The best GPU you can afford is GT740M.

Asus
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD

Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049
Vostro 5470, i3-4010U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, 3-cell

HP
Pavilion 14-N059TX, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099[2.03kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8; colors: silver/black

Prices are RSP, negotiable. Negotiate and they will fall within your budget.

Buy in US. Cheaper, more choices, better RMA, ....

Your usage requirement can be handled by Intel HD IGPU, but most of 15" in Malaysia come with discrete GPU, so you will probably pay for something that you don't really need
15" in Malaysia normally don't come with SSD as standard factory spec. You may have to upgrade aftermarket yourself. You can:
1. buy SATA SSD (128G ~ RM300, 256G ~ RM600), replace the HDD (keep as external storage).
2. if the laptop model come with a functioning mSATA port (check with re-seller), buy mSATA SSD which are slightly more expensive than SATA SSD of similar capacity.

Asus
S551LB-CJ120H, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2699[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8, 3-cell
N56VB-S3070H, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2899[/b][2.7kg][B&O], 4GB, 750GB, W8

Dell
Inspiron 15, i3-3217U + Intel HD4000@RM1299[2.25kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), 4-cell, Linux; W8SL@RM1499
Inspiron 15R, i5-4200U + AMD HD8670M @RM1999[2.32kg], 4GB, 750GB(5400rpm), Linux, 65WHr; W8SL@RM2199
Inspiron 15 7000, i5-4200U + Intel HD4400 + (1366x768; Touch) @RM2899[2.6kg], 6GB, 750GB(5400rpm), W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr

Fujitsu
A532-MYEVL20004, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2479, 4GB, 500GB, W7P

Lenovo
Flex 15, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT720M + (1366x768; touch) + 8GB SSGD + 500GB HDD@RM2699, 4GB, W8
Z510, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2399[2.2kg], 4GB, 1TB, backlit, W8; 2 yrs,

MSI
GE60-2OC, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3099,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB

Toshiba
Satellite L50-A100X/XW, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, W8SL; 3 years local warranty

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Asus
PRO45VJ-V0056X, i3-3120M +Intel HD4000@RM1999[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W7P
BU400A-W3212G, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000@RM3199[1.64kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8P

Dell
Latitude 14 3000 (E3440) (sorry, don't have price list. Check with Dell distributor).

HP
ProBook 4440s, i5-3210M + Intel HD4000@RM2549, 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), W7P, anti-glare

Lenovo
ThinkPad Edge E430/E431, i5-3230M + Intel HD4000@RM2589[2.15kg], 4GB, 1TB, W7P/W8P, anti-glare

All models come with W8P license, but normally brands pre-install W7P (utilising OEM W8P downgrade right), so you could re-install with W8.1P if you like.
All come with normal HD (1366x768) TN screen, only Latitude 14 3000 has the option to spec with a pretty ok HD+ (1600x900) screen (but will probably exceed your budget if you go that route).
Make sure you extend / upgrade warranty to on site warranty for as long a period as you can afford (I understand even Asus Malaysia has on site service for PRO and BU series now )
Normally entry level business class laptop don't come with SSD (at your price point ). Have to upgrade aftermarket yourself.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 5 2013, 08:10 AM

Asus
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD
S400CA-CA006H, i5-3317U + Intel HD4000 + 24GB mSATA + 500GB + (1366x768; touch)@RM1999[1.76kg], 4GB, W8, 3-cell
BU400A-W3212G, i5-3337U + Intel HD4000@RM3199[1.64kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8P

Dell
Inspiron 14 7000, i5-4200U + Intel HD4400 + 32GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2699[2.02kg], 6GB(soldered), , W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr, No ODD
Vostro 5470, i3-4010U + Intel HD4400@RM1899, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, 3-cell

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Adobe has a very wide range of software. If you do 3D work, then you will be better off with discrete GPU.
You need a reasonably good CPU (e.g. i5)
Anyway, since you want to play Skyrim, you definitely need discrete GPU to enjoy it reasonably.
More RAM will be good for Adobe software suite. Aim for 8GB (buy 4GB stick aftermarket ~ RM100, 8GB stick ~ RM200).

Asus
PRO45VJ-V0047X, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W7P
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD

Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049
Inspiron 14R, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M (GDDR5) @RM2499[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), Ubuntu 12.04 , 6 cell; W8SL@RM2699
Vostro 5470, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2249, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, 3-cell

HP
Pavilion 14-N059TX, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099[2.03kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8

Lenovo
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT750M@RM2499, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS, 120wPSU, swappable ODD, 2 years warranty
Y400, i7-3630QM + Nvidia GT750M@RM2799, 4GB, 500GB, W8, 120wPSU, swappable ODD, 2 years warranty
Z400 touch, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768, touch)@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty

Sony
Vaio SVF14218SGW, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8SL

Toshiba
Satelite L40-AS125XG/B/W, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2299, 2GB, 750GB, W8

Prices are RSP, negotiable.
Use the remaining of your budget to extend warranty (e.g. Dell, to 3 years ~ RM300), get SSD (128G ~ RM300, 256G ~ RM600) to replace to HDD.

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 6 2013, 12:44 AM

"1500 dollars" as in USD1500? SGD1500? AUD1500? .....

N550JV-CN077H, i7-4700HQ + Nvidia GT750M + (1920x1080; IPS matte)@RM3699[2.7kg], 4GB, 1TB, W8, backlit keyboard
GE60-2OC, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3099,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB
GE60-2OC, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3599,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB
GE60-2OE, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM4299,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, backlit keyboard

GE60 has better GPU across the board (its GT750M is GDDR5 whilst N550JV's GT750M is DDR3).
N550JV has better screen.
The rest like keyboard, touchpad, sounds, etc., are more subjective, you should go out and look / touch / click / type / listen to the real things to decide.

Anyway, with your budget, maybe want to consider these Clevo:
www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-15, i5-4200M + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080)@RM3499[2.6kg][Onkyo, SoundBlaster Cinema], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), FreeDOS, [CPU Options: i5-4200M - i7-4900MQ]
Illegear RS-15 Lite, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX770M + (1920x1080)@RM4999[3.1kg][Onkyo, SoundBlaster X-FI MB3], 8GB, 500GB(7200rpm), FreeDOS, [CPU Options: i5-4200M - i7-4900MQ] [GPU Options: Nvidia GTX765M, Nvidia GTX770M, Nvidia Quadro K1000M]
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2613184

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

GS70-2OC, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM4699[2.66kg][Dynaudio], 8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series multi color backlit KB
GS70-2OD (Stealth)-096MY, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX756M + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM4899, 8GB, 1TB(7200rpm), W8, steel series multi color backlit KB
GS70-2OC, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX765M + 128GB + 750GB(7200rpm) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM5499[2.66kg][Dynaudio], 12GB, W8, steel series multi color backlit KB
GS70-20D (Stealth)-097MY , i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX756M + 128GB mSATA + 750GB(7200rpm) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM5799, 16GB, W8, steel series multi color backlit KB

You think the 15" Clevo are too big, yet you are looking at 17" MSI?

If you want something really small, can look at this 13" Clevo:
www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-13 Pro, i5-4200M + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080 IPS)@RM3999[2kg][Onkyo, SoundBlaster Cinema], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), Backlit Keyboard, FreeDOS, [CPU Options: i5-4200M - i7-4900MQ]

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Toshiba
Satelite L40-AS125XG/B/W, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2299, 2GB, 750GB, W8; colors: Gold/blue/white

In Malaysia, Dell has the best warranty support. Standard 1 year on site warranty.
Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768, Touch) @RM2299 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8 , 6 cell
Inspiron 14R, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M (GDDR5) @RM2499[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), Ubuntu 12.04 , 6 cell; W8SL@RM2699
Inspiron 14R, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M (GDDR5) + (1366x768;touch)@RM2999[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8SL , 6 cell
Inspiron 14 7000, i5-4200U + Intel HD4400 + 32GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm)@RM2699[2.02kg], 6GB(soldered), , W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr, No ODD
Inspiron 14 7000, i5-4200U + Intel HD4400 + 32GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm) + (1366x768; Touch) @RM2999[2.02kg], 6GB(soldered), , W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr, No ODD
Inspiron 14 7000, i7-4500U + Intel HD4400 + 32GB mSATA + 500GB(5400rpm) + (1366x768, Touch) @RM3399[2.02kg], 8GB (soldered), , W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr, No ODD
Vostro 5470, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2249, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, 3-cell
(HD4400 is good enough for old games, flash games)

Prices are RSP, negotiable. Use the remaining of your budget to extend warranty (Dell to 3 years ~ RM300).

