First computer for kids

[17+1]

[XDJYo]

I have the perfect computer!

Etch-a-Sketch!

[17+1]

I have the perfect computer!

Etch-a-Sketch!

I wish...

We already put stepper motors with rubber bands and made their etch a sketch a CNC. Need to take it to the next level.

[The War Wagon]

Craigslist.

[Dragunov]

Been looking into putting together something for my 6 and almost 8 year old kids. Leaning towards a Raspberry Pi 4 single board computer running Raspian with a wired connection to 10”-15” monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse. Maybe set up a little desk/maker space for them. They are very interested in robotics/electronics and we have gotten them electronics toy kits and LEGO boost kits in the past which they can run using their iPad based compiler built into the LEGO software.

We have a build it yourself RC car kit based on an Arduino microcontroller with Bluetooth board, motor driver board, brushed DC motors, servo motors, etc. but daddy isn’t about to let them run experiments using my MacBook.

They already have a lot of experience with an iPad, Nintendo gaming consoles, our Samsung smart TV, LEGO boost, electronics kits, etc.

I wanted to see if any of you have a similar setup for kids and what are your thoughts. I added up total cost for this setup and it rings in right around $225. Mainly looking for something that can get them using a keyboard and mouse, running Arduino compiler, that has a more ‘desktop computer’ feel to it. I know they can probably use the Rapberry Pi as a base for the projects but Arduino are even cheaper if you buy the knockoff boards.

I’d eventually want to get them a name brand $400-700 laptop running windows but for now I’m a little bit hesitant to start them off on something that nice. I’d prefer a real crappy modular setup that I could easily fix myself for when they hook up parts wrong on a breadboard and fry something. I have a feeling if they’re going to be playing with electronics there is going to be smoke...

My grandaughter is five. She has an HPStream 14, with 8gb/RAM, running Linux Mint MATE, and she loves it.

The HPStream 14 is a really crappy Windows computer, but makes a pretty decent Linux box for a kid. A few months ago, you could pick one up for $75 in decent condition off Ebay. Not so much any more. I personally wouldn't pay more than $80 for one. It's about all they're worth.

[17+1]

My grandaughter is five. She has an HPStream 14, with 8gb/RAM, running Linux Mint MATE, and she loves it.

The HPStream 14 is a really crappy Windows computer, but makes a pretty decent Linux box for a kid. A few months ago, you could pick one up for $75 in decent condition off Ebay. Not so much any more. I personally wouldn't pay more than $80 for one. It's about all they're worth.

I will definitely look into that also. I am split between a cheap laptop and the Raspberry Pi.

[Dragunov]

I will definitely look into that also. I am split between a cheap laptop and the Raspberry Pi.

Here is a REAL laptop. Batteries, and chargers are cheap also:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-T420i-i3-2310M-2-10GHz-4GB-320GB-WebCam-Wi-Fi-Windows-10-READ/303657749088?hash=item46b3698a60%3Ag%3AFTkAAOSwtSlfOv3%7E%3Asc%3AFedExHomeDelivery%2178654%21US%21-1&LH_BIN=1

This is a GREAT computer for a kid. Very sturdy, with slight case damage.

This is even better, for $130:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-T430-14-i5-3320M-2-6GHz-4GB-RAM-250GB-HDD-Windows-10-Pro/303657849044?hash=item46b36b10d4:g:YTYAAOSwfQlfOyWL:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!78654!US!-1

I'd personally go with the T430. VERY upgradeable! Easy to work on if you need to. Tough as a tank.

[17+1]

Here is a REAL laptop. Batteries, and chargers are cheap also:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-T420i-i3-2310M-2-10GHz-4GB-320GB-WebCam-Wi-Fi-Windows-10-READ/303657749088?hash=item46b3698a60%3Ag%3AFTkAAOSwtSlfOv3%7E%3Asc%3AFedExHomeDelivery%2178654%21US%21-1&LH_BIN=1

This is a GREAT computer for a kid. Very sturdy, with slight case damage.

