Childs first Computer - iMac or Macbook?

[WeegieMac]

You really should read the whole thread before spouting your mouth off and dragging the thread off topic with your own personal views of child-rearing. As you, yourself said: "Threads like this are always in danger of boiling over because, at the end of the day, no-one can tell anyone else how to raise their children." Maybe you should listen to your own advice.

That's fair enough, and I respect those points made.

As I said previously, I've perhaps moved too far onto tackling issues with how society in general views this point, and less in line with helping the original poster.

And, with the utmost respect, I did read the entire thread ... thank you.

 

[iMpathetic]

Thanks for your replies. I actually allow her to use my MBP now and she seems very responsible with it so I hadn't really considered the down side of the laptop.

Adopt me.

Anyway, I started when I was 12. Here, BTW, is what my room looked like then. This is why you don't want them to get TOO interested.

Anyway, I would get the kid a used iBook G4 or Power Mac. Those things are too expensive.

 

[aprofetto]

In all seriousness, you've managed to simply embarrass yourself.

Congratulations.

You replied to me once with no ill feeling, then decided to hit out with the comment above?

lol... funny, I don't feel embarrassed...

Anyways, as you said before, mine as well cap this off before this thread gets closed and we all get banned for 30 years.

 

[dsnort]

As has been posted before, I'd get an older model laptop, along the lines of a G4. Spend less money and a laptop can be a great distraction on long trips/ car rides. They can watch movies, play games.

 

[iMpathetic]

I'm 15, I hope I don't have any of my own either.

I just don't understand how or why a 5 year old could possibly find a way to meet someone online, you could be right though. I just think there are worse things that a 5 year old could do than be alone with a computer.

I often worry about 5 year olds accidentally buying cigarettes.

Kids are cool.

 

[nedergras]

Thanks. I had no problem with using the Mini as a computer. Its a great machine. Since I have only one TV which is the Mini's monitor, it doesn't allow me to use TV while she's using the Mini. I guess I'll have to continue reading books.

LOL, have you thought about purchasing an LCD monitor to hook up the mini to for your daughter? And no, you shouldn't buy a 5yo a new Macbook, but a netbook like the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 w/ OSX would be good for a kid.

 

[Sushi Dude]

Get a desktop for the hole family to use.

 

[Pixellated]

I have had a computer since about 9 in my room. I didn't watch porn on it etc.. It was very helpful for playing internet games and homework etc.. My parents also trust me - they didn't need a filter to teach me anything - they just told me.

*Back on topic*

I think an iMac G4 or white Core Duo model would be perfect.

 

[techfreak85]

Wow, way to resurrect a dead thread.

 

[luffytubby]

lol riiiiiiiight

why must a kid have a computer in their room or else they will rebel

what business does a 13/14 year old have with having a computer in their room again? none that i can see that couldnt be done in a family room

how many families can even afford having multiple computers in their house for all their kids.... give me a break. most families only have one or two computers anyways

You are beyond ignorant. Seriously.

 

[Chucknutter]

Deleted.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Hopefully some of you who have kids can provide me with some advice. My daughter is 5 years old is using Macs at her pre-school. I am actually very impressed as to what she has been able to learn in navigating a computer. I see Microcenter has nice rebates on both the white Macbook as well as the base iMac. I was considering getting one of these as a "family PC" and was wondering what people with children prefer. I live in a small apartment so I was initially attracted to the Macbook, however, my gut tells me I would be better able to control her usage with an iMac and it would be less likely to be damaged from dropping or spills.

Thanks for your advice.

It is a better idea to buy the iMac. It is harder to smash down to the ground... LOL

EDIT: Just realized how old the thread is...

 

[Mac7]

I have had a computer since about 9 in my room. I didn't watch porn on it etc.. It was very helpful for playing internet games and homework etc.. My parents also trust me - they didn't need a filter to teach me anything - they just told me.

*Back on topic*

I think an iMac G4 or white Core Duo model would be perfect.

Sure you didn't

 

[Amasashi]

Definitely iMac.

Since space in a small apartment in your primary concern, the iMac doesn't really take up that much more space than a MacBook. In fact, I actually have more desktop real estate with an iMac because I can place it at the very back of my desk and can comfortably put something in front the screen like documents or food. With a MacBook, I have to place it right in the middle of my desk to be able to reach the keyboard, wasting space both behind and in front of the MacBook. But that's just me.

Personally, I would not buy a laptop for a child before high school. For one thing, a laptop in the bedroom will be considered to be personal property by the user, whereas a desktop in the living room can be viewed as a shared family computer. The distinction is important because it's not really safe to have pre-teen kids privately accessing the internet without adult supervision, even if you're just glancing over every once in awhile from the kitchen.

Also, smaller screens give children eye strain, increasing their risk of poor posture and myopia

 

[OliverOSX93]

Love how 2 people pointed out how old this thread is yet someone still posted "get this that or the other" XD

 

[Pixellated]

Sure you didn't

Well... When I was nine i didn't.

 

[mlblacy]

imac until high school...

Yikes, the thought of a 5-7 year old running around with a laptop doesn't end well. My eldest started playing around on an iMac around 5, and my younger one was around 3. Fast forward a bunch of years and it became clear sharing computers among the brood was NOT going to work, even when they grabbed my laptop we were at least one computer short. Once they hit high school a computer, and arguably a laptop, is not really a luxury item, it is a necessity.
Buy a refurb, that is what I did, and the only thing different from a new box is the box itself (it is a generic brown box, as opposed to the Apple white/black boxes. Big deal.) You get the same warranty protection as new and save some bucks. GET APPLECARE. Buy it on Amazon, or Ebay and save a few bucks, but get it. Get sufficient ram for now, and also 2-3 years into the future. 4gb is probably a good amount. Hard drive space is not a big deal, as you can easily add an external HD when you need it. Prices for drives only go down, storage capacity only goes up.

Put it in a common area, not their bedroom. Unfortunately when they are older and have laptops you will not have too much control. Only realize by then they have complete privacy by their internal world of communication by cell IMs & Facebook, so that battle is lost anyway.

Haven't slogged through the thread, so sorry if this is repetitive. My kids were always great around the computers. No food or drinks near them. No crayons all over the screen. They need to learn to use the tools from an early age these days.
cheers,
michael

 

[Amasashi]

Sorry, I only read the first page of posts. Didn't realize this was a dead thread.

But hey, someone other than the OP with a similar question could still find this info worth viewing.