MBA vs cheapo laptop for 10yo

[ssledoux]

My grandson would really like a laptop. He’s interested in coding for one, but just really wants a laptop in general. I know I could buy him a Chromebook or some cheap laptop, but honestly, it’s been so long since I’ve used anything other than a Mac, I’m just torn. He has an iPad, and iPhone SE (though he only really has that if he goes somewhere), so I just feel like I should keep him in the Apple ecosystem. You know, brainwashed for life? Lol

How would something like a Chromebook compare? I literally have no clue.

 

[0128672]

I think an MBA for a 10-year old is too much. Does his iPad have a keyboard case and has he tried basic coding apps on it?

 

[ssledoux]

I think an MBA for a 10-year old is too much. Does his iPad have a keyboard case and has he tried basic coding apps on it?

He has an Air 3 with an ASK, and yeah - just started with some coding apps.

I don’t really think there’s anything he wants to do that he can’t do on the iPad, but he’s been wanting a laptop for a long time. In all likelihood I wouldn’t get it until next year, but I guess I was just curious about differences in the cheaper laptops compared to the MBA. He’s certainly more used to the Apple platforms overall, since he uses my iMac occasionally as well.

 

[skaertus]

My grandson would really like a laptop. He’s interested in coding for one, but just really wants a laptop in general. I know I could buy him a Chromebook or some cheap laptop, but honestly, it’s been so long since I’ve used anything other than a Mac, I’m just torn. He has an iPad, and iPhone SE (though he only really has that if he goes somewhere), so I just feel like I should keep him in the Apple ecosystem. You know, brainwashed for life? Lol

How would something like a Chromebook compare? I literally have no clue.

Buy him a Windows laptop. Windows is used by somewhere between 75-90% of all computers in the world. Your grandson will most likely have to use Windows in the future, such as in his future job or in college. He should get used to the Windows environment first, so you will do him a favor.

A MacBook Air is overkill. You will spoil the kid with an expensive laptop and an operating system that is generally not used by companies and other entities in which your grandson will study or work in the future. I would not recommend a Chromebook either; even though they are getting more popular, they still represent a small fraction of the market share.

There are several good Windows laptops to choose from, and you may give your grandson something better than a cheap Chromebook but less expensive than a MacBook Air.

 

[ssledoux]

Buy him a Windows laptop. Windows is used by somewhere between 75-90% of all computers in the world. Your grandson will most likely have to use Windows in the future, such as in his future job or in college. He should get used to the Windows environment first, so you will do him a favor.

A MacBook Air is overkill. You will spoil the kid with an expensive laptop and an operating system that is generally not used by companies and other entities in which your grandson will study or work in the future. I would not recommend a Chromebook either; even though they are getting more popular, they still represent a small fraction of the market share.

There are several good Windows laptops to choose from, and you may give your grandson something better than a cheap Chromebook but less expensive than a MacBook Air.

Well, spoiling him is kinda my job. ;-p

All jokes aside, I just can’t stand Windows, and I’m so far out of that game, I don’t even know how to help him do a think. None of my kids have used Windows anything either, in probably 15 years or more.

Let me add to my original post by asking if the MBAs allow you to load apps? I was thinking maybe just having a laptop only - no iPad, but is that gonna limit him in other ways?

 

[Romain_H]

Depending on what your kid intends to code and what your budget is:

I‘d not advise for Windows. For one, the market share argument is an often repeated yet imo dodgy argumentation.

And if he is invested in iPhones, iPads etc he might go ahead and try a little bit of iOS/iPadOS App development. In which case Windows is not exactly a good choice.

If he is into coding and a Mac is not on the table, I‘d even suggest a Linux machine (e.g. Lenovo X series or something similar). Not too expensive, great for learning to code

 

[skaertus]

Well, spoiling him is kinda my job. ;-p

All jokes aside, I just can’t stand Windows, and I’m so far out of that game, I don’t even know how to help him do a think. None of my kids have used Windows anything either, in probably 15 years or more.

Let me add to my original post by asking if the MBAs allow you to load apps? I was thinking maybe just having a laptop only - no iPad, but is that gonna limit him in other ways?

Well, these are very different devices.

It is possible to install and load apps on a MacBook Air, if this is your question. An iPad is a totally different device, and will only allow him to install apps from the App Store. Ideally, he should have both the iPad and a laptop.

 

[robotica]

Maybe a 2nd hard older macbook air? I think a 10 year old is going to break whatever he gets so bear that in mind.

