As far as processors go, I upgraded to the Intel Core 2 Quad running Windows Vista 64 recently. With 6 gig of ram I no longer even know CS4 has a status bar. I open 30 or 40 pictures at a time and create collages than run 700M in PSD format with absolutely no issues. I got my machine through Costco as the model DX4710 for what seemed like a steal of a deal.