"Notebook" For Small Girl

[MZurf]

My wife's niece has a five year old daughter that we would like to start training in the use of computers. Is there on the market a notebook like toy/very basic computer that I can buy for this purpose?

[jybkk]

> five year old

> notebook like toy

Sounds like an iPad to me.

Joke aside, toy makers have some simplified "computers" for kids (see in the toy section of big department stores).

In my opinion, however, it might be more efficient to install educational games on the home computer and let her use them under adult supervision, so as to teach the basic of "what is a mouse", "why you should be careful", "how to type on a keyboard", etc...

The most important teaching will be when she'll be teenager. Then there is a lot of teaching to do about not installing anything that passes by, and how to be careful on internet.

[elwood]

With our granddaughter we used BBC Children's website on our home computer. That way she learned to move the mouse, space bar, up and down arrows etc, and had fun playing Teletubbies-type games too. She also picked up some English, and also moved on to little kids' games that showed how to use the keyboard; then on to simple arithmetic - all in game form but educational.

It has been a good few years since, but it may pay you to check the BBC website and similar webs.

[lopburi3]

As the future is likely going to be tab, and that is what they will be using in school and for phones, suggest a generic Android tab would be more useful for child now; at about the cost of a toy.

[nikster]

kids don't need "Training" with computers. they pick them up in no time. after a week with the thing, they'll know more than you, guaranteed.

If you want to get her something nice, get her an iPad. Turn on parental controls so she can't, say, browse YouTube. I left my son alone for 5 minutes with YouTube and starting out from some nice octopus videos he quickly found some rather strange, bizarre content... now it's locked.

Why iPad?

- versatile - thousands of kids apps, books apps, games, etc, and plays movies

- can be used as in car entertainment center

- long battery life

- very sturdy - put a rubber case on it and it's kid-proof. will survive falls, spilled food + drinks, etc

- form factor - nice and small

Most kids in our neighborhood already have one for those reasons. It's really a perfect kids computer. It's also the way of the future.

Under no circumstances get one of those fake iPads for 10k baht - these are best used as paperweight. Completely useless to either adults or kids. Oh and those "fake" kids laptops in the toy store - better get her a new barbie doll, that's much nicer, less annoying (to the parents), and will probably teach her more. They're not "computers with training wheels". Rather, they're a bit like a video game from the 80ies. The educational content is questionable. It's neither fun nor educational IMO.

[nikster]

As the future is likely going to be tab, and that is what they will be using in school and for phones, suggest a generic Android tab would be more useful for child now; at about the cost of a toy.

Don't see why to be honest. Unless you have some personal beef with Apple (as many apparently do on this forum).

Either the tablet is cheap but completely useless. I've had the privilege to play with a few of these recently - IMO better to take the money and set it on fire, at least you could warm your hands.

Or it's the same price or more expensive than an iPad (saw the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the mall - 19k baht - whoa!) - only it's not as nice, and has way fewer apps. Android 4 ICS is the first version that's really optimized for tablets - to put it politely - and that's not on too many tablets yet. Certainly not on any cheap ones.

[lopburi3]

Don't see why to be honest. Unless you have some personal beef with Apple (as many apparently do on this forum).

Because it would cost half, or less, and do just about everything the more expensive item could do for a child. The fact that the Thai government is now investing in this system for learning is a very important consideration in what software will be available for a reasonable cost.

[MZurf]

As the future is likely going to be tab, and that is what they will be using in school and for phones, suggest a generic Android tab would be more useful for child now; at about the cost of a toy.

Thanks for all the advice!

Lopburi, what you suggests makes sense. Any particular model you would recommend (I'm not looking to spend too much on this)?

[lopburi3]

I bought a 7" wi-fi Samsung last year and nine year old uses it everyday (she also has desktop). But now the Chinese imports should easily be available at the major shopping centers for computers so would buy by price and perhaps other recommendations/use. If she is about to start school she may be getting one from government however.

[PattayaParent]

What about a netbook? I've seen one recently advertised for 10k (Lenovo, don't know the specs though).

Thinking of getting one for my kid as she's already pretty useful with a PC.

[lopburi3]

They are fine and to me would make much more sense than a toy item as will last a few years and can perform both basic and advanced service and if already adapt with mouse/keyboard should find it great. But for preschool believe getting to know the finger touch screen world is even more comfortable/natural and for game playing tabs are much more fun I suspect as you can move/tilt to effect as well as touch screen. I still use the mouse and keyboard of a normal PC (although it has touch screen) but believe the future will be rodent free.

[PattayaParent]

They are fine and to me would make much more sense than a toy item as will last a few years and can perform both basic and advanced service and if already adapt with mouse/keyboard should find it great. But for preschool believe getting to know the finger touch screen world is even more comfortable/natural and for game playing tabs are much more fun I suspect as you can move/tilt to effect as well as touch screen. I still use the mouse and keyboard of a normal PC (although it has touch screen) but believe the future will be rodent free.

I just hate having sticky finger markls all over the screen when I want to use it!

CAn an external DVD drive be plugged into a netbook to play DVD's, Install software and burn discs?

[lopburi3]

Sure but in that case why not buy a notebook? You can get for about the same price.

But the finger thing is easily removed with microfiber cloth and children do not seem to have a problem with it.