Laptop search - requesting help.

1. What is your budget?
$1200ish US

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
Lighter the better of course, mid-sized would be a safe answer.

3. What screen resolution do you want?
Uncertain of the resolutions. Desktop is 1920x1080 which is nice. Unknown how that would be on a laptop screen size.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
It isn't a replacement. It will be an addition.

5. How much battery life do you need?
Up to 3 hours or so?

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Yes. SC2, Diablo III, Torchlight 2, GW2..... (Higher resolution the better)

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
This will be for a new college student. His major is Computer engineering.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
750g-1T

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
I almost prefer to brick and mortar this laptop. I am uncertain how any warranty work, if needed, will work with a laptop if ordered online.
He will be attending school in Aimes, IA. I'm pretty sure options will be plentiful with a 30 minute drive or so. I know there is at least a BestBuy around. If online, I would prefer newegg.com or amazon.com. Open for any reputable company.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
If this could last his entire 4 years there, that would be ideal.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
Open to suggestions.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I am open to all brands of high quality. Your experience will play a factor in this.

13. What country do you live in?
US.

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
Son will be attending college at IA State University. We are looking for a laptop for studies as well as one to play video games. Taking his desktop is a possibility, as well. Preferences are listed above. Some others would be: HDMI to hook up to a larger monitor and/or HD TVs would be a major plus.

At work, I have a docking station that allows multiple monitors/real sized keyboard use and mouse. I feel this feature would help keep strain off his body/eyes while using it in his dorm.

I appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks.