The only iff would be the 960M as opposed to the 970/980. It's certainly less powerful than the 970 and has less video memory (Going to assume 2GB instead of 4GB) but you also get the TB + 128GB SSD combo which is nice. Having a SSD really helps on the Operating System side.

You'll never utilize 16GB of RAM so that's a nice position to be in. For the money, and that it is legit I would say you won't be disappointed but just be aware that you might not be able to fully max out everything at 1080p. I think this would only concern the absolute most demanding games however.

Good luck with whatver you decide to do! 

The only iff would be the 960M as opposed to the 970/980. It's certainly less powerful than the 970 and has less video memory (Going to assume 2GB instead of 4GB) but you also get the TB + 128GB SSD combo which is nice. Having a SSD really helps on the Operating System side.

You'll never utilize 16GB of RAM so that's a nice position to be in. For the money, and that it is legit I would say you won't be disappointed but just be aware that you might not be able to fully max out everything at 1080p. I think this would only concern the absolute most demanding games however.

Good luck with whatver you decide to do! 

So far holding out to see if a 970 version goes on offer. 

Because that last one was double posted for some reason.

When I say max out I mean play with the highest visual settings and still maintain a consistent 60FPS. 

Back to the upgradeable GT72 series...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-GT72-6QD-Dominator-019-HID1/dp/B015V38SJA/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1459844159&sr=1-7&keywords=msi+gt72+-titan

Quite pricey obviously but I have been looking into it and the GPU is definitely upgradeable. However the next gen Nvidia mobile GPU, 990m, won't be available as an upgrade. So future-proofing would either be upgrading from 970m to 980m at some point (which is an expensive upgrade, 980m 8gbs are currently �600 - BUT then again, 980 desktop 8gbs are pushing �500), or if the 970m lasts long enough (it might, I'm not a framerate dweebwhore), then waiting to see if what comes AFTER the 990m is available as an upgrade.

This is presuming i7 / 16gb ram lasts me a long time which I'm sure it will.

TBH the GT72 is not much pricier than similar spec non-GT MSI models, so maybe it is worth it to have the upgrade option.... 

I wouldn't upgrade from 970M to 980M whenever that time would come. This is why I personally prefer a desktop when it comes to running games. Again, at 1080p/60fps I think you will be pretty content with a 970M. That should hold you for a good long while.

Be careful though, it is easy to become a dweebwhore about framerates when you can consistently achieve them in everything you play. I know I am spoiled from using a 100hz monitor.

Don't go lower than a 970M (If it does go lower for laptop standalone cards?) but don't invest too much into "future-proofing" when it comes to buying a laptop. Heck it's tough to really future-proof for anything considering the advances of technology.

Bottom line again, you'll be happy with a 970M purchase. 

The cheapest MSI 970m with 128 SSD and DVDR (which I want, SC2 LOTV taking 3 days to load up each mission is making me see the value in an SSD, and I need to have a DVDR to make CDs for the car, cheaper than upgrading car stereo to MP3 ;)) on amazon is �1260.

The cheapest MSI 970m GT72 upgradeable version is, errr, �1276

0_o 

If the only difference for that small price increase is the upgrade-ability...then definitely go for that. No brainer on that one.

Yes, SSD is highly recommended even just for the Operating System to run on. Placing a few of your favorite or currently played games on the SSD is another idea. 

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/9S7-178211-048-MSI-GT72-6QD(Dominator-G)-048UK_1837457.html

Intel Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core Processor
17.3" Full HD Screen with Wide View Angle
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit
16GB DDR4 RAM
128GB SSD PCI-e + 1000GB 7200RPM HDD
DVD Rewriter
Dedicated GeForce GTX 970M 6GB Graphics
USB3 | HDMI | Bluetooth | DisplayPort | G-Sync

With the intention to upgrade to a 980M or better in 3-4 years time. Maybe add another SSD if needed.

So far:

Cons:
- It's probably heavier than my desktop tower despite being 1/3 the size.
- Keyboard is cramped.
- Win 10 is butt-ugly compared to Win7 Aero.
- Stuff still doesn't load that quick despite RAM + SSD.
- SSD gets full pretty quick given 50 GB is reserved for OS and games are fucking massive these days.
- DVDR drive seems to flick open even if you just look at it.

Pros:
+ Really quiet under normal usage.
+ Build quality feels good.
+ Screen is super-crisp.
+ Audio settings are good (and onboard sound is okay).
+ Works smoothly with peripherals connected.
+ Runs early areas of DOOM4 on High settings with no slowdowns (may change in later areas).
+ Runs the slow-loading / chugging areas of DS3 (Lothric Castle and Dancer bonfire which took 20 seconds of chugging to load on low settings on old PC) flawlessly on Max settings.
+ Wifi connector is at least as fast as old PC's direct ethernet connection to router.
+ Boots quickly.
+ Came with almost no fuckware apart from Norton.

So far so good I guess! 

Once you burn it in and get used to it you will be pretty content with what you purchased, that is a pretty nice portable machine you got there.

I don't think you will upgrade to a 980M in a few years. By that time, there will be so much newer advances it is hard to tell what we will have! If anything I'd be satisfied with the 970M until you are ready for a new machine since you are running at 1080p. Your 970M will carry you for many years to come comfortably.

Congrats! 

Even tho Win 10 update tried to break lots of things.

Been away with it sans peripherals execept mouse, still good to game on. Doom4, Quake, Battlefleet Gothic.....covers a fair spectrum. Actually got a fuckton of games on it!!

Had to disable G-Sync tho as you need to tweak the bios to do that and I can't be fucked. New Nahimic update means the onboard sound has better options and I don't use headphones that often at the mo. 

wut 

Okay so they made an outrageous spec uber heavy 9 grand laptop. I guess it is kinda amusing in an OTT sort of way. And that's about all it's good for. Also I don't really like the extra wide curved screen anyway. Derp. 

If I want a laptop, I'm not getting this. If I want a desktop, I'm not getting this either. It's neat, but too niche. 

This one goes up to 11! 

The MSI Titan 18" was pompous enough but at 18" still kinda portable and at <�4000 still kinda affordable if you're fucking loaded. There comes a point of diminishing returns and diminishing common sense and it's some way before the Acer monstrosity.