To allow your child to practise their coding skills, it is advantageous for them to own a good coding laptop. Buying coding laptops for kids is an excellent investment as it gives them a chance to observe, utilise, and experiment with programming. This coding laptop might inspire them more to learn from popular games and software. Eventually, they can build their own applications using this coding laptop you gave to them.
It is an intelligent step in building your child's intellectual and mental health. So, you can choose the best coding laptops for them. It could bring out their best coding skills that could still improve more throughout this journey.
To help you select which laptop is the best for your kid, we have listed down the laptops you might want to purchase depending on their qualities, features, and compatibility to coding platforms online.
Coding with a Chromebook
One of the most common laptops for kids is the Chromebook. These child-friendly laptops are designed by the collaboration of Acer and Samsung, which they released in 2011. Even schools bought Chromebooks as this brand is fascinating for educational purposes.
Using Chromebooks, your child can do homework and create presentations. They can even send these files through the Chromebook email. Other than that, Chromebook also allows your kids to check on different learning websites, download important files, and store them on the laptop.
Acer and Samsung also considered the physical attributes of the Chromebook as it is super suitable for young children. It is very lightweight and easy to carry around. Your kid can also enjoy its 11.6” screen, but it is much better to choose the 13” to 14” screen for more tasks.
Also, one interesting feature of Chromebook is its fast booting. It is more efficient and perfect for any rapid tasks at school.
Chromebook is also great with programming. It includes a kids coding tool like ScratchJr. Moreover, your child can use ScratchJr as an introduction to code learning for kids in the popular Scratch app. Scratch and ScratchJr are very compatible with Chromebook laptops which makes this brand an excellent choice to code for kids. Besides that, Chromebooks can also access coding and building websites through repl.it and codepen.io.
However, Chromebook has limitations with other usual applications such as Microsoft Office. You are also incapable of downloading other games, applications, and coding programs like Python, Roblox, and Minecraft. But then, if you want your child to master Scratch first, Chromebooks are one of the best choices.
You may check out Acer Chromebook 14, Celeron N3160, 14” Full HD, 4GB LPDDR3, 16 GB eMMC, CB3-431-c9W7 Bundle. It is one of the best Chromebooks you may try for your child’s coding class for kids.
Inexpensive Light Coding and Gaming Laptops
If you prefer to do broader tasks, you may choose Windows-based for the kids coding laptop. Windows-based laptops can accommodate other applications and coding programs for code learning for kids. Therefore, you can now download Roblox, Minecraft, Python, and other exciting programming platforms for kids.
But then, some of the Windows-based laptops are slower to boot up, unlike the quick booting of Chromebooks. Usually, it takes about 45 minutes for a Windows update. However, this kind of laptop allows you to perform more extensive tasks than Chromebooks.
Buying light gaming and coding for kids' laptops is perfect for your budget. It is very reasonable as your child can further explore the world of coding using their laptops. It is perfect for beginners!
See Acer Aspire 1 A114-32-C1YA, 14” Full HD, Intel Celeron N4000, 4GB DDR4, 64GB eMMC, Office 365 Personal, Windows 10 Home in S mode. Let your child begin their code learning journey through these laptops.
Heavy Gaming and All-around use Laptops
If you have a larger budget for coding laptops, then buy a laptop designed for heavy gaming and all-around use! Through this laptop, your child can try all types of intensive games and platforms. Students who use this can also edit pictures, videos or create incredible graphic designs. Most importantly, it can even handle a comprehensive coding experience using this laptop.
Besides these, heavy gaming laptops have a longer quality of use as they own better specs than other laptops. It also owns fantastic graphic cards to showcase excellent graphical images and videos on your screen. In choosing laptops with consideration to graphics quality, select graphic cards with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or higher specifications laptops. You may try 1050, 1050Ti, 1060 up to 1080Ti. Newly released graphic cards also include 2060 up to 2080Ti.
These heavy gaming laptops also possess terrific SSD hard drives, processors, and higher RAM storage capacity. If your kids’ coding laptops hit higher specs, it can make their code learning experience more attractive than other laptops.
You can try Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop with Intel Core i7 for your child’s intense gaming and coding experience.
What else should I consider when buying kids coding laptops?
You must verify all the aspects to see which one fits your child programming learning experience. Check out the platform or operation system of the laptop. Balance out if you want Chromebook, Windows, or iOS.
Hard Drive. Programmers prefer kids coding learners to use at least 256 GB SSD. However, it is highly recommended for pro developers and expert programmers to consider at least 1TB drive. These hard drives help to run platforms faster without any lags or issues. It includes games, videos, software, documents, and photos you are about to store on your computer.
Some use external hard drives to have additional storage. It could work, but for kids coders, it is perfect to have a stable hard drive on the laptop itself. Remember, bigger storage capacity must also be checked.
RAM. In checking your laptops or computer, you also need to verify its random access memory or RAM. It handles how your computer can respond faster whilst it does much work to do. It carries different tasks like loading applications, experiencing the latest games, browsing the internet, and other essential duties. So, if you ensure to have appropriate RAM, your child can enjoy their coding activities using their laptops.
