Netbook for 12-16 year olds?

ranaseagoddess · 09-10-2008 9:24pm #1

Okay, so both my 12 year old daughter and 16 year old son are wanting laptops for Christmas, and while I CAN get each of them a good Dell (WITH a 3-year warranty, accidental coverage, and lojack) for about $840 each, I'm wondering if MAYBE I'd be better of getting them a netbook instead.

Really, at this point, all they need the computer for is surfing the web, messaging, essays in Word, and using iTunes to manage their music. Neither one of them really uses the computer for installing/downloadin PC games, so I'm just trying to figure out which will be a better deal in the long run.

Again, while they are 12 and 16 now, in 3 years he will be going off to college and she will be starting high school. Suggestions? Thanks!

fatal · 09-10-2008 9:32pm

jesus,kids these days!!!
At that age I still had my vtech "laptop":D

AlmightyCushion · 09-10-2008 9:44pm

The advent 4211 seems to be the best value for money. It's a 10" so would be the perfect combination of portability and usability at least in my opinion. It also has xp which is an advantage as pretty much everyone is familiar with it. Saying that I prefer the looks of the eeepc 1000 series so I'd get one of those, they are more expensive though.

ytareh · 09-10-2008 9:45pm

"Essays in Word " LOL....I can almost hear the pleading from the kids ...need it for school etc !All they want to do is go on Bebo etc .A 179 euro(on Pixmania +P&P-Probably better to get it by hand from Elara if near Dublin for about 200)) ASUS EEE 2G will do them fine!!!Hope they appreciate ya!

Col_Loki · 09-10-2008 10:17pm

I would imagine they would much prefer a Netbook, they are much smaller & lighter and not to mention more fashionable. They wont have any problems with small keyboards or screens either.

Sounds like a much better option to a full laptop.

Ron DMC · 10-10-2008 10:53am

ranaseagoddess wrote: »

Really, at this point, all they need the computer for is surfing the web, messaging, essays in Word, and using iTunes to manage their music.

Netbooks don't really have the capacity for storing large amounts of music.
You might want to consider some large capacity SD cards or an external hard drive for media, I myself am using a WD Passport with my EEE 900 and it works like a dream.

Col_Loki · 10-10-2008 12:07pm

The likes of the Acer Aspire One & Advent 4211 come with 120gb Drives....more than enough space.

AARRRGH · 10-10-2008 12:12pm

The cheapest Dell laptops (the Vostro's) are actually CHEAPER than a netbook, are more powerful, come with way more hard drive space, and in general are just better than netbooks.

Alanstrainor · 10-10-2008 12:22pm

AARRRGH wrote: »

The cheapest Dell laptops (the Vostro's) are actually CHEAPER than a netbook, are more powerful, come with way more hard drive space, and in general are just better than netbooks.

The only problem with that is that they are usually twice the size and almost three times the weight in some cases. It all comes down to what your needs are, if you want something that you can carry around with you all day, then a netbook is your man, if it'll be desk bound, then you'd have to consider a larger more powerful laptop.

Ricky91t · 12-10-2008 7:12pm

They don't have CD drives!
So the children won't be getting any music from Cd's they have allready it will be all downloaded which cost money with itunes...

I'm just going by the fact you said "manage their music"it seems like they allready have some and won't be downloading it all

gamer · 13-10-2008 9:08am

you can get good laptops,from,dell, marx pcs,450 or 499,120gig hd,1gig ram,vista os.the advent netbook is 370 in pc world.or look in dixons /tesco shops.make sure download NAOIMI free child net filter/protection software.get a good brand like sony,toshiba or dell.

Netbook for 12-16 year olds?

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