Let's pretend I know absolutely nothing about current hardware...

I'm looking to get a new laptop, particularly something that won't threaten to explode after being on the internet for 10 minutes. Something that could run some relatively new games-I really want to play Morrowind, Mass Effect games, Left 4 Dead, Alan Wake etc.Generally what kind of hardware (read: graphics card) should I looking for? (I'm aware that a PC would be better if I want to play games but alas I do not have the space at the moment.)

Youll get a better answer if you state max price

Replying to #2

I might add country to this as well.Anyway, go for a i5 or something similar.
Not the best thing of the world for faming but it can work fine. Price as somewhat cheap as well.PS: if you don't know what i5 , i7 , etc mean. No worries, the guy at the shop knows.

Look for Alienware laptops.

Replying to #4

don't. They're overpriced and highly prone to overheating.

Ask a Best Buy guy. They'll tell you what you need to hear.

Replying to #6

they'll probably talk out their ass.

-Alan Wake is not on the PC.
-Gaming laptops are stupid and a waste of money. You're better off getting a notebook for outside/comfortability and a PC for the actual gaming, there are small builds out there for PCs, just don't buy something like an Antec Crap Hundred 2.
-You should always state your relative budget.
-PC gaming isn't all it's made up to be. Yeah, it's cheaper for individual games and games live longer but there's not much difference.

I honestly wouldn't recommend a laptop for gaming, but it's your choice.

laptop: overheating issues

you're going to need to have a fairly huge budget if you want a gaming laptop. or even if it's any laptop

A desktop is more recommended for gaming (if you can't tell by these previous posts)

Gaming laptop is an oxymoron. If you have the choice, do not go for a gaming laptop, go for a desktop.