my job provides Dell laptops. the M6400 is the current issue.

you want top of the line. for what purpose? The M6400 is big, heavy, and pricey. but between a quad core processor, 16 gig ram, 7200 RPM hdd (raid capable) and 1920X 1200 17" monitor, its got the power to run engineering applications with no problems.
The draw back is its better than 9 pounds.