How often do you actually need a computer in a place besides the home? Do you have other friends who game on PC and would do a LAN party? Consider carefully if you really need a laptop, because you're going to get a lot less for your money.
THAT SAID: You can still get a pretty darn good laptop for that kind of the money. The Lenovo Y50 is really good, as others have said.
If you don't need the portablity though, you can build an absolute beast of a rig for $1200. Building is as simple as building LEGOs with more fragile parts. As others have said, it's really hard to mess up. I'd say go watch a quick youtube video (they're all over the place) on how to build a PC before judging if you feel comfortable doing it.
I'd highly reccomend you build your own, if for no other reason than because it's fun. But it will also get you your best bang for your buck. ;)
