Digital BW, The Print

What computer (i.e. processor/memory)is considered ideal for using 
this scanner and its profusion of software, along with editing and 
printing software?

I have an AMD XP+ something (about 1.4 ghz) computer which can only 
hold a max 1gb ram. I have built a lot of PC's.  This will be a 
dedicated computer for my photography.  I have another for my kid and 
a laptop for me.  My printer is an R2400.

A new Mac is not out of the question.  However for the sake of 
dollars, I will probably build a PC. I shoot digitaly but really have 
a lot of older medium format B&W negatives to reprocess and would 
still like to shoot B&W med format if I can get prints suitable for 
display.  I used to operate my own B&W darkroom.

I have been lurking in this forum for 2+ years.  Great forum.  Thanks!

Mark Stringer