ehh i think a cluster is needed in this case with at least 4 30 in displays to be able to manage everything effectively
fixed that for ya
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Any tips on a laptop for a 3 year old?
- Thread starter jnyepu
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
ehh i think a cluster is needed in this case with at least 4 30 in displays to be able to manage everything effectively
I've got a two year-old that totally digs his tricycle. When he's three, I might get him a bike with training wheels. I think kids need to be playing outside and running around. I think they even enjoy it!
I wouldn't do that to my kids, but to each his own.
I wouldn't do that to my kids, but to each his own.
The display wouldn't be in "dual channel" mode. If this child wants any acceptable video performance you're going to have to get 2 30 inch Cinema Displays and install them in a "matched pair". Lost productivity is lost money at that age...
I'd go with a netbook or a desktop... Or an old ibook.
As for young kids using the computer... I was probably 3-4 when I started using computers. I turned out okay. The key isn't not exposing your kid early... Its giving him or her plenty of opportunity to be involved in sports, and actively (but gently) encouraging it. Sign your kid up for some soccer or basketball, see if they'd be interested in football or softball.
Technology isn't something to be kept away with kids... just make sure they stay active.
As for young kids using the computer... I was probably 3-4 when I started using computers. I turned out okay. The key isn't not exposing your kid early... Its giving him or her plenty of opportunity to be involved in sports, and actively (but gently) encouraging it. Sign your kid up for some soccer or basketball, see if they'd be interested in football or softball.
Technology isn't something to be kept away with kids... just make sure they stay active.
We bought our son a computer when he turned three, but it's a desktop. No chance in hell I'd buy him one he could pick up and drop.
Besides, when he gets Cheez-Its and Capri Sun in the keyboard, I clean it out, or buy him a new one if it comes to that. I'm not taking that chance with a laptop.
I'm pretty sure the OPs child gets plenty of exercise and playtime.
That being said building computer skills in this day in age IMO is just as important as learning to read/write etc. I would have LOVED to been able to grow up with computers when I was little because thats what I was interested in.
I would suggest either a desktop so the child cant drop or break it or something like an Asus EEEPc running Xandros linux. Xandros is easy to pick up and also exposes the kid to something other then Windows. Also linux has tons of educational programs and software available.
That being said building computer skills in this day in age IMO is just as important as learning to read/write etc. I would have LOVED to been able to grow up with computers when I was little because thats what I was interested in.
I would suggest either a desktop so the child cant drop or break it or something like an Asus EEEPc running Xandros linux. Xandros is easy to pick up and also exposes the kid to something other then Windows. Also linux has tons of educational programs and software available.
At the age of 3 years old, the child cannot read or understand what he is doing on the computer.
Buying a child his own computer at the age of 3 years old must be the worst decision I've ever heard.
And then, don't even think about buying a Apple computer if your going to do it. $700+ on a 3 year old - who won't even be able to appreciate it then.
Buying a child his own computer at the age of 3 years old must be the worst decision I've ever heard.
And then, don't even think about buying a Apple computer if your going to do it. $700+ on a 3 year old - who won't even be able to appreciate it then.
Teenagers and adults who are on a computer all day and night become loners. If you start a child on a computer @ 3 your limiting his/her social skills and he/she will be locked up in a room at home instead of learning how to interact with others their own age or older. Tweeting and online games do not help with social skills either.
In order for humans to grow they need to interaction with others. They also need to experience the outdoors and interact with their surroundings.
I spent 37 years as a Boy Scout Leader, and found the boys in my last Troop and their parents had no social skills, nor did they have any idea what was available to them for activities. Yes, they knew about camping, but no white water rafting, wall climbing, or how important other goals in Scouts offered them. They were shocked to discover that businesses, colleges, and the military offered pay rates and advancements because Scouts offered the young man and woman opportunities to develop leadership and practice skills!
I agree with others, let the school do the computer lessons, and you teach your son how to be a caring, productive human being!
seriously?
what the hell is a 3 year old going to do with their own laptop? write blogs? facebook?
If you actually get him a laptop, you do realise this will open the door to him looking at porn by the age of 7?
If you get him a laptop, there's no doubt he will grow up lacking proper social skills. He will grow up preferring to spend life in front of a screen rather than interacting with other children, spend as much time indoors as possible rather than playing outdoors so he will never join a sports team and so lack team work skills, not to mention there's a good chance he will end up obese.
Perhaps you should think of a more 'traditional' toy to give your son. A toy shop rather than electronics store would be a better place to look.
what the hell is a 3 year old going to do with their own laptop? write blogs? facebook?
If you actually get him a laptop, you do realise this will open the door to him looking at porn by the age of 7?
If you get him a laptop, there's no doubt he will grow up lacking proper social skills. He will grow up preferring to spend life in front of a screen rather than interacting with other children, spend as much time indoors as possible rather than playing outdoors so he will never join a sports team and so lack team work skills, not to mention there's a good chance he will end up obese.
Perhaps you should think of a more 'traditional' toy to give your son. A toy shop rather than electronics store would be a better place to look.
Q. F. T.
My sister is using my acer aspire one, and just uses some basic freeware linux apps and she is improving in school...
Wow, I'm guessing you like to have your kids limited on what they can learn? A desktop or netbook, with linux and some parental supervision, and the kid is all set.
