what laptop for home schooling?

[bluebells2]

I need to buy a laptop for my son who is in year 8, he has given me a list of specifications which all gave me laptops at a price of close to or above £1000! I don't believe he actually needs all of these specifications for his school work, I think he wants to use it for online gaming. I can't get any advice from the school and I definitely do not want to spend that much on a laptop or let him play games on this laptop, could someone tell me if a kid in year 8 actually need a laptop with InterCore 7i processor, 8 - 16gb memory, high graphics resolution card and 500GB - 1TB data storage for his school work??? Could you also share what laptops you are using for anyone in year 8 / 9? any help is much appreciated. many thanks

[Malmontar]

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-s340-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10193742-pdt.html


We got DD (y7) this one a couple of days before schools closed for her schoolwork. It was pricey but I plan for it to last her till y11. I wouldn't spend more than this on a first computer though. They'll mess it up and put lots of viruses on it, it's not worth it.

[FixTheBone]

Hes taking the piss.
I3 or ryzen 3 is alright, i5 or ryzen 5 ideal
8gb ram fine
256gb ssd, 512gb a bonus
14/15 inch full HD screen
Budget £500

Have a look on laptop outlet you can spread it 24 months 0% with PayPal.

If he really wants a gaming laptop, maybe offer the 'upgraded' specs as a very early Christmas present

[ginswinger]

Can the school offer advice?
I bought a second hand Chrome Book for my little treasure just as the lockdown started and it's done fine.

[aceyace]

iPad if you don't want viruses

[titchy]

Nice try OP's ds!

[FixTheBone]

@aceyace

An ipad isn't a computer

[FixTheBone]

To clarify, it's obviously a type of computer, but not in the context that the op has asked for. It only takes the school to require one piece of software that ios doesn't have, or, a website safari won't support and its worthless

[titchy]

a website safari won't support and its worthless

Other browsers are available on iOS!

Schools don't generally need their students to have specific software that can't be downloaded for free.

[leafeater]

Something like this is fine. I looked for an intel 5, 8 gb for schoolwork and going forward.


I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-pavilion-15-cs3009na-laptop-intel-core-i5-processor-8gb-ram-512gb-ssd-15-6-inch-full-hd-mineral-silver/p4870223?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

[GU24Mum]

Our school has suggested that the children get a Microsoft Surface Go or Pro plus one of those pen things which I can't work (!) and a very tough case.

[ThePlantsitter]

We got an honor magicbook 14 recently for £500 for this very reason. All the reviews are a bit 'it's the second coming'-y about it but I haven't noticed any miracle working yet. However it is a good laptop for the money.

[RomaineCalm]

We bought this one after someone recommended it. Has been fine for Y8 and I'm hoping it'll see DC through the next few years. Fairly sure we only paid around £450 for it though.


www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-cw1507sa-15-6-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10193352-pdt.html

[Lougle]

We spent £400 on Asus flip touchscreen Chromebooks for our children. The Google operating system syncs with their school needs really well and everything saves automatically every time it's adjusted, so they can't lose their work.

[OfflineFor40Years]

Have you looked at refurbished ones? You could get a higher spec if you don't mind it not being out-of-the-box shiny and new. I've used Tier1online (www.tier1online.com/) before and was quite impressed.

[EnolaAlone]

We bought DS a Chromebook for £220. He's in Year 7 and it's been more than adequate for schoolwork.

[Xiaoxiong]

I spent £200 on an 11 inch Asus E203 netbook for my son at the beginning of lockdown. 64GB memory plus 500GB cloud storage, 4GB of RAM, intel celeron 4k processor.

It's been more than able to handle everything necessary, including video calls and a CAD programme for D&T. The only downside is the screen is not as sharp as a mac, but it's absolutely fine for online learning and it has a real keyboard to type properly. Battery life is brilliant.

[HappySonHappyMum]

We bought an Asus E406MA 14" at Christmas for £160 on a deal on Amazon (about £280 now). It's been brilliant - has got my Year 10 through all of her online schooling. It's light, the battery last for 14 hours, it's quiet as it has no fan. Been used for MS Teams, Zoom calls, SMHW, Google classrooms, YouTube, got MS Office installed. Can't rate it highly enough. Impressed with your DS trying to put one over on you though!