brizey

My daughter turns six in March and my Mistress of the Wallet has decreed that we should get her some sort of portable computing device.

So the question is: What?

Tablet? Netbook? Laptop? Etc. Etc.

I was thinking maybe a Kindle Fire--cheap, lots of case options, rootable. I don't think things like lack of a memory card makes much difference to a 6 y.o. But the lack of a keyboard means no typing training.

Another option is a netbook. Get something cheap with windows starter and flip it to Edubuntu or something along those lines. Maybe something with ION or the AMD equivalent to make sure it plays videos OK (trip to Asia this summer, etc.).

Or I guess a cheapo laptop would work, too, but be a little tougher for a six y.o. to lug around.

Any other ideas?

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SUroot

What will she be using it for? Does it have to be an "adult" device?

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Vehtemas

Wow...

How times have changed and are changing, I would never imagine spending money and buying any type of portable device for a 6 year old...

Maybe 10, but 6?

I would edge more to were SURoot is, does it have to be an adult one? I think they made a new laptop style game for kids in elementary school that is basically a touch screen device. Unsure of the name of the product at the moment but I could ask my mother.

V

saptech

Qimo 4 Kids | Software For Kids is another OS for kids. I'm not sure what happen to One Laptop per Child or if you can purshase one.

Maybe look at Apple's website, they have some refurbished Mini Macs for sale.

Just some thoughts.

wolfyboy359

this may be heresy here but I would think an ipad2 or 3 (when available) would work well.

argedion

I have to agree with SU does it need to be an adult device? However the two poster above me I would disagree with why in the world would we want users to start out using a crappy uncustomizable device like Apple. I mean really androids are cheaper more customizable and better to start with for a 6 year old. I also think that as the world becomes more technically advanced we need to make sure our children are in tune with that. I say teach the kid some basic finance principals and stay away from price hungry half eaten fruit.

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brizey

She already has a Leapster Explorer, which is nice for airplane rides, etc., but I want her to get a feel for using something with a real OS, etc. I hated stuff that was dumbed down for kids when I was a kid, so I am going on the premise that my kids will feel the same. I have not really found anything in the kid realm that fits the bill. And in terms of the money, we spent more on her 5th birthday party than we will spend on this--times have certainly changed, lol.

I actually think I may just ask HER what she wants. A few of her friends have tablets, so she is familiar with them, and obviously she has seen mom and dad working on the laptop. I guess if she goes with a tablet I can still have her type on our old desktop.

saptech: thanks for that link. I am typing this on Edubuntu right now, but it is really just a very mildly reflavored Ubuntu. Maybe if she goes netbook I will try that out.

andr01d

I would like to suggest to give her your current computer/laptop! (Then you'll have to go get something else.) That's a rotation plan
(except if it's a birthday or a special occasion... then you'll have to buy her a new laptop/desktop. If buying new... maybe no netbooks.. this category has been replaced by tablets.) bye

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argedion

I have to agree with the tablet. Netbooks came out at the wrong time. You can get a very decent laptop for a small amount more than the netbooks now thanks to the tablets. But for lugging around a tablet will be easier than a laptop.