The "import to a separate folder" is why I am keeping a test set in the "Pictures" folder.
I have tons of photos, graphics & Illustrations in a rats nest collection of folders on several drives.
My current working (test) album is named something else. When I import the test set into the Pictures folder (off external drives), then import into Aperture, the default album name given is "Pictures."
I want a small test set of images for comparison between LightRoon & Aperture: to have an equal comparison.
That doesn't tell me what's going to happen (speed) when I have tens of thousands, but its manageable to compare other features.
If decide I don't want to invest in one manager or another, I haven't mucked up my rat's nest. I don't think that complete chaos is the way to go, despite Kirby's kind assurances. Having a solid structure is like having a good naming scheme for images: its just a good idea.
I can't imagine that manager-based chaos would be a good business model if photography were my primary source of income!
(I have other projects in the works while I'm doing this, using Photoshop, Final Cut, Photo-to-Movie, Posterino, etc. I don't want to have to reconnect media once I move it & track is lost, I do that too much already).
I'm testing workflows as well, but I don't dare get too invested unless I have sufficient time at one sitting.