There are several reasons why buying the best laptops for 10 year olds can be a challenge. It is true that most of the kids today can operate technology with their eyes closed. In fact, a large chunk of their daily activities occurs on the internet or with technology. From games to media, almost every aspect of their lives involves a screen.
While this has its merits, many parents are concerned about guarding their kids against the unsavoury effects of this technology. There are dangerous sites that are not age appropriate, and others that can expose their technology to viruses or malware.
Another problem that parents face when buying a laptop for their kids is the durability of their choice. Kids are, by nature, careless, and the laptop you buy should survive the drops and falls that result.
In choosing the models on this roundup, we considered the cost, durability, design, security, and gaming.
Let’s now see the best options on the market right now.
Best Laptops for 10 year old
Dell Inspiron 11.6”HD Chromebook – Best laptop for elementary students
The first laptop on this roundup is an excellent unit from Dell. First of all, this model is a Chromebook. Chromebooks do not have the sheer power or capabilities of regular Windows or Mac laptops. However, they come with all of the features that your kid will need to have a great time.
This model is one of the most affordable options on this roundup. The Inspiron 11.6” features plenty of computing power to run the programs that your kid desires. Although these laptops don’t have all the apps and software available to Windows and Mac laptops, the Chromebook is renowned for being child-proof.
The OS ensures that parents have even more control over the things their kids do on the laptop. From games to websites and more, the Dell Chromebook offers plenty of security.
Another feature that makes this model one of the best Chromebook for kids is the construction. The Inspiron is built with a sturdy frame that can take punishment from clumsy kids. The model also features a beautiful HD screen that makes gaming and videos more engaging.
If your kid isn’t into media creation or high-end gaming, then this unit is just great.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great screen
- Parental controls are easy to set up
- Child-proof
Cons
- Average design
Acer Spin 11 2-in-1 Chromebook – Best convertible laptop for kids
Up next is a convertible model from Acer Computers. The Spin 11 Chromebook is one of the most versatile options available on the market today. This unit will serve your kids pretty well, especially when it comes to schoolwork.
First of all, the model comes in a 2-in-1 design. This means that you can transform the computer into almost whatever you want. Your kid can use the model as a laptop, tabletop, or tablet. The 360-degree foldable design makes this laptop very appealing to kids. Fortunately, the hinges are constructed from high-quality materials that will last for a long time.
The 11.6” screen delivers clear, crisp images that will make gaming and videos really good to watch and play. Furthermore, this screen comes with multi-touch design.
Performance-wise, this laptop is adequate for basic needs. Internet surfing is pretty straightforward and can be monitored.
If your kid needs to carry this to school, you’ll be pleased that the laptop is relatively lightweight. The 3 pounds of weight make the model easy to carry around. Couple this with an excellent form factor, and you have a nice laptop on your hands.
Pros
- Portable and compact design
- 2-in-1 design
- Nice screen
- Good performance
Cons
- Low storage
Asus 11.6” Chromebook – Best Asus Chromebook for kids
If you are concerned about the durability of the selected laptop, then you should have no worries with this particular model. To be fair, a 2-in-1 design is great but just by nature of design isn’t exactly super-durable. Asus recognized this and came up with the simpler, but more sturdy alternative; the 11.6” Chromebook.
As a Chromebook, this model obviously would not deliver the same performance as other more expensive units with Windows or Mac OS. However, for your kids’ needs, you will find this model very impressive.
Durability wise, this Chromebook is one of the most durable available on the market today. The Chromebook is spill-resistant. This should certainly keep you worry-free. Additionally, this model is built like a tank. From testing, we observed that this laptop survives falls that would ordinarily condemn other laptop models.
Homework is a breeze on the clear 11.6” screen of this laptop. Your kid might spend a long time with the laptop, which might have you worried about how their eyesight is affected. Fortunately, this model features an anti-glare design to protect their eyesight. The model also can be reclined up to 180-degrees, which should fascinate your kid.
One of the best features we discovered in this unit is the excellent battery life. The laptop can last for up to 10 hours on just one charge. Thus, you can leave the charger at home; reducing the amount of weight your child takes out.