This is even better, for $130:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-T430-14-i5-3320M-2-6GHz-4GB-RAM-250GB-HDD-Windows-10-Pro/303657849044?hash=item46b36b10d4:g:YTYAAOSwfQlfOyWL:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!78654!US!-1

I'd personally go with the T430. VERY upgradeable! Easy to work on if you need to. Tough as a tank.

That’s a great suggestion, I’ve seen some of the guys I work with running that exact thing. I got stuck
Lugging around a boat anchor Dell that could run CAD CAM...

I’d imagine these were bought secondhand from a business.

[Dragunov]

Some are from businesses, some aren't. I have a W540. Probably heavier than your Dell. I use it 90% of the time as a desktop replacement. I only need to be mobile with it once in a while, but the weight doesn't bother me.

[high_revs]

i gave mine a hp one.. cheap enough but 16gb ram, i7 cpu, i upgraded the hdd to ssd... ~700 or ~800. touchscreen... costco iirc

i didn't do incremental. just feel the pain once.

[17+1]

i gave mine a hp one.. cheap enough but 16gb ram, i7 cpu, i upgraded the hdd to ssd... ~700 or ~800. touchscreen... costco iirc

i didn't do incremental. just feel the pain once.

[ldsnet]

RPi are great IF you plan to use the GPIO or imbed it into something. If not, you are better off with a repurposed desktop or laptop (pi only works with Linux, you can run windows or Lunux on the other machines).
Unless you need the power, I prefer the 3+ over a newer 4 (uses less power and therefore is more forgiving in the heat department)
Regardless which computer, monitor and keyboard make the experience; don't cheap out on these.

[high_revs]

lol.. not judging here..


my kid as a android 10 too.. though now 2 yrs old. just as yours, he knows how to manuever that.. told to get permission to use my profile in roku netflix to watch gundam vs. his kids profile. he started knowing how to manuever the bluray 2 yrs ago. i got the laptop for one program (coding) was easier to manage / install there than tablet. i do spoil him (or me and why i got the ssd if i'm fixing something on his laptop.... i don't have the patience to wait for a hdd).



kids today are very quick and possibly can be more techie than me in the future. (i will try to keep up!)


just saying at those pricepoints you can get a laptop. maybe wait for black friday deals or cybermonday. have you thought of those surface devices? just wondering.. no equivalent program for ipad?

[pratchett]

Chromebooks are a more robust option than some give them credit for. They'll easily run LEGO EV3s and Spheros, as well.

[tokuno]

We raised 4 kids in the computer age.
Started with a shared desktop, migrated to shared laptops, then eventually personal laptops.
Some things we did right:
1) establish the usage rules up front, so there's less push-back when you impose limits or perception of you unfairly moving the goalposts or indiscriminately making up rules.
2) establish public computing space and a rule against computers in bedrooms or private areas. We also told them up front that the screens had to be visible to the room, but that rule was loosely applied on an as-appropriate basis.
3) have an open conversation about inviting 7 billion people into your house, including thieves and other unscrupulous types.
4) converse about privacy, illustrated by anecdotes, and followed-up by frequent conversations to stay abreast of their progress and activity. For example, my youngest (gentle, sweet, loving girl who loved reaching out to new students) once told us about her new friend who had contacted her out of the blue online, and who happened to attend the same school, and had been asking where she lived. Of course, this was a phishing expedition - there was no such student.
5) buy a router that allow establishment of parental controls (white-listing/black-listing, time-limits - that sort of thing).
6) anticipate broken keys, gummed up keyboards, etc. - we racked it up to educational cost.
7) virtual machines or, first thing, recovery drive. Kids ~will~ pervert the OS.

That's off the top of my head, and I hope others chime in to supplement with their experience. I'm sure there's threads dedicated to this type of topic, but I rarely surf this sub-forum - apologies if my tips are redundant or offend.