Laptop or PC for Gaming?

This is often a tough decision for gamers and regular computer users alike.  Laptops offer portability and convenience, but are often more expensive and much less customizable than desktop PCs.  Desktops give you more power for the price, but can't be easily moved around, and are completely impractical for traveling.  So when it comes to the decision of whether to get a laptop or a desktop, there are a few things to take into account.

1. Portability. 

Laptops are portable - that's why they're called laptops.  If you're on the go a lot (a busy college student, for example), laptops are ideal.  You can pull up Microsoft Word to work on a paper and then fire up HL2 - all from Starbucks.  However, a PC powerful enough to handle higher end games is going to require a lot of power, and run you into the $1500+ range, most likely.  PC gaming companies offer customizable laptops, like the Alienware M15x laptops, that are made for gaming.  These are powerful enough to handle most games, but not necessarily on the highest settings.

2. Upgradability. 

Because of their size (or lack of), laptops can't fit the large amount of components that gaming desktops can.  This makes them much less upgradable.  It's easy to replace laptop parts, but getting a bigger, better processor or video card is nearly impossible.  And at the rate technology advances, you're going to need new components to keep up with games. 

Because laptops are so hard to upgrade, they don't last very long if you want to use them for gaming, so you'll probably have to look at replacing your gaming laptop in a couple years.

3. Price.

This is obviously the deciding factor.  If you are independently wealthy or just have plenty of cash to spare, get a decent gaming laptop - and then a desktop to go with it.  Many gaming PC retailers offer laptop/desktop packages so you get a better rate.

If you don't plan to be on the go much and want a high end gaming PC, get a desktop.

If you will be traveling a lot or need the portability of a laptop, get a good gaming laptop and plan on replacing it in a couple years.