xmas help 12yr and under, laptop, netbook? drawing aid help!!

betterlife

Hi, i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice please, im looking for a few xmas presents and am not very clued up on tech stuff.
my 12yr old has just started secondary school, most of his homework involves the internet, he was given a old laptop from his nan, but its extremely old and slow, so im looking for somethink new for him, im quite limited to a budget of around £150.00 (are there any offers at mo if you sign up to anything?? that you get one free??) not sure laptop or netbook, needs to connect to my printer.
my 8yr old needs phone, so i can probably figure that out.
my 6yr old daughter is always drawing and writing, i no she seems a bit young for something tech but they have so may toys im trying to steer clear of them this yr, is the anything like a grown up etcher sketcher?? that a 6yr old could work? price £50-£100.
last but not least my 4yr old, would prob like something tech similar to one of the aboves, any recommendations for a kids toy/comp.
thank you in advance.

closed

Old laptops can be revived to their former glory

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

if you add the budgets together, you could get a laptop for them to share, £150 doesn't buy much, 250 is enough for a laptop or netbook

Trillionaire

Hi. Search the techie threads. I think I saw a thread about someone wanting to buy for their kids (not this thread obviously!!!!). I bought a netbook - samsung 10.1 NC110, though lovely I absolutely HATED the small screen, but my 10 year old thought it was great!. Which everone you decide to buy I'm going to recommend that you check out the reviews on Amazon first.

Goodluck.

Cisco001

For £150, You probably can go for refurb netbook
Keep an eye on Argos Ebay store, they usually have netbook around £150.

However, I would suggest you spend £250 for a laptop. At the end of the day, it is about studies.

Your 4 years old and 6 years old probably won't really notice if you spend less on them for X'mas. They don't understand how much one thing worth unless some one tell them.

poppellerant

1) What is the make and model of your current laptop?

2) What is the size of the harddrive? Can be found in My Computer.

3) How much memory/RAM is installed? If using Vista or Windows 7, can be found by right clicking Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties then look at Installed Memory.

4) What CPU is installed - can be found in the same location as 3), under Processor.

You could possibly upgrade the RAM in your existing laptop. A fresh reinstall of Windows with all the Windows Udates installed, and it could be a half decent laptop.

Often with laptops, they overheat because of dust that has built-up inside them. Getting rid of the dust is usually a case of undoing a few screws and removing the dust. For God's sake, don't just use an air duster in the vents - more often than not, they just redistribute the dust!

NiftyDigits

If you are limited, then go for what you can afford.
You can get a Netbook from the Outlet for £150 or a Laptop for £200(though you'd need to spend another £8 on more RAM to bring it up to spec). Both with a full 12 month warranty.

Im_just_careful

I would at least consider upgrading the existing laptop.

In most cases more memory for a few £10s of pounds and a clean install of the operating system, while time consuming will speed it up.