I'm in the process of replacing my laptop with a netbook, and I've been researching for a couple of months, being that I want a protection plan. My tweens use my laptop, and the same will be true of my netbook, I'm sure, so I need to be prepared for inevitable bumps, drops, and so forth. I held off on my purchase because some of the netbooks are a bit scarce at this moment. The under $300 selection seems to have all but disappeared, or they are low or out of stock. There are some listings on various sites of 320 GB hard drives, with an under $300 price, and I've seen them in stores. Walmart actually had such a netbook priced at $248, and fortunately, I found it in stock. Last summer, when we considered a Walmart computer for my daughter, there were no accident protection plans. That has since changed, and my new netbook, with protection plan, is on its way.
If you are watching for netbooks, don't expect to see significant price drops this year. Rather, expect to see increased memory and hard drive space. Watch for deals on the accident protection plans. I avoided some retailers because the plans were nearly as costly as a new netbook. I was tempted to build my own netbook at HP, but the protection plan made the cost more than I wanted. Watch for deals on these plans during back to school promotions.
On another note, if your tween does permanently damage his laptop or netbook, it's helpful to find a trustworthy repair shop in your locality. My laptop wasn't able to be repaired, but my hard drive information was successfully transferred to an external hard drive, making it possible to salvage pictures, iTunes music, and school work.
Showing posts with label netbooks for tweens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label netbooks for tweens. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
New Netbooks for Tweens in 2012
New netbook releases in 2012 are looking up, already, with the mid-January availability of a new Acer netbook choice in the under $300 price range. I'm on the hunt for a new, lightweight computer for our home, and this looks promising, with a reasonable price as well as increased storage. Whereas most previous netbooks for tweens, teens and others included a 250 GB harddrive, the Acer Aspire One AOD270-1679 10.1-Inch Netbook has a 320 GB hard drive, with 1GB memory. As a lightweight low cost computer, this is an excellent starter for a tween. As always, I recommend with tweens that portable electronics include accident protection plans, simply due to the fact that tweens can be a little sporadic. One day, you're reliving the terrible twos, the next, you're sure that your tween is mature enough to handle the responsibility of a computer. It's those unpredictable days that cause me to consider an accident plan with my own children, as we've experienced some close calls. You will find the accident protection plans range greatly in price, and in some cases, aren't even offered. When we researched a college laptop for my daughter, there were no accident protection plans available through WalMart, and Best Buy's plans at the time were pricey. While we obtained a special deal at the time, I was unaware then of Amazon plans available, which are very affordable, and cover as much as 3 years' accident/drop/spill insurance. This is definitely worth a look, if you are purchasing any electronics gadgets for tweens.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Ultrabooks for Tweens
One of the highlights of the January CES show was a new generation of laptop models, known as Ultrabooks. When you are looking for a good computer for your tween, you may wonder if ultrabooks for tweens are sensible. Much of that decision depends on your goals in finding that tween computer.
Ultrabooks are ultra thin, and very lightweight. This makes them easy to transport, and is a great feature in light of some of the awkwardness that tweens face during their years of extreme physical change. Ultrabooks are designed in the same small dimensions of the popular netbooks, making them less prone to drops. However, with a tween, even the most lightweight device can be dropped.
The major highlight of an Ultrabook is it's instant on, instant off, quick up and running function. This isn't an essential for the tween, but is nice.
Pricing on Ultrabooks is a bit higher than netbooks, ranging from the $500 range and up, depending on assorted features. A lower priced version may be a great investment for the tween, as in the case of the Acer model displayed above. A more expensive Ultrabook isn't a big necessity, and in fact, a less expensive netbook is a good alternative, due to the costs. Of course, your own tween's need or interests for tech tools will influence your decisions, but with my own experiences, tweens and tools seem to encounter many close calls. I'd rather invest the extra money in a protection plan, in order to assure a longer time of the tool being in use. An older child in the teenage years would potentially be well served by an Ultrabook. Further, using a netbook during the tween years allows a child to demonstrate responsibility, allowing the opportunity to earn the right to have a more advanced tool in later years. However, you can read more about ultrabook computers and explore models to get a feel for the range of choices available.
