Best laptop for Kids 2022
Whether it’s for online learning and homework, or video streaming and games, these are the best laptops for kids
Ensuring your kid or children have one of the Best laptop for kids in may 2021 has become progressively crucial throughout the worldwide pandemic. The majority of key as well as secondary school children have invested a substantial proportion of the past 12 months discovering from another location, bringing right into sharp emphasis the demand for kid-friendly laptops suited residence knowing. As well as in spite of kids going back to the class institution in March, it stays sensible to purchase among the best laptops for kids.
Letting your kid utilize your device isn’t useful if you’re functioning from house, so in the future, the smart choice is to purchase them their very own maker. Picking the very best laptop computer for youngsters can be a tricky task, nonetheless, as you’ll intend to weigh up rate versus features, use as well as toughness. Luckily, we’ve obtained you covered. Below, you’ll locate a buying guide detailing the key points to consider when acquiring a laptop computer for your youngster followed by a list of bitesize reviews of what we deem the most effective laptop computers for kids.
How to choose the best laptop for kids
Which laptop processor is best for children?
Provided your child is unlikely to be doing too many requiring tasks on their laptop, having the fastest cpu (CPU) isn’t strictly necessary. Intel’s low-powered Atom and also Celeron processors will get the job done simply great but if you have the allocate an Intel Core i3 or i5 device, you will get enhanced efficiency. AMD’s Ryzen cpus are a wonderful different and also are generally less expensive than their Intel counterparts.
How much RAM and storage does a laptop for kids need?
In regards to RAM, 4GB will generally be enough for a lot of youngsters, though 8GB is recommended if your youngster plans to do a place of video gaming once the school day is done. Regarding storage space is worried it is very important to look at both the kind of storage space along with the quantity available. It’s additionally actually worth extending to a laptop computer with a correct SSD (strong state drive).
Mechanical hard drives are much slower as well as their performance weakens in time, while eMMC flash storage is additionally slow. Although a child’s storage space needs aren’t likely to be particularly high, you should guarantee your new maker has at the very the very least a 64GB drive, with 128GB verifying a good sweet place in regards to area and price. That’s assuming you’re checking out Windows 10-based makers. Windows 10’s minimum installment requirement is 32GB. Other operating systems – ChromeOS, for example – have lower storage needs.
Which laptop operating system is best for kids?
A significant proportion of laptop computers run Windows 10. It’s one of the most prominent operating system around as well as is easy to navigate and also instinctive to use, making it a good option for children. Some cheaper laptops run a special variation of Windows called Windows 10 in S mode.
This supplies the acquainted Windows experience but just allows you to download and install applications from the Microsoft Shop, while web browsing must be done via Microsoft Side. The advantage is enhanced security – they’re less most likely to become infected with malware – and performance considering that you can’t run heritage software program on them.
You can disable S setting at any moment if you need to run non-Windows Shop software program however, once it’s disabled, you won’t have the ability to reactivate it. Apple’s Mac OS is a prominent selection for specialists and also the company’s series of MacBooks are amongst a few of the very best laptops around.
They don’t come cheap, however, and for that reason, we would not advise them for kids unless you’re truly ready to spray out. The company’s series of iPads, which run iPadOS, are a far better selection for those with financial restraints, specifically if your child has an apple iphone as well as recognizes with iOS.
Probably one of the most sensible option of operating system for a child-friendly laptop computer is Google’s Chrome OS, which comes pre-installed on all Chromebooks. Chrome OS shops information and also applications in the Cloud instead of on your machine itself, meaning tools running it don’t call for the hard disk space a Windows laptop would.
Chrome OS itself has lower hardware needs, also, so you can get away with as little as 16GB, although most featured more. The OS plays well with online applications such as Google Sheets as well as Google Docs, so your child will certainly have very easy access to the tools they’ll need to complete job tasks properly.
If they plan on utilizing their laptop computer for play as well as job, the Google Play Store allows the setup of Android apps. It’s additionally feasible to install Linux on a Chromebook for those more adventurous children who have an interest in entering coding.
Together with ease of use, the huge benefit of Chrome OS laptop computers is their price – they’re generally a whole lot cheaper than their Windows or Mac competitors.
What is the best size of a laptop for kids?
