Laptop upgrade or budget build?

Hey All,

Posted up here awhile ago about what PC to build on a budget. I had narrowed down my search at the time (before Christmas) but when I was sent a new laptop for work, I decided to hold off on building a new personal PC.

Well now that my all time favorite game has returned for a sequel (Starcraft II), I'm forced (not really but really   ) to build a pc again so that I may continue the saga.

First question: can I take my laptop in somewhere and have it outfitted with a graphics card to handle this game? Some say your stuck with the graphics capability a laptop comes with, some say its feasible. I have an HP 6530b work horse.

If not, I need to build a solid machine for general use and of course, some SC II action.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next month or so

BUDGET RANGE: would like to stay around 500 - 600 but could do a bit more if the gain is that much more

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: One game - StarCraft II, surfing the internet, Office, light programming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com or whatever

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: Quality

OVERCLOCKING: Not sure, probably not

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not sure

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Back in late Fall we were debating an AMD vs. Intel option, had the AMD build down to around $450 if I recall, the new I5 build was around $900. Can anyone run me through the gauntlet real quick again on options, drawbacks, this vs. that, new technology about to break vs. whats a good price point these days?

I know technology is constantly evolving so I'm here again to get edumacated.  

My needs are:

Personal use - internet surfing, standard office use, maybe some high level software development, (i.e. Java, C#), and starcraft II   . <---notice a trend here  

I have a laptop that I use for work so mobility isn't a concern.

Just need a solid system to perform normal functions and of course ... Starcraft II.

Thanks ya'll!

~Josh