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Nov 7 2013, 11:04 PM

i5 should be good enough for amateur video/photo editing, can cover your programming usage pretty good as well.
Keyboard - a bit subjective, you better try out the real things to get a better feel.
Unless you do 3D work, you probably don't need discrete GPU, unfortunately most i5 spec laptop in your price range come spec with discrete GPU.

Acer
V5-473PG-54204G50, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M +(1366x768;touch)@RM2299, 4GB, 500GB,W8 *no OD

Asus
PRO45VJ-V0047X, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT635M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W7P
K46CB-WX060H, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[2kg], 2GB, 750GB, W8, 4-cell, OD

Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049
Vostro 5470, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2249, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W8, 3-cell

HP
Pavilion 14-N059TX, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099[2.03kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8

Lenovo
Z400 touch, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768, touch)@RM2199, 4GB, 1TB, W8; 2 years warranty
G400s, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1799, 4GB, 500GB, W8
G400s, i5-3230M + Intel HD4000@RM1599, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS
S410p, i5-4200U + Intel HD4400M@RM1699[1.8kg], 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS
S410p, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT720M@RM2099[1.8kg], 4GB, 1TB, W8, 2 yrs
ThinkPad Edge E431, i5-3230M + Intel HD4000@RM2589[2.15kg], 4GB, 1TB, W7P/W8P, anti-glare (personal opinion: the best keyboard among these lots )

Sony
Vaio SVF14218SGW, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8SL

Toshiba
Satellite L40-AS109Xb/G/W, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2199[Onkyo], 4GB, 750GB, 3 years local warranty;
Satelite L40-AS125XG/B/W, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2299, 2GB, 750GB, W8;

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Both laptop for the same purpose?
For RM1.8k, you could get GT740M.
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049

For RM1.6k, can aim for GT720M.
Acer
E1-472G-54204G50, i5- 4200U + Nvidia GT720M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS
Lenovo
G400s, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1799, 4GB, 500GB, W8
G400s, i3-3110M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1449, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS

Prices are RSP, negotiable. FreeDOS means you need to get and install OS yourself.

low details, playable.

depend on what game titles (FPS games, 3D games are very vague) you play, you may want to aim for GT740M instead of GT720M.

Dell
Inspiron 14R, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM1849 [2.32kg], 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), Linux, 6 cell; W8@RM2049

HP
Pavilion 14-N059TX, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099[2.03kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Acer
V5-573PG-74504G50r, i5-4500U + Nvidia GT750M + (1366x768; touch)@RM2899, 4GB, 500GB, W8
V7-582PG-74508G52k, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD + (1920x1080 IPS; touch)@RM3399[2.2kg], 8GB, W8

Asus
N550JV-CN077H, i7-4700HQ + Nvidia GT750M + (1920x1080; IPS matte)@RM3699[2.7kg], 4GB, 1TB, W8, backlit keyboard

Dell
Inspiron 15 7000, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M (GDDR5) + (1920x1080; Touch)@RM3599[2.6kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8SL, backlit keyboard, 58Whr

Lenovo
Y510p, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080)@RM3399[2.7kg], 8GB, 1TB, W8, red backlit, swappable ODD, 120w psu, 2 yrs

MSI
GE60-2OC, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3099,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB
GE60-2OC, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3599,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB

www.illegear.com
Illegear RE-15, i5-4200M + Nvidia GTX765M + (1920x1080)@RM3499[2.6kg][Onkyo, SoundBlaster Cinema], 4GB, 500GB(7200rpm), FreeDOS, [CPU Options: i5-4200M - i7-4900MQ]

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

You don't need i5, can make do with i3.

