The 5 Best Laptops for Kids Reviewed

Buying a laptop for your child is a bit of a minefield.

There are so many things to consider from online safety features to durability.

The best laptops for kids will be able to handle a bit of use and abuse and have the capacity to adapt to a growing child’s interests and needs.

Like much of parenting, it’s all about balance.

With children becoming more and more computer literate at an earlier age, laptops and personal devices are increasingly important for kids.

They’re often painted as a distraction, but computers allow kids to develop key skills that they’ll use throughout their lives.

Laptops can introduce your children to things like web design, drawing, writing, animation, and many other skills.

Even gaming and social media teach your kids important lessons.

Video games are great for developing hand-eye coordination, imagination, and resilience.

While social media helps children connect with their friends and understand things like privacy and communication.

There is a darker side to the internet that we are all aware of. This is why one of the main things you want to look out for is the range of parental controls available.

Some laptops allow you to limit screen time, some let you manage the type of websites and apps your child can use, others can prevent accidental online spending.

There are lots of options. You just need to know what to look for.

We have put together a buyer’s guide to help you understand the different features and specifications you need for a kid’s laptop. Here you’ll find definitions, explanations, and suggestions that will help you make the best purchase.

We’ve also taken a look at some laptops that are suitable for children. In our review, we look at the good, the not so good, and the customer reviews. This way you get a well-rounded overview of each machine.

Without further ado, let’s log in and check out some of the best laptops for kids.

Last-minute homework assignment due? Here’s our top pick:

2020 Newest ASUS VivoBook

• 8GB RAM
• 256 SSD
• AMD Ryzen 5 processor
• 15.6-inch full HD screen
• Fingerprint sensor
• 2 x USB ports
• HDMI port
• Windows 10 operating system
• Options to upgrade RAM and storage

Best Laptops for Kids

1. 2020 Newest ASUS VivoBook

This is a lightweight laptop with plenty of RAM and storage for schoolwork, browsing, and light gaming.

The seller has plenty of upgraded options if you want to make it a bit more powerful for more intensive programs. Of course, extra RAM and storage come at a bigger price, but we appreciate the option to customize the laptop to your kid’s needs.

The fingerprint sensor provides more security. This is especially useful if the laptop travels to school or programs with your child. You can add more than one fingerprint, so you won’t be locked out.

The HD display provides a sharp, true-color image. It will be easy on the eyes even after a long study session.

The backlit keyboard is particularly popular with teens who like to work in the dark or late at night. However, it’s also quite good for younger children as it helps them see the letters as they get used to the keyboard.

As it runs Windows 10, there are plenty of parental controls that allow you to limit screen time and internet usage.

Overall, this is a great laptop for younger children and slightly older teens. There is enough power in even the basic 8GB RAM option to allow them to explore their interests and hobbies. It is a laptop that can grow with them.

The only drawback is that it is a fairly expensive laptop. You’d be justified in thinking twice about dropping so much money on a machine that could be dropped or spilled on.

You’ll have to use your knowledge of your kids to decide whether they are mature enough for such an expensive machine.

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2. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop

There is an awful lot to love about this laptop. Its low cost, solid, dependable processor, ample storage, and crystal clear display make for an excellent all-round machine.

The 4GB RAM is probably its weakest feature. It will get a bit slow when handling big or multiple programs. However, for basic schoolwork, research, and some light gaming, it is more than adequate.

If your kid needs to move to something slightly more powerful, you can replace the RAM. It’s not a massively difficult process but if you’re not very tech-savvy, your local computer shop can help.

The laptop boots in S mode which prevents users from downloading programs and apps from the internet. It’s a safe choice for younger children but probably not great for older kids and teens. You can remove S mode and run the usual WIndows 10 Home if you want.

The screen is beautiful. It has narrow bezels so you get to use as much of the screen as possible. The IPS display makes colors bright, vibrant, and true to life.

A good screen might seem a bit frivolous but it actually reduces eyestrain and makes for more pleasant user experience. While it may not prevent the age-old threat of square eyes, it will certainly slow the progress!

3. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Laptop

First things first, this is a Chromebook rather than a laptop. For more information on what that actually means, check out our FAQ section.

That being said, this is a great option for kids. First and foremost it is on the cheaper end of the spectrum. However, it doesn’t scrimp on quality.

