Children's Laptop Computers

There are now several laptop computers on the market aimed specifically at the children’s market. Some of these have been designed especially for use by children and some are just cheaper, less well equipped versions of regular laptop computers.

Buying any kind of computer can be confusing and especially more so when you have a child in mind.

Aside from the actual cost, one of the most important things to consider is why you are thinking of buying a computer and what will it be used for?

Generally speaking, parents either buy their children a computer for educational reasons or to play games on and sometimes for both. In order to be able to play games a computer must have a sufficient amount of memory and sometimes a dedicated graphics card. Many video games on the market these days use very complex graphics and require a lot of available memory in order to run properly.
Some less complex games, such as those played on-line, will also require your computer to be able to run flash video applications. While this shouldn’t be a problem on most laptops, some budget versions or compact machines will often fall short here too.

For educational purposes the video and memory capabilities should be less of an issue. You will probably be more concerned whether the computer will be compatible with regular applications such as word processing programs and spreadsheets for example.
In this instance you will probably be better off with a machine which uses the Windows operating system. Most schools, colleges and commercial organisations use Windows so it’s probably best for your child to get used to this system from an early age. Although laptops using other operating systems such as Linux will be cheaper, you may need to have advanced computer skills in order to use many basic applications which Windows users take for granted.

Another important consideration will be how the laptop will stand-up to everyday use by a child. While this is less of a problem for a desktop machine, laptops by their very nature will be moved around, knocked and sometimes dropped.

For a very young child a computer with a ‘solid-state’ memory (sometimes called SSD or Flash Memory) will be most advisable. Because there are no moving parts the machine is less likely to be damaged easily.
For older children, or where memory capacity is more important, a computer with a traditional mechanical hard drive will be best. Although such machines are more susceptible to damage an older child will be expected to be more careful. Regular back-ups of important files should also become a habit, just in case.

Whether the computer is to be used at home or at school will also be a factor to consider. The battery life can be an issue when out and about and less though where a standard power supply is close to hand.
Most machines will run OK for at least 2 hours between charges but if this will be a problem it may be worth looking at laptops with lightweight and portable power adaptors.
Once you have found the ideal computer for your child you will need to consider warranties. All machines must have a minimum of 12 months warranty if sold in the UK. Generally speaking, it’s unlikely that you will have any problems in the first 2 years so it’s usually not advisable to buy extra cover.
Your standard 12 month warranty should specify what is covered and what is not. Accidental damage, for instance, is not normally covered.
Also, some warranties offer on-site cover or return-to base. In the latter case you will be required to send your laptop away for repair, which can result in your child being without a machine for some time. On-site warranties are usually worth the extra money as this means your computer will either be repaired at your home. Sometimes this option will also provide a temporary machine if an instant repair is not possible.

Overall then, there are many laptop computers which are suitable for use by children although it’s important to take your time and choose a machine carefully without being influenced by pushy salesman or special offers.