Back in the day, children could get through school without the need for a computer or internet access. Nowadays, most teachers expect their students to have it readily available. You can let them use your computer, or you can give them a little independence.
Go shopping for the best laptop for kids and let them have their own system. They’ll be able to get all their work done and they won’t have to bother you to browse through YouTube. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Need some help picking out the right computer for your child? Check out this guide to learn what you should be looking out for.
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What to Consider When Choosing a Laptop for a Child?
Before we get into computer models, let’s talk about what you should be looking for in children’s laptops. Kid’s requirements vary depending on their grade level and what they need the machine for.
You also have to consider your own budget. Choosing the right operating system for them isn’t as easy as it seems either.
Their Grade Level
The best laptop for kids is different for every child. If your little one is still in grade school, they need something that can handle a beating. Look for spill-resistant keyboards because accidents are bound to happen.
College students and teens need something with a little more oomph. A gaming computer might be the way to go for them. They’re expensive, but they can handle any student’s technological needs.
What Are They Using It For?
The next thing you have to ask yourself is what your kid will be using it for. If they only need it to browse through the internet and do basic school work, a Chromebook will work fine. It can’t run AAA game titles, but it can tackle YouTube videos and social media.
If your child wants to play games on the computer, you’ll have to invest in a laptop specially designed for that. Children that have a bunch of Apple products already might benefit from receiving a MacBook. It will be expensive, but it will work off of all their other devices.
What’s Your budget?
Speaking of expensive, let’s move on to budget. You can get durable laptops that won’t break the bank. That’s why Chromebooks are so popular.
They have plenty of features that make children happy and they aren’t that pricey. If you want to buy one with a bunch of extra features, that’s fine. It’s not hard to find good deals on desktops and laptops for kids.
You only need to know what time of year to look. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are always a safe bet. This is especially true if you need to pick out a computer for more than one child.
Choosing an Operating System
The last item on your agenda should be choosing an operating system. There’s a reason why most of the computer options on this list are Chromebooks. They’re extremely popular with parents for multiple reasons.
They don’t put too much of a dent in the wallet. They’re less vulnerable to viruses than Apple and Windows computers.
That doesn’t mean that they can’t fall victim to Malware. It only means that the chances are less likely.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, there’s pretty much a Windows computer that can fit any budget. Since Windows is the most popular operating system, you’ve got plenty of options to play around with.
MacBooks aren’t a bad choice. They’re less vulnerable to viruses than Windows, and they can work off of other Apple devices. They’re just not that budget-friendly.
The Top 7 Laptops That Every Parent Needs
Google PixelBook Go
Alright, now that you know what you should be looking for, let’s delve right into our list with the Google PixelBook Go! The price for this one is a little steep, but the machine is sturdy.
It’s got a battery life that can last for almost an entire day. It doesn’t matter how many videos your child watches. With so many schools still doing virtual learning, a good webcam is an important feature.
This computer has a 1080p one. That’s hard to find on a laptop.
The display is a little over 13 inches. It’s enough screen real estate where they won’t have to strain to look at it while being so light that they can carry it around everywhere.
The display is sharp. It’s got plenty of storage space for them to play around with, and it has 8GB of RAM. With a computer this functional, you can use it for your needs as well.
If your kid lets you, that is.
Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1
You can’t really go wrong with Lenovo. The prices are low for the most part and they can stand up to whatever a child throws their way. The Chromebook C330 2-in-1 is no exception to these criteria.
It works as a laptop and a tablet. Artsy children can turn it around and use the pen to draw.
The battery life is impressive. When it does die, your child won’t have to leave it on the charger for too long until it’s ready to go again.
It also has parental locks. You can cut your kids off from venturing to sites that you would rather they not get on. The computer makes it easy to set these up, which many less tech-savvy parents can appreciate.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
If your child wants to play games with lower system requirements, the graphics card in this Chromebook can take it. It has the processing power necessary to run video classrooms while using Microsoft word.
When you hold the computer in your hands, it feels like it’s made with quality materials. It can certainly take the punishment that your smaller children may put it through.
As you can imagine, all this processing takes up a lot of battery life. It won’t be able to last for too long before it needs a charge. The screen is also a little bit on the dull side.
Dell Chromebook 3189
The Dell Chromebook 3189 is made with little hands in mind. The keyboard is a bit cramped for adults, but kids will find that the smaller size makes it easier for them to use. The design is durable despite how tiny it is.
When we say durable, we mean that it won’t break apart if your kid spills a cup of juice on it. The audio is nice and crisp even if you don’t plug in a pair of quality headphones.
The battery life can go on for about 9 hours off the charger. This being said, the computer isn’t that great at multitasking. It may stutter if your kid needs to have multiple browser tabs open for school.
The screen display can also be dull. This being said, it’s still a well-functioning laptop for the cheap price tag.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
If your kid has the previous model, there’s no reason not to upgrade. All the features are slightly better in the Go 2. The price is reasonable for parents who are on a budget and it’s light enough for kids to carry it around everywhere with them.
The specs still aren’t as good as some of the other options on this list. The touchscreen also doesn’t come with a stylus, which is a problem.
ASUS Laptop L210
Busy kids need a laptop that can last all day. With ten hours of battery life, this laptop has them covered. It has all the processing power to tackle online classes, writing up documents, and checking emails.
Pretty much anything your child needs for a quality learn from home experience. The cheap price point coupled with the functionality makes this a no-brainer choice for many parents on a budget.
2020 ASUS VivoBook
Children who want the laptop for work and play will appreciate receiving a 2020 ASUS VivoBook. The flip design plus processing power makes it perfect for reading eBooks, watching movies, and listening to music.
These activities will drain the battery life, but not enough to matter too much. The crisp screen display coupled with the microphone will allow for quality Zoom calls and talking with friends.
Despite all the power it packs, it doesn’t have any outstanding features to set it apart from the other computers that we’ve listed already.
Choosing a Great Laptop for Kids
With advances in technology, teachers expect students to have a computer for school and access to the internet. The problem comes with choosing a laptop for kids that’s durable enough to withstand them.
It also needs to have some entertainment factor to keep them occupied when they’re done with their school work. We hope that some of the choices we’ve named make it to the top of your shopping list.
Are you looking for additional ways to keep your kids equipped with all the latest technology? Check out our blog daily to learn more.
