Ipod or laptop?

[HayGan]

My 9 yr old techie DS has had his own laptop since Christmas 2009 and he loves it. It was a super cheap Toshiba (I think $329) and it is still going strong. My DS is always on the net watching videos, playing games and learning all kinds of techie stuff. In a few years he will need a much more powerful laptop but for now this one is fine.

Really I can't see investing in a super powerful computer for a young child. Technology changes so quickly and virtually all the basic models are more than enough for lots of users - especially kids.

 

[wishing4PA]

Really I can't see investing in a super powerful computer for a young child. Technology changes so quickly and virtually all the basic models are more than enough for lots of users - especially kids.

Exactly!
That's why I think a good option is to purchase the new laptop for the person who "needs" the most tech-wise, not for the child.
OP, have you considered that you or DH might be ready for an upgrade? Upgrade yourself, then remove all sensitive data from your old laptop, install whatever child-safety software you want, change settings, etc. And pass it on to the kiddo. Kid gets her own "new" laptop, and so does mom or dad.
(This is sort of how it used to be done at my office. The "tech" people got the latest and greatest, and the people who needed a laptop just to type the occasional letter or access the mainframe got the hand-me-downs.)

 

[crusoe2]

First off, thanks to everyone for all the responses. You've given me lots of good ideas and lots to think about. I told DD that she will need to decide if she wants something that she can take just about anywhere, in which case we'll probably get either an ipod or the new Kindle Fire, or if she wants something that does more stuff but is mostly for using at home - in which case we'll go with an inexpensive laptop. She's mulling that over and deciding which she'd rather have. And I'm researching the Kindle Fire to see if it will be a better option than the ipod or ipad. So far what I've read indicates that it does support flash based programs so maybe it will work for the websites she accesses for games and cartoons. The ipad won't work for that so I just don't see spending the extra money for it. I agree with previous posters that the money would be better spent on a laptop than an ipad. I like the idea of an ipod or a tablet tho - sure would be nice for road trips, waiting at the doctor's office, and such. It would give her something besides a video game to keep her entertained in places where you don't really want to haul a laptop around. I'm kind of hoping she'll go with the new Kindle -she's been asking for a regular Kindle ever since I got mine. It looks like the new one gives you everything the regular one does and then some.