Need laptop setup recommendation

[imis]

My four year old daughter wants a laptop, and my wife wants her off of her computer so it's time to buy a laptop. My daughter plays online flash games and some kids computer games. Also, we want her to be able to watch DVD's on it.

I'm looking to spend 450 to 650. It seems like my choices are the old intel 4500, amd athlon dual core or the new i-3. Also, there doesn't seem much price difference between 3gb and 4gb of ram.

Thoughts on the processor?

 

[Emulex]

get the cheapest laptop from walmart this weekend and go to town.

why not a desktop?

1. go used-cheap and don't worry about when it gets thrashed (hence why i suggest a desktop)

2. get accidental damage and repair warranty uplift.


i think if its not a panny toughbook you are making an unwise choice with a laptop.

the IOS devices are better - with a solid case. iphone 3G or 2G - and IPAD - my daughter loves them (she has a 2g - no sim card and ipad 16G 3G) plus a dell studio one 19 multitouich all in one;.

works gear

 

[corkyg]

My experience with 4 grandkids says that laptops and kids are not a good mix. Better get a desktop - maybe even a SFF one.

 

[CurseTheSky]

It really depends on the kid. I built my fiancee's son a desktop shortly after he turned 3, and he respected it very well. About a year and a half later, his grandparents bought him a netbook. He's six now, and both computers are in great shape.

We taught him to be very respectful of computers (especially other peoples'), which is the key. If the kid is the type that'll be spilling juice on the keyboard, dropping it on the ground, or banging on keys, I HIGHLY recommend a desktop. It's much cheaper and easier to throw out a desktop keyboard and buy a new one than it is to replace a laptop keyboard and any other broken components.