Budget:1,500$ or less

More specific use (what games, what programs): GTA V, CS:GO, D2, LoL, Smite, I'm sure new games as they come out....in terms of work, I often have multiple powerpoints, lectures via VLC open, am surfing the web with many tabs to research different topics etc

Planned time until purchase: today, i'm researching it now, so i will post up any decent laptops i see, but any input (sooner the better) is appreciated

Do you have any specific preferred components?: not really? I guess i would like to know if there are any big laptop upgrades coming out in the near future (ie a new iteration of mobile gpus from either nvidia (preferred) or amd) that would be worth postponing this purchase, because i currently have a gaming desktop and a serviceable older laptop...but the sooner the better to get this laptop

Do you need a bigger monitor? mouse? full keyboard?: i would prefer under 15.3 (as weight is a big issue UNDER 5 POUNDS IS THE BIGGEST CAVEAT)

Zip code/location? (Shipping costs): 34786

how about the lenovo y40?

New R9 300 series M GPUs will release shortly after the desktop variants. Whether or not they are any good has yet to be determined.

http://xoticpc.com

Just customize a laptop you want there.

I appreciate the suggestions I will look into both.

@Dexa do you have a timeline on the 300m series or I used since its based on the 300 series release when that line up will be released?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233073

what about this?

can i do better for less?

the lightness with those specs are killer

playing around with xoticpc it does seem like a great way to streamline costs, but for example w8 doesn't come with most pcs correct? i'd have to pay for that separate?

That's not in your budget.

I would look for an ASUS or MSI, Lenovo as well.