Is it worth buying a childrens laptop?

[mummyandbaby]

My DS is comig up to 6 and has outgrown the VTECH laptop he had when he was younger. Do not know much about the next stage laptops for children. Is it worth getting him one?

[CaptainUnderpants]

Do you mean buying him a 'grown up proper laptop' laptop ? or is there something else on the market ?

What do you expect you DS to get from having another laptop that he cannot get from school or other activities ?

[gaelicsheep]

If you want him to use a computer at home then just get him some age appropriate software to use on your normal PC/laptop. We looked at children's laptops for DS (he's 3) - VTECH and the like - and I must say I was distinctly under impressed, and I can't imagine the next stage would be any better value for money. We ended up getting two pieces of pre-school software that he quite happily plays with on our own laptop.

[jollyma]

We looked into a children's laptop for ds1's 7th birthday. Decided we could afford to pay the extra for a cheap netbook which I am so glad we did. He can send e-mails to grandparents and use the internet (protected by net nanny) and is actually learning to use a proper computer while having fun.

[gaelicsheep]

If you want him to use a computer at home then just get him some age appropriate software to use on your normal PC/laptop. We looked at children's laptops for DS (he's 3) - VTECH and the like - and I must say I was distinctly under impressed, and I can't imagine the next stage would be any better value for money. We ended up getting two pieces of pre-school software that he quite happily plays with on our own laptop.

[gaelicsheep]

Now that's weird - I only clicked on post once.

[SuePot]

I feel really strongly about this - the Toy Laptops, especially Vtech are rubbish. I let my kids (5 and 6) play with my laptop. Thre are some great FREE things on the internet they can do. Moshi Monsters is brill and is actually quite educational.