http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834152349

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834152337

These are some of the best values for gaming laptops for the mid to high end laptop gaming on newegg. You can find cheaper models to suit what you're looking to do but currently if you want to play anything on steam and then some, (games like max payne 3 or battlefield 3 as mentioned before) these choices would be pretty good.

Alienware's pricing isn't all hardware based, they add features that otherwise you wouldn't be able to find. If you don't need those features I suggest browsing newegg or a similar website to find a better hardware based deal. Alienware has custom software, in shop overclocking, custom personalization and other features that make them stand out from the rest.

I'm neither for or against Alienware but personally I would get something from newegg with better specs unless I had enough money to pay for the customization.