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.

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.

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.

Tablet Trends for 2012

Tablet computers have become one of the most portable and versatile options in personal computing.  Tablets are being created to provide interactive experiences, as well as productivity, to everyone from children, to businessmen. As companies strive to keep up with the most popular tablet designs, cost and function continue to be refined, and re-defined.  Trends and tools for 2012 are focused on greater efficiency, with cost containment, for those who love the sleek gadgets.

Top Tablets

The iPad set the stage for the tablet craze, with its initial release in 2010, and with the subsequent version, iPad 2 placed on the market in March of 2011.  The iPad 2 is the best selling tablet, with the greatest reputation for utility.  The cost is the most challenging element of the tablet, with the most basic version retailing at the $500 mark.  The iPad 3 has been talked about in recent months, with speculation about sizing, pricing, and features.  With the historic March release of the first two models, watch for the coming update, and for competitive pricing adjustments in the iPad 2.

The Kindle Fire, released in late 2011, is a budget friendly alternative to the Apple tablet, though the features are not nearly as extensive as those of the iPad.  However, given the pricing of $199, the user will have a pleasing, interactive experience, with a heavy emphasis on content and apps that are available through Amazon.

A variety of tablets were released, and rejected to some degree, in 2011, due to over-pricing.  Watch for a number of tablets that provide greater utility, with budget-friendly pricing, in 2012.  As well, low-end tablets will become more available, with lesser memory.  With the $100 range for pricing, these will provide outstanding introductory tablet tools for younger users.

Top Tablet Accessories

The tablet platform has some limitations, when it comes to use, because there are features lacking, that would otherwise be incorporated into a personal computer.  The use of a compatible keyboard can allow for greater utility with a tablet computer, making it more the computer of choice in home use.  Watch for more development in these, as well as other external devices.

Piano keyboards make the use of music apps on tablet computers more realistic.  While touchscreen keyboards are interesting, the potential of the tablet being used to learn to play an instrument will be improved tremendously with a real keyboard that interfaces with the tablet. 

Protective accessories will also continue to be emphasized, as the portability of tech tools renders them vulnerable to drops and spills.  Cases are one of the top choices, with book-like opening and closing to keep the screen protected.  As well, shock absorption will continue to be an essential element in protective coverings for tablet computers.

Protection Plans

Consumers will see the cost of tech tools as an investment, particularly with the pricing on tablet pcs.  As they make purchases, or replace broken tablet models, protection plans will be an important consideration for those who buy tablets.

Apps

Apps are continually being updated and developed for every type of tablet.  More educational and productivity apps will be among the most popular choices of consumers, as the already trending use of tablets in both businesses and schools takes these arenas to a higher level of excellence.

Tweens and Tablets in 2012

Tweens, as computer savvy individuals, will certainly benefit from lower pricing on tablets, and from innovative educational apps and programs for use with these tools.  Protecting a tween tablet is our number one recommendation.  I've seen too many tech tools destroyed at the hands of tweens, not to emphasize the importance of this. 

Watch the rumor mill, with the iPad 3 release.  A more affordable version would make incredible tween access to older models exciting!

The tablet computer has become one of the most exciting innovations of the day, and nearly every household appreciates the platform, whether for entertainment, learning, or business use.  Employers, teachers, musicians, and artists all find a reason to incorporate them into their areas of expertise.  2012 will be about greater access and affordability, while high-end tablets will make the potential uses ever more specialized.

Last Minute Gadget Gifts

If you've procrastinated, or if you've waited to Christmas shop due to budget issues, one of the most helpful services in the area of tween gadget gifts is the ability to order online and pick up in-store. We used this service in the last year on a couple of occasions, with Best Buy, and it worked perfectly. Being an hour away from our nearest Best Buy, it's not a good feeling to go looking for something, only to find that it's not in stock, or that the last one just sold. With Best Buy's service, you can order and pay online, and pick up in store. You will have to go through a verification process, to make sure that the item is in stock at your store, or to find which local stores have the desired gadget. Further, you will need to bring identification, along with the credit card used to make the payment. If you are looking for that hard-to-find tech item for your tween, during the holidays, or on another occasion, this is one of the most useful services, in terms of saving time and frustration.

Learn more at the Best Buy website.

Best Camera for a Tween

If you are looking for a digital camera for your tween, there are a few things to keep in mind as you examine your purchase.  The best camera for a tween may not be the one he or she selects.

Nikon Coolpix was my teenage daughter's
request for her birthday.
Picture quality is good, camera is easy to operate
and use in conjunction with the computer to manage photos.
Costs vary, based on model, lots of color selections are available.

My tween daughter has a camera on her wishlist this year, and while there is a huge selection of possibilities, I've been this route before, and wasn't pleased with the results a few years ago.  The difference this time is that it's her interest, not mine.  If you are giving a camera to a child who hasn't expressed an interest, it may, or may not see much use. 

My children like to save to a favorites folder the Christmas wishlist items that interest them, and I encourage this because it gives me a sense of what they would like, and gives me a springboard into holiday shopping.  My daughter saved a digital video recorder, red, and I explored the information about the piece.  Inexpensive, poor ratings, interesting look, and red. 

Easyshare Digital Cameras by Kodak
I have owned various Easyshare models in the past decade,
and have always been pleased with the performance.
Costs are more modest than in the early days,
when a 3MP camera bundle cost nearly $300.  The model
depicted here is less than $75, and comes in varied colors, both great
options when considered as tween gifts.

Now, time for a few questions.  Is the color a priority?  Are you more interested in video, or the camera?  Why that camera?  It turns out, she really wanted purple, but only found red in the model; video wasn't the highest priority.  When I explained that the review indicated poor video quality, she was convinced that it wasn't such a great choice.  But, I had enough info to continue the search.

This is my approach with Christmas wishlists, and from there, I do my own research.  Price may play a role, but enough poor reviews make a good price worthless.  A good source of reviews is Amazon (Top Rated Point and Shoot Digital Cameras), where electronics pages include a place to search bestseller lists, new releases, and top ratings, based on customer data.


Keep in mind that a majority of tweens like "cool" features in gadget gifts, whether it's the sleek look of a CoolPix camera, or a specific bright color (green digital cameras for tweens).  I don't like to spend an excessive amount of money on a tween interest, such as a digital camera, unless I'm certain that the interest is serious.  My tweens tend to dive into some interests, and leave others behind rather quickly.  More advanced equipment is only pursued when I see the interest being pursued.  Until then, I start with less pricey models that still provide good enough performance that the investment in the gift is of value to both me, and my tween.  The best camera for a tween, after all, is the one that they will actually use!