Should I buy a laptop or computer

EveryWhere

Here's a good example of a monitor; https://www.ebuyer.com/739578-hannsg-hs245hpb-23-8-ips-dvi-hdmi-monitor-hs245hpb

or Touchscreen if preferred;

https://www.ebuyer.com/751120-hannsg-ht225hpb-21-5-ips-touchscreen-monitor-ht225hpb

https://www.ebuyer.com/584179-hannsg-23-ht231hpb-touch-screen-hdmi-led-monitor-ht231hpb


Though of course buying a Touchscreen cuts down on the PC budget.

Though it's still possible within your budget.

Personally I would stick with the non-touchscreen, but get a wireless keyboard with a touchpad.

[Deleted User]

john22 wrote: »

Tablet will last longer than a laptop when not plugged in. If she runs down tablet it can just be plugged in like a laptop.

Yes agree with you on printer if the printer is not a wireless printer.

Also I never knew kids got so much homework to do on a laptop/desktop. I will watch what happens when my niece goes to secondary school next year and see if she will require laptop.

She will have lots of homework in secondary school and will require a computer, she will need to print things off and use programs like word etc... I would go for a laptop.

esuhl

A desktop will be cheaper (or better spec for the same price), easier to repair, easier to upgrade, less susceptible to damage, will allow more ergonomic use, and it'll be easier to supervise kids.

And it'll be more convenient to have a printer permanently attached to the PC via a cable, than a laptop.

SouthUKMan

This debate always sparks a range of opinions with few agreeing on anything! Oh fun

Your daughter is 10. If she's anything like my daughters then the reality is that she's going to be wanting a laptop to do plenty of YouTube viewing on and a bit of website browsing, and....erm - that's it. In other words one of the most basic spec laptops would more than meet her expectations for the next two or three years.

£199 / £229 / £249 will buy you a good laptop with a 14" screen. £269 / £279 will get you one with a 15.6" screen. Search Tesco / Currys, etc. They all sell basic laptops at these price points... and sometimes you will spot a real bargain.

Desktops can be cheaper to repair in the event of a hardware fault, but desktops are hardly cool for a kid. Also, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of a tablet as they are perfect for YouTube viewing and games - although they are far more likely to be dropped.

burtons

SouthUKMan wrote: »

This debate always sparks a range of opinions with few agreeing on anything! Oh fun

Your daughter is 10. If she's anything like my daughters then the reality is that she's going to be wanting a laptop to do plenty of YouTube viewing on and a bit of website browsing, and....erm - that's it. In other words one of the most basic spec laptops would more than meet her expectations for the next two or three years.

£199 / £229 / £249 will buy you a good laptop with a 14" screen. £269 / £279 will get you one with a 15.6" screen. Search Tesco / Currys, etc. They all sell basic laptops at these price points... and sometimes you will spot a real bargain.

Desktops can be cheaper to repair in the event of a hardware fault, but desktops are hardly cool for a kid. Also, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of a tablet as they are perfect for YouTube viewing and games - although they are far more likely to be dropped.

My daughter has a 7" hudl 1 tablet which she loves and it's fine for playing games and watching youtube but I find the screen is to small and I don't like it plugged in when she is using it so I thought I would buy her a laptop or computer as a surprise for christmas. The reason why I said I wanted a 15.6" screen is because I have the same size screen on my laptop which is fine for my use.

EveryWhere

Once again, unless portability is needed, don't get a laptop. Much better for her eyesight and posture to be able to sit back from the screen when using a wireless keyboard.

The PC itself can be hidden away, with only the screen and keyboard visible, dependent on the space available.
You will have a much more capable machine and a far bigger and better quality screen/monitor.

Ten years olds don't just play on YouTube. I was already doing advanced Algebra by then. So a machine that can cope with her possible future interests might be an idea. A learning instrument and not just a toy.

esuhl

SouthUKMan wrote: »

Desktops can be cheaper to repair in the event of a hardware fault, but desktops are hardly cool for a kid.

Why on earth would a 10 year old consider a laptop to be cool, but not a desktop?!

I don't know anyone who would buy a computer just because it makes them feel "cool"... :-/

fred246

My kids are both at university now. They have always been happiest with their phones and a desktop. The oldest has a lovely gaming PC that we built in a Corsair Obsidian 250D. The youngest has a PC built into an Antec ISK 110 VESA that hangs on the back of a monitor with a wireless keyboard and mouse. Beautiful solution. I upgraded it for her for university. So cheap to maintain for years. Problem is case is so small probably not good if you are not used to building PCs. They have had laptops & tablets but the desktop PCs are best.

Kernel_Sanders

If you don't mind her disappearing into her bedroom for hours on end, get the laptop.

burtons

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

If you don't mind her disappearing into her bedroom for hours on end, get the laptop.

I did think she may want to use it in her bedroom so a computer would be to big for her room.