first computer for 12 year old ,reccommendations?

[moyasmum]

dd2 has been promised a computer, shes been asking politely for the last two years- dd1 has got a new sewing machine (both will be self funding.)

dd2 wants internet, flat screen possibly laptop though this might not be so practical, school work and msn.shes not a computer geek but not clueless either.

does anybody have any experience or suggestions? dh has been motivated to get a router so access wil be via our family computer.

thanks

My 13yo has this one. It's cute, it's pink, what can I say?

Thanks frogs , I like it but, dd2 keeps showing me £8oo applemacs so we have a lot of compromising to do

we dont have so much cash, so what she gets will have to do her for schoolwork for at least a couple of years. she uses the computer a lot for schoolwork!

She has good taste, then. Tbh if she's going to use it for schoolwork and writing rather than piddling about on msn, then a netbook is probably too fiddly.

I"m a big fan of Mac laptops, and you can get them for under £800. (Though not much under, new). I'd probably go the refurbished route, for a child's first computer: These seem pretty reasonable. Or ebay, if you can find a good seller.

Thanks frog, this is really helpful ,i'll see if i can get dh on board now.