Probably a good compromise is a fast laptop combined with a graphics tablet instead of a mouse. This will also give the opportunity to connect to a high res monitor if and when needed. I use a laptop for wireless tether and have a variety of software on it, a spare battery helps when out and about. I use a tablet to operate apps for other devices/cameras etc and that helps to free up my phone.

A small wacom tablet or similar will do the trick nicely.

I’ve been using Photoshop on a powerful PC for many years.

About a month ago I started editing photos using Lightroom (mobile version) on my iPad Mini and I love it. Much more intuitive than a laptop. The top 20 photos on my portfolio were all done on my iPad.

Lightroom with 1TB of cloud storage is £100 for a year on Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adobe-Photoshop-Lightroom-Licence-Download/dp/B076JKKCYH/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1C3GTOJ30GWUT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QpJzH0Ey1J7DqcKmOf-5zYJK6KJ27-6GR-aHK9zKzyZqJyR3aAyBMHu40tiEpu8IfxZm-ziUdPWQWbiYNGbhXQU3O4o3eK3YPvrebeY9kxwJgcNTYMrw1-CVwxWpoZT-bBZ1HT1MRVrnzc6-AvkBMptkreH7wWiZi_-r68uoAWQ0-9JjpzGXRcgoK2DWlt-cXKK-a32IvjzgnHMJRIHKpUFuvgw2tyTa9K3TQvO1cck.VgRg9QjPyZw0WeGpESHiPi9i6Cd8td7RmxMkJ69pChs&dib_tag=se&keywords=lightroom&qid=1715078803&sprefix=Lightroom%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-4

So, I’d strongly suggest an iPad and Lightroom.

Recent iPads (with USB C) will run a big monitor, mouse and keyboard if needed.

If you have one of the recent iPhones or Samsung Galaxy phones, Lightroom will work on those as well. My daughter does her editing on her phone.

I can recommend the microsoft surface range both the pro and go work with Affinity (they work with Photoshop and Lightroom but you need the higher spec ie more expensive for that).  The benefit of the Surface range is that they have detachable keyboards so you can use it as a laptop or a tablet, you can also plug them into a easily monitor as well.  You can buy them refurbished on Ebay for a decent price.

With a laptop you get plenty of space for images plus optional external drive. You get a larger screen for editing and with enough RAM you can run Lightroom and Photoshop together. You are welcome to call round as I am nearby for a cuppa and see what I use.

Borrow an Ipad and give it a try as well  :)

There's a free version of the Lightroom app.

Thank you everyone! indemnity thank you! I think the main issue is cost in that case, ideally I wouldn't be spending more than £1,000, is that doable on the budget that I have?

Huw Is lightroom not a lot more limiting than Photoshop/Affinity? I don't think I know anyone with an Ipad to try unfortunately.

Allesandro B My partner has one of those for work (the pro I think?), although I don't think you can get Affinity on it at all? Or is it called something else maybe.

ClickMore 📷 I'd love to take you up on that yes please :) I'll send you a message.

RebeccaSophia said

As a left hander I struggle with using a mouse with my right hand (although have never used a left handed mouse, so I assume i'd be rubbish with that too), so i'm not very accurate, which led me to the tablet idea, although I don't think you can get full editing software on a lot of tablets? 

Most mice are symmetrical so grip OK in either hand but the buttons are under the wrong fingers, but you can swap them over so the button under your index finger (the right button if you're left handed), is the primary one.  

I jump back and forth between mouse and trackpad on my laptops, and an iPad wouldn't work for me.  The only way to know if one would work for you is to try one. 

I don’t find it limiting….  Most of it is the same as ACR in Photoshop.

And there is a cut down version of Photoshop for the iPad.

I’m not an Apple fan, except for the iPad  - they are brilliant. I like the Mini because it fits a coat pocket, pull it out, edit a photo while waiting for something.

Maybe have a look at some videos on YouTube?

I have a ridiculously powerful work PC and laptop - multiple 27” screens on both - prefer the iPad unless I’m editing fora large print (24”x36”). iPad mini, IPad Air and IPad Pro are all well powerful enough. Possibly not for serious video editing.

ASUS ZenBook Duo UX482EAR 14.0" Dualscreen Full HD Laptop with Touchscreen (Intel i7-1195G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Windows 11, ScreenPad Plus with Stylus Pen) Intel EVO Certified

£ 849.00 on Amazon. That leave enough for a mouse and some external storage to keep your work on for under £ 1,000. 

You can get the Adobe Photography plan for £ 9.98 per month that includes Lightroom and Photoshop. Opt for Lightroom Classic. 

Some new iPads will be announced this afternoon. See ...

RebeccaSophia Affinity photo definitely works and it's not as resource hungry as the Adobe suite. The surfaces run Windows so there is no issue installing Affinity on them. Unless your partners is locked down by his work.

Apple laptop, the new 15” MacBook Air.