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Hi all,

I would like to get answers to the following question : what would be 
the best choice for a post-aquisition, image processing computer ? It 
will run ImageJ and possibly other image processing and visualization 
software (depending on the OS). I want to be able to cope with big 
volumes of data, image enhancement, deconvolution, 3-4-5D vizalisation.

I'm wondering which processor, archirtecture, OS to choose (let's say I 
have to keep it under 5000€, possibly less, so no fancy workstations here):

- what about 64 bits architectures ? Are the OSes ready yet (XP, Vista, 
OS X, Linux ?) Can I expect a real difference in speed ? Are the 
applications already optimized (I've heard about Volocity 64, I've heard 
about the problems for ImageJ) ?

- PC or Mac ? Are the new Mac Pro an option ? What are the options for 
high-end PCs ?

- To what features and specs should I particularily pay attention, 
keeping in mind the image processing use (RAM, writing speed of hard 
disks, others ?)

- Graphic cards specs ? I'm not a gamer and I know nothing about graphic 
performance, how much to put in a dedicated graphic card, is a high-end 
gaming graphic card good for 3D vizualisation of scientific data, etc...


This is not a software-related question, even if some software are 
available on certain plateform and not on others. But with Mac with 
Intel processors now, I think it less a problem now.


-- 
Christophe Leterrier

Postdoc
INSERM UMR641 Neurobiology of ionic channels
IFR Jean Roche - Mediterranee University
Marseille, France