Unfortunately “desktop replacement” laptops are behemoths. If you are going to go that route make sure to get the best graphics card available for the model you choose because you can't replace them in laptops (except in some by Alienware). Since you’ve already invested in a laptop, which presumably functions well enough for the day-to-day, you could get a beefy desktop for gaming at home instead of another laptop. I purchased a top of the line Dell laptop about two years ago which is just now beginning to have difficulty running newer, more intense games, meaning that I have to turn down the resolution of the graphics at times. I must say that while I have been pleased with its performance it does weigh a ton so I rarely take it anywhere unless I must. Note however that a laptop is never a hardcore gamer’s preferred rig...but if you are as busy as your students (ahem, cough, cough) then I doubt you are looking into becoming very “hardcore.”