POLL - Which for kids ? - Macbook Pro 15 inch or iMac 27 inch

[user123]

Time for Christmas, kids aged 8 and 10, have brought home solid grades and are doing a great job at school and at home. Son, age 10, is learning how to code and is a big Minecraft fan. He is also learning how to make YouTube videos.

Daughter, age 8, is less involved with the computer (more Ipad) but she is learning the computer.

Both will enter Junior High school/Middle School within 2 years from today.

Wireless printing capability will soon be needed in our house, FYI.

With that said, I am wondering which "two thousand dollars to spend" Mac to purchase. Dad (me) has MacBook Pro, and kids love it. But often dad needs it for work, etc purposes. Dad and mom both store lots of home photos and videos on the MacBook. Also, some word processing stuff.

Can folks maybe share their input on this ?

Thank You

 

[dan1eln1el5en]

macbook air.
it's kids they do not need a Pro-capable machine nor a designer table AIO.
the air is cheap and good, and will last them a few years.

 

[maflynn]

Time for Christmas, kids aged 8 and 10, have brought home solid grades and are doing a great job at school and at home. Son, age 10, is learning how to code and is a big Minecraft fan. He is also learning how to make YouTube videos.

The iMac has an advantage of not being dropped accidentally and has a larger display and better performance.

The kids will invariably use the laptop on the couch, in their bed, on the floor as they watch TV. I know this, because I see my kids do that very thing now with my MBP.

There's something to be said making sure the computer is safe

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I would go for a 13 inch air or pro or the 12 inch macbook for each of them with that budget a smaller portable computer for each of them is a much better use of cash, your daughter might even prefer an iPad pro.

Neither child needs the performance of either of the computers you mention and a laptop to share is a terrible idea, and a desktop won't be used nearly as much by the kids as a laptop would be. Also the 15 inch rMBP is just a bit big for kids that age to slob around with.

 

[glenthompson]

I would save a few bucks and go with the 21" iMac. Less chance of dropping it and you can better keep an eye on what the kids are doing. For younger kids the computer in a open location is usually best. 27" is probably too big for that age.

 

[appleguy123]

Get a Mac mini and a decent monitor. Less prone to breaking something expensive if those parts are separate.

 

[Mr Kram]

my daughter is 9 nine now. next year she is required to have a laptop for school. i'm giving her my 11" air. we also have a couple of 21" iMacs at home. my son is 18 and has graduated high school. when he was a little younger, he wanted a "gaming laptop" so we got him a windows based machined.

 

[firedept]

I would go with 21" iMac and a 13" MacBook Air. This will allow them the best of both for their needs. I have two boys, one in grade 12 and one in university. They both have MBP,s, but could get away with Air,s and use the iMac when TV & laptop are not required together. You can also get external monitors for the laptops that would allow them to turn them into desktops when they are home.

You will most likely be able to get better specs for your dollar going this route.

 

[pjfan]

Time for Christmas, kids aged 8 and 10, have brought home solid grades and are doing a great job at school and at home. Son, age 10, is learning how to code and is a big Minecraft fan. He is also learning how to make YouTube videos.

Daughter, age 8, is less involved with the computer (more Ipad) but she is learning the computer.

Both will enter Junior High school/Middle School within 2 years from today.

Wireless printing capability will soon be needed in our house, FYI.

With that said, I am wondering which "two thousand dollars to spend" Mac to purchase. Dad (me) has MacBook Pro, and kids love it. But often dad needs it for work, etc purposes. Dad and mom both store lots of home photos and videos on the MacBook. Also, some word processing stuff.

Can folks maybe share their input on this ?

Thank You

My wife and I miss the 24" iMac for the house, especially for photos. For this reason, when our four year old starts showing more interest/control, an iMac 27" will be added to the house. There would be no required touching of the screen or banging on built in keyboard and trackpad. A mini would serve the same purpose, but I would get the 27" refurb for the screen. To each their own.

The 27" is large, but minecraft and other games will be beautiful. Go with 256 GB SSD or larger, or 2TB Fusion or larger in whatever you buy.