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It is essential to know how and for what purpose your kid will use the device to find the best computer.
To help out with your decision-making process, we feature the 5 best computers for kids from reputable brands. Whether it’s for school, gaming, and beyond, you will find something in our review.At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Laptops for Kids
- OUR TOP PICK: ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
- RUNNER-UP: Apple MacBook Air M1
- Google Pixel Go
Comparison of the Best Laptops for Kids
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Review of the 5 Best Laptops for Younger Kids
Best Overall:
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some customers say that the Ryzen processor and integrated graphics produce little to no noise even if you push them harder, especially when playing games. The construction is sturdy and the battery lasts almost all day. However, some complain about the keyboard freezing from time to time.
Why It Stands Out to Us
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 boasts of competitive speed and performance. With AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD storage, it is efficient for multitasking.
This is ideal for kids and adults juggling numerous tabs and programs for web browsing, document processing, and music streaming. But they can also do light photo editing and render 3D graphics.
The chassis is made of plastic, but it is sturdy enough and doesn't feel cheap. The keyboard flexes a bit, but it feels comfortable as well as the touchpad. And the battery lasts longer than expected on a single charge.
Who Will Use This Most
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is the powerhouse of choice not just for kids, but also for grown-ups who juggle school or work responsibilities. This awesome laptop will never lag with its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor to support intense multitasking and 8 GB of RAM to effortlessly open up all your essential programs.
Bottom Line
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is the best pick for those who want a computer that they can carry around for multi-tasking! Designed with performance, this laptop is packed with top-notch specs to give you enough power to switch between tasks.
Runner-Up:
Apple MacBook Air M1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that Apple MacBook Air M1 is the best laptop for those who want an amazing display with vivid images. Its battery life will keep you powered throughout the day, but some report experiencing crashes when using Chrome on the M1 chip.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The durable metal design and high-resolution display make the MacBook Air M1 one great choice. The MacBook Air has an M1 processor, unlike the Microsoft Surface that includes an Intel Core or Intel Celeron chip.
As of now, it can only use Apple's first-party programs and a few third-party software. The developers are still in the process of optimizing the chip, but you can use an emulation layer called Rosetta to run different programs.
The sharp resolution display beautifully delivers vivid, clear images that outshine other laptops in its price range, and the battery life lasts exceptionally long, up to 30 hours!
Who Will Use This Most
The MacBook Air M1 was designed to serve primarily as a high-quality computing device for users who need an easy-to-use laptop with a crisp and clear display. The features are perfect for personalizing their learning or working experience.
Bottom Line
This sleek, light computer is extremely reliable, with an intuitive user interface that will not slow you down! Your child can take it anywhere for homework, page layouts, and other computing projects on the go.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that the Google Pixel is lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for kids. It gives students access to Google's range of apps, including schoolwork apps such as Google docs, spreadsheets, and Google classroom. One limitation is that it can't run the full MS Word or Adobe.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Google Pixel is the smartest option to get things done. Not only can kids do their schoolwork, but they can also play all your favorite Android games with this device! It’s all set up with Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 SSD storage, enough to sustain creative tasks, casual games, and playback.
There are no limits to enjoying popular schoolwork apps such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, even Google classroom with this lightweight laptop. Users get easy access to all Android apps from Google Play.
It also has a super-fast wireless connection, and the battery lasts up to 12 hours!
Who Will Use This Most
The Google Pixel is one of the most popular lightweight laptops that's best for younger kids. The glass trackpad and backlit keyboard make going through all kinds of projects a breeze, while it also offers access to all Google apps.
Bottom Line
Whether you need to write papers, do research, or just need a lightweight laptop with all the tablet and smartphone features, Google Pixel is the right computer. It does everything from word processing to web surfing through video gaming without slowing down.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Parents say that Acer Chromebook Spin 11 does an excellent job blocking explicit pop-ups, making it a great laptop for kids and young students. Parental control allows you to restrict inappropriate websites. However, some users complain about the semi-unresponsive keyboards and the panicky touchscreen display.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is a competitive laptop with an attractive design, good build quality, and high performance. It’s the perfect machine for keeping tabs on homework or creative projects.
This 2-in-1 convertible laptop features an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 32 GB flash memory, so there's plenty of power for all your computing needs!
It comes with a comfy keyboard decked out in LED lights, dual speakers, a multi-touch screen, and a Wacom stylus technology. Plus, the battery life can keep you going for 12 hours on a single charge!
Who Will Use This Most
If you're looking for a fast-speed computer without compromising on portability, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 aims to please! This laptop will level up your kid’s remote learning and entertainment experience.