If your youngster is going to be carrying their laptop around with them, you do not desire the gadget to be also hefty. Usually, laptop computers with bigger screens will be larger, so prevent 15.6 in and also 17in tools unless having more display property is something your kid is hopeless for. A 13in or 14in tool is ideal for the majority of youngsters, though more youthful children might be better fit to a tablet computer or 2-in-1 with a 10.5 in display.
Best laptop for kids in may 2021
Microsoft Surface Go 2: A portable Windows 10 companion
If you like the tablet form factor but and are after a Windows system, look no further. Microsoft’s own Surface Go 2 is a fully-fledged Windows 10 laptop, with access to desktop apps and Windows’ parental controls. It comes pre-supplied in S mode, which means you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store – adding an extra layer of security. But it’s easy to switch to Windows 10 Home should you want to.
For video playback it features a bright, 10.5in display, which is slightly bigger than its 10in predecessor, two side-mounted speakers, and a rear kickstand, which lets you view the display at any angle you wish. While for working, the Microsoft Surface Go Signature Typecover keyboard is a particular highlight with decently sized back-lit keys and a large, responsive touchpad. Unfortunately, like the Apple iPad on our list, the keyboard doesn’t come as standard and will set you back an extra £99.
Read our Microsoft Surface Go 2 review for more details.
Key specs –
- Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y or Intel Core m3-8100Y;
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB;
- Storage: 64GB or 128GB eMMC;
- Screen Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080;
- Screen Size: 10.5in; Weight: 540g
Google Pixelbook Go: The best Chromebook money can buy
While most Chromebooks look to court the lower end of the market, the Pixelbook Go is anything but a cutback device. Its slim, lightweight design makes it easy to grab and go, while its brilliant keyboard makes typing a breeze.
The standout feature is its incredible battery life. In testing, it lasted more than 14 hours on a single charge, making this a great option for keeping kids occupied while out and about.
As it’s a Chromebook, it runs Chrome OS rather than Windows 10 or macOS. It’ll handle any online task without issue, however, gives access to Google’s productivity apps, and you can even install Android apps on it via the Google Play Store. It isn’t compatible with Windows or Mac exclusive applications, though.
Key specs –
- Processor: Intel Core M3;
- RAM: 8GB;
- Storage: 64GB;
- Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080;
- Screen size: 13.3in;
- Weight: 1.06kg
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet: A child and wallet-friendly 2-in-1 Chromebook
Versatile, compact and affordable, this Chromebook from Lenovo is just about everything you could want from a kid-friendly laptop. It’s a hybrid 2-in-1 – a 10.1in tablet that can be transformed into a laptop with the addition of the detachable keyboard included in the price. Said keyboard is rather small for adults but ideally sized for little fingers to type away on, while the Full HD display is superb by budget Chromebook standards. It’s perfect for basic tasks, browsing the interest, playing games and watching movies – basically all of the things your child is likely to use it for.
The MediaTek processor powering it is a little slow when handling some web-based apps but that’s to be expected at this kind of price and outstanding battery life more than makes up for the lack of supreme performance.
Key specs –
- Processor: MediaTek P60T;
- RAM:4GB;
- Storage: 64GB eMCP;
- Screen resolution:1,920 x 1,080;
- Screen size:10.1in;
- Weight:0.92kg
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go: Microsoft's lightest laptop yet
The gorgeous little laptop is Microsoft’s lightest yet and perfect for youngsters making their first steps in the world of personal computers. The base model costs just £549 and houses a tenth-gen Intel Core i5 processor backed by 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. That may not be enough for adults using it as their primary work device but should be plenty for children whose usage is likely to be less power-hungry.
Build quality is extremely high and although the display is only 12.5in, the Surface Laptop Go features a full-sized keyboard and precision trackpad. Weighing just 1.11kg, it’s extremely portable, too, and there are both USB-A and USB-C ports meaning the two key connection standards are catered for.
Key specs –
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1;
- RAM: 4GB;
- Storage: 64GB eMMC;
- Screen resolution: 1,536 x 1,024;
- Screen size: 12.5in;
- Weight: 1.11kg
Apple iPad 10.2 (2020): The best laptop alternative
In our opinion, the best laptop for kids… is a tablet. Apple continually expands the capabilities of its iPads and, at this point, they truly are a viable alternative to the traditional laptop. The 10.2in variant is the cheapest in the range and is slim and lightweight, which makes it easy to take out and about, and its 12-hour plus battery life means you won’t be constantly looking for places to recharge.
