Chromebook/laptop/ipad or other tablet for kids

[NCasrecognisedanAIBU]

We want to upgrade from Amazon Fire tablets which we are finding too restrictive.

I want to buy once and have something that works as a family device, lasts and doesn't get clogged up (as per my past memory of cheap laptops).

Budget - £500 max but ideally less.

Happy yo consider pre-loved - CEX, LaptopsDirect etc if these can be recommended.

I have one child in infants and one in juniors.

We need something they can use for school work (research and Google Education).

Touchscreen appeals as both are arty, so a tablet or 2-in-1 laptop or chromebook with a touchscreen maybe?

They want something that will let them play Minecraft / Minecraft Education edition.

Access to various popular educational apps would be great.

No proper gaming though.

I want something I can plug in an external hard drive to for photo back ups.

We used Android phones and have no other Apple devices at home.

How much memory / RAM do we realistically need? I am not techy but RL friends have advised minimum 16gb and 128gb and this pushed up the price a fair bit.....

I am not techy at all and just want something that will need minimum set up and maintenance.

Thanks so much.

Bump

16GB of RAM is massive overkill for what you stated, 8 should be fine, you might get away with 4GB but that's really, really pushing it for a windows laptop, might be OK on a chromebook.

I'd go 8GB personally.

For £500 you're looking at a pretty decent chrome book - i5 ideapad flex 5i o laptop outlet for example.

You could get something like a huawei matebook for similar mone with a Ryzen 4500 processor, but wont get a touch screen for that money.