If the pocketbook is a factor, nuts to Alienware 
. They release great products, but the price is a bit inflated for what you get IMO.
That said, I'm surprised you decided on a PC laptop. I own a Macbook (one of the 06 ones) and I've never used a laptop in my life that compares to it as far as size, portability, power, battery life, and ease of use goes. IMO to get a comparable PC laptop, you're going to have to pay through the nose (ears, eyes, and other more undersireable places.)
PS: Gateway sucks. If it's a PC, I'd look at getting a nice new Acer if you're looking at laptops. My family's had a lot of experience with Acer (my brother's owned a couple of their notebooks, I had an Acer monitor for a while, dad's used a lot of their stuff) and it's the only laptop I'd consider than another Mac at this point.
EDIT: Also, if you're looking at doing professional photo editing working with large files (especially if you're working in RAW) a laptop just might not cut-it power-wise. You might be better served either keeping the photo editing and pro work to your desktop or getting a desktop replacement rather than a smaller notebook. If you're not doing work ON the laptop but rather using the larger hard drive as a sort of "middle man" until you can get home, you might be just as well served getting a small notebook and a decent portable hard drive that you can slip in the laptop case.
. They release great products, but the price is a bit inflated for what you get IMO.That said, I'm surprised you decided on a PC laptop. I own a Macbook (one of the 06 ones) and I've never used a laptop in my life that compares to it as far as size, portability, power, battery life, and ease of use goes. IMO to get a comparable PC laptop, you're going to have to pay through the nose (ears, eyes, and other more undersireable places.)
PS: Gateway sucks. If it's a PC, I'd look at getting a nice new Acer if you're looking at laptops. My family's had a lot of experience with Acer (my brother's owned a couple of their notebooks, I had an Acer monitor for a while, dad's used a lot of their stuff) and it's the only laptop I'd consider than another Mac at this point.
EDIT: Also, if you're looking at doing professional photo editing working with large files (especially if you're working in RAW) a laptop just might not cut-it power-wise. You might be better served either keeping the photo editing and pro work to your desktop or getting a desktop replacement rather than a smaller notebook. If you're not doing work ON the laptop but rather using the larger hard drive as a sort of "middle man" until you can get home, you might be just as well served getting a small notebook and a decent portable hard drive that you can slip in the laptop case.
