Need technology help

[la79al]

DD12 is my 'would rather be on screens' child. I have spent years fighting it. I am ready to give up. She currently plays games (mostly Sims type games, and Roblox) on either a phone or her Kindle Fire. I want to get her either a laptop or iPad for Christmas but I'm not sure which direction to go. She doesn't play actual Sims yet but I have a feeling once I introduce her, it will become a favorite. Obviously cheaper will be better as I'm still trying to use most of the budget for experience type gifts. Suggestions?

 

[Darcy03231]

I've had a Samsung in the past and currently have an iPad. I liked both, but prefer the iPad, mostly because I have an iPhone and can link the two.

 

[dez1978]

We got our 11 yr old an ASUS gaming laptop at Sams. I think it was around $900 on sale. But it has enough memory and whatever that it won't lag and a good graphics card and whatever else. I figured it was better to spend a little more now than to spend $500 now and then a bunch more later when the cheaper one wasn't up to par for gaming. I am not super techy, but my super techy frind said RAM and graphics were what to look for if it will be used primarily for gaming and that one with 8gb like their kid has, lags even playing roblox and fortnight.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Not sure what your Christmas budget is, but either option is gonna suck up a lot of money.

If it were me, I'd get a laptop - there's just more uses for it. But that will cost more if you want it to actually play real games.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We got DD a gaming laptop when the schools were shut for COVID. She hated remote learning, but loves the laptop. They are not all that much more expensive but they are built for the high-speed data that gaming requires. Best of all, she is going to major in Computer Science when she starts college next year. WIN-WIN!!

PS - IMHO, don't sweat the screen time. DD12 - Ha! Brace yourself - it gets worse before it gets better. Screen time is the least of your worries.

Edit to add:
This is the one DD has. Not top-of-the-line by any means, but gets the job done.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pav...b-optane-shadow-black/6409145.p?skuId=6409145

 

[auralia]

as a female gamer if she really does enjoy gaming and may one day want to get into coding etc I’d purchase a good computer… personally I’d make it a desk top from a place like ibuypower or the like. Desktops are more future proof than lap tops and individual components can be replaced to keep up with the times instead of needing a whole new computer. iPads are great but they are not gaming machines. My son gets annoyed that he can’t do certain roblox things on his iPad and asks for my computer a lot. That said if you’re trying to lower the price point think about a Nintendo switch. Super portable and some really great games…. Pikmin, Mario, Zelda, Star dew valley…. Abet it doesn’t address roblox just a thought. I have had 2 ibuypower PCs one I got off Amazon no complaints. If you go lap top Costco is a good idea if it isn’t very good you can return it within 3 months no questions asked (did that once).

 

[Lumpy1106]

Don't be afraid to walk into Best Buy and ask them for help. I bought DW a laptop that way for Christmas a couple of years ago. What I walked out with was not really what I was going to buy when I walked in. It was far better and at the same price. Also, Whatever you buy DD now, will be outdated and slow by the time she heads off to college. Keep than in mind with budget. What a 12-year-old wants/needs is not at all what you would buy an 18 year old headed off to college.

 

[Lumpy1106]

as a female gamer if she really does enjoy gaming and may one day want to get into coding etc I’d purchase a good computer… personally I’d make it a desk top from a place like ibuypower or the like. Desktops are more future proof than lap tops and individual components can be replaced to keep up with the times instead of needing a whole new computer. iPads are great but they are not gaming machines. My son gets annoyed that he can’t do certain roblox things on his iPad and asks for my computer a lot. That said if you’re trying to lower the price point think about a Nintendo switch. Super portable and some really great games…. Pikmin, Mario, Zelda, Star dew valley…. Abet it doesn’t address roblox just a thought. I have had 2 ibuypower PCs one I got off Amazon no complaints. If you go lap top Costco is a good idea if it isn’t very good you can return it within 3 months no questions asked (did that once).

Glad we finally have an expert chiming in. Note to self; might want to DM @auralia when DD heads off to college in June.

 

[mmbrad02]

Are you an Iphone User yourself? My DD, also 12, loves Roblox but we limit her time. I'm sure most devices offer it, but we have Roblox set for a limit of 2 hours a day during the school year. When the time is up, to play more, she has to request more time and it comes to my phone. Also to buy Robux and such, same process. Like you, I've given into this being what she enjoys, but also I want her to take breaks, do some chores, and obviously keep up with schoolwork/homework/school activities.

That said, this is why my DD has an iPad. She also has a personal chromebook but doesn't like it as much.

 

[KVH]

The bottom line? If you buy a laptop, face it, it won't make it even until she graduates HS. The average consumer device is good for 3, MAYBE, 4 years. For kids, I'd say that's even a slightly high estimate. The laptop would be more versatile though and can be used for some educational purposes. If she has a Kindle, buying an iPad, JUST for playing games, is a waste of money. But you'll need at least a i5 and no less than 8GB memory. Buying a Chromebook is the path to the darkside ("fear leads to anger … anger leads to hate … hate leads to suffering"). Buy a brand name too. You can get a decent device from Dell, or HP, for example, for less than $500 around this time of year. I would think spending more than that for any young person just to play games isn't the best use of the OPs funds.

 

[Princesca]

I don't know about prices but I play Disney Dreamlight Valley on the Switch and I am loving it. I like that I can easily either connect it to the TV or pop it out and play it from another room or in the car. (Not when I'm driving, obvs.)

 

[_19disnA]

At her age, the portability of a laptop or Ipad could make a difference if she wants to visit friends and they all play some of the same games. Apple products are more expensive in general due to their name recognition which doesn't necessarily make them better products. Unless they are playing very high end games, you don't need the fastest processors or various other expensive options.