is a faster processor - ie. 2.0 GHz (gigahertz) vs. 800 MHz (megahertz).
As a general rule of thumb, get the fastest processor you can for your money.
Also, buy as much RAM (Random Access Memory) as you can afford as well - at least 256MG and if you can afford it 512MG. That will buy you a longer life of your machine because it won't go out of date as fast. In a simple way to look at it... the RAM is used to store information that is used immediately. Your computer uses this space while you are working on items thus helping your programs run faster if there's more of it...
All that being said, if you get a new machine and don't try to skimp on memory or processor speed, you probably won't go wrong. The Athlon and Celeron families of processors are just about as good and some maybe better than the Intel Pentium line. Some people get religion when it comes to the discussion - but they need a life out from behind the screen. 
|
neonmania
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:24:21 PM new
Photo quality when scanning is determined by the scan - not the processor. Processor and settings will determine viewing qualtiry on your system but not the properties of the image file itself.
|
bear1949
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:26:17 PM new
You will never get the total performance (speed) from a notebook that you will get from a premium desktop. Has to do with the heat generated from the processor and battery life. Faster equals more heat & a notebook cannot dissipate heat as fast as a desktop, Also the faster the processor more power is needed to run it.
The speed of the computers processor will have no effect on the time it takes to scan a photo. The speed of the computer processor will only come into effect when you go to edit the photos.
Another thing is to use a USB cable to connect the scanner to the computer, it is way faster than a parallel cable. Current standard is USB 2.
Your higher end scanners with their own processor may scan & process the images slightly faster but the cost to the casual user isn't worth it.
|
indianaso
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:29:44 PM new
Photo quality really depends on several things, mostly:
1. Scanner quality and settings.
2. Sofware used and settings..i.e. Photoshop
I've never experienced a connection between processor brand and photo quality.
Making movies or movie editing, may require a minimum processor power, based on the application used.
I use all brands, everyday and see no difference in the quality of the output.
Hope this helps.
|
neonmania
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:35:38 PM new
:: I don't mean to be obnoxious about it - but any salesman who tells you that one processor family is better than another for pics just should be taken out back and SHOT! ::
These are usually the same salespeople that can't tell the difference between software system requirements listings and patent numbers.... don't laugh.... I had a salesperson tell me that the video editing program I was interested in was compatible with my old PowerMac after reading the side of the box. Since I was reading the opposite side where it said that it required the G4 technology I asked where he read that and showed me the patent listings.
Same day, same store I watched another salesperson tell a woman that she needed Photoshop to use a $19.95 clip art package but rather than buy a $600 full version she could purchase a $150 upgrade version as long as she had any other Adobe product on her computer. He walked her to the register and left as he calculated his commission in his head and I dashed his dreams telling her 1) upgardes don't work like that and 2) she didn't need Photoshop anyway.
Computer salespeople are the worst. Most don't have a clue what they are talking about.
|
LINDAJEAN
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:38:47 PM new
Thanks all!
Bear: I have just about decided on a Toshiba laptop, 2.2gz 512 Ram 40 MB
It also has the faster usb 2 port which my scanner does work with.
Now, what did you mean? Sorry, you lost me in the heat conversation. Will it just be slower? Or will output be lesser quality?
FamilyBiz: I had discovered the Ram thing too late with my last full size computer. It only has 326 and I really need the 512 for some applications.
Anyone who has read my other post knows I have been really really tempted to buy the full size and carefully lug it along with me on my trip. But, logically the laptop seems the better choice.
Then, someone makes a statement like "You will never get the performance out of a laptop" which is what I was afraid of. I actually bought one about 5 years ago. Took it right back the same day. Couldn't believe how slow and cumbersome it was to work through.
Now, I have taken my promised "One last Question" and turned it into several others. But, I am ready to go out tomorrow and make a purchase so I am just trying to gather all info from you guys I can.
Thanks again for all your help Any last words on the questions above would be appreciated.
|
davebraun
|
posted on June 10, 2003 06:48:50 PM new
The resolution of the monitor that the picture is seen on determines the quality not the processor of the computer. For the most part anything above 72 ppi can't be seen anyway. The scanner is also critical as well as the software. From Photoshop 5.5 onward you can optimize your output for the web. The processor has little to do with the output however a faster computer will do it slightly quicker. The exception to this is if you are doing 3D rendering or video editing. I work on Mac, Pentium and Athlon all are excellent
|
Twelvepole
|
posted on June 10, 2003 07:01:23 PM new
Unless you are heavy into photo editing and working with graphics, get photoshop elements instead of photoshop.... I learned this the hard way.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
|
bear1949
|
posted on June 10, 2003 08:01:18 PM new
Lindajean
What I meant about heat is that untill
technology catches up a notebook computer will not have as fast a processor as a desktop. You also do not want to use the notebook for hours on end with it sitting in your lap without a pillow between the computer & you.. There have been many cases where the user of a notebook received 1st & 2nd degree burns from the heat of the notebook.
|
TheFamilyBiz
|
posted on June 10, 2003 09:11:06 PM new
LindaJean -- The machine you're looking at - with a 2.2 GHz processor, 512MB Ram and a 40GB Hard Drive -- will let you ROCK! That's close to as fast as you can get with a laptop - I think you might see a 2.4 GHz or a little faster, but the one you're looking at will be just FINE!