Ultrabooks are ultra thin, and very lightweight. This makes them easy to transport, and is a great feature in light of some of the awkwardness that tweens face during their years of extreme physical change. Ultrabooks are designed in the same small dimensions of the popular netbooks, making them less prone to drops. However, with a tween, even the most lightweight device can be dropped.
The major highlight of an Ultrabook is it's instant on, instant off, quick up and running function. This isn't an essential for the tween, but is nice.
Pricing on Ultrabooks is a bit higher than netbooks, ranging from the $500 range and up, depending on assorted features. A lower priced version may be a great investment for the tween, as in the case of the Acer model displayed above. A more expensive Ultrabook isn't a big necessity, and in fact, a less expensive netbook is a good alternative, due to the costs. Of course, your own tween's need or interests for tech tools will influence your decisions, but with my own experiences, tweens and tools seem to encounter many close calls. I'd rather invest the extra money in a protection plan, in order to assure a longer time of the tool being in use. An older child in the teenage years would potentially be well served by an Ultrabook. Further, using a netbook during the tween years allows a child to demonstrate responsibility, allowing the opportunity to earn the right to have a more advanced tool in later years. However, you can read more about ultrabook computers and explore models to get a feel for the range of choices available.
Netbooks for Tweens: Textured Casing with ASUS Eee PC 1008P-KR-PU37-PI
When you select a tech tool for a tween, sometimes color and style matter more to that young person than performance. Netbooks for tweens are outstanding choices for a few reasons, and color isn't the highest priority, of course, but it doesn't hurt if the design is attractive. This ASUS model in its Karim Rashid Design (Pink) is fun and different. It's a little higher priced than some of the inexpensive netbooks. However, as a netbook for a tween, it's a great choice due to more memory and ram than the cheapest models. Whereas most cheap netbooks have 1GB memory and 250 GB hard drives, this model has 2GB memory and 320 GB hard drive. This is more comparable with moderately priced laptops, and provides the tween with something that should last well through the teenage years.
The netbook doesn't include an optical hard drive, which means that it is ultra portable, and easy to transport whether to the library, or around the house. The size of a netbook is more suited to the tween, who can experience awkward moments with a full-sized laptop. More and more, the need for discs is becoming less necessary, and the need for mobility, more important. With any tween tech gadget, it's wise for a parent to consider investing in an accident protection plan. The awkward stage is one of lots of physical and emotional changes, and accidents may not be intentional, but they can be disabling to a tween computer.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Supplementing Middle School Academics: Tween Computers?
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.
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.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Best Computer Choices for Tweens: Tween Netbooks, Tween Notebooks, or Tween Desktops?
There are many factors to take into consideration as you look at a computer system for your tween. What's hot isn't always what's best, and the latest innovations sometimes have kinks to be worked out. That said, computers have come a long way in a decade, and when your tween looks back, he will probably be amazed at how far things have come when he's a college senior, finishing his degree.
At the time we purchased our first desktop, a family we knew had a tween who tinkered with an older computer at the time. As technology advanced, he continued to tinker, and is now working with computer development for a living. Tweens have the capacity to learn quickly, when they have an interest, and computers definitely hold the interest of many tweens. Your investment in a computer for your tween is not just provision of an educational tool, but has the potential to provide a path to an interesting career.
Desktop Computers for Tweens
A desktop isn't as popular these days, given the portability of laptop and netbook options for tweens. Nevertheless, the desktop can promote a bit of responsibility, and can provide just about all a tween needs to get through the middle and high school years, with some oversight. A desktop won't walk out the door to school, and isn't likely to be dropped, a couple of pitfalls of giving a tween access to a portable computer. An anchored workspace is a good habit developer for a tween, as organization and discipline in studies aren't innate skills for most kids in this age range. If multiple children will be sharing a computer, this is best located in a central area, where parents can observe what is being done, and where parents have easy access to examine browsing histories and web activities.
