General

If under <5lb would be nice, the MSI 16F3 would be out of the question as it will weigh 7.71lbs. The MSI GE60 would be a better option due to it 5.23lbs. It should be able to play Skyrim at med-high settings. The Lenovo Y580 with the GTX 660m may be a good option as well.

@skye09: ummm, are these the questions?
I've answered these before.

1) When are you going to be needing this laptop? - Depending on how far into the future that you are planning on buying this laptop, it may not be a good time to look at the current releases of laptops, as the future may release something of better value.

Considering I'll be using this in college, everyday in and out of class. For the next (at least) 4 years.

2) What's your budget? - There are a large variety of laptops at different price point that is targetted at different groups of people. This will help to find you the best laptop that will suit your needs within the budget that you had given

<$1200 (I doubt It'll be anymore than that)

3) What state or country you are from? - This is to prevent the laptop that is being recommended from going over the budget that you have set due to tax or price differences between countries

California

4) Are you able to order online? - If you are not able to order online, be aware that it may have greatly limit your options as to what you can buy. This may be due to higher initial cost, tax, or just limited of laptop selections.

Yes I will be able to order online. I'd actually prefer it.

5) What will you be doing on this laptop? - Be specific. Are you just web browsing and word processing? Are you going to do CAD work? Video editing? Photoshop? If you are going to be gaming, list all of the games that you are planning on playing. There are many different laptop's configurations that are being sold. One little information can very well change what laptop you should get over another.

I wanna be a mechanical engineer and I hear that it requires some pretty heavy software. I also draw and paint so corelle, and the Adobe line need to run smoothly. I will also be using my laptop for some videos and music so sound has to be fairly good (dont care too much about screen rez, but 1080p would be nice)

6) What is your preferred screen size? - A larger size screen may affect the portability of the laptop due to its larger size, weight, and potentially a shorter battery life. Of course, it can give you a screen with a higher resolution which will result in a larger workspace.

I know that even now my laptop goes everywhere with me. So 15in and under is a must and <5lbs would be nice.

7) Is the weight of the laptop a concern? - In general, 7-10lbs may not seem heavy; however, if you are traveling a lot with the laptop on your shoulder, it can potentially cause fatigue and stress on your body overtime, especially if the laptop isn't the only thing you will be carrying. This is not a concern to some; however, it shouldn't be ignored

<5lbs would be nice

8) How long you want the battery life to be? - Maximum battery life rated by the manufacturer is often done in an environment that is best suited to get the most out of the battery. When answering this consider how long you will be away from a power outlet, what will you be doing during that time, and how much time will you have to charge your laptop when you finally near an outlet.

Anything better than what I have now (basically nothing) would be nice. 5 hrs + would be incredible.

9) Are the looks of the laptop an important factor to you? - Do you want a stylish-futuristic looking laptop similar to the Alienware? Do you want a more simple-professional looking laptop like a Clevo or another business-grade laptop? Do you want a unique laptop that is sexy and elegant like the Asus Bamboo series? Do you want a back-lit keyboard?

I would like it to look modern, but that's like 1% of the equation.

10) Do you have a brand that you prefer or hate? - While there's a good chance there's nothing wrong with the brand that is being recommended, it will be waste of time in finding it and trying to convince you otherwise if you are going to be set on not getting it

Nope.

Here's that questionnaire, that Skye mentioned. xD

[b]1) When are you going to be needing this laptop?[/b] - [i]Depending on how far into the future that you are planning on buying this laptop, it may not be a good time to look at the current releases of laptops, as the future may release something of better value.[/b]

[b]2) What's your budget?[/b] - [i]There are a large variety of laptops at different price point that is targetted at different groups of people. This will help to find you the best laptop that will suit your needs within the budget that you had given[/i]

[b]3) What state or country you are from?[/b] - [i]This is to prevent the laptop that is being recommended from going over the budget that you have set due to tax or price differences between countries[/i]

[b]4) Are you able to order online?[/b] - [i]If you are not able to order online, be aware that it may have greatly limit your options as to what you can buy. This may be due to higher initial cost, tax, or just limited of laptop selections.[/i]

[b]5) What will you be doing on this laptop?[/b] - [i]Be specific. Are you just web browsing and word processing? Are you going to do CAD work? Video editing? Photoshop? If you are going to be gaming, list all of the games that you are planning on playing. There are many different laptop's configurations that are being sold. One little information can very well change what laptop you should get over another.[/i]

[b]6) What is your preferred screen size?[/b] - [i]A larger size screen may affect the portability of the laptop due to its larger size, weight, and potentially a shorter battery life. Of course, it can give you a screen with a higher resolution which will result in a larger workspace.[/i]

[b]7) Is the weight of the laptop a concern?[/b] - [i]In general, 7-10lbs may not seem heavy; however, if you are traveling a lot with the laptop on your shoulder, it can potentially cause fatigue and stress on your body overtime, especially if the laptop isn't the only thing you will be carrying. This is not a concern to some; however, it shouldn't be ignored[/i]

[b]8) How long you want the battery life to be?[/b] - [i]Maximum battery life rated by the manufacturer is often done in an environment that is best suited to get the most out of the battery. When answering this consider how long you will be away from a power outlet, what will you be doing during that time, and how much time will you have to charge your laptop when you finally near an outlet.[/i]

[b]9) Are the looks of the laptop an important factor to you?[/b] - [i]Do you want a stylish-futuristic looking laptop similar to the Alienware? Do you want a more simple-professional looking laptop like a Clevo or another business-grade laptop? Do you want a unique laptop that is sexy and elegant like the Asus Bamboo series? Do you want a back-lit keyboard?[/i]

[b]10) Do you have a brand that you prefer or hate?[/b] - [i]While there's a good chance there's nothing wrong with the brand that is being recommended, it will be waste of time in finding it and trying to convince you otherwise if you are going to be set on not getting it[/i]

[b]11) Is there anything else you are looking for in a laptop that have not been ask?[/b] - [i]Beyond what had already been asked, the other minor things may be ignored when a laptop is being recommend, so you will need to mentioned it beforehand. For example, you need a laptop with a HDMI port. Or you are using a mouse to play your games with your right hand and would like the fan exhaust to be on the back or the left side.[/i]

[quote=crazygama]Do you have any specific components I should look for? Or actual laptops that would fit the bill?[/quote]

A lot of laptops can play those games fine, however your preferences could filter a few out, especially if you dont want a heavier laptop as DPJ noted.

Where the hell is Qwan with his laundry list of questions...

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215261]This[/url] should run Skyrim on low-med and maybe get acceptable framerates. Still kinda heavy though :x

[quote=djpinc19]I don't know. Do you want to carry a 7+ pound brick? With laptops, you can never have the best of both worlds.[/quote]

Do you have any specific components I should look for? Or actual laptops that would fit the bill?

I don't know. Do you want to carry a 7+ pound brick? With laptops, you can never have the best of both worlds.

[quote=djpinc19]If Skyrim was removed from that list, a 500 USD laptop would suit you. Using the ~800 USD Lenovo Y570 and Y580 for reference, Skyrim would be playable on medium.[/quote]

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f3-msi-16f3-limited-availability-p-4346.html

would that be overkill?

how about this one?

http://www.gentechpc.com/showpages.asp?pid=1156

If Skyrim was removed from that list, a 500 USD laptop would suit you. Using the ~800 USD Lenovo Y570 and Y580 for reference, Skyrim would be playable on medium.