With finances tight for many households, it seems tough to keep up with technology. On the one hand, as advances in development happen, prices decline for more outdated products, and many of those so called "Outdated Products" are light years beyond the dinosaur computers of a decade ago! Costs aren't as prohibitive, but getting the best return on your technology investment is important.
Desktop computers are priced to sell, in many cases, and are especially cost effective during back to school sales, and during the Black Friday blitz in late November. Plan for either of these time frames, to get the best package. Do your research on Black Friday discussion boards so you have an idea of previous years' offerings. The last few years, I have seen huge speculations about $100 netbooks, but the only netbooks that come close to that price range tend to be insubordinate models, and really won't grow very far with your tween. Basics will be able to be accomplished, but netbooks have advanced so well in recent years, that the $250 range can purchase a nice piece of equipment, suited to most school needs for the middle schooler.
Laptops are often desired, but caution is suggested in terms of size. Middle schoolers, and younger, will have a little trouble handling a larger laptop, so sticking with a smaller size, 14-15 inch, is advisable.
If your budget isn't super stretched, and you can afford to spend more, there are lots of fun options, including colorful tween netbook computers. Likewise, all in one and touchscreen computers are great options for enhancing your middle schooler's research options. Tablets are also great computing options, with multi-modality benefits for all major learning styles. Everything boils down to budget, interest, and goals.
