Laptop Suggestions for a Rising 7th Grader

[Anonymous]

I have a rising 8th grader. Her school, which started in 7th grade, required laptops and she got the MacBook. It's not the Air, or the Pro, it's just called MacBook. It's small and light--great for the backpack. The screen is 11 inches which is just fine for their age.

However; I agree with a PP in that if the school doesn't require it, get a desktop.

The laptop--we don't allow it upstairs and before you get one, make a rule or you'll never be able to control it---she sits on the couch away from you and you can never see what's on the screen. Apparently, ALL the kids do this. It's so annoying.

If I had my way, they'd be back with paper and pencil. Giving a kid a computer is like giving them a math textbook with a pile of comic books underneath, and saying, "do your math and don't look at the comics."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a rising 8th grader. Her school, which started in 7th grade, required laptops and she got the MacBook. It's not the Air, or the Pro, it's just called MacBook. It's small and light--great for the backpack. The screen is 11 inches which is just fine for their age.

However; I agree with a PP in that if the school doesn't require it, get a desktop.

The laptop--we don't allow it upstairs and before you get one, make a rule or you'll never be able to control it---she sits on the couch away from you and you can never see what's on the screen. Apparently, ALL the kids do this. It's so annoying.

If I had my way, they'd be back with paper and pencil. Giving a kid a computer is like giving them a math textbook with a pile of comic books underneath, and saying, "do your math and don't look at the comics."

The Macbook is a 12 inch screen, not 11 inch. Personally I would not spend that kind of money on a laptop for school as it can get lost, stolen or broken. An basic Air is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is all about budget. In my family, I upgrade my laptop every two years or so; I hand down my old laptops to my kid or wife. Those are usually better than anything they need.
(DD uses a 13" macbook air circa 2012).

On the other hand, all of the work is done through google -- at school they use chrome books. In all probability, a chromebook would be fine.

This kinda. However, wife should get new computer, then husband... then kids.

It depends. I (hubby) require a good computer to do my work. Like a lot of available cpu cycles. Wife does not....

Wife first! My husband requires a good one for work, but he'll happily get me a new one first (which I don't need) so I don't fuss about mine not working and then he has to fix it.