should a 15, almost 16 years old get a laptop for christmas?

Question

my 15 year old daughter who is almost 16 really wants a laptop for christmas. do you think its a good idea??

whats the best laptop??

do you prefer a mac or windows?

Answer 1

You know whether or not your daughter is ready. If you feel she is then you need to set yourself up as the computer administrator so you maintain control over what is going into the machine. Do not give this control over. You should also have net-guard or some other Internet blocker to have more effective parental controls.
Allowing your daughter access to a computer for school and certain entertainment is wonderful; however your job to monitor everything...esp on-line...

The question is not whether or not your daughter is prepared...but are you.

Choose whatever OS (operating system) with which you are comfortable. If you have a little more experience you can even go Linux and have a little more (and cheaper) range of educational programs while still having all the productivity control and entertainment of Microsoft or MAC.

Shop around (my favorite is www.TigerDirect.com) They sell service plans and they have great deals on very well equipped laptops...you also could go to Dell, Gateway, or HP to create your own machine on line. You can find a computer to fit your needs on almost any budget.

If you need help with parental controls and OS administration...do not be afraid to contact your operating system's manufacturer...they all have customer support and are quite helpful in helping you set your machine.

Shop around and ave fun

Answer 2

I have to say no. I went through this issue with a younger sibling, and there is no practical reason for someone that age to have a laptop (unless you have a child prodigy who has already begun college). Some claim it's useful for homework. Well, if that's the reason, what's wrong with a desktop? You typically get more power for half the price. A laptop is for going places, and for a student, that's most likely the classroom. My laptop was incredibly useful in my college classes, but high schools aren't typically going to allow using one. Also, do you really want that expensive of an item near all those teenagers? You may trust your daughter to handle it carefully, but if she's taking it to school, she won't be the only one to handle it. Sure, she could use it in a few years for college; and in a few years, it will be incredibly outdated and about as useful as a paperweight. If she really wants a computer of her own, and you feel it a good idea, get her a nice desktop, something that she could upgrade later when she does go to college. If you really want to get her a laptop, wait a few years and get her one that will do all she needs at a time when it would be truly useful to her.

As for what is the best type, it depends on what you're using it for. I've found HP's to be good, especially for high end graphics applications. Toshiba's are also decent, just not as good on the graphics end. Gateways are nice but tend to overheat. Compaq's are cheaply made HP's, not very good quality. And never buy a Dell. They used to be decent computers, overpriced, but with great customer support. Now they're just overpriced. As for your OS, always windows over mac, more options and more flexibility, and more compatibilty (these are the opinions of an electronic engineer, take them for what they're worth).

I hope that helps, but remember, wait a couple of years before getting that laptop!

Answer 3

I gave my 13 year old son my old desktop a year ago and he has just finished the first 100,000 words of his novel. If that's the sort of thing your daughter is going to do with her computer go for it. My wife and I didn't know he had that sort of talent until we gave him the computer. Your daughter, likewise, might reveal a hidden talent.

Why does she want a laptop, anyway. You'll get better value for your money if you buy her a desktop. You'd buy her a laptop only if there isn't the room for a desktop or she needs her computer to be portable.

Either way, a computer in the bedroom is not usually a problem; it's an Internet connection in the bedroom that would be a cause for concern.

Answer 4

Definitely; it might be the best present she ever gets. My grandson will get one soon and he is only 6 but already the best at computing in the family! So the younger the better; plus its good if that's what she really wants.

Nowadays Macs are Windows compatible; so I would suggest a Macbook for about £700.

Just follow the link.

Answer 5

erm get a desktop they are soo much betta than laptops and i kno from experince cuz i spent a 1k on laptop 1yar ago and you can buy a desktop with the smame stuff inside it for about £400 also desktops have less problems with overheating.

if u do make sure u get go virus protection like AVG free i think 13 is about the right age to by a PC (im 15 btw)

make sure she dont get into P2P so watch out for programs like limewire or bittorent shazaza or emule or bearshare
and u might wanna get K9 parents contorl if you are a control freak!

Answer 6

Hmm, if it were me, I'd wait until next year, cos then she can realistically use it for her college work etc, and by then I think she'll be a bit older and personally I'd feel more comfortable in trusting her to use it in her room etc. In this day and age, there really are far too many young children being allowed access to the net, and I don't see any reason for encouraging it earlier that it needs to be.

Answer 7

If it will help with her school work and you can afford it then this is a great present. However make sure that you are aware of what she is doing on it as there are always issues with giving kids their own computer if they have net access.

I wish my parents had been able to give me my own laptop for Xmas :D

Answer 8

I got a laptop for my 16th birthday, and I know loads of other ppl who had it when they have been 13, 14, 15.

Answer 9

I don't think she is too young, but you may want to set some safety rules for where she takes it. Laptops are a very desirable item - I am sure you don't want her in the position of being mugged for her laptop.

Answer 10

Hi, my daughter is 12. She has one already. The only danger is allowing her to have access to the web. Apparently, so I read, 90% of children who have access to it have seen material which the Law defines as unsuitable. Otherwise go for it. I would recommend the Sims/Sims2 and shopping online thru Game, Virgin or other reputable dealers. The advantages easily outweigh the pitfalls.