Laptop Advice for Child - Budget $1000

icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 08:16
Last edited 22/11/2024 - 10:44 by 1 other user

I’m a clueless mum on all this technology stuff.

Kiddo needs a laptop for school use, but not at school. He wants to use it for light gaming like Minecraft and Tracks. Also does some video editing, YouTube videos and stop motion animations. They are about to enter year 7. He has special needs and struggles with learning, uses a specialised keyboard, so connects via Bluetooth.

I’m hoping to get something under $1k. Not a lot of space so we can’t have a computer. Not a lot of money so hoping for a great bargain!

TIA!!!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • spal on 22/11/2024 - 08:23
    +6

    Latest and the best is always going to be expensive. Would you consider used laptops? I have stopped buying brand new, now I buy used ex-lease business laptops, build quality is better for the price I pay. These are way cheaper for the specs. These sellers usually offer 3 months warranty.

    • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 09:18
      +1

      I did think about it. But I probably won’t have the ability to afford another one for at least 2-3 years. So I was hoping a new one would last longer spec wise as well.

      • deeevan on 22/11/2024 - 09:52
        +6

        Computing needs have plateaued. There’s plenty of Ozbargainers like me with 8th gen Intel CPUs, personally and for their children’s BYOD laptops.

        Another vote for business laptops. They are designed to withstand a couple years usage from an employee who doesn’t give a damn, and a company will refresh them en masse meaning supply is plentiful.

        The only intensive task you’ve listed I’m unsure about is the video editing, but I’ve done basic editing in Clipchamp on my work laptop.

        Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon gen 6, 8th gen i5, 16GB, touchscreen and damn light. I got a different model in Excellent condition from the same seller and battery health was 99.9%. If weight isn’t a factor, there’s plenty out there even more durable.
        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/176319332780

        • Waltervp on 23/11/2024 - 10:54
          +1

          I think this is an awesome choice for a laptop. I have this one and am surprised it is so cheap now. Very happy with it myself. 8th gen i5 woth 16gb ram and ssd 256gb drive is perfectly good for anything i throw at it.

          • spal on 23/11/2024 - 13:52
            +1

            @Waltervp: I bought this laptop brand new, from an OzB deal. Still my most favaourite device after six years of daily use. It is mainly due to weight. It is past its five year extended warranty period. I have a later model Lenono with much higher specs, which isn't used at all. It was an impulse buy from another OzB deal.

    • HeWhoKnows on 23/11/2024 - 08:16
      -2

      Good advice but lets get a a little more specific for OP..

      Any recent laptop (up to 4 years old) with Core i5 or Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 500GB SSD

      NB: "Recommended" hardware for Minecraft:
      Intel i7 6500U or AMD A8 6600K, 8GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce 940M or AMD Radeon HD 8570D video card

      However will run on:
      Intel Celeron J4105 or AMD FX-4100, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5

  • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2024 - 08:33
    +1

    Sad that Bedrock edition of Minecraft isn't on Mac. Java and Classic are, but Bedrock is probably what your son wants. Your special needs keyboard may not have Mac software anyway if it does anything a regular keyboard can't.

    You should look at used laptops like spal said, looks like you can get a lot more performance for less money compared to walking into a shop to buy a new laptop.

    • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 09:20

      It has to be windows. I have an old MacBook Air, but at school they come home with USBs with school work and I can’t do anything with it.

      I don’t even know where are the best places to buy. I’m so out of touch with it all.

      • sumyungguy on 22/11/2024 - 09:38
        +1

        You may need this adapter

        • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 10:08

          The programs aren’t always the same though. I find some iOS things aren’t compatible with educational content, and not available at all to download.
          I have an adapter, because the school only uses USB A.

  • Bruceflix on 22/11/2024 - 08:46

    He has special needs and struggles with learning,

    Have you looked into NDIS to fund a necessary Laptop for their needs?

    • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 09:21

      NDIS do not fund laptops for personal use. They are on the out list. So are iPads. Which my child just happened to throw against a wall last weekend.

      • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2024 - 09:24
        -6

        Which my child just happened to throw against a wall last weekend.

        NDIS may be able to help with that at least, moderating behaviour, managing emotions, etc., worth a look anyway.

        • Gervais fanboy on 22/11/2024 - 09:28
          +1

          Op hasn’t asked you for parenting advice

          • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2024 - 09:30

            @Gervais fanboy: Well excuse me princess.

          • Bruceflix on 22/11/2024 - 09:36
            -7

            @Gervais fanboy: And nor should they. They seem to be doing a stellar job. I know I would reward my child with a new laptop a week after they smashed their iPad against a wall.
            Certainly won't raise a monster there…

            Given that the mum even labelled herself as clueless, perhaps she is begging for parental advice.

            • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 10:01
              +6

              @Bruceflix: I’m looking to buy one now because of Black Friday sales. I assume that it would be cheaper.
              Laptop is more educational use and a requirement to do school work. Also the video editing is an avenue to engage in learning through a different method that’s more suitable than stock standard teaching.
              And he isn’t getting a iPad replacement. Too bad for him.
              But thanks for the advice. I do have a grip on his behaviours.
              And the clueless part….i know nothing about specs and what’s good or not. It’s confusing.

            • Gervais fanboy on 22/11/2024 - 10:09
              +5

              @Bruceflix:

              Given that the mum even labelled herself as clueless, perhaps she is begging for parental advice.

              She said that she’s clueless when it comes to ‘technological stuff’, you are now manipulating that into her being a clueless parent.
              You are being very disingenuous and rude, especially when we know F all about her and her kid.

              • icyprincess on 22/11/2024 - 10:16
                +4

                @Gervais fanboy: Thanks! But it’s fine. I’m a solo parent, with a child that despite all their challenges, is thriving.
                They are a keyboard warrior on Ozbargain. Life has peaked for them.

                • Gervais fanboy on 22/11/2024 - 10:46
                  +1

                  @icyprincess: Off topic - there’s a general sentiment on Ozbargain now where a lot of introverts are too scared to post anything, despite the anonymity users are terrified of the unwarranted attacks that they might get.
                  That’s what really bothers me.

                  Anyways, best of luck with your purchase. I hope that you are able to snag something nice.

  • foxmulder on 22/11/2024 - 10:41
    +2

    Used Surface pro 7 or higher with i5, should be $300.

  • battler on 22/11/2024 - 11:29
    +2

    Key point is this laptop is not required at school, therefore portability and battery life (and hence the most modern of power efficient processors) is not required.
    I would opt for something like what Deeevan suggested above, of one of these, and save the coin for now.

    Of course the unknown factor is whether the laptop will need to be taken to school in year 8…

  • sprocketoctopus on 23/11/2024 - 14:44

    It might be a little out of your budget, but what about an M1 Macbook? A bit more than you want to spend. I think it will be OK for light gaming.

    Very well built, and my son has had his for school use for 4 years now. Has destroyed 3 good laptop sleeves/covers, but other than a chipped screen glass, the little Macbook it still doing the job.

    YMMV.

  • benjsc on 27/11/2024 - 10:44
    +2

    Some schools have packages you can buy for laptops. Key with a lot of these is they come with a 3year warranty which also has damage protection. For when say another student knocks your child when they are walking up to show the teacher their work, breaking the laptop screen… not that I might know about that :)

    A lot of schools also mandate limitations on the laptop so kids can't view stuff they are not meant to. Talk to the school see what they recommend.

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