Is now the right time to upgrade your child’s tablet to the best laptop for kids? You’ve come to the right spot, as we have gathered all the best ones we could find to make your laptop shopping a tad easier.
But how exactly did we choose the ones that made the cut? Well, much like with all our buying guides, we handpicked each one to make sure they meet a set of requirements. And, in this case, we considered a few factors. First and foremost, the best laptop for kids will usually take the form of a rugged laptop, something that will survive a few bumps while in the backpack or even a drop.
Though not often, the best laptop for kids might take the form of an affordable tablet, whether that's one of the best laptops alternatives out there or a 2-in-1 hybrid laptop. This way, they have a computer powerful enough for school and let them effortlessly watch their favorite shows after.
If you’re looking for one for a younger kid or for a child who isn’t used to a Windows or macOS environment, it might be a good idea to get a laptop that’s incredibly secure or maybe simple enough to use. The best Chromebooks can tick both those things off the requirements list.
And finally, the best laptops for kids must also be affordable. After all, it’s like getting them their first car. You don’t want to get them something premium and pricey only to have it destroyed, stolen or even replaced later on.
We put together a list of the best laptops for kids, all of which we tested and reviewed ourselves. With this list, we’ll go through all the devices with rugged frames, rigid parental controls and budget-friendly price tags.
The best laptop for kids must be secure, simple to use and can outlast them past naptime. Google Pixelbook Go ticks off all those requirements and then some, with its astounding battery life and Chrome OS environment. Google rounds those out with an incredible keyboard and a 1080p webcam. This is the Google Pixelbook of your dreams, minus that steep price tag. And, while the kids might enjoy watching their favorite cartoons and playing casual games on that sharp display, you’ll also love using this for that occasional work email you have to squeeze in between spending time with them.
A Chromebook makes for the best laptop for kids because it’s practically mistake proof, and the Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1 is a fine example of that. Drop it, and it’s fine. Download any malicious software? Well, you can’t! It’s one of the most secure environments for your kids to use a computer, made better by parental controls that you can set yourself. If your kid needs a very affordable laptop to get some schoolwork done, you won’t want to miss out on this excellent device. It even transforms into a tablet for a bit of light gaming post schoolwork.
When your kids have finally graduated to a proper laptop for writing up papers for class, but you still want to get them something that won’t break the first time it gets dropped, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 might just be the laptop for you. It’s powerful enough to get through the kids’ daily schoolwork, and it’s a 2-in-1 so they can flip its comfortable keyboard around to turn it into tablet mode for playing Android games or watching their favorite shows in their downtime. The display is a bit dim, and it’s unlikely to blow you away as far as performance, but it’s cheap, solid and reliable. What more can you ask for from the best laptop for kids?
When your kids approach double-digit years, they’re going to need something a bit more robust to support them through more demanding projects, as well as sharper streaming. Acer’s latest 15-inch Chromebook is, therefore, the best laptop for kids – or yours, at least – bringing serious sophistication to your kids’ computing experience and needs, from its design to its great features like a full HD display, fast USB 3.0 connections and an HDR webcam. Keep in mind that this laptop is ideal for adolescents, as you’re swapping its lack of kid-proof features for a larger size, a more luxurious experience and a great price tag.
If your kid wants a tablet, but you want them to get used to a classic computer configuration, the Asus Transformer Mini is the perfect compromise. This tablet brings plenty of power and ports to the table – not to mention, a fingerprint sensor, stylus and keyboard cover – all in the box. That’s a lot of value for a budget price. Rounding it out is the 11 hours of battery life, so they can get through all their schoolwork and squeeze in some Netflix before bed. If your kids are just too used to tablets to unceremoniously jump to a traditional laptop, this is the one of the best Asus laptops for that transition.
The 2015 MacBook Air might not be the newest kid on the block, but it’s still among the best laptop for kids who love the macOS environment – unlike the 2018 model. We know that parents aren’t made of cash, but it’s the cheapest Apple laptop out there, and the 2015 MacBook Air is available at bargain prices. It also has excellent battery life, an operating system that’s smooth and easy to navigate, and a form factor that’s light and thin. The best Macs are famous for outlasting Windows laptops – and this one might just last your kid throughout high school and possibly even college.