Pros
- Spill-resistant design
- Highly durable
- Anti-glare display
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Slightly heavy
MSI GF63 – Best gaming laptop for kids
If your kid is thinking of getting into gaming, then the MSI GF63 is an excellent entry-point.
This unit is the largest we have reviewed so far, and in terms of power and capabilities, this model blows others straight out of the water. All the extra features and all that power come at a cost, though, quite literally. This model is one of the most expensive on the market. The good thing, though, is that you will not need to buy another laptop in a long time.
The MSI brand is known for the gaming products, and this option comes with specifications that allow your kid play high-end games, create and edit videos, and engage in other graphics-heavy software with minimal fuss.
The model features a quad-core processor and a dedicated graphics card. You will find an 8GB RAM stick here too, as well as, a relatively large storage of 512 GB SSD. Thus, the laptop can handle several applications simultaneously.
The build is quite durable as well, and your kid will get years of use from this laptop.
Although expensive, the features and hardware make this unit an excellent value buy.
Pros
- Impressive performance
- Great screen
- Comfortable keyboard
- Solid construction
Cons
- Relatively heavy
- Expensive
Lenovo Chromebook C330 – Best Lenovo laptop for 10 year old son/daughter
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is an awesome unit with plenty in common with its competition. However, there are certain features that set the unit apart from the others on the market right now.
First of all, the best feature of this model is the battery life. You can use this unit for up to 10 hours at a go. Your kid will definitely love that!
Another nice feature that we love and bet your kid will like too is the HDMI port. Most units at this price and in this category lack this particular feature. With this, your kid can connect the laptop to an even bigger screen and have a great time. Apart from that port, another unique feature is the superior keyboard. If your kid is learning how to type, the lovely design of the keyboard will make this even easier.
Design-wise, this model somewhat stumbles. The C330 is made from plastic all-through. Therefore, the unit is not as durable as you might expect. The 2.8 pound weight, though, makes up for this. Your kid will not have backaches carrying this to school.
For a Chromebook, this unit has one of the best displays you’ll find today. The 11.6” screen comes with a 1366 x 768 resolution which is quite low when compared with regular laptops, but impressive in a Chromebook of this price range.
Pros
- Affordable
- Nice keyboard
- Excellent battery
- HDMI port
Cons
- Middling display
- Average performance
Samsung Chromebook 4 – Best first laptop
Introducing your kid to a laptop? Then let the Samsung Chromebook 4 be his first laptop. This excellent unit is great, whether for games or teaching. The unit is bridling with potential and features that your kid will likely love.
While Chromebooks continue to get bigger and more expensive, we are relieved that a giant manufacturer has still made a budget offering that is great to use for kids. If you are looking for a cheap way to get your kid online, then this is one of the best options that you have.
The Samsung Chromebook comes with a simple design that reflects the low price. The unit features silver accents along the curved edges. The top is made of aluminium, which certainly improves the durability. Whereas more expensive options have a bezel-less design, this model comes with large bezels. Overall, while you might not be blown away by the design, the laptop surely looks and feels solid.
The model also weighs just 2.6 pounds which makes carrying about much easier.
One of the drawbacks of this unit is the display. Without a touch-screen, this display looks rather muted. The brightness is also relatively disappointing.
Aside from that drawback, almost every other thing is great. Performance is decent as the Intel Celeron 3000N processor, and 4 GB RAM offers plenty of computing power. There is very little lag switching between tabs, and your kid will enjoy playing light games.
The battery life is impressive and is one of the best on this roundup. The unit can last for over 10 hours on one charge.
Pros
- Excellent battery
- Portable and lightweight
- Good performance
Cons
- Poor display
Google PixelBook – Best Chromebook for kids
If you are looking for the absolute best Chromebook on the market right now, then look no further than the Google Pixelbook. Yes, this unit costs more than your average Chromebook, but considering the features that you get, your kid will have no better option to us right now.
