http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i7+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+6GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/9741729.p?id=1218165344675&skuId=9741729
You won't find anything better for the price EVER! I can absolutely gurantee you that 400%. It's a gaming machine. You'll almost never have to turn down settings on any games you have. Seriously, this laptop is amazing. Not to mention it will beat the crap out of internet explorer and will most likely tear apart any programs you'll use.
It's specific to bestbuy though, so you'll only find this model there. It comes with the 5870 mobile graphics which is the fastest single gpu mobile chip in the world if I remember correctly, 6 gigs of ram, core i7 quad core processor which I believe competes with many desktop processors, and not bad ones either. This processor is insane and can handle up to eight threads. hell of a lot more than enough for what you will probably be doing but you never know! 500gb hard drive. The only down side is that it comes with a huge ass 17 inch screen and it's big, but for this price, I hope to god it's something you can live with. You'll never find anything better for $1200, I bet you my left testicle! Hell, I'll even throw in my right one.
Do NOT get alienware or VAIO, overprice garbagio. HP makes some laptops for a lower price as well if you're not interested in spending so much. Please do yourself a favor and buy this laptop. I beg you!
PS I was not paid to write any of this. lol