Okay, so I only have a moderate sense of computers, so I'm finding some difficulty in trying to shop for a gaming computer so I can play New Vegas (and other PC games) modded. I don't have the expertise to build my own, so it would need to be pre-packaged, and preferably be $1,200 or less, which leaves Alienware right out.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm really not sure where to start looking.

I just did a quick check of some of the major computer OEM sites (Dell, HP) and Newegg, etc., and it's pretty tough to find a half-decent gaming computer for less than $1300-$1500, premade. Anything less than that usually has dedicated on-board graphics instead of a decent video card, and self-customization options have gotten pretty limited anymore, for most OEM's base model computers. You either get crap choices for a cheap price, or you go with their official 'gaming' line, which ain't gonna fit in the sub-$1200 range, sorry. You could get a much better PC than the OEM's beginning gaming models for $1200 or less, if you bought your own parts and built your own, but that's out I guess. If it was me, I'd patiently save up a couple hundred more bucks, if you have to buy a premade. Otherwise, you're going to end up with a pretty substandard and wimpy gaming machine with no legs on it- meaning it'll barely play today's games, and tomorrows games will soon kick it brutally to the curb.

I'm not an expert when it comes to computer technology but to run games well you don't need a crazy gaming rig that you have to sell your car for (from my experiences).
I have a farily average laptop (3ghz dual core processor, 6gb of ram,3gb of dedicated graphics memory i think) and it runs fonv on ultra settings butter smooth as it does with fo3 and runs skyrim/ portal 2 on high smooth aswell.

My laptop wasn't too expensive either wether it could run crysis 2 to it's limits i highly doubt but to play game well with console like or better graphics i don't really see the problem?
Feel free to correct me at will guys .

What should someone really be looking for when it comes to specs for a self made or store bought gaming pc?