Wiring Up

No matter what software you choose, you'll need a well-equipped workstation to run it on. Most of the software runs on the more powerful Macintosh graphic arts workstations, such as the Power Macintosh and G3. Some, such as Barco Graphics' software, operates from a Unix platform.

No matter which operating system you choose, you will need at least one workstation to get started. Unit costs for a single well-equipped station without any software (a Power Mac or G3 system from Apple with at least 64 megabytes of RAM, a multi-gigabyte hard disk and 17"+ monitor) range between $10,000 and $15,000 depending upon the exact configuration. Similarly equipped Unix workstations may cost a few thousand more.