Asus
A550CC-XX307/308/309, i3-3217U + Nvidia GT720M@RM1699[2.3kg], 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS

HP
Pavilion 14-N010AX, A10-5745M + AMD HD8610/8670M@RM1699[2.01kg], 4GB, 500GB, Linux

Lenovo
G400s, i3-3110M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1449, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS
G400s, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1799, 4GB, 500GB, W8
G500S, i3-3110M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1499, 2GB, 500GB, FreeDOS
G500S, i5-3230M + Nvidia GT720M@RM1699, 4GB, 500GB, FreeDOS

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Your typical engineering / design software can take advantage of i7 quad core.
If you do 3D, or if software you use can take advantage of CUDA or OpenCL, then discrete GPU help.
Ultrabook generally don't have i7 quad core. Priorities.
"no switchable graphics"? what do you mean? Laptop spec with Nvidia / AMD discrete GPU typically utilise Optimus / Enduro to control if the discrete GPU is needed for more GPU processing power, or laptop could run with Intel IGPU to prolong battery runtime. It's a good thing to have.

HP
Pavilion 14-N059TX, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2099[2.03kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8
ProBook 4341s, i5-3210M + AMD HD7570M@RM2599, 4GB, 500GB(5400rpm), W7P, anti-glare
Envy Touchsmart 15-J003TX, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GT740M + (1366x768;touch)@RM3399[2.56kg], 4GB, 1TB(5400rpm), W8, ext OD

Sony
SVF14218SGW, i5-3337U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 500GB, W8SL
SVE14A36CV, i5-3230M + AMD HD7670M + (1600x900; touch)@RM3199[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8; i5-3210M@RM3099
SVE14137CV, i5-3230M + AMD HD7650M@RM2399[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8
Vaio SVE15138CV, i7-3632QM + AMD HD7650M@RM3099[2.7kg], 4GB, 1TB, W8
Vaio SVE15137CV, i5-3230M + AMD HD7650M@RM2599[2.7kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8; i5-3210M@RM2499

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

laptop that spec with GPU powerful enough to play BF4 reasonably well typically will not have good battery runtime. Priorities.

Acer
V5-573PG-74504G50r, i5-4500U + Nvidia GT750M + (1366x768; touch)@RM2899, 4GB, 500GB, W8
V7-582PG-74508G52k, i7-4500U + Nvidia GT750M + 24GB mSATA + 500GB HDD + (1920x1080 IPS; touch)@RM3399[2.2kg], 8GB, W8

Dell
Inspiron 15R, i7-4500U + AMD HD8850M (GDDR5) @RM2499[2.32kg], 8GB, 1TB(5400rpm), Linux, 65WHr; W8SL@RM2699

MSI
GE60-2OC, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT750M(GDDR5) + (1920x1080; anti-glare)@RM3099,8GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W8, steel series KB

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

You probably need to upgrade to SSD aftermarket (128G ~ RM300, 256G ~ RM600).

Asus
S551LB-CJ120H, i5-4200U + Nvidia GT740M@RM2699[2.4kg], 4GB, 750GB, W8, 3-cell

Lenovo
Y410p, i7-4700MQ + GT750M(GDDR5)@RM3199, 8GB, 1TB, W8, red backlit, 120w psu, swappable ODD, 2 years warranty
Z510, i5-4200M + Nvidia GT740M@RM2399[2.2kg], 4GB, 1TB, backlit, W8; 2 yrs

Prices are RSP, negotiable.

Buddy, nobody know what games you want to play in 2-3 years time, ok? And nobody know what are the system requirement for new games in 2 - 3 years time as well

GT765M is better than GT750M.

Just buy the best GPU you can afford now and run with it.

Dell Precision M4600 is old model (2 years ago), you will not find brand new unit.
Current model from Dell is M4700 (1 year old model), M4800 (latest).
Precision M4x00 cost AT LEAST ~ RM6k brand new, if you customise for better spec, you can push the price tag up to RM10k Buying through corporate account probably could get good discount.

Precision workstation is spec with Nvidia Quadro or AMD FirePro discrete GPU, with certified drivers that cater for 3D or Engineering software.
Other models that spec with these type of GPU:
HP
EliteBook 8570w, i7-3520M + Nvidia Quadro K1000M + (1920x1080) + Bluray@RM6299, 4GB, 750GB(7200rpm), W7P/W8

www.illegear.com
Illegear RS-15 Lite, i7-4700MQ + Nvidia GTX770M + (1920x1080)@RM4999[3.1kg][Onkyo, SoundBlaster X-FI MB3], 8GB, 500GB(7200rpm), FreeDOS, [CPU Options: i5-4200M - i7-4900MQ] [GPU Options: Nvidia GTX765M, Nvidia GTX770M, Nvidia Quadro K1000M]

Prices are RSP, negotiable.