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Final Verdict
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 [view on Amazon] is a versatile option that is lightweight, affordable, and able to keep up with your kiddo.
For a premium laptop that will last for years to come, the MacBook Air [view on Amazon] is really unbeatable. It features an incredibly fast processor, long battery life, and a totally silent fan.
What to Look for in Laptops for Kids
Operating System
The difference between a Chromebook and other laptops is the operating system. Chromebooks are laptops running on Googles Chrome operating system. A Google email is preferred but if your child doesn't have one, they can use any email to log in through Google. Chromebooks tend to be lightweight, less expensive, and easy to use but will need workarounds or web-based versions of Microsoft Office programs.
Other laptops run on a variety of operating systems, including the Microsoft Office Suite or Apple's OS [for MacBooks]. These are typically costlier and have more memory and programming capability than Chromebooks.Programs must be downloaded from the internet or purchased separately.
Processing Power
Most kids wont need a ton of processing power to do their everyday work. So, nearly all new computers will be able to hold up to the demands of modern school kids. For a new laptop, look for processor speeds to be between 3.50 to 4.2 GHz. For older kids, gamers, or those with lots of demands, the higher end will be more desirable and suitable for gaming.
Storage
With so much of your kids' work in the cloud, laptop storage has become less of an issue. Typically, for most kids and families, 256GB of storage will be plenty, especially if you dont have a ton of saved videos, photos, games, and music. Most of this material can be uploaded to the cloud or a backup drive if needed.
For a good gauge, check how much storage and usage your child has on their current laptop to guide your needs for a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
The right age to get a laptop for your child really depends on your child, their needs, and your personal preferences. Some kids may need a laptop for school, others may simply enjoy a laptop to watch movies, search the internet, or play video games. Some families decide to wait for middle or high school before getting their child a laptop, while others choose to get one for their preschooler.
Some children need a laptop for school, others don't. This will depend on their school, their age, and how much homework they have. Some teachers focus more on using paper and books, while others have shifted to doing most schoolwork online. Plus, some schools will provide laptops for children to use.
How long a child should be on a laptop depends on many factors, including your personal preferences, how they are using the laptop, their age, and their school needs. Generally, the younger the child, the less time they should spend, with around 1 to 2 hours a day the max for kids 5 and under. Parenting experts say less is more but that each family should create a limit that works for them.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. Shes also the mom of an 11-year-old son, an 8-year-old son, and a 4-year old daughter. With two parents working from home and two out of three kids attending virtual school for most of the school year, Mayas become an unofficial expert in computers, Zoom, Google Classroom, Seesaw, and more. Her two boys love their Chromebooks [although in an ordering snafu only one has a touchscreenoops]. She and her husband appreciate their MacBook computers for work.