Clare

I also do a new catalog every year and only keep the current year on the laptop.

Built in...although I do use externals. I usually put the actual photos and a copy of the catalog on externals though.

Hi Brian I am just in the process of setting up my new laptop.  My light room catalog goes on the D drive (1tb HD) is that right rather than the c drive (500gb ssd)? I usually keep my photos on external HDS. 

Awesome -so helpful! Thank you!

Brian does it matter if the screen is 200 nits or 300? Most of the alienware I have seen are 200 but there are a few 17 models about with 300.

Have you any thoughts? Thanks.

Thanks so much Brian.  I have decided to go with the alienware - will hold off until Black Friday just in case Dell have any offers. 

These look like a good deal from dell outlet for certified refurbished. 

I can get this one on the salary sacrifice scheme. Less RAM than gaming laptop but Similar spec to xps 15 (so will need the EHD  )but with IPS screen and more within my budget?

No... but just checked and the ASUS rog laptops do appear to be LED with LED backlighting which fits in with the review stating that the UK ASUS Rog laptops are not IPS.

To confuse things there was one laptop which spec said LED with IPS backlighting?

The following two gaming s  have IPS screens and look ok? 

Thank you so much Brian. I am thinking I will forget the salary sacrifice scheme and just go for the best windows laptop I can get. Looks like NONE of the Asus Rog laptops in the U.K have IPS screens. I have spent hours and hours online hunting to find they are all LED backlit. I then eventually found a review which mentions that you cannot buy an Asus with IPS in U.K.  Very odd and most annoying. I have sourced the ASUS 15.6 GL552VW and that is also LED.

The dell xps 15 is an infinity edge screen.  Looks like I am back at square one but still hunting. 

Hi Brian

I am just getting back into photography after a break and am buying a laptop on a salary sacrifice scheme so my choices are more limited. I  through all the threads and the Asus and dell Xps 15 (and 13) look like decent options. I am swayed towards the xps 15 but am confused because it is ssd only.  Is the Asus the better option?