[Leica] questions on computer for photo work

["Doug McLernon" <Douglas.McLernon@tcd.ie>]

I'm sorry to ask such an extended question but I am just starting out in
digital printing, I've used Leicas for thirty years (currently an M6, M4P
and a IIIF) and also  enjoy a Contax G2 and a G1. The digital darkroom seems
the way to go and I am into computer technology.

I am retiring at the age of sixty from Trinity College Dublin to spend more
time with things I enjoy. As an Economist with an specialisation in
investment analysis and securities markets, I am on my fifth PC. The
econometrics and forecasting packages are more readily available through
academic licensing agreements and I do a bit of number crunching.

The general feeling amongst the Arts faculty people seems to favour Mac over
PC for Image manipulation. I intend to purchase a Nikon LS2000 and the Epson
photo printer. Should I change the habits of the past fifteen years and go
Mac. I shall retain a 166 Pentium for any economic work I may undertake as a
consultant.

How much hard disc space do you recommend, how much RAM for Photoshop, and
what processor speed would you buy in a Mac? Of course budget constraints
enter into to the equation so I am budgeting about $2500 for the computer
alone.  I do know that the rule "a computer is obsolete as soon as one opens
the box" holds true-  so  advances will be made monthly. How easy is it to
update Macs rather than replacing the whole machine? Many thanks for your
time.
Regards,
Doug