Should i buy a gaming laptop

I currently have a low end hp notebook which is not very suitable for gaming of any kind. I am thinking of upgrading it to a gaming laptop. I do have a few reservations about going the notebook route. Is there going to be any groundbreaking technologies or architectures just around the corner so that i should wait? And i have heard from friends that some of the gaming notebooks specifically gateway have had issues with excess heat and slowing or shutting down completely does any1 know if alienware has a similar issue? I am currently leaning toward an alienware m17x with dual sli nvidia 280x. If anyone has any suggestions it would be very appreciated TIA.