I know what laptop gaming's like from serious Jedi Academy sessions on a 12" PowerBook. Trackpad plus keyboard plus lack of function keys behaving without holding down fn makes 4 hour JA sessions entertaining to say the least. Plus the laptop being super hot and burning my lap
It sounds like everyone is in agreement that a MPB will definitely work as a gaming machine. I'd rather not go for an external monitor just yet until I see how it goes- I can always stack it on books or something for a temporary solution, plus the MBP is going to set me back a massive chunk of money. This is all on my college refund check. >.> I have an external mouse and an old Apple USB keyboard, so I'm good on those counts.
And yes, I am female. chucker and I knew each other already, and he pointed me over here.