As a Chromebook, this model runs just Android and Chrome Os. This unique ecosystem means that you get a device that is perfectly synced with your smartphone. You get more control over what your kids read, watch, and the websites that they visit.
Design-wise, this model is one of the best-looking models on the market. The build looks premium and comes in a slender design that looks so much like an expensive diary. Made of high-grade aluminium, this unit is one of the most durable options available.
Weighing about 2.5 pounds, this model is super-sleek and lightweight. Despite the slim design, you find plenty of ports at the sides.
The display is undoubtedly a highlight. While other models offer 1080p displays, Google takes this up a notch by offering a 2400 x 1600 resolution screen. Colors pop out and look as realistic as possible.
Performance-wise, this is the most powerful Chromebook money can buy. The Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM offer you so much computing power. During our test, we did not notice any lagging or performance issues.
The only drawback is the relatively poor battery life. The model can last for up to 7 hours, which is cool, but considering that even less expensive models last for longer, this is somewhat disappointing.
Pros
- Thin, slim design
- Incredible screen
- Powerful performance
Cons
- Pricey
- Disappointing battery
Macbook Air – Best Apple Laptop for Kids
The MacBook Air is the best Apple laptop, and arguably the best laptop you can get for your kid. The fact that many parents recommend this model is a testament to the ease of using MacOS. Let’s see some of the features that make this an absolute gem of a laptop.
The latest MacBook features a thin and light design that feels a bit thicker than previous models. Weighing 2.8 pounds, this unit is lightweight and easy to carry around.
There is a limited number of ports, which isn’t surprising in a MacBook. Nevertheless, the Thunderbolt 3 ports offered are quite versatile.
The keyboard feels incredible, and if your kid is learning how to type, this is a great model to learn with.
The performance is great. We tested the base model with an Intel Core i3 processor, and we are still impressed with the snappy performance. With 8GB of RAM, your kid can open as many tabs as possible without any lagging or similar issues.
The screen is still what you have in the previous models. Therefore, you still get a wonderful viewing performance and great resolution.
Battery life of about 8 hours should be sufficient for your kid’s use.
Since kids love colors, graphics and all that, they will certainly love the performance and features of this model.
Whether for school or play, the latest MacBook Air offers excellent and unbeatable features.
Pros
- Great graphics performance
- Beautiful design
- Durable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Battery life is just decent
Microsoft Surface Go – Best Microsoft Laptop for Kids
One of the most popular and best laptops right now is the Microsoft Surface 6. The Surface Go is the smaller and more economical version; thus making the model great for your kids.
This model might not have the sheer power of more expensive counterparts but should serve the entertainment and productivity needs of your kid.
At 1.15 pounds, this model is the lightest on this roundup. Your kid can throw the machine in a bag without being weighed down.
Despite the small size, the unit features a USB-C port and Card reader, which you likely won’t find in similarly priced options. Therefore, if the storage space is not to your liking, you can always expand it.
With a screen resolution of 1800 x1200, this model comes with one of the best displays available in this category. While the 10” screen size is somewhat small, your kid should find it just great for use.
Pros
- Nice design
- Strong performance
- Loud speakers
Cons
- Really small screen
- Feels cramped
Dell Inspiron 13 5000 – Best Stylish laptop for Kids
For kids that love style, the Dell 13 5000 is one of the best options available on the market today. This excellent laptop comes with a professional design that your kids would admire.
It comes with a 13.3” display and 1080p resolution. It comes with Windows 10 installed. This mid-range laptop looks more expensive than it actually is. The laptop comes with an aluminium chassis to improve aesthetics and durability.
It is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Quad Core i5 processor. With 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD space, your kids have more space to store games and files.
Pros
- Nice aluminium build
- Good keyboard
- Nice display
Cons
- Low SSD storage
Buying Guide for Best Laptops for 10 year old
In the past, choosing a laptop for a kid was particularly difficult. Many manufacturers simply did not make laptops to cater to all, including kids. Fortunately, the units we reviewed above are some of the best laptops for kids you can buy right now. Aside from the reviews of the units above, we have also provided you with a guide to assist you in selecting a good laptop for kids.
