My dd went to a private middle school that required we buy one for 6th grade and that was 10 years ago. I would imagine now that schools might require them earlier.

My kids are 13 and 8, neither have their own laptop. I dont think I'll consider it until there is a need. For now he is fine using the house laptop for his school needs. Unless that drastically changes I'd like to hold out until college.

8th grade.

I am surprised by the some of the early ages posted.

My 8 year old child with writing issues will probably need to take notes at school using a laptop, but for the moment we wish to keep him as computer-free as possible. We don't need more stuff!

Of course he can use our home computer with our permission, usually to wiki or google something. My three year old daughter can also navigate simple games using the mouse and type video titles she wants to see on Youtube.

Our kids have always had our hand me down computers - age 3. However, they recently got a non-hand me down computer (which they rarely use now - it's all about the ipad!). However, I am currently against laptops for my elementary age boys. The computer stays in the living room so we know what they are doing. I did get a huge kick that our required FCPS program was blocked by our nanny-ware. I do know that for the private high school we are planning on sending them to, we will have to buy the school mandated laptops. I'm not to sure when BYOD starts for FCPS.

Each of my kids got their own laptop for their 8th birthday.

7th grade for younger DC, 9th grade for elder DC. 7th grader needed it to take to school. 9th grader uses it at home, but not at school.

The summer before high school. My dc used my computer before that for school work.

I am buying one this summer for my son who is starting high school. I tried to hold off but he is one of the last kids in his class without one. More importantly though he is having trouble keeping organized and he'd like to take notes on his laptop. There is no question, however, that it will increase his screen time and he already loves his computer games.

MS-

Both kids got their own when assignments became computer based.

It is impossible to share. We opted for PC's over MACS. Macs are so expensive and kids are hard on computers. Much easier to replace a PC than a Mac.

I bought laptops for my twins when they started college.

When he started HS last year.

We bought One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) before DD was born. As soon as DD was able to use the mouse at 2 yo, it became hers.

7 years old. Got him a Mac.

When he was 10 he wanted a pc and wanted to build it. He's a big gamer and makes videos. He's now 13 and just built another (from what I understand he wanted the best graphics card. But it's all foreign to me).

We're trying to plan ahead but at what age did you get your kid a laptop? (We're also thinking of having DC help earn money for this.)

Or maybe you didn't, so how does sharing a laptop work out and/or using the schools/library?