Hello all! Currently I'm using a 15" Macbook pro for my school and portable gaming needs. While I love the laptop, I realize I paid about a grand in apple-tax, and the idea to sell it and use the money to buy a technologically superior laptop has got me wondering what I could do with it.

I'm not computer illiterate, but I'm in no way a tech guru like I know some of our members are, so I'm turning to you guys for suggestions on what models to look in to.

What I like about my current laptop: I love the aesthetics and reliability of apple products. The keyboard and trackpad work amazingly, are incredibly comfortable, and don't give me any issues. My last laptop was an Everex that had the typical windows issues, along with several of it's own. It's video driver seemed to give me problems every time I closed the laptop without going into sleep mode first, the track pad was badly designed and the keys were always sticking, prompting me to remove them and clean them often: something I have yet to do in the year of owning my macbook.

That being said, I'm not an apple fanboy, and actually prefer the superior compatibility of windows, which is why I've always had a bootcamp partition. I'm looking for a laptop with similar exterior hardware, and superior interior hardware. I like the apple-style keyboard, but I'm seeing them on more and more laptops. I like the 15" screen, but I'm willing to go as high as 17" or as low as 13", but I'm not looking for a netbook.

I've heard a lot of buzz about the new alienware laptops and I'm interested to hear what you guys think about them. Ideally I'm looking to spend around $1,000. I think I can get between 1,300 and 1,600 for mine on eBay or craigslist, even used.

Summary/ TL;DR:
I'm looking for a laptop around $1,000. Portability is important because it's primary use is still school, but I would like it to be a decent gaming option too. I have a primary desktop that I game on, but I find myself at friends' a lot and would like to be able to game on the go as well. I look to you guys for suggestions because of the huge level of tech-knowledge I've seen displayed by this guild collectively. (Duh, look at our member screening process.) I'm not super partial to any brand, nor do I see anything as a huge deal breaker. I just want to see what you guys like and value in today's computer market and I'll make my decision based on all features offered compared to what I already have.

I'd really appreciate any wisdom you guys can offer, it's been a while since I've bought a computer, laptop or desktop.