What Computer for Children?

[Juan handed]

I have a friend who is not computer literate at all,but is getting pressure from his young kids(and the school) to get a computer.The kids are 10 and 7 years old.I guess the school is giving out some homework that is best done on the computer,and the 10 year old is getting some assignments that require some internet research.

He lives in a small place and room is a concern,so is the budget.I told him I'd search around and I'll probably pick something up for him.With the budget,I think I'm going to look for something used.Looking to spend about $300.I can give him a scanner/laser printer should he need it.

He definately doesn't need latest and greatest.Just something reasonably fast and functional.Not for gaming or graphics heavy use.I have a Dell laptop that was pretty much tops at the time,about 5 years ago,and it still works reasonably well.I think that kind of performance would suit him.I know that original $1800 unit can be had for about $250 on Ebay at this point,all day long.

The other concern is this,and it relates to the space he has available.Should he go Desktop or Notebook?I'll set him up with a wireless cable router for his internet use.

With adult use a large notebook would be fine,but I worry about it with the kids.The bigger kid might be OK with it, but little sister might be a different story,especially once the bigger kid takes an interest in it,I could see some tug of war going on.Anybody here have some experience with their kids and laptops?

Any advice and opinion would be appreciated.Please keep it somewhat basic...I'm fairly inept myself.Thanks in advance!

 

[pepzsoduh]

all we have is a laptop, but me and my sister get along fine. if theres any problems have him set a time limit or something

i would go with a desktop, notebooks tend to cost more considering the price to performance ratio. also if your going to do wireless, getting a computer with a wireless card costs more.

try this: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do
a little above your price limit but it incudes a monitor, wireless card, etc.
if that a little to high then you can just re-customize it.

also try- http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11007926
or http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11049966
neither have wireless


ok last one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114074 with this monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009136
no wireless

good luck

 

[Juan handed]

That's good to know that someone is sharing nicely the laptop.Have you guys ever had a drop or near miss?

I'll have to go see them to see if there is even a good spot for a computer desk.But a laptop would be great for them if it weren't wrecked.

Performance isn't a concern right now.Their needs are going to be very basic for a while.I think they will get all they need out of a decent 5 y.o. laptop for a while.

I'm just trying to get a better idea about how people in general are using computers these days.Are families moving away from the desktop? I've always used the laptop as a "moblie desk top".Never even had a desk top.I don't travel with it either.Just nice to take it from room to room or outside or whatever.

Anybody else you see have habits like that?

Pepso,how old are you and your sis,and how old were you when you started using the laptop exclusive? Did you get started on a laptop?

 

[Neodude1123201]

You know an Apple Dekstop might be perfect for what you are after!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Imac-all-in-one...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1234|293:1|294:50

OR

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-iMac-Snow...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1234|293:1|294:50

 

[pepzsoduh]

i think those links are broken, not sure

we were like 10 i think, before we had a laptop we had a really slow desktop but i never used it really. i think i was still ten when the desktop broke but we were fine since the laptop we got was fast. By now we filled up the 60Gb harddrive and have an external one.
i assume that by drop you mean dropping the laptop? right? well i dont think we have had any bad ones, it shouldnt be a problem if you hold it firmly.


personally, i've never liked apple copmuters in general, to hard to get used to over pc. also i think macs are outrageously overpriced. however, if the kids use them at school then it would be a good idea, seeing as they would be more familiar with apples over pc's.
heres a link to the mac mini http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_mini

pretty expenzive and doent come with a monitor, i have to go somewhere now, but i'll give you some laptop reccomedations when we get back.

good luck

 

[Neodude1123201]

Well just do a search for mac G3 And Mac G4's and you'll find plenty of cheap Macs perfect for school related tasks

 

[jikifreak]

Search Craigslist for Mac G4's. I have seen tons in my city that are under 200. Just check them out, make sure they work etc. My first Apple was bought from Craigslist last year, and it is STILL in great condition!

Or, check out Dell since they seem to have 299.99 computers all the time.

 

[Juan handed]

Well just do a search for mac G3 And Mac G4's and you'll find plenty of cheap Macs perfect for school related tasks

What are the features/characteristics of a Mac that suits it for kids or school?

I'm a little reluctant to pick up something for my friend's family other than a PC because I only have experience with PC (as limited as my knowledge may be) and am sure I will have to do a little trouble shooting/tutoring at some point.

thanks.

 

[Neodude1123201]

Macs are generally more child friendly because they focus more on the user experience and are easier to use than PC's.

 

[jmacavali]

If the kids are using Windows at school, it will be hard to convince them and teach them how to use a MAC (or vice versa).

I think you could look into a netbook. The Acer Aspire One is a really good laptop for the price. We have a whole cart-lab for our kids in the Elementary (grades K-5). They really seem to love them. It might be a bit more difficult for the adult, but I used one as my only computer for about 3 months before we bought the lab and it was fine after about a week of getting used to it. Plus, you might be able to squeeze out 2 and still be right around the budget.