The Best Laptop for Kids in 2024 favorite kid-friendly Picks

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 chooses an AMD APU that makes use of the popular Radeon graphics tech for improved 3D graphics – which means, if you’re feeling up to it, you might as well enjoy some games from the Google Play Store! The dual-core AMD processor does surpass Intel Celeron in speed, if not quite by much, and thus, Chrome OS will stay fairly quick. More crucially, the Acer Spin 311 seems sturdy and well-crafted, able to withstand being tossed into a school bag or dropped from a car’s back seat. It’s incredibly easy to carry, and while the screen isn’t the most vibrant, it’s still fully functional. Although the battery life is decent for a Chromebook, which isn’t great, the reasonable price tag makes it a solid option.

If you’re searching for something incredibly budget-friendly, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Flex Chromebook is an ideal option. Currently, you can find this model for slightly over $200 in the US, and it’s similarly affordable in many other countries. At its launch, it was offered at $339, and we still rated it with four stars. However, it won’t outperform more pricey laptops in terms of speed, but its solid build, extended battery life, and touchscreen with a 360-degree hinge for transforming into a tablet stand, renders this the ideal choice for a younger child as their first laptop. It can withstand anything a child might throw at it, and with Chrome OS’s built-in Parent Mode, you can be confident your child’s online safety is protected.

Unfortunately, Google has decided to close its laptop division, meaning we won’t be seeing a new model. However, you can still find a Pixelbook Go at an affordable price – and it’s truly the top Chromebook available. During our testing, we were impressed by the incredibly long battery life and the great ‘Hush’ keyboard, which gives the laptop a solid yet stylish feel. It features a high-quality 1080p camera – ideal for online classes or catching up with friends via video chat – and runs Chrome OS flawlessly; a seamless blend of Google’s hardware and software. Keep in mind that this laptop is on the more expensive side of Chromebooks, so if you’re looking to save money, you might want to look elsewhere. Our main critique is that it offers a lot for the price, and Google is dedicated to making sure Chrome OS stays reliable, secure, and safe for children for many years.

Chromebooks often come with low prices, but the main drawback of using Chrome OS is that it doesn’t offer the same range of features and support as Windows does. For a traditional laptop at a more affordable price, the Acer Aspire 5 is an excellent choice. The Intel Core i5 chip in most Chromebooks around the same cost range isn’t especially noteworthy for a Windows computer. However, the low price of the Aspire 5 makes it an excellent deal, and you’re also getting a lot more for your money.

If your child is interested in a laptop for both educational tasks and gaming, it might be worthwhile to look into a gaming Chromebook. Our top pick among these specialized laptops is the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. It stands out for its impressive performance, stylish yet durable design, and an excellent display, even though it comes with a slightly higher price than the most budget-friendly options. The quality of the construction does make it worth the extra cost – it’s perfect for a slightly older child. Remember, these ‘gaming Chromebooks’ continue to use Google’s Chrome OS, meaning they can’t run games from popular platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store. However, you can still enjoy games by downloading them from the Google Play Store, or use online streaming services like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which need a subscription and a reliable internet connection but offer a vast selection of games to choose from, ideal for kids who enjoy trying out new games. The Best Laptop for Kids in 2024 favorite kid-friendly Picks