Neon -- makes a good point! You really have to know more than the salesperson so you don't get burned. Test them - take some of the info here and ask a question. If they give you a completely opposite answer, stand your ground and nicely ask for some additional help from the dept. manager. If they are the department manager, move on to another store - or shop online for it at www.CDW.com or another good etailer. I've used CDW for years and they are 100% in my book.
Bear's comments about the heat are right -- especially about not keeping it on your lap. You can get seriously burned if you keep it there for an extended period of time. I have a friend who got burned because she fell asleep with it on her lap in bed - went to the Emergency Room with burns on her legs that required medicated ointment and gauze wrap... not a pretty site.
Can't vouch for Toshiba - use an HP now and my company is upgrading mine to a 2.0 GHz, 512MB, 40GB Dell in about a week. I've also used an ACER about 7 years ago. Back then, an 800GB hard drive was all I could get and I think I had 32MB of RAM.... but files were a lot smaller back then, too....
Hope some of this helps....
|
LINDAJEAN
|
posted on June 10, 2003 09:26:21 PM new
I did it! Bought the Toshiba.
It even has Windows XP Pro. I went to the Dell sight and built a Dell which started at $849 with everything this Toshiba has and it wound up with a final price of $1999.
I bought the Toshiba from Office Depot for $1149.
I haven't opened it yet. Just got home and now I have to get busy with ads for half price days so I can get my money back
I can't wait to get it all set up and test it out.
|
sanmar
|
posted on June 11, 2003 09:55:04 AM new
I have a laptop with an intel 900MHz processor & a PC with an Athalon 600MHz & I have processed & down loaded pics from both & can't tell the difference. It is the camera & the software that will make the quality of your pictures, not the processor.
|
neglus
|
posted on June 11, 2003 10:15:38 AM new
good for you linda!! let us know how you like it.
|
bear1949
|
posted on June 11, 2003 06:27:17 PM new
There is nothing wrong with a Toshiba. All the major brands (Compaq, Dell, Gateway & etc) are all assembled from "off the shelf parts" in Tiawan or Korea.
The days of proprietary custom designed computers has come to an end.
Compaq used to design & build proprietary chips for their products, but no more. I know because I spent 5 years there testing those custom designed products.
|
cherachael
|
posted on June 12, 2003 05:47:02 AM new
LINDAJEAN - could you share more info on getting such a buy? I am looking into getting a laptop too and it sounds like a great deal. I looked on Home Depot site, but they don't mention any sales on laptops like that. Did you end up getting pentium or celeron? Are you really getting 1/2 off original price? thanks
|
stopwhining
|
posted on June 12, 2003 06:25:56 AM new
you may find refurbished toshiba and other laptops on various sites if you do a search.
i bot a nikon coolpix at a good price.
|
stopwhining
|
posted on June 12, 2003 06:27:39 AM new
http://www.csd.toshiba.com
|
neglus
|
posted on June 12, 2003 06:57:33 AM new
chera - i think Linda got it at OFFICE DEPOT not HOME DEPOT
|
cherachael
|
posted on June 12, 2003 07:10:12 AM new
NEGLUS- oh, sorry. I did mean Office Depot.
STOPWHINING- I beleive she got a new one, and it sounds like a deal
thanks
|
sanmar
|
posted on June 12, 2003 10:57:11 AM new
Check out UBid.com, They have som really good deals. LINDA JEAN: You can add RAM to your PC, the price of RAM has come down to peanuts compared to what it was 2 years ago.
|
LINDAJEAN
|
posted on June 12, 2003 11:20:49 AM new
I did get it at Office Depot, new. This week it is on sale for $1199 with a $50 mail in rebate. I went to the Dell site and built one to the exact specs this one has. Price came back to $1995.
I love it! It is super fast and as soon as I get past this 50% off thing and can practice typing on it a bit I know I will use it all the time. It has a 15" screen and very clear viewing. I know that is called something dpi or something, but all I know is I am extrememly happy with it.
Edited to add: I did find a similar one on the Office Depot website, but it only had XP home and I have XP pro. Also, I don't think it had the full 512 MB. The USB 2 port makes the scanning super fast as well. I have a Visioneer scanner which uses USB 2 but only had USB 1 on my other computer so it operated slower than on the laptop.
I had tried Ubid before buying this one but couldn't get anything fully loaded like this for less than $1500. after several tries and getting outbid I gave up.
[ edited by LINDAJEAN on Jun 12, 2003 11:23 AM ]
|
