$1000 17" Gaming Laptop?

I'm looking to replace my dinosaur 17" macbook pro, and would really appreciate advice for my first non-apple laptop:

$800 to $1000
17 inch
Desktop replacement -- this laptop is ONLY for lying in bed and playing games / watching movies
Gaming, but not hardcore (borderlands 2, skyrim, etc., all at reasonably high settings)
Will replace in 3-4 years
Don't need optical drive
Don't need a huge HDD
Don't need a SSD
USA (New York)

Simple, clean design
Thinner is better
Cooler is better (will be on my lap in bed)

Any suggestions would be very helpful!