Looking for some advice from someone who is more tech savvy than me regarding the purchase of a laptop computer for my daughter who is in the 7th grade. She has hinted that she would like a laptop for Christmas. I don't have a huge budget for this so something like an Apple Macbook is not feasible. I was originally looking for an inexpensive windows computer, but began to look into a Chromebook as an alternative. She would likely mostly use it for surfing the web, watching Netflixs, etc. A large amount of her school work and assignments utilize Google classroom for which I assume one of these would be compatible with.

 

From a cost standpoint it appears that the Chromebook would be the way to go. However, is it simply a tablet with a built in keyboard, or is it capable of doing more types of computing. Compared to a basic windows laptop does it have any major drawbacks. Any particular features I should focus on making sure that the Chromebook has, or would it just be better to go ahead an purchase a windows laptop.

 

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Looking for some advice from someone who is more tech savvy than me regarding the purchase of a laptop computer for my daughter who is in the 7th grade. She has hinted that she would like a laptop for Christmas. I don't have a huge budget for this so something like an Apple Macbook is not feasible. I was originally looking for an inexpensive windows computer, but began to look into a Chromebook as an alternative. She would likely mostly use it for surfing the web, watching Netflixs, etc. A large amount of her school work and assignments utilize Google classroom for which I assume one of these would be compatible with.

 

From a cost standpoint it appears that the Chromebook would be the way to go. However, is it simply a tablet with a built in keyboard, or is it capable of doing more types of computing. Compared to a basic windows laptop does it have any major drawbacks. Any particular features I should focus on making sure that the Chromebook has, or would it just be better to go ahead an purchase a windows laptop.

 

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Based on what you said, I'd go Chromebook, but get your daughters opinion first to make sure she isn't disappointed by that.

 

It's primarily a cloud based system but does have an operating system, a la Windows.

 

Chromebooks vs. Windows 1

Thanks

Might want to make sure if she is headed to a particular high school if they require a certain brand. Some private schools want a certain brand and it would stink to have to buy another one in less than 2 years. Whats the budget?

If you can afford it, I would pass on a Chromebook unless your daughter will not be using it off network.

 

For a young student, I would strongly consider a compact notebook computer with a solid state drive (128 GB minimum) with a minimum of 4 GB RAM (preferably expandable to 8 GB) running Windows 10. A lightweight laptop with a long battery life and short boot up time will see much more use than a heavier machine will. The downside to going small is that you may need to get an external DVD drive for convenience when installing software.

 

As for brands, I have had the best luck with Dell, Lenovo, and Toshiba. I would steer clear of Asus, HP, Samsung, and Gateway (if they are still in business, I am shocked). I have had quality control issues with all of those brands.