DS wants a desktop PC for Christmas

[frogbubbles]

I'm way out of my depth here. Basically he wants to be a programmer, and build 'stuff' with the raspberry pi kits that are out. But he would also like to use it for gaming. I not sure where to start looking, would prefer something mid range, willing to spend up to a thousand, as Xmas is followed quickly by birthday, any ideas??

Raspberry Pi can be stand-alone, with only keyboard and screen needed, but I'm not into the technicalities of it's speed, capacity etc. Go on the Pi web site, and they have local user groups over much of the country.

Gaming PCs are a specialised area, so you would do better on a dedicated web-site for that.

He would probably be better off concentrating on the programming aspect, and not out too much time and money into gaming.

Our DS did computer science at Uni, has had several good jobs, including 2 years at Shazam. Also need good maths and physics if possible.

Thanks for replying ferguson, I did look at the raspberry pi kits, but was clueless as what I was actually doing. But I shall do some more research into it.

Your so right, it will be more for programming than computer gaming, this is one of the conditions of having one. I shall look into whether they so physics at school. Maths is fine.

My DS would be very envious of yours it's his dream job so we trying to give him the tools to learn programming.

Thank you again for your advice. I really appreciate it

Raspberry Pis are not expensive and are great fun. I would suggest that he makes his own games machine, as that will be part of the experience, or at least buys a second-hand one that someone else has made, so he can get an idea of how computers are put together. Try to get a monitor with an HDMI input, as that's the easiest way to hook the Pi up to a screen.

Worth searching for threads here in Geeky Stuff about the Pi since it has been mentioned from time to time (hints on software options, ideas for projects, links to sites, and tips on things that may be useful like cases, power supplies).

HTH. (I don't yet have one myself, so cannot answer any questions.)

What Year group is he in? Is his present school supporting computers, programming and coding adequately?

Schools vary a great deal, depending on the expertise available in school. And this year I think the ICT curriculum has moved more towards coding, and not just doing DTP and Powerpoint; those are tools to be used, but you don't learn a great deal, other than which keys to press!

But 'coding' isn't the whole story, as the logic and understanding behind what a program is intended to do, the steps it needs to go through to achieve it's result, what can go wrong, and how to test it etc.

Once I know his Yr group, I'll suggest more things as appropriate.

When you can, let me know his Yr group, if you want any more help.