Top 10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Computer for Digital Pathology

Are you contemplating digital pathology or looking for a new computer for your digital pathology practice? Here are the top things you should consider to help you choose the best computer to fit your needs.

1. Display Specifications and Standards

1. Resolution: Specific recommendations for common monitor sizes include a minimum of 4 MP (2560×1600) for a 27-inch monitor, 6 MP (3280×2048) for a 30-inch monitor, and 8 MP (3840×2160) for a 32-inch monitor.²
2. Luminance (Brightness): A minimum brightness of 250 cd/m² is recommended. More precisely, the National Association of German Pathologists recommends an image brightness of no less than 300 cd/m² for monitors utilized in pathology diagnostics, aiming to replicate the visual experience of a traditional microscope.²
3. Contrast Ratio: To ensure optimal differentiation between dark and bright sections within images, a minimum static contrast ratio of 1000:1 is recommended.²
4. Color Accuracy and Consistency: Given the current absence of universally established color reproduction standards in pathology, consistent quality assessments are of vital importance. Defined color standards, such as sRGB, should serve as a guiding orientation, and monitors must be regularly calibrated, taking into account the ambient lighting conditions of the workspace.² Most medical-grade screens incorporate integrated sensors that help guarantee longer-lasting image consistency. 
5. Screen Size: Extensive experience indicates that pathologists find the most comfort and efficiency with monitors in the 27 to 32-inch range, as this size seamlessly encompasses the user’s natural field of vision, preventing distorted images or unwelcome visual artifacts that can arise from frequent scaling.²
6. Refresh Rate: A 60 Hz screen refresh rate, coupled with effective color calibration management, is recommended to ensure day-to-day color consistency.

2. Medical-Grade vs. Professional/Consumer Displays (Price and Quality)

Medical-Grade Displays 

These are built for healthcare, adhering to stringent standards like DICOM Part 14 for accurate image reproduction. Prices typically range from $1,500 to $8,000, with high-end models reaching $18,999.99 to $24,999.99. They offer durability and high performance and often include factory DICOM calibration and built-in sensors for consistency.³

Professional/Consumer Displays 

These are more affordable, ranging from $350 to over $2,000 for high-end 4K/8K displays. While offering high resolution and good color accuracy, they generally lack medical certifications and integrated consistency features. DICOM Part 14 compliance is a fundamental requirement for primary clinical diagnosis to ensure consistent and accurate image reproduction. Institutions opting for non-DICOM compliant displays for primary diagnostic use must undertake rigorous, ongoing validation to prove their suitability.⁴

3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU determines the overall speed and responsiveness of the system. Modern digital pathology, particularly with AI and advanced image analysis, requires multi-core processors. Top workstation CPUs in 2024-2025 include AMD Threadripper Pro (up to 64 cores/128 threads) and high-end Intel Core i9/i7 processors (e.g., 16-24 cores/24-32 threads).⁵ Increased core counts enhance parallel processing, leading to smoother user experience, faster image rendering, and quicker execution of analytical tasks.

4. RAM (Memory)

For intensive processing and AI workloads, 16 GB is a practical minimum, with 32 GB to 64 GB being highly beneficial, especially for large whole slide images (WSI) or concurrent applications.⁶ RAM often becomes the primary performance bottleneck due to the massive size of WSI, and insufficient RAM can lead to delays and a degraded user experience.

5. Solid State Drives (SSDs)

High-performance SSDs are highly recommended for image storage, as disk I/O operations frequently bottleneck image processing. SSDs dramatically improve performance for rapid loading, panning, and zooming of large WSI. A 1 TB SSD is recommended for calculations and actively used images. NVMe SSDs are indispensable for maintaining a fluid, responsive workflow.

6. Other Tools for Managing Massive Data Volumes

Digital pathology images are huge, typically around 2.5 GB per WSI. A large site can generate about 1.1 petabytes (PB) of data per year, which often needs to be retained for many years.

• Cloud Storage: Offers seamless scalability and offloads IT infrastructure management.
• Local Servers/Workstations: Often used in a hybrid approach with cloud solutions for immediate access, archival, and backup.⁷ 
• Tiered Storage: A common and cost-effective strategy where frequently accessed images reside on high-speed storage, while older data moves to more economical archival tiers.⁸ 
• High-Performance Flash Storage: Solutions like Pure Storage’s flash arrays provide consistently fast I/O and are scalable for AI/ML workloads, offering data reduction ratios to optimize costs.⁹

7. Operating System and Software Compatibility

Computers and tablets should be compatible with Windows 10 and above or the most recent iOS update for optimal functionality, security, and speed. Hardware must be chosen to ensure full compatibility with specialized digital pathology software platforms.

