Yes it is a 32 bit system, and I have read a few posts by others who have also found this RAM limitation. t was explained in one post but I didn't follow it properly.Something to do with system memory however, with 3 gig, you'd think LR would use more than 700meg?
I had considered buying a faster drive for the laptop, but as you say the problem isn't only RAM, it's CPU, so where does it end? A new powerful system just for one program?
The external drive is USB 3 and I recognise that it, and my laptop are both not the most powerful pieces of equipment to run LR, however it should float along nicely. I don't expect Ferrari performance from a Ford, but I do expect reasonable. Am I wrong in thinking that Adobe seem to assume everyone who buys their products has a cutting edge, powerful system? I think when you test out some of the less popular software you find that in general their performance is far, far superior. Sadly the quality isn't there in some, and in others they just don't have the tools.
Anyway, I read through that thread 21 and the only thing I'm not doing is actually turning the detail module off. I leave it til last which helps enormously with editing, but not with exporting. I'll try turning it off in future and see if that helps.
Having used many of Adobes prodcuts for years, I do not believe this is about systems, I think it's about a problem in the coding.
Anyway, I'll try 4.4rc, I did try to update LR yesterday and it said it was up to date. How do you find out about RC's and where do you get them from?