I'm looking for advice on building or buying a computer specifically for scanning 35mm and 120 film using older scanners, as well as editing those images. The scanners I'm considering connect via SCSI, USB, or FireWire, so I need to make sure the computer can accommodate those connections. I've noticed quite a few older PCs on the market that seem to have decent specs for their age (from around 2000-2010), but I'm uncertain about what to look for that would make them suitable, especially for running older versions of Photoshop like CS3, CS4, or CS5. Here's an example of a PC spec I've seen: Intel i5 4th Gen 3.2GHz, 4GB RAM (Windows XP x32), Intel HD Graphics, 500GB HDD, and an original CD/DVD drive. I'm particularly concerned about the graphics capabilities—how can I determine if these computers can be upgraded? My goal is to easily scan and edit files around 100MB in size in Photoshop without performance issues. I've also thought about using a Power Mac G4 or G5, as they seem designed for these tasks, but they often have compatibility issues with HDDs and cards. I don't need internet connectivity; I just want something that smoothly runs the scanner and allows for image editing without slowdowns.
1 Answer
Honestly, you might want to check out legacy hardware communities for the best advice. If you're operating scanners that require specific drivers rather than being class compliant, you’ll likely need an older OS. As for performance, consider offloading the heavy scanning to a modern machine, especially with DNG files. You can always build a current setup that has FireWire and SCSI ports through PCIe cards. Just plan for how you will manage those connections!
Thanks for your advice! I aim to keep everything vintage since I prefer simpler software and it saves me from ongoing subscription fees. Plus, those older setups have a charm. I'll definitely look into those universal drivers for the scanners!