Looking for a sleek laptop to run multiple virtual machines on and for programming

Jun 2, 2015
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4,510
I'm currently looking for an upgrade from my Lenovo Thinkpad L412.

Important specs of the L412:
Processor: Intel i5 M480 clocked at 2.67 GHz
RAM: 4 GB DDR3
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 545v

I got this baby in 2011 and it hasn't been the best gaming laptop but it could run most of the old games (Prototype, Crysis 2, etc.). I'm sort of past the gaming on laptops stage and need a laptop for programming. The L412 can support 1 VM at 1.5GB memory allotted to the VM on VMWare with Unity enabled. I have Cygwin set up on Windows 7 and can switch between Linux and Windows quite smoothly. However, I cannot run another memory intensive application on Windows like Android Studio, Photoshop or Unity 5.

Here's what I currently want:

A thin laptop with a GPU powerful enough to stream to a Smart TV, this way I can connect them to my LG smart TV and also connect an external mouse and keyboard and program on a screen with a large enough landscape and maybe a PS4 for gaming (unless you guys suggest a laptop that can meet both the requirements i.e. gaming and the above).

What I think should be sufficient specs:
Processor: Intel i7 4th Gen (Any variant) with 6 MB Cache memory
RAM: 16 GB DDR3 (Unless someone can prove that 8 GB is more than enough for running a VM [Linux distro most of the times] AND run other programs like Android Studio, Photoshop or Unity 5 without any lag)
GPU: Anything that is a capable of streaming and running GPU intensive programs like Photoshop or Unity 5 (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).

Restriction: I live in India, so the number of variations are VERY limited. No, I do not want to import a laptop right now.

Budget: 250,000 INR (If you can suggest a config that is way below this limit, that'd be great.)

I need you guys to help me choose a laptop from the following and any pros and cons I've left out so that I can make a more informed decision.

Selection:

1. MSI Dominator Pro GT72 2QE

Pros:
1. Has all the tech specs that I want. The 8GB RAM can be expanded to 24GB by adding two 8GB cards in the DIMM slots right at the bottom. The other empty slot is harder to access though. Not a deal breaker because 16GB RAM should be ample memory as is.
2. I've read that this laptop is suitable for upgrading.
3. GTX 980M. Nuff said. Streaming to 3 external screens. Major plus point.

Cons:
1. It weighs 3.85 kg, roughly 8.5 lbs
2. It's clunky and according to the reviews VERY noisy and gets heated up quite fast. I cannot program with the thing on my lap.
3. Poor battery life - I'm still unsure about this because none of the reviews were about the Dominator being used for programming.

2. MSI GS60 2QD Ghost

Pros:
1. Has all the tech specs that I want except the GPU which I'm uncertain about.
2. Weighs only 1.9 kg, roughly 4.2 lbs

Cons:
1. Not UHD screen, uncertain about GPU capability. The 2QE model costs 50,000 INR more for Nvidia GTX 970M and a UHD screen. Does this really matter? Is the GTX 965M and an FHD sufficient?
2. According to the reviews VERY noisy and gets heated up quite fast while playing games. Not sure about programming.
3. Poor battery life - I'm still unsure about this because none of the reviews were about the Ghost being used for programming.


3. Asus G551JX ROG Series

Pros:
1. Has all the tech specs that I want except the GPU which I'm uncertain about.
2. Silent and doesn't heat up fast according to reviews.

Cons:
1. Not UHD screen. GPU seems to be outdated - GTX 950M DDR3
2. Quite heavy - 2.7 kg, roughly 6 lbs
3. Poor battery life - I'm still unsure about this because none of the reviews were about the G551JX being used for programming.


4. Asus G751JM ROG Series

Pros:
1. Has all the tech specs that I want except the GPU which I'm uncertain about.
2. Silent and doesn't heat up fast according to reviews.

Cons:
1. Clunkiest laptop among the 5.
2. Poor battery life - I'm still unsure about this because none of the reviews were about the G751JM being used for programming.


5. MacBook Pro

Pros:
1. Has all the tech specs that I want except for GPU (Integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics)
2. Really good battery life - about 8 hours

Cons:
1. Never used a Mac before.
2. Tiny SSD - 256 GB
3. GPU doesn't seem like it can handle Photoshop or Unity (Not sure about this, please correct me if I'm wrong.)
4. Not as many ports as the above devices (How expensive are
5. Cannot stream to the LG smart TV

The higher end version of this has a 512 GB SSD and a 2 GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M which I don't mind buying it if someone can tell me that it handles well.

More recommendations are welcome.

I'm currently biased towards the Mac because of the design and battery life. If anyone can convince me (benchmarks, tests, etc.) that the MacBook Pro can handle my requirements I will buy that and a PS4.

Sorry for the long post.