ATrevelan

I'd really, really recommend getting a laptop only if you need the portability; like, if your personal computer will double as your work computer or you're someone who travels a lot. I have a "gaming" laptop purely because a desktop is simply was not a viable option. I'm an American working in Central Asia and I need a computer I can carry to work with me, since my workplace doesn't provide me with pretty much any of the things I need to do a good job (but that's a different story).

So, I got an ASUS G53JW. I snagged it for a bit over a grand AND I got a rebate, so the total cost fell below $1000. It's done basically everything I've asked as far as gaming goes, but it definitely needs to be plugged in. It's not an airplane computer, either; this sumbitch needs a desk and a mouse as well. Battery life is... something I've gotten used to. If I leave my charger in my apartment, the battery simply will not last through my work day, and it's even worse when I've got wifi turned on. On the plus side: I can play Skyrim in Central Asia. Legally (trying to teach my students that you shouldn't download everything just because you can... which is a hard point to drive home when all the coolest games aren't legally available on the PC where they live).

If I was in the US, I'd have a killer desktop and a POS netbook to use for work. I'm happy I have the laptop because it suits my situation, but it may not fit yours quite so nicely.

I've played Crosswords DS exclusively on the toilet.

As someone who had been technically unemployed for two years (one year of legit unemployment and a second year of grad school/apprentice teaching for no pay), lemme tell you... the best part of being unemployed is when you finally get a job. 
 
I tried to keep some perspective and not just "settle" for whatever came my way and I ended up with an awesome, awesome teaching gig in Central Asia. Granted, I have to learn two new languages to survive and the country is frozen for at least six months out of the year... but still. It feels friggin' great. 
 
Back when I wasn't working, I really enjoyed waking up at the crack of dawn (to let my 130 lb Labrador out to pee) and thinking, "I've got a whole day ahead and absolutely nothing that I need to do."

I'm a teacher, so this notion of being "off the clock" is completely foreign to me. Granted, my independent work is portable which certainly makes things a lot easier. I rarely work at home, opting to do most of my grading/planning/letter-to-the-editor-writing in a coffeeshop or on public transit.

If I posted the entire list, it'd take up waaaay too much space, so I'll list the games I've bought at full price and never played... 
 
Devil May Cry 4 
Episodes from Liberty City 
Resident Evil 5 (played the 360 version, never touched the PC) 
All 3 recent Tomb Raider games AND Guardian of Light
Lucasarts Adventure Pack (Fate of Atlantis, Loom, The Dig, etc) 
Sam and Max Seasons 1 & 2 
Strongbad 
Drakensang (I love the 2nd game in the series) 
Amnesia 
Both Serious Sam HD games 
Company of Heroes series 
Civ 5 
 
I'm a terrible human being and my wallet hates me.

Risen can be a really, really enjoyable game if you're into that sort of thing. It's definitely a step up from the Gothic series--much less janky (although still a bit janky), better story, decent technical performance. It's a slow burn though. Once you make it to the point where you determine your character's "path" several hours in you really get to the good stuff.

Well, looks like I'm doing the nasty with my Morrowind Nord. I hope his handlebar moustache isn't too itchy... but all those jagged polygons are likely to hurt...

Play as a Malkavian.

Like FancySoapsMan said, LoH: Trails in the Sky is FUCKING BOSS. Great story, interesting battle system, and the game's not afraid to take its time and let things develop at a reasonable pace. Also, you can save anywhere--which is quite nice for a JRPG.