Help - Starter Computer Science PC

mrs-aitch

Hello! I've never posted before so apologies if I'm in the wrong place. My son is starting Computer Science GCSE in September. We have tablets and work laptops but I'm thinking he could do with a decent PC of his own to help him with this but I've literally no clue where to start - could anyone give me any tips?? Thanks!

debitcardmayhem

I have no kids but did you ask what the school recommends , e.g. Windows,Linux Apple , have you/he got a copy of the curriculum ?

psychic_teabag

Yeah, or just wait until September - any need to rush ?

Maybe a raspberry pi would be good enough.

Neil_Jones

Well looking at this:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/gcse/computer-science-8520/subject-content

You don't need a fantastic computer for programming them. Anything in the last two or three years should be fine. You can use this, the Visual Studio Community:
https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/

This supports all the languages on that page except Delphi and possibly Python.

S0litaire

Raaspberry pi + desktop kit :
http://uk.farnell.com/element14/pi-desktop/element-14-pi-desktop-hatencl/dp/2687142

Add on £35 for the Raspberry pi itself.
as well as a few accessories and you've a nice desktop Pc for under £100.

Just get him to build it and he'll have a nice head start in class