The new 2020 eighth-generation model houses an improved processor in the form of the A12 Bionic and performance is as impressive as ever, with apps launching quickly and less demanding games running at smooth framerates. With access to Apple’s extensive ecosystem of applications for work and play, downloadable TV shows and movies, as well as e-books, the 10.2in iPad pretty much does it all. You will, however, have to take into account that if you need a keyboard you’re going to have to pay out a little extra. Apple’s own Smart Keyboard cover costs £159; alternatively, Logitech’s Slim Folio will set you back an extra £90. The wonderful new Apple Magic Keyboard isn’t compatible with it, though.
Key specs –
- Processor: Six-core A12 Bionic;
- RAM: 2GB;
- Storage: 32GB SSD;
- Screen resolution: 2,160 x 1,620;
- Screen size: 10.2in;
- Weight: 0.49kg
Chuwi HeroBook Pro Plus: Windows 10 on a budget
Chuwi may not be a household name, but its HeroBook Pro Plus is well worth considering. It’s a fully-fledged Windows 10 machine capable of running all Windows compatible applications and is both compact and lightweight at just 1.2kg. The Intel Celeron J3455 processor powering it is rather sluggish but that’s to be expected given the laptop’s price and you can improve things by playing around in the settings.
The big selling point aside from its rock-bottom price tag is its 3K screen, which has a resolution of 3,200 x 1,800 pixels – something we never thought we see in a laptop so cheap. The IPS panel is of good quality, too, covering 92% of the sRGB colour space with reasonable accuracy.
The HeroBook Pro Plus makes some pretty big sacrifices to remain under the £300 mark but it’s a decent device for youngsters that don’t expect or need supreme performance from a laptop and parents that don’t want to have to break the bank to cater for their kid’s technological needs.
Key specs –
- Processor: Intel Celeron J3455;
- RAM: 8GB;
- Storage: 128GB eMMC;
- Screen resolution: 3,200 x 1,800;
- Screen size: 13.3in;
- Weight: 1.2kg
Acer Chromebook 714: An affordable Chromebook for kids
Acer’s Chromebook 714 is a full-sized, budget-friendly Chrome OS option. The internal specifications are solid on the £500 model we’ve linked here, which is powered by an Intel Core i3 processor backed by 8GB RAM and comes with 128GB eMMC storage. With its all-metal chassis, the 714 looks very smart too, although the bottom plate doesn’t fit flush with the edges of the device.
The FHD 14in the display is more than big enough for young users, looks sharp and has a matte finish that reduces glare, which is always beneficial. Colour performance isn’t great but given the range of activities, your child is likely to use the laptop for, its 55.9% coverage of the sRGB colour gamut shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
If you’re on the lookout for a laptop-sized Chromebook but don’t have the budget for the Pixelbook Go, the Acer Chromebook 714 is a capable and cost-effective alternative.
Key specs –
- Processor: Intel Core i3-8130U;
- RAM: 8GB;
- Storage: 128GB eMMC;
- Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080;
- Screen size: 14in;
- Weight: 1.6kg
Huawei MateBook D 15: The best large-screen laptop for kids
The Huawei MateBook D 15 is a great choice for older kids that require a bit more screen real estate or the benefits that come from a more powerful processor. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U CPU is very nippy which makes performing the everyday tasks kids require a laptop a breeze. It’s even capable of playing games at the laptop’s native 1080p resolution, though it will struggle if you try to play anything too strenuous on it. The matte 15.6in FHD display provides a large amount of screen for the money though colour accuracy is rather disappointing.
At 1.53kg, the MateBook D 15 isn’t as lightweight as some of the options on this list but the additional power it offers more than makes up for less impressive portability. Such power is very rare at such a reasonable price, making the Huawei MateBook D 15 an excellent laptop for tech-savvy youngsters ready for a slightly more robust device.
Key specs –
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U;
- RAM: 8GB;
- Storage: 256GB SSD;
- Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080px;
- Screen size: 15.6in;
- Weight: 1.53kg
