Alienware is overpriced and has complete crap battery life (about 4 hours my friend said his had) and weighs heaps, I say get a desktop and build it yourself for much cheaper, you
're pretty much paying $2000 for the brand name and 1000 for the specs, but if you want a laptop either try finding a laptop with good specs but not Alienware, trust me they aren't that great, you are paying for the brand name and a couple LEDs.
My friend bought an M15X and pretty much got the best specs and he runs everything fine, but I'm just saying, desktop would be better for your/parents wallets and also it would be much better, but hey if you want it so bad get it, it does what you want it to do, but just saying if you want portability it isn't really the best at it.
In the end it's your decision, just wanted to give you some advice
Also in advance Happy Bday