Finding A Computer for Children

But before you run out and buy that desktop or laptop for your young one, first give these things some thought:

How responsible is your child?

Can your child handle taking care of a computer, even the basics: how to shutdown the PC, not to bang a laptop or kick a desktop, putting away the laptop when finished.

If so, she or he is probably ready for the upkeep of their own computer.

How much computer knowledge does your child already have?

Do they know the basics of using a computer? How to power it on, how to start applications like the Internet browser (Explorer, Safari, etc.), how to use the mouse, and so on.

Or do you have to work with him or her every step of the way? Even if you do, this is not bad, it's just something you need to consider. Will a child at this stage spend enough time on a computer to warrant a machine of their own and are you able to help?

What will he or she use the computer for?

Is it just to play a few online games once or twice a week? Is it to type an occasional paper? It is to type many papers, reports and blogs? If sharing a PC with your child is getting inconvenient, getting a PC of their own can relieve stress and increase productivity for both of you.

A mid-range computer is probably the best way to go for the first computer of a school aged child (9 to 12) or teens that are casual computer users. It is powerful enough to perform the tasks your child is likely to do like surfing the Net, typing papers, creating simple graphics like flyers, listening to music, and of course playing games.

You probably don't have to spend the dough on a high-end system for these kinds of activities.

What is mid-range? For a desktop it is more or less
2.3 GHz speed Duo/Dual Processor
1-2 GB of RAM
graphics card with at least 128 RAM

For a laptop, it is a processor at least 2.0GHz speed, RAM of 1 GB - 2 GB, and a graphics card with at least 128 RAM.

However, if you have a teen who is very active on computers (i.e., playing games with very detailed graphics or creating videos and movies) look for a computer with high-end specs.

A high end desktop has a 3.0GHz speed processor (duo or dual chip) or higher, 2 - 4 GB of RAM, a high end graphics card like nVidia and ATI brands with 256MB and S-Video and DVI outputs.

The laptop have be at least 2.4GHz speed processor, 2 GB - 4 GB of RAM, a high end graphics card like nVidia and ATI brands with 256MB and S-Video and DVI outputs, Firewire, Bluetooth, and built-in Webcam.

There is no one right computer for children-there are many. Look at your child's needs, and yours, and pick the best one that does all the things your child will need but fits your budget.