i pad or laptop for 15 yr old

DCFC79

Depends what she would use 1 for apart from playing music, if for homework as well then a laptop is by far the best option.

grizzly1911

nathand wrote: »

Go for the 4th gen iPad.

If she wants an iPad then a laptop or any other tablet will be a disappointment. I don't mean to sound harsh and I'm sure everyone posting had good suggestions but there's a difference between asking for a tablet and asking for an iPad.

Plus this is a christmas present so I'm sure she'll want the current generation rather than outdated (2nd / 3rd gen).

Plenty of time for expectation management.

grizzly1911

phebe3 wrote: »

...omg it's all a lot more complicated than when they were younger and just wanted a bike or a pair of roller skates!

Yep and no expensive brands to chase for said pressies.

It is no wonder why we are in the position we (collectively) are.

They are little darlings though and we have all been there.

phebe3

Thanks, have just had a look at the 4th gen Ipad. HOW MUCH???!!!! Unfortunately think the expectation management will have to kick in , can't and won't afford over £300 for a Christmas present for one child. But hey, I'd like a sports car but I've never got it off Santa....I'm obviously not good enough!

bloghog

The way I would describe it is that an iPad is a consumption device i.e. consuming content - watching videos, surfing the internet, listening to music and emailing.
A desktop is for creation i.e. writing, creating artwork, calculations etc.
I have an iPad - I use that for email and surfing
I have an iMac (desktop) that I use for work and complex stuff
I have an Apple Powerbook (laptop) for when I need a portable
They all sync together so I can use each one seamlessly as appropriate.
What I am trying to say is there is no one device to do it all, well not without compromising somewhere.
So I suppose choose the device that meets her current needs best.
Oh and if she needs a laptop for schoolwork in a few years time you will be buying of those anyway

phebe3

Talking to her today think the camera is the main reason why she wants a i pad mini over any other tablet...the others don't seem to have a camera. God knows why..told her she'd be better off buying a camera and a cheaper tablet but think all the apps attract her etc..and the brand no doubt although she's not normally that brand driven. Apparantly you can buy a word processing app for £7 and use it like a word processor. Not keen on her having one really, for selfish reasons cos I bet she'll disapear into her room with it and we'll never see her again! Also worried about the internet access...but suppose will have to trust her.

flea72

Tbh for the price I don't see the interest in the mini, when for a few quid more you can have the fullsize version, which is a lot more functional if looking at WP capabilities. Using a separate keyboard, rather than touchscreen, makes it more user friendly too

As a student myself, with 3 kids, all I can say is the laptops in our house are gathering dust. We either use iPads or the desktop. Laptops just seem too bulky to be portable

phebe3

It's the price really as she is paying for it herself with xmas money etc Looked on John Lewis this morning but they have all sold out so looks like Apple store, and not noticed them reduced.

MandyAW92

As stated above a laptop is the best choice here, as for the same price as an iPad you can get a top-grade device. But more importantly for you, you can set boundaries so your child can use it upstairs and you don't have to worry about what sites they are visiting

You can set boundaries on an iPad but it is far easier on a laptop

movilogo

iPad = entertainment
laptop = workhorse

Choice is yours.