For $1000 you should easily be able to get something with a second gen i7, nice big 17in screen, high end graphics, etc.
I just picked up an Asus G74sx laptop for $1300 at Best Buy and I LOVE it. I'm sure I could have found it a couple hundred cheaper online somewhere.
http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Gaming_Powerhouse/G74SX/