Laptop or iPad for 13 year old?
August 16, 2015 7:41 PM Subscribe
I decided to get the kid a computer for her 13th birthday. Does she need a laptop or can I get away with an iPad with external keyboard? Primary uses: homework (word processing, internet research), games, general internet.
I personally find word processing on an iPad to be a bit of a pain in the ass, but haven't done that much of it. She uses google docs (a requirement at her school for easy sharing/shared editing with teachers). She plays Steam games and browser-based games. She likes to write for fun, needs more practice typing, it would probably be good for her to take photos with it too I guess (although taking pictures with an iPad always seems pretty silly to me.) Maybe some basic video editing capability could be useful? She does Kahn Acadamy sometimes... I'm trying to think what else and not coming up with much. She could potentially be interested in more programing stuff but so far her expressed interest in that has not been followed up with action despite some opportunities. She doesn't do social networking at all yet (but wants to join metafilter).
She's prone to dropping/breaking/losing things so durable is good and so is cheaper. We tend to buy Apple devices but I could be talked out of it.
She doesn't have a smart phone and no plan to get one soon.
I don't have a ton of bandwidth for like, building a computer from scratch with her, although in theory that would be cool.
Not even sure what other factors to consider... school me please!
I personally find word processing on an iPad to be a bit of a pain in the ass, but haven't done that much of it. She uses google docs (a requirement at her school for easy sharing/shared editing with teachers). She plays Steam games and browser-based games. She likes to write for fun, needs more practice typing, it would probably be good for her to take photos with it too I guess (although taking pictures with an iPad always seems pretty silly to me.) Maybe some basic video editing capability could be useful? She does Kahn Acadamy sometimes... I'm trying to think what else and not coming up with much. She could potentially be interested in more programing stuff but so far her expressed interest in that has not been followed up with action despite some opportunities. She doesn't do social networking at all yet (but wants to join metafilter).
She's prone to dropping/breaking/losing things so durable is good and so is cheaper. We tend to buy Apple devices but I could be talked out of it.
She doesn't have a smart phone and no plan to get one soon.
I don't have a ton of bandwidth for like, building a computer from scratch with her, although in theory that would be cool.
Not even sure what other factors to consider... school me please!
iPads take terrible photos. Terrible.
You can use them for Google docs, but the iPad app is not as full featured as the web client, so depending on how fancy the things she needs to do are, it might be painful. I find editing particularly nasty on the iPad just because selecting the right text is so damned difficult if I want to delete things or move them around.
If she's interested in computers and programming, you'd be doing her a disservice by getting her an iPad. It's largely a device for consuming things other people have created, not creating your own things.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:53 PM on August 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
You can use them for Google docs, but the iPad app is not as full featured as the web client, so depending on how fancy the things she needs to do are, it might be painful. I find editing particularly nasty on the iPad just because selecting the right text is so damned difficult if I want to delete things or move them around.
If she's interested in computers and programming, you'd be doing her a disservice by getting her an iPad. It's largely a device for consuming things other people have created, not creating your own things.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:53 PM on August 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
You can get a really decent laptop for less than an iPad, and that would be my recommendation. I have a desktop, a laptop and an iPad and I would absolutely not want the iPad to be my only means of computing, particularly if I wanted to do word processing and ANY kind of gaming.
posted by kattyann at 8:00 PM on August 16, 2015
posted by kattyann at 8:00 PM on August 16, 2015
If it's to be a primary computer for her for all that stuff, I'd go with the laptop. Being able to write papers and do internet research is _possible_ and not terrible on an iPad with some good workflows, but it's not nearly as easy as on a laptop with an Internet window open and your paper in another window (and maybe even notes in a third).
The iPad also has the potential strike against it that she likely won't have access to the same games. There are tons of games available for iPad, of course, and some great ones. Just not usually the same as on a PC — or if they are the same, you might have to buy them again (e.g. Minecraft).
I like using an iPad with an external keyboard for taking work notes and writing stuff that doesn't need to be interrupted with research (or only very occasionally). It's also good for doing things like editing photos (though not taking them) and drawing/painting apps. It's fantastic for reading, browsing the Internet and watching videos.
But in this case the laptop seems like the better purchase. If your budget allows or for the next gift-giving occasion perhaps an iPad mini.
posted by brentajones at 8:05 PM on August 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
The iPad also has the potential strike against it that she likely won't have access to the same games. There are tons of games available for iPad, of course, and some great ones. Just not usually the same as on a PC — or if they are the same, you might have to buy them again (e.g. Minecraft).
