Recommend Laptop for Home School and Gaming - Budget $1200

BuddhaBoy on 07/08/2021 - 12:25
Last edited 07/08/2021 - 12:39 by 1 other user

Hi,

With no signs of going back to school due to the lockdown, I am looking at buying a laptop for home school.

Can you please recommend any, especially the ones in the stock that I can order today.

Laptop for age group (8-10years).
Should have at least 15 inch screen or higher.
Laptop to have web camera for online class.
At least entry level gaming capabilities to play Roblox and other some other games.
Budget $1200. Can spend little bit more if required.

I have no knowledge on the current spec trends so hoping to get some recommendations here.

Thanks.

• 

  vinnychase on 07/08/2021 - 13:06

  +1

  M1

  • 

    Hellfire on 07/08/2021 - 13:11

    Avoid unless your school uses Apple.

    • 

      vinnychase on 09/08/2021 - 16:48

      Yes I concede that there are 2 cons which are that there will likely be certain things used at School are not be available on a Mac and also that since all the teachers and majority of the students will be using Windows Computers thus instructions for certain tasks will need to modified for OPs Child. But the pros are that for 1.3k, you're getting a Laptop with great battery life, great display, a processor that won't even break a sweat doing most school activities. I am only recommending this because OP said his budget is 1.2k.
      For a 10 YO child I'd personally hand down whatever Laptop I used to use. Or if I necessarily had to buy something it would be a i3 configuration with a good display and at a bargain price

• 

  Hellfire on 07/08/2021 - 13:11

  +1

  Cheap option that will do what you want with possible upgrades to ram and storage in the future. Will handle games like roblox fine

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/642080

  A higher powered option. Includes an entry level gaming graphics card for more demanding games.

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/642816

• 

  scrimshaw on 07/08/2021 - 13:26

  +2

  I can see you've commented in the expired Acer Nitro 5 (RTX 3060) deal but there is another one that you can take a look at. CPU isn't as fast but it still retains a 144hz FHD display and RTX 3060.

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/639801

  • 

    avoidfullprice on 07/08/2021 - 13:29

    +1

    Pretty good deal and spec. I’d be jealous if I’m in primary school and my classmates have one for themselves.

• 

  jakka on 07/08/2021 - 14:11

  +1

  I would recommend the Macbook Air, good quality device. It doesn't have the 15" plus screen that you are after but I don't think you want one that biif they are going to take it to school at any stage. You want something as light and thin as possible to fit in a backpack. I also thin you want to ensure the screen is brigh enough to use and brightly lit areas.

• 

  fozzie on 10/08/2021 - 19:19

  I wouldn’t spend $1300 on a MacBook for a 10 years old. I would look maybe into getting a second hand one (maybe 2015 upwards). The child is too young so I don’t know if they would be responsible. I had a 14 years who dropped a glass of milk on the MacBook (older but it was working really well) and then broke surface screen.
  I do like MacBooks especially M1. They will last for 10 years if well looked after.