My wife and I were thinking about getting my twelve year old son a 13 inch Macbook Air for Christmas. Since this is going to be his first laptop, we didn't know if we should get him a $1000+ object. We don't really know for sure if we are willing to get him this laptop. So should we get him a Macbook air vs. any other laptop? Thanks. PS He wants to use it for school work and browsing the internet.
MacBook Air
As of date, that is here. Now he needs togo to school.
Thanks, His mother and I appreciate your input.
I agree. Now safety concerns?
welcome mom and dad 🙂. Good luck to your son in his studies.
A $1000 computer for a 12-year old child, so he can browse the internet? I can't see how anything could possibly go wrong with that plan.
I love Apple's product, but I hate to see an adult cry. If I had a 12-yo child, I'd find the cheapest computer I could find. For the first time in my life, I'm going to suggest buying a Dell.
Thanks Carl, as bill132 wrote and was my 12 year olds question (with our permission) and you just backed up his parents answer. Not sure on what to really get though. His school for the first time this year will let them bring technology to school to use. I was thinking a cheap laptop for writing papers, research, etc. Any thoughts on a particular laptop? Thanks
Having been a teenage male (long ago though it was) my teens would have access to the Internet only under adult access at least until they were in 10th grade. I'd not consider buying a notebook for my 12 year old - a desktop yes. If you want to give him a portable device, get an iPad mini and a case that protects the front as well as the back and sides. I might sound like a curmudgeon but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I agree on the safety. Can't he get a laptop and I set the setting for PG or is that fantasy on the internet? Maybe let him have a laptop for papers at school. Our desktop at home for internet? Thanks i appreciate all
input.
Parental Controls is an Apple solution and things like NetNanny for Windows exist too but all these various computer solutions create a false sense of security more than anything else. A tech savvy teen (or teen friend) can figure out how to bypass them. Parental controls on the iPad may be more reliable since, at least for now, it doesn't have accounts. Creating a new account or booting with an alternate drive are two popular ways of bypassing. The problem of blocking what shouldn't be blocked is another real problem. This is why, if I had a teen today, the computer would be in the family room and not his/her bedroom. Keeping a personal eye on the teen is better than a cyber spy, IMHO.
Thanks and cheap o laptop it is! He is responsible carries band instrument daily, smart and wants to learn. I want to help him stay up to date and give him every chane to succeed in life. I appreciate all responses. It is appreciated! Ole dad
I would actually decide it on how well he does in school, and if he is really a tech person. If he is on of those tech people and he is very detailed, get him the cheaper dell if he is not very smart, get him the dell, and check how good he handles his valuable things (if he has an ipod or something).
Hi Bill, the cheapo netbook is not a bad idea for a 12 year old. I use a cheapo Acer netbook for bumming around. I revere my Macbook Air. Just a suggestion. If your son is expecially responsible and tech talented possibly a refurbished MBA from the online store? There is an 11' for $749. If he has funds of his own possibly a 50/50 or 60/40 split?
The cheapo netbook is probably the most practical way to go. Just in case he is really into tech you can't beat a Mac. Hey, I buy my own stuff and the netbook goes out when I need an away unit. I am confortable leaving the netbook on a table in a coffee shop or bookstore while I leave the area. No problems with that in 2 years but I realize the netbook may leave without me one day. I would not even consider that with the MBA. Definitely would sleep MBA and carry it every time I leave the table.
Good luck with the purchase!
Yes, you can certainally set up Parental Controls. I would avoid an iPad if the primary purpose is for schoolwork. I recommend a cheap-o laptop from Wal-Mart..possibly look into a netbook as well.
At that ahe I would have thought the cheapest most basic one possible, it may well get dropped, broken, stolen...
They can get a better one as they get older and have the need.
Looking into ipads.
Should I get my twelve year old a macbook air?
