Is this a good gaming laptop for its price?

[Pyro as Bill]

Yes you should buy this. NOW!!

Buy a wireless m/kb, joypad and VGA/HDMI cable and you've got yourself a "console" that beats the pants off PS3/360........ and it's frikkin mobile with it's own screen.

I wouldn't pay an extra $400-500 for slight improvements, I doubt you'll find another at $1100. The 9800 might be the best Nvidia mobile graphics card available at the moment, I don't remember hearing of a mobile GTX260 or 280 yet but I could be wrong.

Try pricing a similar specced laptop from Dell or whoever.
For Nvidia 9800>9600~8800>8600