I like using an iPad with an external keyboard for taking work notes and writing stuff that doesn't need to be interrupted with research (or only very occasionally). It's also good for doing things like editing photos (though not taking them) and drawing/painting apps. It's fantastic for reading, browsing the Internet and watching videos.
But in this case the laptop seems like the better purchase. If your budget allows or for the next gift-giving occasion perhaps an iPad mini.
posted by brentajones at 8:05 PM on August 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Seems like recommendations are leaning toward laptops. Specific recommendations? Others agree on the Chromebook?
posted by latkes at 8:55 PM on August 16, 2015
posted by latkes at 8:55 PM on August 16, 2015
You might have her check out the keyboard on Microsoft Surface 3. I thought it was a bit too flexible (almost flimsy) but my 40-year old man hands might not be a great guide for a 13 year old.
Windows 10 is looking really good and a Surface will let her do a lot of stuff. The ability to easily switch between laptop and tablet mode is pretty sweet. It may also be easier to get her a protective shell for the Surface than for a bigger laptop.
posted by oddman at 9:32 PM on August 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
Windows 10 is looking really good and a Surface will let her do a lot of stuff. The ability to easily switch between laptop and tablet mode is pretty sweet. It may also be easier to get her a protective shell for the Surface than for a bigger laptop.
posted by oddman at 9:32 PM on August 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
I agree that a laptop would be more practical as a long-term investment, especially for schoolwork. (Of course, it's possible that your daughter's school district may provide her with a personal electronic device, if not now than perhaps in high school? I know many public schools are moving away from traditional textbooks and on to personal electronics.)
That said, an iPad could be great if she likes to play simple computer games, message friends, etc. The advantage of an iPad is also that it's physically more social, so you can more easily monitor what she's doing while also giving her privacy. Speaking of which, it sounds like you have a very good relationship with your daughter but I will mention that 13 is a big age for online experimentation, so to speak. There's generally a learning curve for social media, although most teens have found a happy medium by the time they enter high school; I say this as a schoolteacher fwiw. I have heard numerous people swear by the iPad mini due to its lower cost and smaller size.
I have a love-hate relationship with Apple products: I love using their products but am not happy with their monopoly, etc. Still, I always get them because they're the best for me. I have a Chromebook through work and rarely use it; just keep in mind you can only run Google products, which is technically fine but may not offer all she would want. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Surface but many others are. I'd definitely go with her to try out the various products: I'd also consider asking her to pay for part of it, be it just a $5 monthly contribution towards the internet bill, so she experiences a greater sense of ownership and responsibility.
Regardless of what you choose, getting your own computer/tablet is so awesome and I think your daughter will be very happy!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:40 PM on August 16, 2015
That said, an iPad could be great if she likes to play simple computer games, message friends, etc. The advantage of an iPad is also that it's physically more social, so you can more easily monitor what she's doing while also giving her privacy. Speaking of which, it sounds like you have a very good relationship with your daughter but I will mention that 13 is a big age for online experimentation, so to speak. There's generally a learning curve for social media, although most teens have found a happy medium by the time they enter high school; I say this as a schoolteacher fwiw. I have heard numerous people swear by the iPad mini due to its lower cost and smaller size.
I have a love-hate relationship with Apple products: I love using their products but am not happy with their monopoly, etc. Still, I always get them because they're the best for me. I have a Chromebook through work and rarely use it; just keep in mind you can only run Google products, which is technically fine but may not offer all she would want. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Surface but many others are. I'd definitely go with her to try out the various products: I'd also consider asking her to pay for part of it, be it just a $5 monthly contribution towards the internet bill, so she experiences a greater sense of ownership and responsibility.
Regardless of what you choose, getting your own computer/tablet is so awesome and I think your daughter will be very happy!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:40 PM on August 16, 2015
(As for the learning curve with social networking, it's really quite neutral and totally manageable, especially with caring parental advice. It's so cool that she wants to join MetaFilter! Of course, even MeFi can be a bit, um, brisk at times so your gentle oversight will surely be appreciated, if not always welcomed at first.)
posted by smorgasbord at 9:44 PM on August 16, 2015
posted by smorgasbord at 9:44 PM on August 16, 2015
I was thinking about trying to use an iPad with an external keyboard as a main computer, but I couldn't figure out how to get a cursor on the screen -- except by using the iPad as a remote desktop for another Mac via a third party app, with the external keyboard set up as an external keyboard for the Mac, which would have been ridiculous.
