Laptop

[WineOhWhy]

My DC are 7 and 8. They do ITC at school and like writing little stories on the computer and adding in images etc.

Our main computer at home is a Mac. At times they find it a bit confusing that some of the functions are different from what they have learnt at school. I am therefore thinking of getting them a laptop (to share) for CHristmas.

They dont yet get set homework that involves typing things up on the computer so I dont think they need one each. They do sometimes need to look things up on google, but if they get that type of homework on the same day one can always use the Mac or my ipad.

So my questions are:-

1. Is it realistic to expect them to share (they are generally ok at sharing, eg they share a DS). Apart form the DS, they do not have any other gadgets.
2. Is this a bad a idea at their age? I would not allow the laptop in bedrooms. Obviosuly I would set up appropriate controls.
3. Any recommendations on which laptop (they are pretty careful with things and I am not too worried about budget (within limits))
4. For others with MACs at home, has it been a problem for your DC or do they just get used to the differences quickly?

thanks

I think it's fine to share. I shared a PC growing up with my brother, it probably would have been a laptop if I was the sane generation as your children. We were each given specific time when the other couldn't go on it, like when we were doing homework etc but we learnt loads on it! I remember beginning to learn French with asterix!

I think it is fine to expect them to share, I don't think it would be a problem at this age.

Whatever you buy will be out of date by the time they leave primary school, so if you think you want to get 3-4 years use out of it before you replace it for a better model.

My dcs have laptops for Christmas (although they are older, so need one each) I would aim to spend less on the laptop, say 300 pounds, but make sure you buy Microsoft office student edition. They will soon be using PowerPoint and Excel in school and Microsoft Works is not good enough, even at this age.