Reposting because I forgot to remove the Amazon affiliate code in one of the product links and AutoMod removed my comment

Personally I'd steer well clear of Apple. They're kinda overpriced and rather anti-consumer (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, Exhibit 3).

• For reference: The MBP 13 inch base model has a Core i5 8259U (4 cores, 2.3GHz), 8GB DDR3, Intel Iris 655 (integrated GPU. No discrete graphics card), a 256GB SSD, and 4 Thunderbolt 3 (Type C) ports. That costs $1800. Reference
  
  Some things I came up with off the top of my head:
  
  
• Razer Blade 15: Core i7 8750H (6 cores, 2.2GHz), 16GB DDR4, GTX 1060 Max-Q (significantly better for games and rendering (CUDA acceleration) than an Intel integrated GPU), 256GB SSD plus a 2TB HDD, 3 USB-A 3.1 (traditional USB ports), Ethernet port, 1 Thunderbolt 3 (Type C) port, HDMI and Mini DisplayPort. That also costs $1800. Reference
  
  
• MSI G65 Stealth Thin: Very similar to the Razer Blade 15. Same CPU, same GPU, same RAM, 256GB SSD (albeit no HDD this time), even basically the same I/O. However, this one has a 144Hz panel. Also $1800. Reference
  
  
• ASUS GL503-DH74: i7-7700HQ (slightly older, 4 cores, but still holds up nicely), 16GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD, full desktop GTX 1070, 144Hz display but with Nvidia GSync this time. GSync is variable refresh rate for your display. If your games can't hit 144FPS consistently, then the display scales the refresh rate with the FPS to eliminate the stuttery feeling. $1900. Reference
  
  
• Acer Predator Helios 300: Bit on the chunky side, but incredible value. i7 7700HQ, 16GB DDR4, GTX 1060 (full desktop, not Max-Q), 256GB SSD + room for HDD to be added later, unfortunately no 144Hz or GSync. But wait... It's $1050. Reference
  
  All of these laptops will 100% perform better than a MacBook Pro in almost all situations. The better CPUs will have an advantage for video rendering. Their GPUs blow the Intel Iris iGPU out of the water. Sure, they might be overkill for what you want to do, but they're the same price (or less) than a MacBook with inferior specs.
  
  Hey, it's your money. If MacOS is a huge selling point for you, then get a MacBook. But for the applications you mentioned, a MacBook doesn't seem like the best option.
  
  If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

Looks like I’m in your class this January. Personally went with this notebook and paid under 2k. Overkill i know but i like to play games.

https://www.amazon.ca/Asus-GL503VS-DH74-Gaming-Laptop-G-SYNC/dp/B076RB85NV

Would recommend a quad core, 16gb of ram and an ssd. Should be easily obtainable for $1200.

I'm looking at one of these right now. Heading to college in the fall semester, and this seems to be the best option for me right now for the mix of gaming, studying, appearance, and IT related classes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076RB85NV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2YSYAbMPQPYVE

what about this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076RB85NV its also closer to your preferred screen size

I don't think there is 1MS, the best is 3MS with 120HZ like this MSI GS63, are you interested in those ?

there is also this ASUS ROG Strix GL503VS-DH74 which comes with 144Hz screen.

I no longer need this laptop because I bought the new Zephyrus M laptop. This will handle all the latest games without an issue currently brand new it goes for 1900.00

https://www.amazon.com/GL503VS-DH74-Strix-Gaming-Laptop-G-SYNC/dp/B076RB85NV

well, with that amount you can go for an ASUS Strix ROG GL503VS

its quite nice, comes with an awesome headset and a good mouse.

if you dont wanna go expensive, you can consider a 1060 version of the same model ( im not sure, but i think there is one! )

cause mostly you will be using your graphic card, make sure to check this website to see which one's better!

and also make sure to check other brands too, they may be cheaper with the same specs ( i personally am an asus fanboy so i just buy asus products and so far i havent seen a single problem with them )

and let me add one more thing, if building a PC is also an option, dont even hesitate. the only good option a laptop can provide you is mobility, thats it!

I saw this one a few days ago and I think it is a very good quality laptop and in your budget
https://www.amazon.com/GL503VS-DH74-Strix-Gaming-Laptop-G-SYNC/dp/B076RB85NV

Those are some pretty solid suggestions. Thanks for your input. I'm also looking at these:
Asus
Acer
In your opinion, is it worth it to go for a laptop with gsync?

Think about it logically. What MacOS specific software do you absolutely need that you cannot replicate in a Windows environment? If the answer is "none", then ignore what your team says and get the machine that suits you best.

Even better, buy a Windows laptop with good specs and do a dual boot by hackintosh'ing it. Windows for gaming, MacOS for "work". The Asus ROG Strix Scar is an excellent choice. The 17 inch with the GTX 1060 is $1460 and the 15 inch with the GTX 1070 is $1900. Or skip the whole dual boot and just virtualize MacOS since the computer is beefy enough to do it.

For comparison, the cheapest 15 inch MacBook Pro is $2400. You would have to get the newer 15 inch version because all 13 inch MacBook Pros do NOT have a dedicated GPU and the $2000 15 inch MacBook Pro uses Intel Iris Pro graphics. The Intel Iris Pro is on par with the GT 1030... or the nearly 8 year old GTX 460.