8. Monitor Setups and Ergonomics

Multi-monitor “cockpit” setups are gaining traction in digital pathology. Studies show productivity increases from 9% to 50% with multi-monitor configurations, with dual-screen setups linked to 33% fewer errors. This is attributed to increased screen real estate, reducing context switching. Proper ergonomic positioning is crucial to minimize physical strain and discomfort. Key guidelines include setting monitor height at or slightly below eye level, distance around an arm’s length (20-28 inches), and appropriate angling. Adjustable monitor arms are highly recommended for fine positioning.¹⁰

Even better, opt for a digital pathology software that is fully integrated and doesn’t require multiple monitors to view all the information a pathologist needs, nor switching from application to application on a single monitor. Lumea’s digital pathology software offers pathologists a “single pane of glass” experience, allowing them to focus on diagnosis rather than managing disparate technologies. 

9. FDA Guidelines and Validation:

The FDA’s 2020 digital pathology policy allows flexibility in hardware choices (multiple monitors, computers, laptops, tablets) as long as devices are “properly validated.”¹¹ Pathologists and institutions are responsible for ensuring that their chosen hardware meets rigorous standards for accurate clinical diagnosis. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recommends that all institutions performing digital pathology for clinical diagnostic purposes conduct their own validation.⁹ The validation process typically involves relevant specimen preparation types and a sample set of at least 60 cases for one application.

A key aspect of the FDA’s guidance is that pathologists should “use their clinical judgment to determine whether the quality of the images from the remote digital pathology devices is sufficient for interpretation of the pathological images”. 

10. Cybersecurity Best Practices:

Safeguarding sensitive patient data is non-negotiable.¹² ¹³ ¹⁴

• Vulnerabilities: Systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access, malware, ransomware, data breaches, insider threats, and data loss.
• Robust Data Security Framework: Essential elements include defined policies, access controls (role-based, multi-factor authentication), data encryption (at rest and in transit), regular security audits, and incident response plans. Multi-factor authentication alone can stop approximately 90% of cyberattacks.
• Layered Approach: Incorporate technical (encryption, MFA, intrusion detection), administrative (staff training, role-based access, incident response), and physical controls (secured data centers). Adherence to regulations like HIPAA and frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is crucial.

Emerging Technologies and Future Trends

Keep an eye on advancements in display technologies and AI hardware accelerators.

Advanced Display Technologies

• OLED: Offers infinite contrast with true blacks, per-pixel dimming, and potential for higher resolution and superior color accuracy, but with considerations for lifespan and burn-in.¹⁵
• Mini-LED: Enhances local dimming, leading to improved contrast, higher brightness (over 2000 nits), and better energy efficiency than traditional LCDs. It offers precise color accuracy and flicker-free display, balancing performance and cost-effectiveness.¹⁶
• Micro-LED: A more advanced self-emissive technology with extremely high contrast, ultra-high brightness (over 3000 nits), and an ultra-long lifespan. It holds significant promise for unparalleled resolution and color accuracy in medical applications, though it is currently limited by high production costs.¹⁶

AI Hardware Accelerators

• GPUs (Graphics Processing Units): Highly effective for computationally intensive AI tasks due to their parallel processing capabilities, significantly speeding up both training and inference of machine learning models.¹⁷
• TPUs (Tensor Processing Units): Optimized by Google specifically for machine learning, offering significant speed improvements and energy efficiency for large-scale machine learning workloads.¹⁷
• FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays): Customizable integrated circuits suitable for a wide range of applications, including medical imaging, offering optimized performance, low latency, and power efficiency for specific tasks.¹⁷

By considering these factors, healthcare institutions can make informed decisions when selecting hardware for digital pathology, ensuring high-quality diagnostic services, optimal pathologist efficiency, and secure patient information.

As pathology continues to move into a digital era, pathologists will need to become familiar with the new tools of the trade. Treat buying a computer for digital pathology the same way you would treat purchasing a new microscope. It will only benefit you to become familiar with computer specifications and how they may affect your pathology. 

Are you interested in other digital pathology solutions? Read our recent blog post about how Lumea’s digital pathology technology helps increase a pathologist’s efficiency and flexibility.

Sources:

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