Suggestion for website
My 5 year old started playing on the site www.Poissonrouge.com a year ago. Before anyone jumps on me, this is in addition to playing outside etc. With a wireless mouse and the laptop hooked upto the TV in the lounge, it's nice. Developing mouse skills, and problem solving etc.
She's never once thrown the mouse... or even been close to throwing it. Dialogue and parental supervision goes a long way.
My 5 year old started playing on the site www.Poissonrouge.com a year ago. Before anyone jumps on me, this is in addition to playing outside etc. With a wireless mouse and the laptop hooked upto the TV in the lounge, it's nice. Developing mouse skills, and problem solving etc.
She's never once thrown the mouse... or even been close to throwing it. Dialogue and parental supervision goes a long way.
buy him a octo-core mac pro with dual displays and maxed out ram with 8TB of hdd space...
seriously...buy him a desktop that too when he is 5-6...laptops for young children might not be a good idea
seriously...buy him a desktop that too when he is 5-6...laptops for young children might not be a good idea
I remember attempting to play Boulder Dash etc. when I was maybe 4 or 5. Dad tells me that I was writing very simple code (10 PRINT "HELLO WORLD" and the like) by about 6. I know that I was 7 when I first played Lemmings, and I was definitely using computers before that. I'd like to think that I turned out OK too
Thirded. Clamshells are indestructible. Old Dells were also very rugged (mostly meaning pre-2000 models, which won't cost you much anyway, and most '99 and '00 laptops can run XP -- albeit slowly). Aside from a failed battery, my sadly abused college laptop (a Dell) was running well enough 8 years after purchase to sell on CL to someone who wanted a computer for their 8 y/o. You could also look for a really old Toughbook or something. Or an XO?
But really? A laptop is wasted on a kid that age. I certainly wouldn't spend much on it, or give him anything that you want to last more than about 3 months.
Sure, learning computer skills in this day and age is important. Very important. But at the age of three, learning social skills and learning by interacting with physical objects is way more important. Don't buy your kid a computer yet, please. Just let it play with other kids and toys.
http://laptop.org/en/index.shtml
One of these would be ideal. Too bad they stopped selling them in the US. Maybe you can get one on ebay.
One of these would be ideal. Too bad they stopped selling them in the US. Maybe you can get one on ebay.
17" unibody MacBook Pro with antiglare screen.
No, in all seriousness, I think you should look at priorities. At that age, there are many more important things to be learned than social skills. 3 is very, very young to be using a computer. If he actually is learning how to at school and has shown an interest in it, it wouldn't hurt to get him a cheap laptop as long as it doesn't stop him from doing other things that normal 3 yr olds do.
No, in all seriousness, I think you should look at priorities. At that age, there are many more important things to be learned than social skills. 3 is very, very young to be using a computer. If he actually is learning how to at school and has shown an interest in it, it wouldn't hurt to get him a cheap laptop as long as it doesn't stop him from doing other things that normal 3 yr olds do.
I appreciate the perspective and responses to this thread so far. Didn't realize it would generate as much negativity as it has!
Please rest assured, my son doesn't spend most of his free time inside/on a computer. His preschool is actually a well-balanced environment that has them outside for a good part of the day, weather permitting, and almost all of his activities involve learning and interaction with other kids/teachers.
Why do so many people assume the extreme -- that the kid is gonna be plopped in front of a computer and spend all of his free time there?
He plays with legos, rides a trike, climbs the hell out of a playscape, kicks a soccer ball, plays catch, doesn't suck down sugar and fatty crap, and likes being with other kids. There seem to be basic things he can do on a computer -- lego games, basic math interactive programs, some basic video, that can augment hand eye coordination, get him used to a mouse, and at least give him a passing familiarity with a computer.
Why this automatically translates into, "what kind of a parent is this guy who can't even teach his kid how to be a kid, and will have him looking at internet porn by 7" I have no idea.
Frankly, I choose a laptop over a desktop due to space limitations and to condense the package, so to speak.
So the bottom line, a kid can be a kid just fine and learn a little about computers at the same time. My question was about appropriate technology in an age range, not about how YOU can or cannot raise your own kids.
Please rest assured, my son doesn't spend most of his free time inside/on a computer. His preschool is actually a well-balanced environment that has them outside for a good part of the day, weather permitting, and almost all of his activities involve learning and interaction with other kids/teachers.
Why do so many people assume the extreme -- that the kid is gonna be plopped in front of a computer and spend all of his free time there?
He plays with legos, rides a trike, climbs the hell out of a playscape, kicks a soccer ball, plays catch, doesn't suck down sugar and fatty crap, and likes being with other kids. There seem to be basic things he can do on a computer -- lego games, basic math interactive programs, some basic video, that can augment hand eye coordination, get him used to a mouse, and at least give him a passing familiarity with a computer.
Why this automatically translates into, "what kind of a parent is this guy who can't even teach his kid how to be a kid, and will have him looking at internet porn by 7" I have no idea.
Frankly, I choose a laptop over a desktop due to space limitations and to condense the package, so to speak.
So the bottom line, a kid can be a kid just fine and learn a little about computers at the same time. My question was about appropriate technology in an age range, not about how YOU can or cannot raise your own kids.
- Status