The eMMC storage is fairly small but as a Chromebook, files and pictures are stored on Google Drive so that shouldn’t be a problem.

It is a small machine at only 11.6 inches, but children are pretty small too! The smaller size means it weighs less which makes it easier for kids to use and carry. Hopefully, it will prevent accidental drops.

This is a convertible Chromebook, so the screen can rotate 180° turning it into a tablet. It might seem a bit gimmicky but actually, it’s really helpful for younger users.

It essentially acts as a bridge between tablets and laptops. For kids who have so far only used phones or tablets, it helps them get the hang of things.

The screen is made from Gorilla Glass which is tough and antimicrobial. Perfect for less than delicate, sticky fingers! In general, this is a tough little machine that can take more than its fair share of use and abuse.

It might be a bit limited for teens, but it is a perfect choice for younger kids.

4. HD SVA Anti-Glare Micro-Edge WLED-backlit Laptop

Right out of the box, the first thing you’ll notice is that this laptop is smaller than your average laptop.

At 14 inches, it almost feels kid-sized. It’s also pretty lightweight so it will be easier for little hands to carry and move.

The 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage are ample for schoolwork, browsing, and casual gaming. More intensive programs like Adobe Creative Cloud may run more slowly.

The reviews for this product are filled with parents who have purchased this laptop for their kids. The average specs are ideal for schoolwork while the low price is highly enticing for parents.

The laptop boots in Windows 10 S mode. S mode is a streamlined version of the Windows 10 operating system. It was designed to give more security and simplicity.

S mode restricts you from downloading third-party software. This means any programs you want to run need to be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. In this way, you are far less likely to end up with harmful viruses.

Some find S mode frustrating and restricting. However, for kids, it is a fairly good way to get them used to laptops.

You can remove S mode in settings, so you can give your child a bit more freedom as they grow.

5. Lenovo IdeaPad S150 (81VS0001US) Laptop

Another kid-sized laptop at 14 inches, this is a lightweight laptop in all sense of the word. Not only is the size reduced, but the storage capacity and the processor are slimmed down to the bare minimum.

64GB eMMC storage is scarce. The idea is that you use cloud storage like Onedrive or Google Drive to keep your files. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, cloud storage is pretty secure and easy to access.

However, it does mean you are limited in terms of downloading apps and programs.

The AMD A6 processor has slower clock speeds than the Intel i3 but for the price, it works well enough. You can’t expect it to cope well with labor-intensive tasks like editing or creative media apps but it will manage Office and similar school-related tasks.

For younger children who are going to use the laptop for watching a couple of videos and maybe doing a little bit of school work, this is an adequate laptop.

The low cost and the fact that it comes with a year’s subscription to Microsoft Office, certainly make it attractive.

Laptop for Kids Buyer’s Guide

Here is all the technical information that will help you understand what exactly you need in a laptop for your child.

You should note that the specifications will vary depending on what your child uses the laptop for.

If it is intended for browsing the internet and using social media, you can afford to drop below the recommended specs. If they are planning on using the laptop for gaming or editing, you might want to up the specs.

It’s also worth noting that none of the laptops we recommend here are dedicated gaming laptops. They can cope with online games and some less intensive games. Specific games may require different hardware. In those cases you could check out our review of the best laptops for Overwatch or the best laptops for Sims 4.

If your child wants to play some serious games, you may want to look at our article about gaming laptops that cost under $700.

Technical Specifications

• 4GB RAM
• 128GB SSD/HDD Storage or 32GB eMMC
• Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor
• HD display
• 4 hours of battery life

RAM

This is the virtual space in which a computer opens apps and software.

Essentially it is the center of operations. Every time you run a program, that program takes up some of the RAM space.

Having more than one application open at the same time naturally takes up more space. The more RAM you have the better the laptop can handle multiple applications.

Storage Types

There are three different kinds of storage.

Solid-state drives (SSD) are the most reliable because they don’t have any moving parts. Essentially, they are memory chips soldered onto a storage card.

eMMCs are embedded multimedia cards. These are memory chips that are soldered directly into the motherboard. They are reliable storage devices but they tend to have limited storage. They are frequently found in notebook computers.

HDDs are the oldest type of storage. They look a bit like small record players with a disk and a read/write arm.

HDDs are on their way out because they are more likely to break thanks to the moving parts. They are also much slower than the other types as the disk needs to be in the right position to access specific data.

