Choosing a radiology workstation: Technical and clinical considerations

Choosing a workstation for daily use in the interpretation of digital radiologic images can be a daunting task. There are numerous products available on the market, but differentiating among them and deciding on what is best for a particular environment can be confusing and frustrating. There is no "one-size-fits-all" workstation, so users must consider a variety of factors when choosing a workstation. This review summarizes the critical elements in a radiology workstation and the characteristics one should be aware of and look for in the selection of a workstation. Issues pertaining to both hardware and software aspects of medical workstations, including interface design, are reviewed, particularly as they may affect the interpretation process.