Budget: non issue, but cheaper is always better.
More specific use (what games, what programs): I am a manufacturing consultant, needs to be able to handle any CAD/CAM system flawlessly at maximum potential [5+ axis machining (IE: Solidworks / Mastercam x8 / FeatureCAM / InventorHSM / Catia / NX / Vericut )]
Planned time until purchase: Not in a hurry because I can do most of my work at home, however I would like something soon to take with me on the road
Do you need an Operating System?: Much prefer windows 7 (stuck in my ways, not ready for win10 xD)

I was looking at the Alienware 17 R3, but there's probably something different out there that's better suited for me I'm sure.

From personal experience, Alienware is pretty overpriced. You can definitely get something better for the price.

For what you are doing, the alienware will fall short, it has the processor and memory you need, but it has a gaming graphics card

You need a mobile workstation, something with the Quadro or firepro, which will make your render times far faster in some of those programs, you need 16gb of ram for several of the programs, and you want to make sure you are not getting the dual core version of the i7 (the M & U versions and such)

Couple refurbs at good prices
This one is quite cheap for the specs, but its fairly old hardware in today's age
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4GH3KR1416

newer specs, SSD, etc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4GH3GM5920

Comes with everything you need, has a 16gb and 32gb RAM configuration possible
http://www.amazon.com/HP-ZBook-Mobile-Business-Workstation/dp/B00UYI8RQC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1448006145&sr=1-2&keywords=Mobile%20Laptop%20Workstation

There are a lot of other options in 15.6" displays, but one of the softwares you listed says it needs a 17" display

This post was edited by Ice98 on Nov 20 2015 02:02am

checked em out, thank you!

they look good... contemplating the last one

The last one is the way to go, as long as budget isn't constrictive


The 16gb model looks like it should have 2 8gb sticks with 2 open slots (4 slots total), buying a 16gb kit and upgrading yourself will cost you at least $100 less than the 32gb model costs

But, I would live chat with HP first and confirm that it is 2 8gb sticks taking 2 out of 4 slots

If you know what software you will be using it might not be a bad investment of time just to contact them to verify what their system requirements are and make sure the computer meets their standards. if not they will be a pain in the ass to deal with if you have any issues.. well that was my experience with autocad anyways.. even though the gpu was supported.. well maybe that is just autocad support.. anyways. it wouldn't hurt just to make sure.