what is the best configuration for buying a computer?

Gaming Laptops are to many now in the market but their prices are very high. If you decide only for laptop I can suggest you to buy something that is not to old but still to powerful to play some of the new games like Mafia II. One Laptop like my description is MSI GX 700 series. They cost today (second hand) about $500 - $600 and they have 17" LCD desktop, Dual-core processor and separate graphic card that you can upgrade from 512MB to 1GB. Of course a desktop PC is much more better for upgrades and power but it is only for your home.

ajithlal the rest have pretty much given you the best information but I will say a desktop is easier on your budget as it can more easily be repaired and also get one with intel and plenty of ram for all those games you love and also for work you intend to do. Also I have known some friends who had different makes and those with dell and with samsung really had the best for price, and more memory and more ram. me I would need to win the lottery or something before I could afford a new computer.

Buy a desktop pc it is easier to upgrade but laptops aren't as bad. It is also going to depend on what kind of game you are going to play or movies to watch.