Buying a laptop for an 8th grader

asupre2541 on 22/08/2015 - 19:57

Hi OB,

I was thinking of buying a laptop for my younger sister who is in year 8. Currently she uses my dads old desktop that is at times excruciatingly slow and unreliable. My parents work labour-intensive jobs so they only really need a computer for basic work processing and emails.

The reason i want to get a laptop for my sister is so that she has a reliable computer to do all her school work on and to teach her to use the internet responsibly. The internet has become an integral aspect of society and i want her to become comfortable with this amazing resource.

Planning to set some rules such as no laptop in her room and no bringing laptop into school.

What does everything think of this? She has never owned a computer before. Is it too early to own her own laptop? I admit when i was in year 8 i didn't have my own, but the internet has changed since then.

Some background information:
I am 22 and the first in my family to receive tertiary education. As such i oversee the education of my younger siblings. My sister is a smart girl and i trust her not to abuse her privileges. I am planning on getting her a macbook air that is planned to last her at least until she finishes uni, should she choose to pursue further study.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Glodys on 22/08/2015 - 20:30
    +1

    I think buying her a laptop is a very nice gesture and also a good idea if the current desktop is unreliable (so she doesn't lose assignments etc.)
    However, if you were to buy her a laptop now, I don't think it would be able to last her until after uni because new tech is released so constantly.

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 22/08/2015 - 20:40
      +1

      Yep, agree with the post above in regards to keeping the laptop for 7 years or more! Whilst there is no reason the laptop wouldn't work if well looked after, you may find performance may be an issue - a little like the current desktop she uses now.

      Maybe you are better off getting a sub $500 laptop which will allow her to do what she needs without the premium of an Apple brand. This way if you need to upgrade in a few years (maybe by the time she starts her senior years in high school and again maybe during her university studies) you won't be out-laying thousands of dollars.

      In fact, if you plan it well you could purchase her 3 laptops (again sub $500) over the course of her studies, almost for the price of a MacBook Air.

      • thewheat on 23/08/2015 - 00:25

        I'm currently using a mid 2009 MacBook Pro and have been using it practically daily for the past 6 years. I use it for doing dev work (Visual Studio in Windows 10, Android studio on OSX, web dev with Sublime/Atom) and lot of web browsing and it still functions very well. There will be times when loading a lot of pages, especially with a large video players, where it can stutter/slow down a bit, but it is still very manageable.

        I have upgraded to 8GB RAM and an SSD which helps, but it is still a 6 year old processor. I think for most typical cases, the processors nowadays can stretch a long way unless there are specific needs like gaming or other scenarios where you need a close to real time response.

        All in all, I think the Air should be fine and would probably provide the horse power needed for 7 years.

        • resubaehtgnolhcs on 23/08/2015 - 00:42

          Yes, I think with higher end/higher spec'd laptops you could expect them to last the distance, especially if you have upgraded parts like you have.

  • bambooculm on 22/08/2015 - 20:37
    +1

    It is never too early for someone to have a laptop, as the year is 2015. Why not buy her a machine that is upgradeable to Windows 10 with a solid state hard drive? Many Apple fans complain about forced upgrades. The Windows machine that is upgradeable to Windows 10 is more likely to last until she finishes university. Most of the people at school will have Windows machines, see:
    http://www.dicksmith.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops-notebo…
    or
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/lenovo/l…
    With Windows 10, there will be updates that will not require a new computer or new laptop.

  • PVA on 22/08/2015 - 20:47
    +1

    Grade 8 is fine.
    look at a mac air.
    My son had his Apple MacAir supplied by the school. Had one year 8-9 then they gave a new one in grade 10 for grade 10-12. His also has MS Office and the full Adobe suite (photoshop etc)
    He has accidentally knocked it off the table and it is still fine, he has it at school and battery lasts all day.

    I prefer windows pcs myself but the Air is impressive for what it is for school work.
    His is the 13inch screen 128GB Ram model.

  • KangaBanga on 22/08/2015 - 21:08
    +2

    Another option is to get a 10" android based touchscreen pad for her costing sub $500. For about $100-$150 extra you can add on a detachable keyboard for doing word processing. Does everything a laptop does and is portable as well, so she can still use it if you have a weekend getaway.

    There are also HEAPS of educational apps for math/languages/science/etc etc which she can download for free and learn.

    And when she is not using it, maybe you or mom or dad can play candy crush on it.

  • Banana on 22/08/2015 - 21:25
    +1

    Would you consider a desktop? That way she will definitely not use it in her room.Desktops are cheaper and last a little longer than laptops. She can buy another laptop when she gets into university (if she wants something portable).

    I just got my younger sister (Year 9) a Lenovo laptop ( they do educational discount), it was around the $700-800 mark.

  • asupre2541 on 22/08/2015 - 21:57

    Hi all, thanks for your inputs. I admit i might be a bit optimistic in terms of keeping the laptop for 7 years. I kept my old laptop for a duration of 5 years throughout uni.

    It seems the general consensus is that getting a laptop is a good idea.

    There are a few reasons why i wanted to go for the mac air.

    It does what it needs to do extremely well. Being a windows user myself, i enjoy the flexibility and versatility of the OS. However despite the limitations that Apple has, such as restricted ram, storage and programs, the mac air does other things extremely well. Battery life is superb. Aluminium casing is very stable and attractive. Trackpad is amazing. Screen is sufficient quality and it is very lightweight. I have spoken to her and she says she is probably only going to be using it for basic things, nothing cpu/gpu intensive. So for her purposes, it is a quality product.

    Though i admit the biggest reason i am looking at the air is because she is my sister and i find it extremely hard to compromise. I may be a bargain fiend but i only want the best for her. I know the air will do what she needs it to and that is enough for me.

    Once again, i appreciate all the ideas for apple alternatives. If it was for me i definitely would not get an apple.

  • pennae on 22/08/2015 - 22:44
    +1

    If the school has a BYOD or BYOT policy, she should definitely take it to school. Get it added to household insurance as a "specified item" if you're worried about accidental damage or loss. Personally I'd recommend a Mac over a cheapie Windows machine because they have less problems operating on school networks and the Apple stores are great resources - they do lots of workshops during the school holidays and the Genius Bar are great for any probs. They also tend to be quite sturdy! There's lots of options around, and lots of price points - but defo let her take it to school.

    • asupre2541 on 22/08/2015 - 23:31

      The reason i don't want her to bring it to school is because i feel that it is more of a distraction than anything else. The only time she should be using a computer at school is if the classes require them, and in that scenario the classes are in computer labs.

      I am not worried about theft or damage. It will be her property therefor it is her responsibility to take care of it. If anything happens it is on her, lesson learned.

      I am interested in hearing your reason for letting her bring it to school though.

      • pennae on 23/08/2015 - 12:57
        +1

        I'm a Year 7 to Year 10 teacher and I would much prefer students use devices in class! It is very frustrating when some do, some don't (and everything in-between). Doodling on paper can be just as much a distraction as anything digital :)

        The way our curriculum is written, all subjects require digital technologies.

        What I like most for Year 8? Students can't forget to bring work from previous lessons with them when it's digital and stored online. It really helps with organisation.

        There's a number of apps and programs to help manage distractions when using ICTs - I teach my students how to use them :) But the same goes for "analogue" distractions too! (e.g. Promodoro Technique https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique)

        But do consider insurance. No matter how much care you take, accidents do happen. I've lost 3 laptops to spilled water over the years and had them replaced under insurance with minimum fuss (and minimum down time).

        If (when) she does take it to school, it's also worth investing in a second charging cable and leaving it at school in her locker.

      • pennae on 23/08/2015 - 13:07
        +1

        Another thing to consider is typing speed. NAPLAN is moving online, and in WA we have OLNA in Year 10 (which is currently online). It is likely by the time she gets to Year 12 her exams will be online. A student who can type 60wpm is going to have more time to complete tasks than a student who struggles with typing. It sounds "oldskool" to recommend typing drills/tutorials but it's actually quite important! If she starts in Year 8 using recommended hand-keyboard-placement, she won't have to unlearn bad habits later on :) At the same time, handwriting is also important - I advocate for both!

  • shadowarrior on 22/08/2015 - 23:52
    +2

    I just picked up a Surface 3 today…not the Pro, just the normal one. Brilliant machine. I think for $699 it's a brilliant kit for helping her with her school work and general use.

    • asupre2541 on 23/08/2015 - 00:12

      Oh good idea, i will have a look.

  • scrimshaw on 22/08/2015 - 23:59
    +1

    Planning to set some rules such as no laptop in her room and no bringing laptop into school.

    Considering the rules you've put in, would it not be easier to enforce them by having a desktop instead of a laptop?

    That Cherry Trail Tronsmart Ara that was online today seems like a pretty decent unit for just general use (homework, internet and such).

    • asupre2541 on 23/08/2015 - 00:18

      Thanks for the link. I wanted a laptop so that it could be easily moved around the house so anyone can use it. My mum loves streaming things so it would be good for her to bring it around while she does other things. I am looking into alternatives such as tablets though.

  • lost69 on 23/08/2015 - 08:17
    -3

    University is a waste of time as is most of government education. And the internet being integral HAHAHAHHA. Its a waste of time and good for porn and the dark web nothing else.

    • scrimshaw on 23/08/2015 - 11:10
      +3

      What are you doing on Ozbargain then? Hurry and cancel your internet connection, you are wasting time and money…

      • lost69 on 23/08/2015 - 17:39
        +1

        Verily, life is a waste. And then you die and turn to dust. And are forgotten in darkness.

  • Geekomatic on 23/08/2015 - 22:36
    +1

    I question Apple over Windows. If you seek anti-viral OS, buy Windows PC & load Linux Mint (free). You can run Office using Wine. Or use the free, Libre Office.

    I've yet to have trouble installing printers, phones, cams, etc… to Mint.

    Apple is behind in hardware & asks premium pricing. If your sis only uses Windows, the curve for Apple may be daunting. Mint, in contrast, looks & feels more like Windows.

    It's your call & only mho.

    Good luck!

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