I ended up feeling that Apple had made it impossible to have a cursor on the iPad on purpose.
posted by jamjam at 10:35 PM on August 16, 2015
I ended up feeling that Apple had made it impossible to have a cursor on the iPad on purpose.
posted by jamjam at 10:35 PM on August 16, 2015
i'd go with a laptop. while i have a (quite expensive) thinkpad for work use, i've been very happy with a small asus for just throwing in the bag to travel with. i guess a current model would be something like the EeeBook X205TA - small and light, relatively well made, and if it's broken you can just buy another.
(i'd prefer that to a chromebook because it's a "real" computer - you're not reliant on an internet connection, and it's got more options if she ever does want to program).
but maybe also ask her what she would like?
posted by andrewcooke at 3:04 AM on August 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
(i'd prefer that to a chromebook because it's a "real" computer - you're not reliant on an internet connection, and it's got more options if she ever does want to program).
but maybe also ask her what she would like?
posted by andrewcooke at 3:04 AM on August 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've got a kid in high school and also teach in high school. A bit of the answer depends on how strong the social culture is. Chances are whatever you get will be her high school computer, and my kids use their laptops for everything.
If ALL the kids have MacBooks, then you have to suck it up and get one. If MacBooks aren't standard, then:
1. Chromebook
2. Chromebook
3. Chromebook.
Why? Because most teachers use Google for Education stuff which does not play nicely with PCs. Google for Education is becoming the standard platform for teachers.
posted by kinetic at 4:04 AM on August 17, 2015
If ALL the kids have MacBooks, then you have to suck it up and get one. If MacBooks aren't standard, then:
1. Chromebook
2. Chromebook
3. Chromebook.
Why? Because most teachers use Google for Education stuff which does not play nicely with PCs. Google for Education is becoming the standard platform for teachers.
posted by kinetic at 4:04 AM on August 17, 2015
Chromebook.
Toshiba Chromebook 2 and Dell's get good reviews.
posted by LoveHam at 4:34 AM on August 17, 2015
Toshiba Chromebook 2 and Dell's get good reviews.
posted by LoveHam at 4:34 AM on August 17, 2015
I asked my daughter; she is 14.
She says the Chromebook sucks from a "kid's" perspective and she probably won't want to use it unless forced to. Not sure how much that matters to you.
She recommends the iPad mini because it has FaceTime, does everything she wants and is easy to carry along. She had the full size model but we went back to the store and exchanged it for a smaller one at her request. I bought her a keypad but says she just assume use dictation and then proof read it a couple of times ("I can talk faster than I can type.") She uses GoogleApps and says "it always works for me". She advises to "make sure that her school's online "stuff" will work on the mini if she is allowed to get one." She could not recall a time where her iPad didn't do what she wanted but she did add, "If I want to look at something more closely, I will use Mom's laptop."
Her big question is, "Why doesn't her Dad let her pick it out since she is the one that is either going to use it or lose it."
posted by bkeene12 at 5:36 AM on August 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
She says the Chromebook sucks from a "kid's" perspective and she probably won't want to use it unless forced to. Not sure how much that matters to you.
She recommends the iPad mini because it has FaceTime, does everything she wants and is easy to carry along. She had the full size model but we went back to the store and exchanged it for a smaller one at her request. I bought her a keypad but says she just assume use dictation and then proof read it a couple of times ("I can talk faster than I can type.") She uses GoogleApps and says "it always works for me". She advises to "make sure that her school's online "stuff" will work on the mini if she is allowed to get one." She could not recall a time where her iPad didn't do what she wanted but she did add, "If I want to look at something more closely, I will use Mom's laptop."
Her big question is, "Why doesn't her Dad let her pick it out since she is the one that is either going to use it or lose it."
posted by bkeene12 at 5:36 AM on August 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
I came in here to say more or less exactly what bkeene12 (and bkeene12's daughter) said. My daughter will turn 13 later this month. She uses an iPad mini for just about everything personal, especially FaceTime and casual games. Homework is completed on a family desktop or laptop, which has the added benefit of making sure that everyone else in the family (especially her younger brother) understands that work takes priority on the shared family devices. My daughter has seen and used others' Chromebooks and does not like them, although I can see how a Chromebook could work well for your daughter given the Google Docs requirement at her school. Nevertheless, based on our experience, an iPad (regular or mini - my daughter really liked the smaller size of the mini) would be my suggestion, particularly if her being able to do homework at home on another computer is an option, as it is for us. In particular, I think my daughter really likes the distinction between the iPad mini as a fun device and the laptop or desktop as a work device.
posted by cheapskatebay at 6:48 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by cheapskatebay at 6:48 AM on August 17, 2015
Why is everyone so pro-chromebook? There's so much more you can do with an actual windows laptop, and there's plenty of good ones around the same price. The asus x205 already mentioned, hp stream 11/13, a couple different acers, etc.
