To buy a laptop or not to buy a laptop for my 11 year old?

[darkcloudlooming]

So it’s Christmas soon and when asking all my children what they want, my eldest has asked for a new laptop because she’s in high school and needs it to do her homework as it’s all online now and they have to complete it on their account. I have a laptop that she uses but but when she’s on it my other children want it as well so I thought it’s best for her to have one of her own. My husband said he will give her his laptop but the only thing is is the sound sometimes cuts out for no reason and the sound doesn’t always work. We took it for repair to the manufacturer once and they said it had been water damaged ( that’s rubbish because it never has) and that it would cost £200 to fix so we just left it. Otherwise the laptop works brilliantly apart from that one issue so would you give her her dads laptop and get her something different for Xmas instead or would you just go out and buy a new one?

If you are in a position to buy a new laptop (which I am assuming you would be if your DH has offered to give your DD his laptop and then presumably buy himself a new one) then I would buy her a new one. It would be a bit disappointing for her I think to get a not fully operational second-hand laptop for christmas, while her dad gets a new one.

@loopsdefruit no her dad won’t be getting a new one. He offered it to her because he doesn’t really use it now and tends to just use mine. I do get what your saying and I’m in two minds about it because my husband doesn’t like me spending money on something new If we already have something that works ( apart from the sound)
He suggested to give her that one and then get her some other things she likes for Xmas. I don’t want to cause an argument with my husband. But at the same time don’t want to disappoint my daughter.

Ah ok, well that's a little different. I suppose you could get the laptop fixed (£200 isn't horribly bad and probably cheaper than a brand new one) and then get DD some other little bits as well. Your DH does need to realise that while not wanting to spend money on something new when you have a thing that works is totally fine and reasonable, the laptop doesn't work fully.

It will be less efficient re: battery and memory because it isn't new, and the sound does not work. This may not be an issue for DH but may be an issue for DD and what her needs for the laptop are.

There's no need to spend loads on a new one, for what she needs it for a basic model will be totally sufficient.

A repair of £200 wouldprobbe a false economy as you can pick up a decent ish one for about £300 in the Black Friday sales which I’m sure would be a better investment.

If you can afford the extra £100 then definitely do that, getting her dads old lap top for Xmas will be a bit crap, sorry.

You could always sell the old one as spares and repairs on eBay to contribute towards the cost.

This is a good deal

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-15-bs561sa-15-6-laptop-white-10169038-pdt.html

look for one with an i3 processor (i5 is better but that’s prob not acheiveable on your restricted budget), the intel processors aren’t that great and won’t last as long.

No sound is a major problem. YouTube, Netflix etc are a major source of entertainment for preteens and teens.

Thanks for all your replies. I ended up getting her her own notebook laptop in the Black Friday sale. It's a basic one but it's all she needs at 11. She will be so happy xmas day