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Original poster

Leapster or V-Tech? V confused, please help!

14 replies

amidaiwish · 07/12/2008 10:14

I have 2 DDs, age 4.10 and 3.2 who are both computer mad and hound me off the PC regularly so they can play their websites nickjr.co.uk, numberjacks, playhousedisney etc

DD2 has the Dora Laptop but it is too basic and she loses interest quickly.

i was thinking of getting them each a V-tech laptop or a leapfrog leapster.
dh thinks we should just buy another cheap laptop and let them use the web, but i would prefer to focus them on more targeted games/activities than "Diego saves the jaguar" over and over.

Anyone have either leapster or v-tech? Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Original poster
amidaiwish · 07/12/2008 11:28

bump...

some of the reviews on amazon say the v-tech screen is poor like an old 1980's laptop

anyone?

OP posts:
tab · 07/12/2008 12:30

we have a v-tech smile which has been great. I wondered if you specifically wanted a laptop style - if so this wont help but if they are playing mainly at home it might be the thing. The games go from age 3 upwards and my ds1 who is 6 is still very keen on it - we're trying to hold off from buying a nintendo just yet! You can get two joysstick thingys for it, run it off batteries or the mains and it just plugs into the back of the tv. Each game has about 8 different games on it and some are educational ie counting in the game or spelling and some are more fun. Ive been really surprised that its been such a success as I was doubtful last christmas - thinking that I should have bought it before. Have a look and see what you think. Im afraid I dont really know about leapsters.

norksinmywaistband · 07/12/2008 12:36

The leapster is a handheld(sort of a big DS lite).
I have just got DD one for Xmas she is nearly 4 .
Depends what sort of thing you want really?
The leapster might be a problem if both want a go at the same time as only on child can see the screen at a time.

Original poster
amidaiwish · 07/12/2008 14:18

thanks
is the leapster just for games?
is the v-tech smile a laptop that you buy specific cartridges for - is it mostly games or other things too?

OP posts:
santasinmywaistband · 07/12/2008 15:49

Mainly games but With an educational twist ie letters numbers I think

Original poster
amidaiwish · 07/12/2008 19:58

thanks santas/norks!

when do you think your DD will grow out of it? My DD1 is nearly 5, can read fluently, knows her numbers to 100 etc... do you think she wil grow out of it too quickly?

OP posts:
santasinmywaistband · 07/12/2008 21:12

I don't think she would grow out of it too quickly, This site tells you in depth about the games so you can judge for yourself.
Myy DD also knows all numbers to about 50 and can recognise all her letters. This just helps them take it a stage further.

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 21:20

I have both, actually. We got the v-smile that attaches to the TV several years ago, and then got the Leapsters this year for their birthday as we had a lot of long trips to go on to help entertain them. The v-smile is fine, but I really like the games of the Leapster, because it seems to be teaching them more. DS is 5, and can read really well and do simple math, and the Leapster has quite a few games that still challenge him, while he pretty much blows through most of the v-smile games (though there are parts of some v-smile games that seem more challenging than the Leapster games.)

DD(3) doesn't take to learning as well as DS (is that a nice way to put it?) and I've found the Leapster has helped her to learn more than the v-smile. They find both systems very entertaining. I really like the Disney Princess game, because it has really helped both of them with their writing. It is really cute. You follow Cinderella and the prince with the pen thingy as they dance, and their dance forms a letter.

HTH.

Original poster
amidaiwish · 07/12/2008 22:04

thanks both of you
that is so helpful
looks like they'll be getting a leapster each for Christmas. yikes. now i have to break the news to dh!

so the disney princess game is good, any other recommendations?

thanks so much. i really didn't want to spend almost £100 on two to find them to be a one minute wonder.

OP posts:
santasinmywaistband · 08/12/2008 12:52

Have you looked on the promotions thread, some catalogue discount codes on there to help bring the price down

singyswife · 08/12/2008 12:58

We have the vtech handheld and the leapster handheld (dd's never want to be the same lol). The leapster one is prob I would say for older (dd is 7.5) and the vtech one is for younger (dd 2 was 4 when she got it). They still play them regularly. With the leapster one you can draw pictures on it etc without a game being in it. But the Vtech one you need games to do anything with it.

santasinmywaistband · 08/12/2008 13:14

Amazon have discounts at the moment

Original poster
amidaiwish · 08/12/2008 13:33

thank you. i have found a 20% off code at ELC so that reduces the cost, plus i like the disney pink one exclusive to ELC for DD2 and DD1 can have the normal pink one

i'm also giving amazon too much money at the moment! am trying to spread my spending around, have a fear of one big amazon retail monopoly! they are taking over, even kiddicare now have a "shop" within amazon! problem is they make it too damned easy to shop

OP posts:
Original poster
amidaiwish · 08/12/2008 13:34

thank singyswife - i am going to get them the same otherwise there will just be a fight. joy of the 19month age gap i guess...

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