If you want to play games on a computer, here's what I recommend:
- Don't get a laptop
- Don't get a Mac
Now if by "games" you mean Tetris, solitaire, or simple games like that, then a Mac is fine. But if you want to get into any "serious" gaming, PC is totally the way to go. Sorry Macolytes, but the Windows platform is light years ahead of Macs when it comes to game development.
The other issue deals with control. Again, for simple games, a touchpad or that nipple button/joystick thing can be okay. But if you're going to play complex games, you need a full keyboard & mouse (or fully-functional joystick, as appropriate) combo.