Amazon has a great desktop computer finding tool, and you can examine customer reviews of various products.
Laptop Computers for Tweens
A laptop can be a good option for the tween who needs some portability, and who is going to need to use dvd's with their computer. Homeschool students using computer curriculum, for example, would greatly benefit from a laptop, which can be taken on the road, or moved from room to room. It's still important for a parent to oversee activities on a tween computer, and to hold the tween accountable for their online activities. A larger laptop is awkward, and I've experienced some precarious moments with my tweens handling my laptop. I suggest a 14-15 inch size, which will be a little less precarious to balance, than a 17 inch.
The Amazon laptop finder tool can help you refine your search, based on your priorities.
Netbooks for Tweens
Netbooks are lightweight and ultra portable, able to accomodate most tween needs. An external dvd drive can accomodate the homeschool student, while the cost of the netbook makes it extremely attractive as an all in one device. The main concerns for tweens and netbooks will be security, as it's easy to fit a netbook into a backpack and take it to school, which isn't wise, at all. As well, the small size of a netbook makes it difficult for a parent to see much of what the child is doing while he's browsing online. Hence, parental controls and vigilance are essential, for the sake of online safety and security.
***Read user reviews of Acer, an inexpensive netbook choice.
With any tween computer, it is imperative that the parent not give free reign, but rather, supervise the use of the computer, imposing restrictions for any inappropriate computer use.
At the time we purchased our first desktop, a family we knew had a tween who tinkered with an older computer at the time. As technology advanced, he continued to tinker, and is now working with computer development for a living. Tweens have the capacity to learn quickly, when they have an interest, and computers definitely hold the interest of many tweens. Your investment in a computer for your tween is not just provision of an educational tool, but has the potential to provide a path to an interesting career.
Desktop Computers for Tweens
A desktop isn't as popular these days, given the portability of laptop and netbook options for tweens. Nevertheless, the desktop can promote a bit of responsibility, and can provide just about all a tween needs to get through the middle and high school years, with some oversight. A desktop won't walk out the door to school, and isn't likely to be dropped, a couple of pitfalls of giving a tween access to a portable computer. An anchored workspace is a good habit developer for a tween, as organization and discipline in studies aren't innate skills for most kids in this age range. If multiple children will be sharing a computer, this is best located in a central area, where parents can observe what is being done, and where parents have easy access to examine browsing histories and web activities.
Amazon has a great desktop computer finding tool, and you can examine customer reviews of various products.
Laptop Computers for Tweens
A laptop can be a good option for the tween who needs some portability, and who is going to need to use dvd's with their computer. Homeschool students using computer curriculum, for example, would greatly benefit from a laptop, which can be taken on the road, or moved from room to room. It's still important for a parent to oversee activities on a tween computer, and to hold the tween accountable for their online activities. A larger laptop is awkward, and I've experienced some precarious moments with my tweens handling my laptop. I suggest a 14-15 inch size, which will be a little less precarious to balance, than a 17 inch.
The Amazon laptop finder tool can help you refine your search, based on your priorities.
Netbooks for Tweens
Netbooks are lightweight and ultra portable, able to accomodate most tween needs. An external dvd drive can accomodate the homeschool student, while the cost of the netbook makes it extremely attractive as an all in one device. The main concerns for tweens and netbooks will be security, as it's easy to fit a netbook into a backpack and take it to school, which isn't wise, at all. As well, the small size of a netbook makes it difficult for a parent to see much of what the child is doing while he's browsing online. Hence, parental controls and vigilance are essential, for the sake of online safety and security.
