Netbooks for Tweens and Accident Protection Plans

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. 

Zapped Games: Interactive Tablet Games for Tweens

The Game of Life Zapped Edition, pictured above, is already available, with other interactive tablet games for tweens coming later in the year. 2012 will truly be the year of interactive devices for tween tablets, and for tablets in general. The appeal of these external devices and activities may determine the success of the tablets they complement more than the merits of tablets themselves. Many of the companies are banking on the iPad for their success. If a more affordable iPad becomes available this year, that success may be sealed. Zapped Games integrate iPad or other Apple touchscreen devices with a gameboard, creating a new way to play old favorites.

Also on the horizon for iPad is Mattel's AppTivity, a series of toys that are developed for interacting on the screen of the iPad.  Mattel Hot Wheels are among the releases, but your tweens may be more excited about Fruit Ninja or Angry Birds AppTivity figures.  Angry Birds tablet games for tweens are very popular, and the interactive figures are sure to be a hit.

Keep your eyes out for Meep!, an Android tablet in the works by Oregon Scientific.  The device is kid centered, looks to be durable, and will have many interesting external devices to use in concert with the tablet. 

Meep for Tablets for Tweens

One of the exciting tablets for tweens on the horizon this year is Meep!, to be released by Oregon Scientific later in the year.  Pricing isn't yet known, but the product is an Android tablet aimed at use by young people.  This is a great alternative in concept for the 9 to 12 age range, as it appears to be designed for durability.  Compared to LeapPad Explorer and Vtech Innotab, the system will have wi-fi capability, and will have access to free and inexpensive Android apps.  The device is more of a long term investment for kids who might quickly outgrow touchscreen toys.  It is also apparent that many interactive devices such as musical instrument add ons are being created to integrate with Meep!.  The educational potential in this device may be very exciting, especially if the pricing is affordable.  Watch for more information in the coming months.

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.