Well I just posted a few months ago about how my son got his first Cell Phone: “Buying My Son His First Cell Phone“, well now he wants a laptop!
At first I though, we perhaps he sees me with my laptop and want to follow suite, perhaps he wants to learn to program, or download some cool function software like Gimp or Open Office….
So I asked him why he wanted a laptop, and he said so he could play certain computer games while he watched kid shows on TV…
Now I’m sure your thinking: hard life huh. Most likely, you’re thinking that my son is a slacker and lazy, but that’s not so. He’s plays both soccer and basketball, and he’s a straight A student to boot.
Now my daughter has been begging for an iPod touch like my son has in the past (he now has an iPod Touch), so if I were to buy him a computer, well obviously, I would have to buy her an iPod Touch too! Then before you know it, I have a very expensive Christmas suddenly on my hands!
You might think that this is a no brainer, but actually for me it isn’t! My son is a great kid and doesn’t really ask for much, and he’s both courteous and kind. Yeah his answer to my question about why he wanted a laptop wasn’t the most prudent, but at least he was honest, and I know he’ll use it for school work too.
So today, I’m going to ask you the reader, what would you do, especially if you child hasn’t asked from much in the past? It’s obviously, more powerful than the iPod touch and ironically cost practically the same amount…
What would you do?
MR
That’s a tough one. I think every kid is going to want a laptop or an ipad as soon as they’ve tried one. I didn’t get a computer until high school and once I had one I was on it ALL the time. Granted some of that time was doing homework, but most of the time it was playing games or using the drawing software. So if you decide to get him one you may have quite a hard time keeping him off of it! -Sydney
I would really like to get him a Mac, but don’t tell… 😉
Make him a deal that he has to learn how to design games and develop apps in exchange for the laptop. Then it can pay for itself eventually.
Haha, that is so brilliant, Cashflowmantra! I honestly don’t know why an eleven year old needs a cell phone. I never had one. I certainly never had a laptop. I think giving a child a phone for emergencies only is okay–but I don’t feel like an eleven year is in need of a cell phone. Why can’t he use your home computer (that is, if you have one)? If you do decide to purchase him that I would say it would have to come with strict guidelines.
Hmm, that’s actually a pretty good idea! I think he would enjoy the game creating process to boot!
I’d be a crappy parents and buy him a used laptop or a really cheap one…I’d justify it that he’ll need it for reports at school, but really, I just wouldn’t be able to say no to a good kid…
Hmmm, that’s not a bad idea if it was just for school, but he really wants an video accelerator in it. He want to play games.
Don, I wouldn’t hesitate to to pull the trigger on a new laptop for your 11 year old. My 9 1/2 year old has also asked for one, but I think we can delay for another year or so. They are super cheap(relatively) and it is a parents duty in todays high-tech world to ensure our children are highly computer and communications literate. Go for it.
Good point. I’m looking at models in the $400 range. Not too expensive, and yet not cheap either (at least for me).
This may be a great learning experience. Maybe there is a way for him to earn it. You could get a used or older model for a few hundred dollars.
Not a bad idea, but being a techie myself, I know the newer models have 4 times the horsepower the older models have, especially for gaming.
What about a netbook? Or a tablet?? A little bit cheaper and can still do the same things as a normal cpu.
I thought about going that route until I realized that he primarily wants it for gaming. I’ll need an accelerated video graphics adapter…
Well, he has nice taste. 🙂 Good luck with the choice.
Go for it Don. The sooner your son learns how to quickly find valid and accurate information via the internet the better! My 12 year old has been using a computer for years and we feel it has been a good experience for her. We installed parental control software so we can filter out inappropriate content.
I hear you on the parental control software!!!
Thanks Paul, it seems every answer I got was pro-laptop, so I’ve decided to go that route. I’m going save up the money, wait until after Xmas, then go out with him to buy it.
Thanks everybody!
I got a resounding YES vote on buying my son a laptop, so that’s what I’m going to do.
🙂