 

[skaertus]

Depending on what your kid intends to code and what your budget is:

I‘d not advise for Windows. For one, the market share argument is an often repeated yet imo dodgy argumentation.

And if he is invested in iPhones, iPads etc he might go ahead and try a little bit of iOS/iPadOS App development. In which case Windows is not exactly a good choice.

If he is into coding and a Mac is not on the table, I‘d even suggest a Linux machine (e.g. Lenovo X series or something similar). Not too expensive, great for learning to code

Well, the market share argument is strong. Windows is by far the most used operating system in the world, and most companies and entities use it. So being familiar with Windows is definitely an asset, whether you like it or not.

Linux is used by some 2.5% of desktop users, so it is the underdog here. It may be great for coding, but just a handful of people use it. Android and ChromeOS are both Linux-based, but the experience of using a Linux distro on the desktop is very different. Linux is hard to get support. If you want to leave a 10-year old with a Linux computer, then you should at least know how to use it.

 

[Madhatter32]

Many kids like windows based machines because they are better for gaming. Otherwise, I would get the base MBA. IMHO

 

[Romain_H]

Well, the market share argument is strong. Windows is by far the most used operating system in the world, and most companies and entities use it. So being familiar with Windows is definitely an asset, whether you like it or not.

My University‘s motto: we teach the procedure, not the tool.

All depends on the young man‘s interests: wants to learn how computers work? Get Linux
If ambitions are nothing of the sort: get something else

Familiary with Windows may be an asset; familiarity with how computers work an even better one.

Anyway… we are discussing a 10 year old young man. Acquiring assets should not really be a concern - more important seems that he has fun.

 

[ssledoux]

Maybe a 2nd hard older macbook air? I think a 10 year old is going to break whatever he gets so bear that in mind.

Well he’s had iPads since he was a toddler (lots of military traveling, so it was a must for car and plane rides), and he’s never broken one of those, but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a used one.

 

[0128672]

Well he’s had iPads since he was a toddler (lots of military traveling, so it was a must for car and plane rides), and he’s never broken one of those, but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a used one.

I'm impressed with this kid. Sounds like in a few years we'll be buying his apps or games. He's lucky to have such a cool grandmother who supports him.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Well he’s had iPads since he was a toddler (lots of military traveling, so it was a must for car and plane rides), and he’s never broken one of those, but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a used one.

Has the US military come to this? Letting 10 year olds serve?

 

[ssledoux]

Thanks for all the input. I’m likely waiting until his next birthday anyway, especially if I wind up going with a Mac. Can’t get him a laptop for Christmas when all the other grandkids are getting Lego sets (although dang those aren’t cheap) and bed reading pillows. ;-p

I just wanted to have an idea of what to do, in case I come across a deal I can’t pass up.

 

[steve217]

Thanks for all the input. I’m likely waiting until his next birthday anyway, especially if I wind up going with a Mac. Can’t get him a laptop for Christmas when all the other grandkids are getting Lego sets (although dang those aren’t cheap) and bed reading pillows. ;-p

I just wanted to have an idea of what to do, in case I come across a deal I can’t pass up.

Does it have to be an MBA - or a laptop form factor?

A refurbed Mac mini can be had for under $600.

It would reduce the breakage possibilities and keep him in the Apple eco system. He still has his iPad for going mobile.

 

[Bazza1]

If Mac is the way to go, I would most certainly check out Apple's own 'Refurbished & Clearance' site (usually buried at the very bottom of their website in the hope you don't see it, I think) to save yourself more than a few dollars. These may be devices that were returned because of buyer's remorse, the wrong configuration, the wrong colour (Apple doesn't do 'Open Box' in their Stores), or maybe a minor hardware issue.
Whatever the case, each individual device is given a full physical (arguably better than off the factory floor), repairs if needed and is sold with all the bits in the correct packaging and the full Apple Warranty. AppleCare also available.

I've bought MacBooks from there in the past and never had issues.

Plan B might be to look at 'Educational' pricing.
Oh, and as a sidebar - your grandson may eventually need to do reports, etc for school. Microsoft has free access to their Office Suite for students. Office 365 Education requires a school email address, so that might be down the line a bit...

 

[Romain_H]

Microsoft has free access to their Office Suite for students. Office 365 Education requires a school email address, so that might be down the line a bit...

I'd stay away from Microsoft as long as possible. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are just fine and come preinstalled, for no fee, without spying. No questions asked.

