A Powerful Multipurpose Laptop (also my first laptop!)

[virtualv]

What is your budget?
$1650 give or take

What country will you be buying this in?
U.A.E. (shipped from the U.S.)

What size notebook do you prefer?
Mainstream (15 - 16-inch screen)
Desktop Replacement (17-inch + screen)

What brands do you like or dislike?
Like: MSI, Sager
Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
No

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Web Surfing, Office and Productivity Software, Listening to Music, Computer Programming, Video Chat and Conference, Movie Streaming and Viewing, Output Video to TV or Large Monitor, Casual Gaming, Graphic Intense 3D Gaming

MATLAB, FORTRAN etc. (Image/Signal Processing, Soft Computing), Skype!

What games will you be playing?
Dota 2, Diablo 3 etc. (third person RPGs)

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places and Will stay on desk

How many hours of battery life do you need?
3 hrs give or take

Will you be buying online or in store?
Online

Which OS do you prefer?
Windows 7

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Matte

Is the laptops design important to you?
No

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
Around 07/10/2012

How long do you want this laptop to last?
4 years

How much storage capacity do you need?
500 GB at least

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
Maybe

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
DVD Burner

Notes:

A tentative configuration:

Screen/LCD Panel: 17.3" Wide Full-HD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
Processor: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM
Graphics: 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
Hard Drive: 500GB 7,200 RPM + Caching SSD
Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz
Wireless Card: Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO


I will be starting my post graduate studies this fall. I will be travelling between countries (Europe and U.S.) quite a bit during the next two years. Gaming is a major hobby. This is going to be my first laptop (...I'm more of a desktop guy).

I would be using an external (portable) HDD for my files/documents. The design of the laptop is not as important for me as much as the build quality. I will be requiring international warranty as well.

After reviewing several websites, I'm guessing MSI & Sager are the closest options that provide the aforementioned config in the given price range (actually they slightly exceed the bugdet). If I can avail some sort of discount or ongoing offer it would be great.

I'm confused in deciding between a 15.6" and a 17.3" screen (weight difference of about 1lbs, would it (or anything else) really matter?).

Also, I would like to know (preferably first hand info) on different vendors with good a international (record of) service and support.

Any opinions or advice regarding the configuration, the requirement, something that should (or shouldn't) matter (and be taken care of) etc. would be much appreciated.

Sincerely

[Mobius 1]

Check Alienware or the Sager/Clevo subsection! They fit perfectly with your needs.

[lpgmdud]

If you want to stay within budget, you'll need to go with the 15", and avoid Alienware. Since you're planning to move a lot the 15" may be a better choice for you even regardless of the budget.

I'd go with a Sager, but you might be able to find a better deal on MSIs.

[virtualv]

Thanks for the prompt replies,

Check Alienware or the Sager/Clevo subsection!

I checked them already

avoid Alienware

Already have, they're more expensive and "noticeable"

If you want to stay within budget, you'll need to go with the 15"

I noticed a difference of $50/0.9lbs (MSI GT60 vs GT70) and $50/1.7lbs (Sager NP9150 vs NP9170), in similarly configured models. Looking at these numbers I am inclined to go with 17.3" models.

I'd go with a Sager, but you might be able to find a better deal on MSIs.

The 7970M is only available in Sager yet, so I might go with Sager too.

I will be making the purchase in Late June/Early July, so i will be looking out for upgrades.

From what I have gathered after going through a myriad of threads in this (and other) forum(s), XoticPC seems to be a popular vendor. What about LPC-Digital or GenTechPC? (Especially when it comes to international shipping/customers)

Does Sager have service centers in different parts of the world, so if I am in Europe or UAE and something goes wrong, I can get it fixed there? Or will XoticPC be the only place for this purpose?

*Updating the screen preference to 17.3", Matte
*Editing the wireless card info

[lpgmdud]

Regarding servicing, XoticPC won't be the ones servicing it, you'd need to ship it to Sager themselves if anything goes wrong. I'm not sure whether they have centers in Europe.