Hi, i'm stuck in exactly the same conundrum. Let me share my thought process:
1. Know your requirements. I wanted for sure i7 quad core, at least 8GB RAM, a GPU suitable for some semi-serious gaming, 15.6 FHD screen, below 2k. Some optional things i would've liked but not 100% necessary were a backlit keyboard and a Blu-Ray drive. I wasn't too concerned about the weight nor size as i plan to get a monster Crumpler for school, and i'm big-sized so i can handle the weight.
After assessing that these requirements could be had within this budget, i went around looking for laptops at this price range. To cut a long story short, i came up with these few models (in no order of merit):
Aftershock XG15
MSI GE60 OND
Asus N56vz
HP ENVY dv6
Lenovo Y500
Lenovo Y510P (not available here yet, but coming estimated end-July)
When the Haswell series of processors came out, and the reviews on the much improved battery life surfaced, Haswell became a new priority for me. So out went the N56vz, the Y500 and ENVY dv6, since they ran on the older Ivy Bridge processors. That leaves me with the MSI GE60 OND, Aftershock XG15 and Lenovo Y510P (which is not out yet).
Comparing prices and models, the specs are very similar for the price range. The XG15 has a GTX765M, which places it at an advantage over the Y510P and GE60 OND (both use GT750M), if gaming were highest on my list of priorities. However, it is not. The GE60 OND is the lowest priced of the bunch, at $1899 at PC Dreams. However, i am not too fond of the looks, and it doesn't have a backlit keyboard nor Blu-Ray. The Y510P however, looking at the versions released in the US, ticks all the boxes, including backlit keyboard and Blu-Ray option. It is the nicest looking of the 3, and if i do a direct exchange rate calculation for the Blu-Ray version, it is SGD $1978. Hence, i'm waiting for the local version to be unveiled. When the exact specs and price come out, i will make my final decision. For now, the Y510P stands top of my list (from whatever info i have now).
This has been my thought process thus far. I hope it helps you. If your considerations are the same as mine, then perhaps this would've been a great help to you. If not, i hope it gives you an idea of how i went about looking. Perhaps you might want to follow the same approach
Either way, i hope this helps!
