Need help selecting a new computer

[Prussian to the Iron]

I'm not a big fan of gaming laptops -- too many compromises to get them working within the thermal constraints

Don't even get me started. I have to have mine constantly in an elevated position (I got a stand) because if I don't, the back gets extremely hot, and then turns off the screen and leaves me only being able to turn off the whole thing.



BTW what sort of graphics card would you guys suggest? I unfortunately don't know really anything about graphics card specifications, but AFAIK ATI is better than Nvidia. But I could be totally wrong, I just have no idea.