I don't know much about this stuff, but I feel like I have to mention the ASUS G73JH-A1. It comes out in about 3 weeks, has better specs than what you're looking at (apart from the display. 1920x1080) and from what I've seen is around $1800 Canadian.

Like I said I don't know much about this stuff, so I don't know what quality is like, but I thought you might like to check it out.

Here's a link if you'd like to have a look.

I'm finding the whole internet connection required for single player games thing increasingly annoying. I myself don't have a connection and can't afford to pay for both an internet connection and games. It has to be one or the other for me.

Also, I don't get the "requiring an internet connection means more hoops for pirates to jump through" thing. I was under the impression that pirates don't have to jump through the hoops. I thought they laughed and pointed at the hoops as they go past them.