Build a PC workstation or get a higher end laptop?

Looking for suggestions. When I get back to the states I plan to work through a mountain of books and do various graphics oriented projects.

Eventual goal is to make my first commercial game.

For my work station should I get a higher end laptop or build my own desktop? If I were to build my own PC what sort of hardware do you suggest?

I heard a lot of horror stories of people building their own PCs…