***Read user reviews of Acer, an inexpensive netbook choice.
With any tween computer, it is imperative that the parent not give free reign, but rather, supervise the use of the computer, imposing restrictions for any inappropriate computer use.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Colorful Netbooks for Tweens
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| Toshiba NB505-N508OR 10.1 Inch Netbook in Turquoise Also Available in Blue, Brown, Green, and Orange |
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| HP Mini 210 Netbook in Plaid Also Available in Lavender Frost, Blue, Charcoal, Pink, and Red |
*** Images are clickable
Blue Netbooks for Tweens
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| ASUS Eee PC 1001PXD-MU17-BU 10.1-inch Netbook in Blue |
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| HP Mini 210-2180NR Netbook in Blue |
Pink Netbooks for Tweens
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| HP Mini 210-2160NR Netbook in Pink |
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| ASUS Eee PC 1008P-KR-PU37-Pl 10.1 inch Netbook in Pink |
Red Netbooks for Tweens
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| HP Mini 2210-2190NR Netbook in Red |
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| Acer Aspire One AOD150-1920 10.1 inch netbook in Ruby Red |
Green Netbooks for Tweens
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| Toshiba NB505-N508GN 10.1 Inch Netbook in Green |
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| Samsung N220 Series 10.1 inch Netbook in Green |
Purple Netbooks for Tweens
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| Acer Aspire AO532h-2254 Netbook in Amethyst Purple |
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| HP Mini 210-2150NR Netbook in Lavender Frost |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Netbooks for Tweens
While netbooks have been on the market for several years, the netbook of today is already much more advanced than those of a few years ago. The memory used on netbooks has expanded, and current netbooks generally come with the latest Windows operating systems, whereas the first netbooks were restricted to an older verison.
Additionally, style has become integral in the latest netbooks, with colorful options. Size is compact, but not nearly as small as some of the handheld gaming and mp3 devices. When you consider a technology gift for your tween, a netbook permits ereading, as well. The portability makes it possible for your tween to find a comfy spot to do school research, and netbooks have become popular school computing solutions in many households, where funds are limited, but access to technology, important.
I find that a full sized laptop is awkward for my tweens and teens to handle, and we have had some close calls when it is in use. A netbook is much more suitable in size, and perhaps, just a bit safer when it comes to mishaps. If you will need to load information from or to a DVD-rom or CD-Rom, you will need an external hard drive. However, many netbooks are coming with software for Microsoft Office, and other software, pre-loaded; all you need to do is enter a product key. If you have already purchased Office for students, to use on another computer, your product key will allow its use on another device, up to the number of permitted devices per purchased program. What a nice convenience.
Many top names in computer products produce netbooks, including Dell and HP. However, Asus and Acer have really focused in on the platform, and have the most economical options. In fact, the most gifted netbook on Amazon is the ASUS Eee 10.1 inch Netbook, with 1 GB memory, and a 250 GB hard drive.
Additionally, style has become integral in the latest netbooks, with colorful options. Size is compact, but not nearly as small as some of the handheld gaming and mp3 devices. When you consider a technology gift for your tween, a netbook permits ereading, as well. The portability makes it possible for your tween to find a comfy spot to do school research, and netbooks have become popular school computing solutions in many households, where funds are limited, but access to technology, important.
I find that a full sized laptop is awkward for my tweens and teens to handle, and we have had some close calls when it is in use. A netbook is much more suitable in size, and perhaps, just a bit safer when it comes to mishaps. If you will need to load information from or to a DVD-rom or CD-Rom, you will need an external hard drive. However, many netbooks are coming with software for Microsoft Office, and other software, pre-loaded; all you need to do is enter a product key. If you have already purchased Office for students, to use on another computer, your product key will allow its use on another device, up to the number of permitted devices per purchased program. What a nice convenience.
Many top names in computer products produce netbooks, including Dell and HP. However, Asus and Acer have really focused in on the platform, and have the most economical options. In fact, the most gifted netbook on Amazon is the ASUS Eee 10.1 inch Netbook, with 1 GB memory, and a 250 GB hard drive.
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| Asus EEE PC 1001PX-EU27-BK Most gifted netbook at Amazon: Click image for current pricing details. |
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| ASUS EEE PC 1001PXD-EU17-BK This 10.1 inch netbook is the more recent version of the Asus netbook shown above, available in Black, Blue, and White. Click image for up to date pricing. |
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