At least 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for your kid to enjoy kids coding activities on their laptop. However, if you prefer them to do more serious projects, you may upgrade it to at least 16 GB or higher.
CPU and Processing Speed. Try to see the processors of the laptop, as the higher and newer the processor, the better. Kids coding lessons are perfect for i7 or i9! These could be the best multi-core processor you can get on the computer.
Repairability and Upgradability. Another thing you need to know about your computer is its capability to get a repair if needed. Of course, you do not want your computer to be weak and easily get broken. However, you also need to consider some circumstances like upgrading or repairing some parts.
Not all laptops are suitable for repairing and upgrading, preventing you access any of their parts. So, it demands you to buy a new one. In this case, you need to be careful of buying products with these features.
Screen Size, Screen Resolution, and Screen Quality. Even the screen features are also factors, so make sure to verify it too. Some kids love to work on smaller laptops to help them use them anywhere. However, if they are coding at school at home, it is better to use larger screens. It will help them familiarise the coding concepts more as they enjoy bigger monitors. So, parents may buy a laptop with at least a 13.3” screen. They can also try a 14” to 16” screen.
As for the screen resolution can begin with 1920x1080 full HD for better screen estate for working, gaming, and reading. Furthermore, screen quality can also consider IPS or similar technology to help kids’ eyes adjust to screen colours and angles.
Keyboard. Parents should also check the laptop’s keyboard. Some keyboards have a US-English layout and other layouts. You must check which one is commonly used in your place. Besides that, you also need to check the comfortability of typing the keys, especially if it’s light and easy to use for kids.
Weight. To enjoy better travelling, you may also consider the laptop’s weight. Some developers prefer up to 4.5 pounds or about 2kg laptops whilst travelling. It is also sleeking, easy to pack, and light to bring anywhere. As for kids, you may also consider a lighter laptop for more comfortable use and transport.
Battery life. Kids would enjoy laptops with longer battery life. It would let them enjoy longer hours coding and learning programming skills. Unlike if the battery life is shorter, they might always be stuck with their kids’ coding projects.
Parental Control. Another very essential feature is parental control. Some kids laptops promote parental screen time control to prevent kid’s screen addiction. Through this, your child’s digital performances are protected.
Price. Parents also consider the cost of the laptop. They should ensure that the computer gives the best quality and value for its price. Usually, programmers choose to buy the best laptop due to their job and profession. But then, for kids, the best laptop would be the most practical and less expensive pricing.
Adaptability. The laptop’s compatibility with all the code learning platforms for kids is also a factor. Let your child spread their horizons through all different applications and software to motivate them to pursue coding. As they experience the fun world of coding today, they might enjoy it further in the future.
What is the laptop for everyone?
Here are some of the laptops that would give you options of what to buy for your kids.
Lenovo ThinkPad 1 (Gen 2) - Professional-grade premium performance
1. Core i7 / Xeon 2. 8 to 64GB RAM3. 256GB to 4TB storage capacity4. Nvidia Quadro T1000-T2000 Graphics5. 36.2x24.6x17mm 6. 1.7kg weight7. Windows 10 Home / Pro OS
Features: This laptop showcases the best displays on a laptop with a powerful processor and storage capacity. It also includes touch-sensitive and accurate colour features. Lenovo also ensures you have an excellent keyboard design and a very healthy selection of ports.
Kids and even professionals can enjoy coding and programming with Lenovo ThinkPad 1 (Gen 2) as it presents outstanding features for all computer tasks.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Laptop
1. 8th-generation Intel Core i72. Up to 64GB RAM3. Up to 1TB storage capacity4. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max-Q design Graphics5. 15.6” screen
Features: This laptop has sleek mobile workstation qualities, convenient for programming and coding activities. It is also budget-friendly whilst it offers powerful laptop settings and features. Additionally, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Laptop ensures unstoppable workhorse elements that give kids an extraordinary coding experience.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8
1. 10th-generation Intel Core i72. Up to 16GB RAM3. Up to 256GB storage capacity4. Intel Iris and HD Graphics5. 14” screen full HD6. 10.5 to 11.5 hours battery life
Features: This laptop includes excellent portability whilst it proudly presents the best keyboard on the market. It also uses full HD and WQHD resolution, perfect for long hours of code learning for kids. Other than that, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 also caters to excellent laptop features at a very affordable price.
You may choose among these laptops and see which one is highly suitable for your kid. However, any of these three can improve your child’s coding skills whilst they are young.
How can my child use this coding laptop to coding?
These kids coding laptops are perfect for coding classes for kids. In Skill Samurai, they use laptops and downloaded platforms in the laptop to practise children’s coding capability. This after school care program offers fun and exciting code learning for kids.
Let your child learn in a kids coding school in Sydney to make their coding experience unforgettable. Bring the chosen coding laptop to try it out in the class.
Help them grow their coding and robotics skills with Skill Samurai. Invest in their school, and invest in their resources, like laptops discussed above.
Learn more about Skill Samurai here.