| I am the computer geek in my extended family, so I | | | | of months, you can get a very reliable system for a |
| always get consulted when someone is looking to buy | | | | reasonable price from a reputable computer shop. |
| a new computer for themselves. A question I am | | | | The third method of getting a PC is asking the geek in |
| getting more frequently is what to look for in a PC (I | | | | your family just like my family does. I have plenty of |
| only deal in PCs, sorry Mac users) for children. Each | | | | spare parts lying around and I am always the first one |
| one of my children has a PC of their own simply | | | | to grab an obsolete PC from work when we are |
| because I don't want them breaking anything on my | | | | disposing of them. Geeks are a great resource and |
| main computer that I use for work. Mainly, I am worried | | | | can usually be relied on to free up some room in their |
| about them spilling juice or milk on my keyboard! | | | | computer area. |
| What I tell everyone who is looking for a computer for | | | | No matter how you get your computer, you want to |
| their child is that it doesn't have to be a powerhouse | | | | make sure you have the original Windows operating |
| by any means. Most preschool and children's software | | | | system disks. I say Windows, because most preschool |
| has been around for a while and was built for | | | | and early learning software is built for Windows. If you |
| Windows 98 and XP systems. If you are going for a | | | | are using a brand of Linux or Mac, your probably don't |
| new system, go ahead and find a good deal on a | | | | need to be reading this anyway. The original system |
| cheap Dell or HP system. Take out all the | | | | disks are critical because even though your little darling |
| unnecessary extras and get a basic computer. Dell's | | | | may become a computer wiz, most likely, they will at |
| outlet site is a great site for kid's computers too. These | | | | some point have a thousand icons, several broken links |
| are mostly customer returns or refurbishes and will | | | | and have so much software installed that their |
| usually be a few releases back in technology. That is | | | | computer will be slowed to a crawl. In this case, |
| fine for this type of PC since you really don't need the | | | | starting over is almost always the best bet. Copy |
| latest technology for the 3-10 year old set. | | | | anything that you may want to keep to a thumb drive, |
| If you are uncomfortable ordering a system online, you | | | | insert the original system disks and start from scratch. |
| may want to check with your local computer store for | | | | You can then reinstall only the software that your child |
| a basic system. They will usually have a few older | | | | likes and regularly plays with. |
| systems sitting around or can build you one with some | | | | Buying a computer for your child will help him/her learn |
| lower-end parts. In this particular case, cheaper doesn't | | | | to read, learn about colors, shapes and anything else |
| necessarily mean low quality. Try to get brand name | | | | that you let them. A child that knows how to use a |
| components that are 6 months to a year behind the | | | | computer before attending school will have a distinct |
| latest technology. With component prices dropping | | | | advantage over the other children in class. Plus, you |
| every time new technology comes out every couple | | | | get your own PC back! |