Replace an old laptop in the US for under 1200 USD

Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US: Budget is $1200 USD

Are you open to refurbs/used? No

How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life? I don’t care for touch screen or 2-in-1. Performance and build quality are top priorities, battery life is still important but less so.

How important is weight and thinness to you? not incredibly important but I will carry it around my backpack from time to time.

Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A. 15 inch screen seems to work for me. But I wouldn't go smaller

Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run. I typically run some kind of CAD on my machine. I have had Solidworks, Creo, and AutoCAD at any given point. I would also like to run Systems Tool Kit.

If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want? Not really doing any gaming on my computer

Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)? Must haves: Windows OS, Some kind of docking capability (I like to run two monitors when at home), Sturdy build quality (good hinges), Backlit keyboard, Ethernet port, at least 3 USB ports, and a numeric keypad. Optional: webcam, fingerprint reader, SD card reader

Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion. This will be my 3^(rd) ever laptop purchase. My first laptop was an HP Pavilion. I ran into so many problems with it, namely a terrible build quality; the screen broke off the hinges after just 2 years. My second and current laptop is a Dell Latitude E5550 that I absolutely love. I have had this thing for 10 years and over that time it has put me through my Masters and PhD. When I bought this laptop, it was at a time when they were ranked 2^(nd) overall manufacturers after Apple. For that reason, I would prefer a Dell but I am open to other brands as well. The only reason I am replacing it is due to windows 10 becoming obsolete and it doesn’t have the hardware to update to 11. I would otherwise keep this laptop.