Whatever storage type you go for, they all do the same thing. Essentially, the storage is where all your files and software are stored.

Processor

The processor is the brain of the computer. It tells every part of the computer what to do. Moved your cursor? That went through the processor. Clicked a key? Thank your processor.

Companies are constantly bringing out newer and newer processors. They typically add more cores and up the speed of the processor each time.

Again, depending on what your child plans on using their laptop for, you may need to look for a better processor.

Intel i3s and AMD’s Ryzen 3 processors are good enough to run basic word processing programs, web browsers, and apps like Netflix and Spotify.

Parental Controls

There are lots of different types of parental controls depending on what operating system the laptop uses.

Most laptops use Windows 10, with the exception of Apple laptops which use iOS.

Microsoft computers allow you to restrict websites, block apps, games, and videos, regulate screen time, and prevent spending in the Windows store.

You are also able to create a separate account for you and your child so that your access isn’t restricted.

Apple Macbooks allow you to do much of the same.

What parental controls you install depends on how young your child is and how much access you want them to have. It is totally up to you.

The great thing about parental controls is that they can be removed as your child gets older and more responsible.

Longevity

The myth of planned obsolescence is not so much of a myth.

Laptops do become outdated very quickly. Constant updates and advancements mean that even if you buy a top of the range laptop today, in a couple of years it’s going to be outdated.

To be honest, there’s not much you can do about this.

What you can do is make sure the laptop you buy is physically sturdy.

With the best will in the world, children are messy and clumsy. You want to choose a laptop that can withstand a few drops and spills. The best place to figure this out is the review section.

Look at other parent’s recommendations for sturdy laptops. One thing to think about is the cost of repairs. MacBook laptops are much harder to repair at home. They generally need to be taken to an Apple store.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should a child start using a laptop?

There isn’t a hard and fast rule for this. Children progress at different speeds and as their parents, you know them best.

At the age of 2 or 3, children have the capacity to start using a laptop. They have the dexterity to move the cursor and touch keys. Laptop use at this tender age should always be supervised, of course.

Laptops and computers are increasingly important in education, so by the time your child begins school, they may need to know some computing basics.

There is no harm in teaching children to use computers safely from a young age. Children who aren’t digitally literate will have to play catch up at some point so it’s better to help them along.

That being said healthy screen usage is key to making sure children use laptops, phones, and tablets correctly.

Establish rules for screen time and laptop usage. Encourage your child to have good posture when using the laptop to avoid back issues. Utilize the full range of parental controls to keep them safe.

Generally, children over 11 are capable of making smart decisions about their internet habits. This might be a good age to allow them to have their own personal laptop. Again, this will depend on the child, so use your discretion.

What is the difference between a laptop and a Chromebook?

Laptops are portable computers. Essentially, they are big, bulky desktop computers but in a smaller, transportable frame.

Chromebooks tend to be even smaller than laptops with screen sizes reduced to about 11 inches.

The major difference between the two, however, is the operating systems.

Chromebooks use Google’s Chrome operating system. When this was first launched it was pretty limited as you had to be connected to the internet to use it. However, over the years Google has upped their game.

Chromebooks nowadays are basically simplified laptops. They still mostly rely on an internet connection to work, but you can also use some apps offline.

Pretty much everything you do on a Chromebook, whether it’s editing a document or playing a game, is done online in Google Chrome.

There isn’t really a desktop where you can access installed software and files. Storage is minimal and needs to be used for installing apps. Instead, Chromebooks rely on cloud storage to host your files.

Having to connect to the internet isn’t a major issue as we are generally always connected. However, if you are without internet access you won’t be able to access your files.

The great thing about Chromebooks is that they tend to be cheaper than laptops because of their paired down functionality.

Should I get my child a laptop or a tablet?

This depends on the intended use.

Academic work like research and essay writing can be done on both a laptop and a tablet. However, it’s much less comfortable to type for extended periods on a tablet.

Tablets are less powerful than laptops which means that if your child wants to run more intensive software like editing programs, coding programs, or games, they will be limited with a tablet.

If your kid just wants to browse the web, check social media, and maybe play a few online or app games, then a tablet is just fine.

Basically, if you wouldn’t use a tablet to do something, don’t assume your child can. You wouldn’t be expected to complete reports or manage documents on a tablet in the office. So don’t expect your child to do their school work on a tablet.

For more information on this topic, watch this video:

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