You should certainly build your own. Not only do you save a lot of money, but you (not joking here) feel a connection with your computer because you hand-picked and assembled it. You get a lot more choices on design, and you really learn about it.
You can easily spec out a computer with Alienware specs and it will still be cheaper. I'm from the US so I don't know the best sites, but over here the best are Amazon and Newegg. With your budget, you can easily afford to purchase Windows 7 with the computer, too.
First, you should find a website that sells computer parts. I'm sure Amazon will work. Then, you want to choose the CPU that you want.
You can choose either from Intel or AMD here, I recommend Intel for gaming. For your budget, an i5-3570K will work well. After you choose your CPU, you will need to choose a motherboard with the compatible socket type.
The socket type is listed on your CPU's description, for the i5-3570K, it is LGA 1155. So you would need to find an LGA 1155 motherboard. You would search through LGA 1155 Motherboards and choose the size you want (there is ATX and micro ATX, mainly), and features you want.
An ideal motherboard for your budget would be Z77 chipset based (The chipset determines what features the motherboard has). After you find your motherboard, you want to choose your RAM. Right now, 8GB of DDR3 is standard.
Just make sure the speed is compatible with what is listed on your motherboard, and you are fine. Example is DDR3-1333 speed. Now, you want to choose a case.
Depending on the size of your motherboard, you have to choose a case that is compatible. They will say ATX , Micro ATX, etc compatible, so you will know. I would just choose the one you think looks the nicest.
There are certain features but cases get quite complicated, in the end they would all work out as long as it is compatible. From here, you don't have to worry about compatibility. You want to purchase a Graphics Card, Nvidia or ATI.
With your budget you could easily afford a GTX 670, which is one of the most powerful GPUs out there today. After this, you should choose your power supply. Your GPU will recommend a minimum wattage power supply.
In general, a 500W power supply will be able to power all the mainstream GPUs. You also will need a Hard Drive AND/OR Solid State Drive. Solid State Drives are faster, but smaller capacity and more expensive.
You can have a combination, but that requires more computer know-how to set up. It would be easiest to just buy a 1-2TB hard drive at 3.5 inches in size. You will need a DVD drive.
I would advise against purchasing well...just about anything from companies like Alienware. The products tend to be more expensive just because they are covered with useless lights. Build it yourself as it will be way cheaper.
Also you are right, desktop>laptop.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.