A digital dispense system for preparing and analyzing samples, comprising a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including: a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; and a digital display device attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user, the digital dispense system being characterized in that the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes; wherein the relative fluid volume is used to provide a relative volume display that uses one fluid with the highest volume as a maximum and scales the rest of the fluids to the fluid with the highest volume; wherein the absolute fluid volume represents an absolute dispensed fluid volume of the one or more fluids, wherein the digital display device comprises a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide. a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including: a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; and a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; and a digital display device attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user, the digital dispense system being characterized in that the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes; wherein the relative fluid volume is used to provide a relative volume display that uses one fluid with the highest volume as a maximum and scales the rest of the fluids to the fluid with the highest volume; wherein the absolute fluid volume represents an absolute dispensed fluid volume of the one or more fluids, wherein the digital display device comprises a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide.