I have a DELL that I bought 5 years ago and “touch wood” I havent had an issue with it. It runs perfectly fine

I like dell, go online they give you a great comparison on their laptops. I like the inspirtation 15 which is not badly priced and good enough for all things like officeworks, photoshop etc You can also get really good virus protected included.

My daughter has an ASUS and we are very happy with it. Most of the software you need, you will probably have to buy as well, but you might be able to buy a package deal for a student, that includes all the software she will need. Personally I would deal with an independent retailer, as I find they are better to deal with, because if something goes wrong with it , they usually will be able to fit it for you.

iPad no contest 😉

I love my Toshiba and my 10 year old daugher finds it very easy to use for school projects etc.

HP

Macbook pro.

I think something like the new Windows 8 Surface Pro (not RT version) tablet combined with laptop is a good buy. The non RT version or a similar brand product maybe HP should allow you to install windows programs as usual plus you have access to Windows 8 Store Apps- many older programs that worked on even Windows 98, XP and Windows 7 may still work on Windows 8. I know the latter to be true on my current PC running older programs well on Windows 8. Get Windows 8 and not a lower version – there is a Windows 81 update coming out soon too – maybe wait till that is released to get new laptop with that. This will ensure future software will be compatible for some years to come.

I have setup an Acer notebook for my father but don’t recommend as best – one of keys on keyboard fell out soon after purchase and replacement required sending via post interstate to NSW – for 1 missing key so I forgot it! Not easy to get replacement parts if in another state. Too cheap a product,
If need a product until child goes to high school – I would get a laptop all family can use and that you can place in a family room to monitor use and internet use. Name brand not so important but get from a recommended local store and get it custom fit with important requirements. Basic things need are good hard drive – Seagate brand I recommend and large size so won’t outgrow easily like 1TB. Also Ram 4Gb minimum and Motherboard with USB 3 ports as these devices are getting more common.

Compaq is a good brand we have had ours for 3 years now 🙂

Just don’t get windows 8 the program will be to confusing for her. My 11 & 14 yr olds laptops run windows 8 and they get so frustrated and hardly use it. They are always on the other laptop or pc.

Wouldn’t ever go past a MacBook they are the best by a mile 🙂

Sandra haven’t heard of that one 🙂

An Ipad mini!

Personally I would get a Dell, Asus or an HP. If you are an auto club member (NRMA, RACQ, RACV, etc) you can get a discount from Dell on selected systems. We’ve owned 4 Dell laptops and their service has been impeccable, even when selling us replacement parts for long out of warranty systems. My mother in law recently got an Asus and it’s fantastic. You might be tempted to get a netbook with a smaller screen for your daughter, but the resolutions on the monitors can be too small to properly run some apps and I wuold steer clear of that. I wouldn’t get one with less than a 13″ screen and for use at a desk or the dining table, I’d get a 15″. My daughters are using our outdated Dell 15″ systems as their laptops running Ubuntu Linux and they love it. It’s very easy to setup. There are plenty of places that sell second hand systems if you don’t want to purchase new. Just make sure you get a decent warranty (IMO 30 days is nowhere near enough for what they charge on some of the old systems). BTW, our older laptops are 8 years and 7 years old (same age as the kids heh) and still going strong. The only things we’ve needed to replace are batteries, and it’s no big deal for the kids to have to plug the laptop into the wall to use it. Saves them carrying it off somewhere else in the house where they can’t be properly supervised 🙂

great question ,my 9 yrold is asking for one too,

I would buy a MAC and netNanny. Good luck!

Go with Mac as they are most commonly used in schools and the kids can navigate them easily.

What are you looking for Janine? I can have a look. I usually sell mostly desktops, printers, servers etc as my clients are businesses mostly. :S

We bought an acer a year ago and have sent it back twice for warranty issues so I def would not recommend them…. Check with the schools what they learn on and try match program’s so it’s not hard for her to adapt…