There's usually something good around $200 on lenovo outlet like this as well.
All the google web apps work fine with windows, i don't know what they were getting on about above.
Those cheapo laptops will run the more basic games on steam and stuff like minecraft fine as well.
I second/third/whatever that ipads take terrible photos. Just get a cheap camera on craigslist if that's something you want to do.
posted by emptythought at 1:50 PM on August 17, 2015
There's usually something good around $200 on lenovo outlet like this as well.
All the google web apps work fine with windows, i don't know what they were getting on about above.
Those cheapo laptops will run the more basic games on steam and stuff like minecraft fine as well.
I second/third/whatever that ipads take terrible photos. Just get a cheap camera on craigslist if that's something you want to do.
posted by emptythought at 1:50 PM on August 17, 2015
Response by poster: Huh, I guess I'm torn. It seems like the low end laptops are a good buy, but really wouldn't work for high-end gaming. The truth is, she doesn't do a lot of high end gaming though, and tends to prefer browser games to the elaborate steam games she more occasionally plays.
For word processing though and google docs, it seems like these little cheap computers would be a really smart option and better than an ipad.
I am worried that even if I could swing the price of a refurbished macbook air, she'd drop it or pour water on it (mistakes that grown up me has made too). I guess I'll have to sleep on this a bit. Thanks for the ideas thus far...
posted by latkes at 8:41 PM on August 17, 2015
For word processing though and google docs, it seems like these little cheap computers would be a really smart option and better than an ipad.
I am worried that even if I could swing the price of a refurbished macbook air, she'd drop it or pour water on it (mistakes that grown up me has made too). I guess I'll have to sleep on this a bit. Thanks for the ideas thus far...
posted by latkes at 8:41 PM on August 17, 2015
If you're considering a refurb mac anyways, my suggestion for option C would be something like a 2012 or so 11in macbook air on craigslist for ~$400.
About the same price as an ipad, but then you have a mac and a serious computer that can play most of the games you'd want to with way more power than any of the cheapo laptops.
If it gets broken, you didn't drop $750+ or whatever on a refurb.
There's not much that can go wrong with a macbook air. The only moving part is the fan. If it starts up and runs properly, and the battery holds a charge(can you can check the health in system profiler!), it's pretty much fine.
posted by emptythought at 1:58 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
About the same price as an ipad, but then you have a mac and a serious computer that can play most of the games you'd want to with way more power than any of the cheapo laptops.
If it gets broken, you didn't drop $750+ or whatever on a refurb.
There's not much that can go wrong with a macbook air. The only moving part is the fan. If it starts up and runs properly, and the battery holds a charge(can you can check the health in system profiler!), it's pretty much fine.
posted by emptythought at 1:58 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
I just bought a refurbished 2009 Macbook from a reliable vendor for my daughter. It runs the latest version of OS X, has a camera for FaceTime and Skype, and will run all of her Web-based games. OS X's excellent parental controls are excellent. And total cost was only $250.
It's a tad slow, and that will give me the opportunity to teach her how to install RAM and an SSD.
She wanted an expensive Surface, but is more than happy with this Macbook. She has also expressed considerable displeasure with ChromeOS. So it's a win-win for her and me.
posted by the matching mole at 8:53 AM on August 18, 2015
It's a tad slow, and that will give me the opportunity to teach her how to install RAM and an SSD.
She wanted an expensive Surface, but is more than happy with this Macbook. She has also expressed considerable displeasure with ChromeOS. So it's a win-win for her and me.
posted by the matching mole at 8:53 AM on August 18, 2015
Response by poster: OK, I'm focusing on the secondhand MacBook idea. I have a lead on a 2011 11" with battery cycle count of 416, (full charge capacity roughly 4000 mAh), 1.6GHz i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB Hard drive for $400.
I'd love anyone's feedback on whether this seems like a probable good idea.
posted by latkes at 11:11 AM on August 31, 2015
I'd love anyone's feedback on whether this seems like a probable good idea.
posted by latkes at 11:11 AM on August 31, 2015
Response by poster: Got the 2nd hand 11" macbook. She loves it. Does homework and watches Joan Jett videos. It's awesome!
posted by latkes at 9:06 PM on September 17, 2015
posted by latkes at 9:06 PM on September 17, 2015
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