Hello everyone.
I'm hoping to get some insightful suggestions for a used or budget laptop for my 6yr old son. He started Kindergarten this past summer and is already using a Chromebook often for school stuff. His tablet bit the dust a while back so we initially planned to get him another this Christmas, but I'm wondering if he'd benefit more from a decent laptop. I can't help but feel like he should learn how to use a conventional mouse & keyboard, before he gets too spoiled by touchscreens.
My background, so you get an idea of my knowledge level: I'm good with electronics, but not as "in the know" as i used to be when i was younger. I'm still using Win7 personally, and refuse to use any newer Windows (or apple lol). I've dabbled in some Linux flavors in the past, so I know what I'm getting into when i eventually dump win7 and go that route. I set up my own local wifi & wired network. I keep my stuff updated, scanned, firewalled, virus-free. I used to code in BASIC and C for PC, TI graphing calculators, gameboy advance, and the sony psp. I've installed custom firmwares on game systems, phones, routers, etc.
Not trying to brag or boast lol, just trying to say that I know enough to permanently brick some electronics! My problem is due to trying to save money and being just plain stubborn, I'm not as knowledgeable and up-to-date with tech as I'd like to be.
My requirements for this laptop:
My plan is to start him with a flavor of Linux, and to learn its ins & outs along with him (for when I retire my Win7 desktop soon). I thought about going with a Chromebook or Chromium variant, but I can't help but feel like the Chrome OS would be too limiting, might reinforce bad habits related to smart phones and touch-screen tablets, and I'm disliking Google more and more as time goes on (don't get me started on Microsoft/Apple/Amazon...) I'm not opposed to putting Linux on a Chromebook however, if that's a good idea.
I'd like to keep this well under $200. I planned to spend at least $100.
So, given all that, what would you knowledgeable folks recommend for my son?
I'm hoping to get some insightful suggestions for a used or budget laptop for my 6yr old son. He started Kindergarten this past summer and is already using a Chromebook often for school stuff. His tablet bit the dust a while back so we initially planned to get him another this Christmas, but I'm wondering if he'd benefit more from a decent laptop. I can't help but feel like he should learn how to use a conventional mouse & keyboard, before he gets too spoiled by touchscreens.
My background, so you get an idea of my knowledge level: I'm good with electronics, but not as "in the know" as i used to be when i was younger. I'm still using Win7 personally, and refuse to use any newer Windows (or apple lol). I've dabbled in some Linux flavors in the past, so I know what I'm getting into when i eventually dump win7 and go that route. I set up my own local wifi & wired network. I keep my stuff updated, scanned, firewalled, virus-free. I used to code in BASIC and C for PC, TI graphing calculators, gameboy advance, and the sony psp. I've installed custom firmwares on game systems, phones, routers, etc.
Not trying to brag or boast lol, just trying to say that I know enough to permanently brick some electronics! My problem is due to trying to save money and being just plain stubborn, I'm not as knowledgeable and up-to-date with tech as I'd like to be.
My requirements for this laptop:
- Cheap enough that it's not a big deal if my kids break it.
- But not so cheap that it dies in a year...
- Kid-resistant durability, enough that it doesn't break the first time it's dropped. He has a 3yr old brother too...
- 12" or 13" screen I'm thinking, lightweight & small enough to carry in a binder.
- Good battery life.
- SSD or flash storage for a little more drop-resistance and speedier loading. He won't need a bunch of storage space, and I can provide SD cards & USB sticks if extra is needed.
- Reasonable horsepower. I don't expect it to play Crysis, but having a 6yr old attention span, he won't tolerate lag and slow loading very well, and will want to stream videos and play Minecraft...
- I would say a DVD drive is not needed, and I would prefer the cost/weight/size/battery savings of not having one. But not a deal-breaker or anything...
My plan is to start him with a flavor of Linux, and to learn its ins & outs along with him (for when I retire my Win7 desktop soon). I thought about going with a Chromebook or Chromium variant, but I can't help but feel like the Chrome OS would be too limiting, might reinforce bad habits related to smart phones and touch-screen tablets, and I'm disliking Google more and more as time goes on (don't get me started on Microsoft/Apple/Amazon...) I'm not opposed to putting Linux on a Chromebook however, if that's a good idea.
I'd like to keep this well under $200. I planned to spend at least $100.
So, given all that, what would you knowledgeable folks recommend for my son?
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