I have been very happy with ToshibaDirect.com. On their high end laptops, you can customize almost every major component. Depending on the model, you are going to choose from 2-4 choices of cpu, ram, video integrated or discrete, optical drive, one or two harddrives (on the large laptops), (I had the option of SSD factory installed on mine), network cards, battery, etc.
So, you spend an afternoon shopping and seeing what the options are. Then you go see what current games can be handled by the options available. The P770D seems to favor the GeForce® GT 540M for the discrete video card at the moment. Then you go research to see if that card is barely adequate or exceptional at the games you are interested in.
Their P770D models are starting at around $700 for a 17" widescreen. I bought a P500 with an 18.4" screen that has been going strong for two years now. But, it is a heavy monster. Is is so big, I doubt I could carry it on a plane. I think that is why they may have dropped that size from their current line.
As to little tidbits:
Network cards: Choose Intel over Realtek. Intel always performs better. And sometimes Realtek causes interrupt issues that make even mp3 playing choppy.
Discrete video card over integrated: If you can afford it, it makes a big difference.
12 cell battery: just do it.
Extra power cord: A very good idea, but you can get one from a third party at 1/3 the cost.
SSD: If you can possibly swing it, an SSD harddrive makes it feel as if you tripled the performance of the machine. The large high end Toshiba laptops have the option of SSD for the OS drive, and a large spinning internal drive for the data. That is the very best in performance, but can easily cost another $300-$500. I have done aftermarket SSD replacements on several machines and won't have another personal machine without.
And, ToshibaDirect.com does little tidbit sales that seem to change daily. This day it might be an extra 20% off the optical drive upgrade. Next day it is and extra 2 GB RAM for free. So, if there is a specific option you are waffling on, watch the site over a couple days and it might go on sale. Once you click the button, it takes about 10 days to build and ship. Patience might save you $20.
Reliability: Well, my boss has been buying Toshiba "because they just work" since the Pentium III days. My one has been good. I haven't had to do the support route on it. And people hate Dell, but when I call, read them a serial number, and say I need a replacement keyboard, they respond with "Cost is this, it will be there in two days." So, I cannot complain about Dell. They don't complain that it is seven years old. They still have the parts.
Opinions on other companies: Lenovo: No way. HP: no. Acer: You know you are buying cheap. Don't complain when it is cheap. Opinions based on repairing at least two of each brand for friends or family.
