Laptop for a 6 year old

ali99

Hi

I am debating whether to get a laptop for my 6 year old daughter for Christmas. This would be to:
- find information on the internet
- play games from cd/dvd
- play games on the internet eg. cbeebies
- in the future do her homework

I have a computer which I keep saying she can use but to be honest it never happens as it is piled high with all my papers! I want something she can switch on and use herself when she wants to. I'm trying to avoid playstation etc, I thought this may be a better idea.

I wondered if anyone has any advice as to what kind of laptop would be best and where I should look? I am a bit overwhelmed by the choice!

Thanks

DatabaseError

a cheap one, if she spills a drink on it you'll be upset.

geewhiz

We got our kids a laptop when they were aged 3 and 2.

I think it's great to get them used to computers from an early age and as you say they have learnt lots more than they would have using a games console all day !

One thing I would say is don't get one of the kids laptops which are low spec and over priced but apart from that more or less any laptop will do for kids, they don't need anything special.

What budget were you thinking of ?

ellie_star

Have you looked at the ones in 'toys R us' I think they are called ee's or something similar. they are not full size laptops brill for little people. The cheaper ones have their own operating system aimed at youngsters however if you were going to splash out the more pricy ones have XP on, might be worth a look! however I dont think they have a disc drive.

Poppy9

Personally I would say 6 is too young to buy a laptop for a child's sole use. At that age they are still playing with toys and outdoors etc and wouldn't get the use out of a laptop.

DD is 13 and only since the age of about 11 has she really needed a computer and internet access for homework. Before this she could do her research in books or at the library where they have free internet access if the home PC wasn't working. We still all share a family PC which serves to limit the amount of time spent on MSN/Bebo (which is what she does mostly!).

There is also the danger of downloading if accessing internet independently.

Why is the alternative a Playstation? If it's just for games playing consider a PS2 which are very cheap now and some dance mats as from my experience girls are not really into game consoles like boys.

So as this is a moneysaving site:p tidy up your PC/Desk to share and wait a good few years before buying a laptop.

tobybowes

Try popping into their school and asking for advice, some councils have loan scheme's i believe and they'll also be able to advise you on wether or not it will actually aid there work.

They may even be able to pass a discount on to you, i used to buy education resources through schools and colleges. And they can certainly pass on help of securing the laptop for the safety of the child.

retrocircles

i would not buy a laptop for a 6 year old. the minimum spec laptop, would still cost around £150-200. i personally would go for a laptop-esque console from toys r us that have a variety of learning activities, along with more recreational tasks.

Reggie_Rebel

I'd buy one, but as a family laptop.

At six she will have been exposed to PC's and laptops since she started school so will know the basics. Nothing wrong with doing what you want at home as long as you don't use it as a baby sitter, which I'm sure you won't.

ali99

Thank you for all your replies - I know it sounds a bit flash to buy a laptop for a six year old but it will really be a family laptop. I don't want to get her a console which requires use of the TV, as then we will end up needing another TV, and I think she will benefit more from this.

So which should I buy? I read that PC World will do a free setup if you are buying for a child, but I don't know if this is only for particular laptops. I know it is lazy but I am quite keen on the idea of someone setting it all up for me. Is that a good reason to go with PC world? Plus if something goes wrong I can easily take it in.

I was told that 3GB would be a minimum? She won't want to play games which are too complex but I have been told that even simple games need a lot of memory to run. I want to get a decent spec machine, rather than get something feeble and then regret it because that is just wasting money I think. But on the other hand, it is mainly for a child, so it doesn't need to be the most impressive laptop. I don't really know our budget, I guess the lowest amount to get what is needed!

Please give me some ideas!

Thanks
Ali

totalsolutions

>I am quite keen on the idea of someone setting it all up for me.

What does that mean. Switch it on answer a few questions and use it. What about programs it does not have any included with XP/Vista, there are the standard games but they have rules and a child would not know what to do.. At that age are they just as likely to push it to the floor?

GunJack

I've just got my two (10 and 7) refurb IBM Thinkpads for xmas from bigpockets:

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=Laptops&nav=227

...they've been selling out pretty quickly, but therwe's a dell for £180 I think which would tick all your boxes....there are many other places who do cheap refurbs, just throw "buy refurb laptop" into google and do the legwork ..dependingon spec you can get them starting from £100 or less....

I'm firmly in the camp of they're never too young to learn to use computers, and my two do schoolwork on the current household comps already....hell, I started early with a ZX81 which, in real terms, was far more expensive than a refurb laptop is now....ali, I'd say go for it, teach them early and it'll help them as they grow....