Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers - Martin Evening [44]
For more information on this subject, check out Scott Byer's Adobe blog: http://tiny.cc/qDSRS, as well as John Nack's coverage of this topic at: http://tiny.cc/aNqcP.
What you will need
Today's entry level computers contain everything you need to get started running Photoshop, but here is a guide to the minimum system requirements for Macintosh and Windows system computers.
Macintosh
Photoshop CS5 can only be run on the latest Intel-based Macs running Mac OS 10.5 or later including Snow Leopard® (10.6). The minimum RAM requirement is 1 GB (but more RAM memory is recommended), plus Photoshop CS5 requires an estimated 2 GB of free hard disk space to install the program. You will also need a computer display with at least a 1024 × 768 pixel resolution driven by a 16-bit (or greater) graphics card with at least 256 MB video RAM, plus you will also need a DVD drive. All the current range of Apple Macintosh computers are capable of meeting these requirements, although with some of the older Intel Mac computers you may need to upgrade the video graphics card.
Windows
Photoshop CS5 can run on Intel Xeon, Xeon Dual, Centrino or Pentium 4 processors running Windows® XP with Service Pack 3 or higher, as well as Windows® Vista with Service Pack 1, Windows® Vista® 64-bit and Windows® 7. The minimum RAM requirement is 1 GB (but more is recommended) and Photoshop CS5 requires an estimated 1 GB of free hard disk space to install the program. You will also need a computer display with at least 1024 × 768 pixel resolution driven by a 16-bit (or greater) graphics card with at least 256 MB video RAM, plus you will also need a DVD drive. Almost any new PC system you buy should have no trouble meeting these requirements, but if you have an older computer system, do check that you have enough RAM memory and a powerful enough graphics card.
The ideal computer setup
Your computer working environment is important. Even if space is limited there is much you can do to make your work area an efficient place to work in. Figure 2.1 shows a general view of the office area from where I run my photography business and do all my Photoshop work and, as you can see, it allows three operators to work simultaneously. The desk unit was custom built to provide a large continuous worktop area with good cable management in order to minimize the number of stray leads hanging all over the place. The walls are painted neutral gray with paint I was able to get from a local hardware store, which when measured with a spectrophotometer is almost a perfect neutral color. The under shelf lighting uses cool fluorescent strips that bounce off behind the displays to avoid any light hitting the screens directly. The window is north east facing, so I never have too many problems with direct sunlight entering the room and what daylight does enter the office can be controlled using the venetian blinds. It is also important to choose operator chairs that are comfortable, ideally one with arm rests and adjustable seating positions so that your wrists can rest comfortably on the table top, and the monitor should be level with your line of view or slightly lower.
Figure 2.1 This is the office area where I carry out all my Photoshop work. It has been custom built so that the desk area remains as clear as possible. The walls are painted neutral gray to absorb light and reduce the risk of color casts affecting what you see on the monitor screens. The lighting comes from daylight balanced tubes which backlights