How to select the right laptop for kids
Buying a laptop for a kid is fraught with concerns. You worry about safety, responsibility and all that.
However, as technology moves at a frantic pace, more schools consider laptops very important tools for teaching kids. Some schools go as far as recommending models that parents should buy.
While the effectiveness of laptops in improving learning is still a topic of debate, getting your kid acquainted with technology as soon as possible prepares them for the real world. Apart from using the laptop for school work, they’ll also use it to play games, look for information, and so on.
With all these concerns in mind, let us now consider the important parameters that should affect your buying decision.
Operating System
The operating system, even more than other features, is a very important consideration. And no, this is not a “Windows or Mac” type of debate. It goes beyond that.
Considering that you are buying a laptop for a kid, you likely are not looking to spend thousands of dollars (which you’ll likely spend if you opt for an Apple Laptop).
The debate, therefore, is between two of the more affordable operating systems: Windows and Google’s Chrome OS.
There are certain advantages to buying a Chromebook for your kid.
For one, Chrome OS can use apps that are downloaded from the Play Store. Therefore, your kid will likely be able to navigate it easily. If you have refused to buy a smartphone for your kids, Chrome OS is a good compromise since they’ll be able to use apps that are normally used on a smartphone.
Windows OS also comes with its fair share of advantages.
For one, there is a special Windows OS for kids: Window S Mode. With this OS, your kids can’t sneak behind your back to install applications that you have not authorized.
This OS is especially child-proof as you can filter apps that are not age-appropriate for your children.
Another advantage is that when your kid outgrows the S Mode, you can simply upgrade the OS and remove all those restrictions.
Durability
The durability, not of the OS this time, but the actual laptop is another important consideration. After all, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a model that breaks on the first drop (and trust me, with kids, the laptop will get dropped).
Some of the models that we reviewed above are designed to take plenty of damage. Apart from shock-resistance, you should look for models that are spill-resistant.
While the models that will survive full immersion or very frequent falls are often rather expensive, there are cheaper models that can survive hard times.
Portability
If your kids walk to school with backpacks full of books, you don’t want to add to the weight by buying a heavy laptop.
Several Chromebooks and other laptops, including those we reviewed, are lightweight. The bigger the screen, in most cases, the heavier the unit would be.
Battery Life
Fortunately, many of the units on the market right now come with batteries that last for up to 7 or even 10 hours on a single charge.
Specifications
- Processor
If your kid will do such things as taking note, writing projects or making PowerPoint Slides, then you cannot just get the first low-spec laptop you come across.
We recommend laptops that have at least an Intel Celeron processor for such activities. Fortunately, many of the affordable units on the market come with fairly powerful processors that can handle such things.
In this Covid-19 period, your kid likely needs to keep in touch with her teacher via video calls and conferencing. In such cases, you would need a slightly more powerful processor.
- Memory
This factor includes the storage capacity and RAM.
For these, we recommend, at least4GB RAM and 64GB memory. This configuration is often found in Chromebooks.
If you are choosing to buy a Windows laptop, then you should consider at least 8GB of RAM and storage of up to 128 GB.
Gaming
After learning at school, your kid would likely want to wind down with games. To this end, you should choose a unit that allows them to play games.
One of the most popular games among kids, Minecraft, can run on Core i3 processors. However, if your kid is really into gaming, you could get a dedicated gaming laptop like that we recommended in the reviews above.
FAQs
- What is the best laptop for a 10 year old?
In our reviews above, we have picked some of the best options available to you today. These range from Chromebooks to gaming laptops and Apple laptops.
- Is a Chromebook good for a 10 year old?
Yes. A Chromebook might not be as powerful as laptops running Windows or Mac OS, but your kid can run Android apps, surf the internet, and more.
- Is a Chromebook better than a laptop for your kid?
If you are introducing your kid to laptops, then a Chromebook is a great place to start. The Chromebook is relatively cheap and easy to maintain.
Conclusion
Although choosing a good laptop for kids can be hard, this review and guide will certainly help you to make a good choice from the options on the market today.