Help! Can you tell me what kind of computer to buy for my middle schooler?

[Anonymous]

Money is tight, so please don't suggest anything high end.

My kid just needs a basic computer for word processing for school assignments. He needs Word and the ability to pdf docs to submit assignments online.

I don't want to walk into Best Buy like a deer in headlights and get hosed.

I would truly appreciate links to a basic computer and any tips you have.

[Anonymous]

Chromebook

[Anonymous]

I jist bought DD a Chromebook for Christmas. I'd highly recommend it

[Anonymous]

Can a chromebook do word and PDFs, or is it limited to google docs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can a chromebook do word and PDFs, or is it limited to google docs?

Yes to the Microsoft office suite.

https://lifehacker.com/you-can-now-run-microsoft-office-apps-on-your-chromeboo-1820853304

[Anonymous]

You need internet, though, if that's a concern.

[Anonymous]

Our middle school provides a Chromebook for all students starting in 9th grade (they only have to pay $25, we also paid for insurance on our daughter's, which wasn't much), and at the end of their senior year they keep them. She already has a laptop, but we thought we'd take advantage of it, and we'll do the same for our son in three years. I thought that every school did this. My older daughter goes to school in another state (she lives with her dad), and her school also offers Chromebooks beginning in a certain grade.

[Anonymous]

Also - every MCPS student can download MS Office Suite for free. Just search for it on the MCPSMD.ORG website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also - every MCPS student can download MS Office Suite for free. Just search for it on the MCPSMD.ORG website.

Really?!? Upgrading both DDs' Chromebooks in the next few weeks to full laptops (with hard drives) and that would save us a bundle. thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Just to offer a different perspective we went the Windows desktop route. If you arent tech savvy you can get them at a decent price at Costco which I believe they add an extra year to the warranty. I always find there is always some program and/or game they want to try that will not run on Chrome OS. I feel Chrome OS is still a bit limited should they need something else. You can also check out websites like techbargains and slicksdeals for links to low priced computers (desktops, and laptops). If you are comfortable with computer parts you could put one together at about the same price with slightly better parts. My sons got some hand me downs and I just upgraded a few components and a used monitor and it does everything they need.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Go to MicroCenter

http://www.microcenter.com/

It won't be the most fun you have ever had shopping but compared to the alternatives it is heaven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to offer a different perspective we went the Windows desktop route. If you arent tech savvy you can get them at a decent price at Costco which I believe they add an extra year to the warranty. I always find there is always some program and/or game they want to try that will not run on Chrome OS. I feel Chrome OS is still a bit limited should they need something else. You can also check out websites like techbargains and slicksdeals for links to low priced computers (desktops, and laptops). If you are comfortable with computer parts you could put one together at about the same price with slightly better parts. My sons got some hand me downs and I just upgraded a few components and a used monitor and it does everything they need.

Hope this helps.

Hi.

I am generally a big fan of desk tops, but I want to note that my son spends a lot of time in the library with his friends working on school projects. I think a desk top would have been limiting for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to MicroCenter

http://www.microcenter.com/

It won't be the most fun you have ever had shopping but compared to the alternatives it is heaven.

Yup. They will have something cheap and appropriate.

Just know that it is hot in there, so don't overdress or you will end up making this process even harder.

Also, my kid ended up being impossible in there, and we ended up not buying a computer and grounding him for a month from discussing it. Somethign about all those fancy machines brings out the worst in everyone. If your kid really needs a machine and you really are limited in funds, make it a surprise.

[Anonymous]

Bought 9th grade DS a laptop from Micrososoft store last Xmas. It was their “last years” model so was discounted to $399, I think. It was a great deal - fast, with lots of storage; but DS only uses google docs and the internet, so is a waste pretty much. We will get him a Mac or more powerful PC laptop when he graduates anyway, so a cheaper lighter Chromebook would’ve been fine. (I think they were on sale for $100-150 at the time).

You can download MS software free from FCPS as well.

[Anonymous]

If you want to cut the Internet off at night, a chrome book makes it hard. My kids would say they need to update a paper and need the Internet to do that on a chrome book. We bought them cheap laptops at Costco and now cutoff the Internet at 8 pm.