New Gaming/School Laptop options?

[ANH1NGA]

So, I was one of those guys that always had a desktop that I tinkered with and used for school, writing, and gaming. I hesitantly bought a laptop as I left home for college out of state, and while I am still partial to a desktop I can work on myself, I love the portability of the modern laptop. Sadly, the laptop that got me through my first three years of college just broke. And by broke I mean it was in my backpack when I fell into a koi-pond in a downtown restaurant ( a story for another forum). So I'm on the market for a new one. In the last few months I've been back on the MMORPG train, and am looking for a laptop that will keep up with my habit as long as I keep it properly cooled. Ideally, I'm looking for a i7 with an SSD and a Nvidia 900 series, plus 16 gigs of ram. I'm looking to pay around $1200. I found what (to my eyes) seems like a pretty good deal on a customized build and wanted to know if I'm wrong and there is some sort of fatal flaw. I also am interested in any other good options out there at the moment. Here is the build in question : http://www.xoticpc.com/shared_product/index/configure/id/9606/ The only weakness I see is the 500gb ssd instead of a full 1-2 TB. But I'm okay with that size given I have a TB external HDD, and the laptop would come with another. Thoughts?

 

[Gamer Cat]

Not bad, but if you are looking into playing demanding games, such as Grand Theft Auto V, Fallout 4, and so on, you'll need to look at a GTX 970M (or higher).

This Gigabyte laptop is currently on sale for $1,249; you'll need to pitch in an extra $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233135

It does meet all your requirements, except for the RAM - it only has 8GB; if I am not mistaken, this particular model allows RAM upgrades if you desire.

Here is an Asus ROG priced at $1,179.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232863

Meets all your requirements - except for an SSD. I do know someone that owns an Asus ROG, and if I am not mistaken, you have the ability to add in a second drive (HDD/SSD/etc.). I am not 100% for sure, but I believe you do have the ability to do so.

I believe this states that the particular Asus ROG can have an SSD implemented.
http://rog.asus.com/15822014/gallery/gallery-g751-upgrade-guide/

 

[ANH1NGA]

Not bad, but if you are looking into playing demanding games, such as Grand Theft Auto V, Fallout 4, and so on, you'll need to look at a GTX 970M (or higher).

This Gigabyte laptop is currently on sale for $1,249; you'll need to pitch in an extra $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233135

It does meet all your requirements, except for the RAM - it only has 8GB; if I am not mistaken, this particular model allows RAM upgrades if you desire.

Here is an Asus ROG priced at $1,179.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232863

Meets all your requirements - except for an SSD. I do know someone that owns an Asus ROG, and if I am not mistaken, you have the ability to add in a second drive (HDD/SSD/etc.). I am not 100% for sure, but I believe you do have the ability to do so.

I believe this states that the particular Asus ROG can have an SSD implemented.
http://rog.asus.com/15822014/gallery/gallery-g751-upgrade-guide/

So, for the most part I'd be using the laptop for MMO gaming (I have a console I would use for other ventures) such as WoW, Elder Scrolls Online, Star Wars The Old Republic, FFXIV, etc. I'd guess they wouldn't be quite as intensive as Fallout 4 or other heftier games, as for the most part they are more memory intensive than graphics intensive (unless my knowledge is wrong). Should I still shell out the extra money if I'm looking to play those titles?

---Scratch That. I don't want to settle for less than a 970. Any other options? Preferably slightly cheaper options? Or should I just say screw it and build a desktop?

 

[Gamer Cat]

My apologies for not responding earlier.

I believe you'll be fine with a GTX 960M regarding those titles if you are looking at cheaper alternatives.

Acer Nitro (on sale for $729):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315164

Acer's Nitro meets all your requirements, except on your SSD. I do not think you are able to add in any type of HDD/SSD upgrades to their Nitro.

It does not come with a disc drive.

MSI GL62 (on sale for $899):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154111

Meets all requirements, except for the SSD; as for adding in an SSD, I've seen mixed responses that you are able to and you are not able too. I'd research before doing anything to make sure your laptop can support upgrades.

EDIT: As for a GTX 970M, this is all I can find for a cheaper alternative.
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-P55Wv5-SL1-GeForce-i7-6700HQ-Notebook/dp/B01BV1YFMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462486705&sr=8-3&keywords=Gigabyte+laptop+GTX+970M

Meets all requirements, except for the SSD.

 

[ANH1NGA]

My apologies for not responding earlier.

I believe you'll be fine with a GTX 960M regarding those titles if you are looking at cheaper alternatives.

Acer Nitro (on sale for $729):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315164

Acer's Nitro meets all your requirements, except on your SSD. I do not think you are able to add in any type of HDD/SSD upgrades to their Nitro.

It does not come with a disc drive.

MSI GL62 (on sale for $899):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154111

Meets all requirements, except for the SSD; as for adding in an SSD, I've seen mixed responses that you are able to and you are not able too. I'd research before doing anything to make sure your laptop can support upgrades.

EDIT: As for a GTX 970M, this is all I can find for a cheaper alternative.
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-P55Wv5-SL1-GeForce-i7-6700HQ-Notebook/dp/B01BV1YFMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462486705&sr=8-3&keywords=Gigabyte+laptop+GTX+970M

Meets all requirements, except for the SSD.

So, at this point I am more concerned with finding a laptop that meets my graphics card requirement (the GTX970) than I am the SSD or rhe i7 (are there good i5 laptops?),

How do these look? Any fatal flaws I should know about? I had an ASUS ROG before and it was a good experience (the second one seems like a good deal to me?).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232765&cm_re=asus_rog-_-34-232-765-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232863&cm_re=asus_rog-_-34-232-863-_-Product

 

[Gamer Cat]

I know that I am extremely late; I am very sorry, but I've been busy.

The first one is a much better choice, since it has a better GPU.

 

[velo3100]

It should be able to play the games you want. For that price I think a gtx 965m is the highest gpu you can get.