I have an i7 Quad Core desktop already for 3D modeling/rendering and would like a much more mobile laptop I can lug around when I'm on the go. At the moment, I'm basing it on the design and size/portability with a balance of a good processor and graphics card. Essentially, I'd like to do the exact workload on my desktop on this new laptop while working remote with my clients etc. I had a Dell 15" Inspiron 6400 (weighing 6lbs) Core 2 Duo before and it was slow as shit and heavy to lug around and I feel that it will be the same with the Lenovo W520 (at 6.26 lbs), too bulky and maybe overkill for my needs. Moreover, I plan to set both desktop and laptop on a mini render farm to help with the render load.
I think the Samsung 7 Series Chronos 14" (maybe 15" depending on how I feel about the size at the store) is the best competitor to the Macbook Pro. It's about the same specs but at half the cost.
Samsung Series 7 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review