 

[skaertus]

I'd stay away from Microsoft as long as possible. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are just fine and come preinstalled, for no fee, without spying. No questions asked.

Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are fine if you want to stick to the basics, and if you do not need to share with others. In my experience, I could never get away with Apple software and I always had to rely on Microsoft Office because of its features or because I had to share the files with someone else (who always used Microsoft Office).

 

[Bazza1]

Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are fine if you want to stick to the basics, and if you do not need to share with others. In my experience, I could never get away with Apple software and I always had to rely on Microsoft Office because of its features or because I had to share the files with someone else (who always used Microsoft Office).

Yup. Apple's iWork Suite is pretty much like the old Microsoft Works - great for home and hobbyist activities, but otherwise, pretty uneven for sharing with people or companies that have 'real' business needs. Uneven translation to / from those formats, too. Okay for personal use.

Ditto Google Docs as far as translation is concerned. And if 'spying' is an issue, yeah, well, its Google.

If it comes to that, the free LibreOffice is an option if you're afraid of Microsoft Office - familiar layout and passable translation. But if you can access what is essentially the de facto office programs for school and professional use, why not use that?

 

[ssledoux]

If Mac is the way to go, I would most certainly check out Apple's own 'Refurbished & Clearance' site (usually buried at the very bottom of their website in the hope you don't see it, I think) to save yourself more than a few dollars. These may be devices that were returned because of buyer's remorse, the wrong configuration, the wrong colour (Apple doesn't do 'Open Box' in their Stores), or maybe a minor hardware issue.
Whatever the case, each individual device is given a full physical (arguably better than off the factory floor), repairs if needed and is sold with all the bits in the correct packaging and the full Apple Warranty. AppleCare also available.

I've bought MacBooks from there in the past and never had issues.

Plan B might be to look at 'Educational' pricing.
Oh, and as a sidebar - your grandson may eventually need to do reports, etc for school. Microsoft has free access to their Office Suite for students. Office 365 Education requires a school email address, so that might be down the line a bit...

I’ve used the refurb store a lot over the years. I would absolutely be watching there. I could also do educational pricing as well. I’ve been wanting to sign up for the educational pricing since our home school is considered a private school through our state’s educational department. I think that might make us eligible for more than one product a year, although I’m not positive.

 

[zhenya]

We bought our 10 year-olds (who were actually 9 at the time) new MBA's last year when they were doing remote school for a year. The district provided Chromebooks but they were so slow that we were willing to make the investment to give them the best tool for the job for a difficult year. They too have had iPads for many years, rarely damage anything, MBA's have been fine.

There are some significant advantages of keeping him in the Apple family if he already has other devices and the parents also use Apple. It's much easier to manage account access. I can easily text them passwords or other info that I manage for them. Any photos video, etc. on their other devices are just available through iCloud not sandboxed (or given limited access) in Windows. Perhaps most importantly, access can be managed through the same Screentime interface as manages iOS devices - although honestly it's nowhere near as good as it should be - but it's still a heck of a lot better than what Windows has.

 

[ssledoux]

We bought our 10 year-olds (who were actually 9 at the time) new MBA's last year when they were doing remote school for a year. The district provided Chromebooks but they were so slow that we were willing to make the investment to give them the best tool for the job for a difficult year. They too have had iPads for many years, rarely damage anything, MBA's have been fine.

There are some significant advantages of keeping him in the Apple family if he already has other devices and the parents also use Apple. It's much easier to manage account access. I can easily text them passwords or other info that I manage for them. Any photos video, etc. on their other devices are just available through iCloud not sandboxed (or given limited access) in Windows. Perhaps most importantly, access can be managed through the same Screentime interface as manages iOS devices - although honestly it's nowhere near as good as it should be - but it's still a heck of a lot better than what Windows has.

I do see advantages to staying in the Apple family, mainly for convenience as you mentioned. Screen time makes me want to scream on occasion, but it really is a great tool for managing what the kids can access.

 

[Bodhitree]

Cheap chromebooks are a horror show of poor device quality, but unfortunately a lot of educational establishments tend to use them. Last I looked the point at which they were useable and good was about 500 euros. If you do go with a MBA, there are some cases of educational software browser incompatibility which may force you to install Chrome. These days Chromebooks also support android apps.

I’d tend to keep your son using Apple devices, so a vote for the MBA, but it has to be said macOS is by design not as secure as an iPad, you will be able to wander all over the internet with it and side-load apps that are not in the Mac App Store.