I don't have one of the uber discrete GPU ROG units but I've been using one of the Asus i7-6700 Zenbooks at work for the last couple of years and it's been a solid piece of kit with an absolute minimum of OEM bloatware. After this experience, I'd absolutely look at one of their modern GPU units (1060 or better, i7-7xxx); those look like you can have one for $1700-1900 before taxes/etc.