What Laptop Should I Purchase? Lenovo Still Reliable?

Despite my desperate attempts to save it, my Asus G74jh has finally died. I buried her out by Pappa and Woofy.

But now I have a great opportunity to get a laptop that isn't the most unportable monster ever.

I thought this choice would be easy, but after looking non-stop at a ridiculously convoluted market for 4 weeks straight I have realized that a man who struggles to pick a scent of dish soap when there are more than 6 options (I REGRET YOU OCEAN BREEZE) if flat out not capable of picking one on his own.

Here are my criteria:

- Efficiently runs Photoshop and Lightroom (preferably also Premiere and Aftereffects - but I hardly use them)

- Lightweight (5lbs or less) I will compromise on weight for battery.

- GREAT BATTERY LIFE (more than 6hrs)

- Can support 4k or 2k External Monitor - miniDP or HDMI2, etc.

- Has Decent Screen - FHD is fine - I'd rather it have good battery life than have a pitiful 2hr pixelparade. Brightness that can resist THE SUN - and visibility, color accurate, etc. I'm outdoors a lot.

-Preferably not spend more than 1,200, but I'll fork out 2,000 or more if it's worth the rig.

This is my shortlist:

Dell XPS 13 or 15

Lenovo p50s

Asus UX501vw

Lenovo X1 Carbon

Microsoft Surface Book

Apple Macbook Pro (If absolutely necessary)

I'm open to other suggestions - like convertibles such as the Yoga 900 or the Spectre or heavier rigs like Lenovo's T series.

Here's my problem, I wanted to get a lenovo, I used to love Lenovo, but then I heard about their spyware fiasco and that thinkpad quality tanked after Lenovo bought the brand from IBM. Is Lenovo still a solid company?

What in carnation is the most reliable brand? It used to be obvious, but now it seems like companies like Dell are stepping up their game.

I don't want to buy a Mac, as they have yet to update their processors - but I will if it really is my best possible choice.