I'd like to get a computer for my daughter to go online -- she's only 5 but I like the eduactional games etc. Don't have a lot to spend. what do you suggest?
You could get her a "netbook" - they are $3-400. Like smaller versions of a laptop.
Or, we just got a full size Acer laptop for $400.
Finally, I would suggest something like an ipad (i.e. a tablet computer) - I know other brands are coming up with cheaper alternatives to the ipad.
I would not get a portable, get a desktop. You really don't want a child to carry a computer around.
I just bought a 12 inch asus for my daughter from overstock.com. It's 400 dollars. It's small, but not too small and powerful enough to do a lot. It doesn't come with a cdrom though. I picked an external cdrom up for 45 bucks at Target later on.
This little computer is loaded, works well with netflix and has an hdmi slot. So we can hook it to our tv and watch netflix.
Quibids.com is a bidding site. They have many of these offers ending for as low as a few dollars. Don't know if you are into these things, but i know people that won super electronics there, including ipods, ipads, and laptops. Take a look at the site and think about this.
I would recommend a desktop computer as well instead of a netbook or laptop -- kids can be really rough on those and a broken screen can happen if it slides off the couch (been there) and run you $200 to replace. So.
You could check if there is a local computer repair shop in your area. Sometimes places like that refurbish computers and resell them for lots less than a new one. There is a place by me that has decent computers refurbished for around $300 -- much nicer models than you could buy new.
