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One question that comes up every so often in the forums and on the mailing list is "which computer is best for a child?" Unlike most parenting questions, this is one I actually feel qualified to answer. As a card-carrying, Steve Jobs-worshipping, certified Apple fanatic, most of what I have to say should be fairly predictable. Yes, moms and dads, I recommend a Macintosh.

Any Mac fanboi worth his salt should be able to argue that the Macintosh is the better choice for anyone — not just children. However, where adults are concerned, two factors often out-weigh the advantages offered by Apple's computers: 1) people who have Windows computers at the office frequently don't want to have a different system at home; and 2) sometimes a much-needed (or much-desired, in the case of games) program is not available for the Mac. However, children have no office computers with which to conform and — given their limited software needs — shouldn't encounter software issues either.