HELP Please! need advice/guidance

[Gerry M]

I have recently moved and downsized my living area; a result of this is that I no longer have a wet darkroom. I am considering a film scanner and wonder if my computer will handle this task. I have an old Sony laptop with P3 processor, 600 mz and 192 mb RAM. Is this sufficient to operate a modestly priced scanner, used primarily for 35mm b&w, but with some MF b&w also? Any advice and/or suggestions will be appreciated. I don't want to get involved with Photoshop as I don't have the technical/computer skills to cope with sophisticated programs. I have just purchased an Epson C86 with MIS ink system for printing. My apologies if this situation has been beaten to death here.
Thanks, Gerry

 

[captainslack]

Hmmm.... P3 600mhz MIGHT be enough, but it'll be reeeaallllyyyy sssslllloooowwwww.

I'd look to upgrade, if I were you.

 

[Gerry M]

still slow if i do 35mm only?

 

[Gerry M]

w/o going overboard, how much computer power do i need?

 

[Gerry M]

OK, sounds to me as if i'll be stuck with walgreens/walmart/costco and c41. or, a new machine. thanks a lot for your help and quick response.
gerry

 

[alliv]

Your computer can satisfactory handle scans and printing. Things you have to check:
1) Do you have USB port?
2) Enough disk space? Scans take a lot of MB
3) Display card? How much memory is on display card?

My P3 is 866 mhz 256MB ram, video - nvidea TNT with 32MB on-board. I use Nikon Scan 4. Disk space is important - I have about 60GB. This config is OK for me.

 

[Gerry M]

alliv, forgot about disc space. i have a total of 9gb. not sure on display card. i think i'm out of date as for specs. thanks, gerry

 

[Gerry M]

oh yes, i do have usb ports, but not usb 2.0

 

[alliv]

USB 1.1 is good enough, 9GB is rather limiting... If your display can handle High Color(16 bit) in 1024x768 than your config is ok. Good luck!