and if you had one built it woulda cost ya less))))))))))i just picked up from compusa a nice lenovo i7 win64 12GB 2TB with a nice graphics card for 850.00
With Pro and Ultimate you can run an XP virtual drive that should be able to handle what you are talking about.
I think Signburst was offering some deals on Flexi, I don't know if that stopped with the passing of Valentines Day or not, but I don't think it would hurt to ask.
do I have to start xp separately than 7 or will xp programs start and run in 7
That option of a virtual drive isn't available in Home Premium, so that I couldn't answer. All my embroidery heads and printers all handle Win7 without any issue, so I didn't feel the need to get Pro/Ultimate as running that virtual drive was, in my mind, the only reason to get that version of the OS unless "you" just wanted to have it.
well it does have more security options then home is why i got it.
Stop at an Apple store and check out a 27" imac, ask them to load a demo of photoshop on it, take some files with you, they have an in-house business dept to answer any questions you might have.
Might be worth a look.