I didn't always have good results running Linux on Dell Laptops like the XPS L702, great machine but it's nvidia graphics card never ran right under Linux. It did teach me to render video using on board graphics and I still do today; I render 4K video with an MSI mobo, Intel i7 4770 and 16GB ddr3. Sometimes I wish I had a GPU because I now run 2 Cameras and depending on available light they color differently; there is no way for me to correct this without a GPU; the machine seizes. It'll be interesting to see what you end up with and how it performs. Greetings!
RE: Monster Linux Laptops in 2018