Is this a good choice for a laptop for my 12 year old?

Question

Ok he fell in love with it because of the AMD Processer Here it is >>>
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=5007579
What do you think?

Listen this kid knows how to build computers and he had no freinds except for his cat and he had NO interest in girls

Also dell is a rip you aint allowed to put XP PRO on it till you buy it and walmart is cheap

And he loves emachines, He says dells use intels making them a hunk of s***

Answer 1

i am a computer programer/bulider. i also do computer networking. would never buy this computer. for one thing it comes from walmart (i have never gotten any thing worth any thing from walmart, they sell junk. also AMD is the WORST processer on the market, some people love them because thy are cheep and to some small degree they support gaming. he is right that dell is a load of **** but this is not much higher. i would go with a macbook or macbook pro from apple. the also have ibooks and power books. apple has the best in every class. new york times gave apple the "best personal computer" award 2 years runing. also they have the "best laptop" award 2 years runing. you can not go wrong with a apple computer.

Answer 2

I don't know a thing about computers, but since your son does, why not take him to the computer store and let him talk to the tech or sales person and let him make the choice?

If its not right its on him, make a deal that he picks it out and then no complaints. Expect to upgrade soon though.

And a piece of free advice. You are very defensive about your son, so that indicates that you are concerned about his isolation. Make an agreement with him that every day, the two of you go for a walk and talk. Make that the cost to him for the computer. Tell him you want to know more about computers if you have to, but the point is to spend a small amount of time with the two of engaged in communication completely away from the computer. If you don't make a point of this right now, you won't get the opportunity again. Don't allow your son to get "lost".

And he's right about Dell computers, I'm sitting here is one that's making the most god awful noise and its barely a year old.

Answer 3

Every time you mention AMD or INTEL someone is going to say "don't buy that, buy the other"

I've been a computer nerd since birth and I'm a full time CIS student right now finishing my major and three minors all in the CIS field. with that out of the way I like AMD much better than intel. Its been much more reliable for me and for what I do, it works out better. price per pound so to speak AMD is much cheaper, runs much cooler and preforms much better at lower clock speeds.

anyhow, yes, this is an o.k. computer for a 12 year old. the only problem is the emachines name attached to it. they always build a terrible case. my guess is you'll be sending that one in for hinge repairs alone with missing keys in a matter of a few months. but, dollar for dollar its a pretty good buy.

also, after reading someones post a few up say sempron is junk is [edited out a mean nasty name] and obviously works as a[edited out a mean jab] of some sort. I have a 2800 in one of my laptops I just use for internet and homework and its great. I've never had one problem with it. make sure you put some sort of software restricting sites he can go to so he doesn't end up on the news as a victim, 12 is young to be on the net.

lastly

What's Included


2-Years of Computrace Lo-Jack for laptops service for theft recovery service
2-Years of McAfee Internet Security Suite Anti-Virus Software
2-Years Parts and Labor Warranty Service
128MB USB Flash Drive
Targus Notebook Backpack

a two year warranty is fricken great, along with the lowjack, this makes it a great buy.

Answer 4

honestly, dont buy it at freakin wal-mart! and dont buy a freakin AMD proc. Call Dell. and purchase him an entry level Inspiron B130, they can be cheap, but you can have it any way you want it, and not with things you dont, (like at wal-mart)
1-800-901-3355 (dell)
On second thought now that i look at it, the AMD Sempron is a piece of ****, kind of like this EMachine, all i can say is you get what you pay for. Emachines really are not a good investment. trust me here, (and not cuz i work for dell, but because its a freakin emachine)
Thats not true, you can put xp pro on it if you want. plus the sempron is the same peice of junk as the celeron. they are both low quality processors. if you got something a bit better maybe the dual core athalon, or comprable it wouldnt be so bad, but the sempron is not quite strong enough for anything.
and yes it shows that your son is 12, no one "loves" e-machines, they are 100% intergrated, there is nothing you can do to upgrade them, thats why they are cheap" again you get what you pay for. enjoy

Answer 5

With all those additional details I am going to suggest a different approach.

Since he is all into computers, and is very opinionated about them, and has the ability (or at least you think he has the ability) sit down with him and suggest he build his own. You can get all the parts on ebay, he will end up with a machine that he knows, and owns (both physically and emotionally). Building a laptop is a lot harder than building a desktop, but there are loads of references online now and he will end up with exactly what he wants and you will spend the same or a lot less over the long run depending on what he feels he needs.

Answer 6

It looks ok to me. Although you may want to try Best Buy. I got my laptop there last year for only $599, which was $400 off the regular price. They will have the one day deal with a cheap laptop every now and then. You just have to get there 1/2 hour to an hour before they open to get one, they only had like 8 of mine in stock and luckily I was 2nd in line, cause there were more than 8 people in line! Just an idea!

Answer 7

My advice is to do more research. What kind of support do they offer? What kind of warranty comes with it? If the laptop has problems during the warranty period will they replace it or repair it? Personally, I like Dell. I've purchased both a laptop and a desktop computer from them. I had some problems with the laptop, they mailed me a box to ship it back to them and they sent me a new one, which was actually a newer model than I originally had.

No matter what you decide remember that the kind of warranty and support you receive after purchase is what should drive your choice because any brand of computer can and will have issues.

Answer 8

Seriously, that kid is just like me! If that kid really wants a good laptop you better get him the laptop that I'm typing the answer on right now! Get him an ACER ASPIRE 3620 or one of the Compaq's because they are great. This one cost $849 Australian. No matter what the other guys are saying he should continue his passion for electronics because it will be the only important thing in the future.

Answer 9

Personally... no.

And why is he caring about AMD processors? Or any processors for that matter? When I was 12 I was outside playing with other kids and riding around on my bike.

But to tell you why I say no: It's because he's 12. Simply put, he isn't mature enough for a laptop for himself. Is he in college? Does he go to a school that requires laptops to be brought in? Is he using it for anything productive in the first place?

If you answer those as no, you shouldn't get it. For yourself maybe, but for him, the reasons are too vague.

And I would get a refurbished one since they are cheaper and if it breaks(which it might because of misuse by him) then it wouldn't be so much to replace.

That's my opinion. But if you wish to get him one no matter what... go for it.

Answer 10

Can you afford it? I would let him work for it a bit, so he appreciates it more, he will take better care of it that way. Have him do extra Chores around the house.
On your actual Question, I don't see why not. It seems to be a pretty good deal.