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| Click photo to see images of all the Editor's Choice 2007 products. |
For imaging tasks, the main attributes you want in a computer are speed, power, and storage capacity. Fortunately, each of these is abundant in new models, as evidenced by this year's Editor's Choice group. Photographers will want a swift processor chip (1.66GHz or faster), plenty of RAM (random access memory), and ample internal storage (upwards of 100GB is now common). Location shooters will also want portability, so the proliferation of laptop (notebook) models, which are included here, is more good news.
Other considerations for computer-shopping photographers include photo-centric connections: Many computers now have ports that meet the new, higher-speed IEEE 1394b standard (also known as FireWire 800 in Mac-speak), along with the more common IEEE 1394 (FireWire 400) and USB 2.0. Some optical drives now take advantage of HD-DVD or Blu-ray technology. (Many such innovations are available as add-ons; see Storage and Display.) When it comes to digital imaging, what once may have seemed like bells and whistles can quickly become computing essentials.
Computer of the Year: Dell XPS M1710
With a stylish two-toned case and a big 17-inch screen, this flashy contender is the perfect choice for Windows-based location photographers who want the raw power of a desktop model in a portable machine. It's available with a 2.33GHz Core Duo processor, up to 4GB of Dual Channel 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, and a 250GB SATA hard drive spinning at 5,400rpm. For PureVideo HD viewing, you can get the XPS M1710 with Blue-Ray Disc capability. Dell's new notebook has one IEEE 1394 (FireWire 400) and six USB 2.0 ports; a Combo Drive with 24X/10X/24X CD-RW and 8X DVD-ROM; and a 15-pin connector for hooking it up to an external monitor. At 8.7 pounds, it's no lightweight. About $2,500.
American PHOTO Editor's Choice 2007
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