Bottom Line
The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is the laptop for millennial students that offers incredible performance, great battery life, and a stylish design. That means it can seamlessly keep up with your day-to-day tasks.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the perfect laptop for productivity. Thanks to the MediaTek Helio P60T CPU and powerful battery life, they are able to watch movies, stream music, and do basic tasks without lag time for up to 11 hours. However, some customers complain about hitting the wrong keys due to its cramped keyboard.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a great alternative to Windows laptops. It feels more like a Microsoft Surface laptop in Chrome OS. It may have cut some corners with the keyboard and touchpad, but that won’t hamper the device’s performance.
The MediaTek Helio P60T processor, ARM G72 MP3 graphics card, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD storage enable this ultrathin laptop to provide a high performance for juggling spreadsheets, web browsers, and videos simultaneously.
Lastly, it delivers up to 11 hours of battery life, so you can get more power on the go and spend less time charging.
Who Will Use This Most
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet offers the performance you need for getting things done, but typing can be a bit cramped. The processor never lags while watching sessions, streaming music, and doing basic tasks at a time. This laptop is perfect if you're looking for productivity on the go without experiencing annoying lag time.
Bottom Line
With 4 GB of RAM, you can handle anything from productivity to entertainment. And with a 128 GB SSD, it's easy to save your projects teaming around on this small device!
Best Laptops for Kids Buying Guide
Here are some essential factors parents need to know when you’re buying a kid's laptop.
Age
Other laptops are too complicated for elementary students to use. Make sure that the laptop you are buying is designed for kids.
Design and construction
When you are buying a laptop, ensure that the design and construction are sturdy. Kids can be clumsy. They have the tendency to drop the laptop, especially when they’re watching movies or playing games.
As much as possible, get one with a military-grade standard and spill-resistant keyboards.
Purpose
Consider the intended use for the laptop. Asked questions like “How will my kids use the laptop?”, “Are my kids going to use it for remote learning or video editing?”
That way, you can choose the appropriate specifications, and the laptop will do precisely what you expected.
Battery Life
Excellent battery life is one of the factors that users look for in a laptop. You would want a laptop that lasts for long hours despite heavy use. So before buying a touchscreen laptop or traditional laptop, ensure that it has longer battery life.
Weight
Some laptops with build quality are too heavy for school-age kids. This can result in back pain, particularly if they carry it in their backpack every day. Make sure that the laptop is lightweight, portable, and easy to carry around.
Operating System
There are different types of operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh OS, Linux, Chrome OS, and more!
Among all those operating systems, Windows is the most popular and easiest to use. But still, choose one depending on your intended use and purposes.
Specifications
Checking the specifications is one of the most important things to do when buying a laptop for kids. The best laptop for kids, middle school, or college students is equipped with a powerful processor. So check if it has the latest CPU and GPU.
Best Laptops for Kids FAQs
Is a Chromebook good for kids?
Yes, a Chromebook is one of the best laptops for kids. In fact, middle schools and college students prefer Chromebooks because they are lightweight, portable, and have decent performance.
Although it has a chrome OS, it's not far behind Windows or Apple laptops. It’s effective in handling basic to intensive tasks, depending on the specifications.
Plus, they are secured; they are created with speed and security. Most of them come with built-in parental controls you can adjust to restrict some websites.
Should I buy a touchscreen laptop or a regular laptop for my kid?
It’s best to ask your kid what it is they want. However, more and more parents prefer a 2-in-1 laptop for younger kids because not only are they portable, but they are also convenient for schoolwork and web-browsing on the go.
At what age should a kid get a laptop?
Research shows that the best time to introduce laptops to kids depend on their developmental stage and readiness. Children can learn using a laptop at the age of 3 to 5.
But most parents buy laptops for kids at around 12-15 years of age when they have a lot of homework to finish.
What is the safest laptop for kids?
A safe laptop for kids has parental controls and can block inappropriate pop-ups due to intrusive ads and malware that are rampant on the Internet these days.
Chromebooks are known for their hybrid security because Chrome OS has built-in security features such as sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot. They are one of the safest laptops for kids.
What processor is suitable for students?
An i3 processor is ideal for basic schoolwork and light games, while i5 is designed for media creation and multi-tasking. The latter is faster and can easily handle some photo and video editing.
Conclusion
After an in-depth review, our highly-recommended laptops for kids are:
ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is the best overall because it has a solid performance to juggle document editing, music streaming, and photo editing without overheating.
Apple MacBook Air M1 has a sturdy metal design and M1 chip that can take on different software fast and efficiently, while the Google Pixel Go gives users access to Google and android apps for school or office work.
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