When you’re looking to buy a laptop for your 10-year old son or daughter, you need to know what it’ll be used for.
At that age, your child is probably required by their school to have a laptop at home that matches those used in the classroom, so you’ll need one that’ll boost their study productivity.
Kids are mastering computer skills at very young ages, not just to stream videos on YouTube, but to learn how to code, use the internet, word processing, and other everyday computer skills.
Nonetheless, a 10-year old with a laptop is commonplace in the 21st century, but the challenge is in finding the right machine that your son or daughter can use.
If it’s for school, you need to find out the general requirements for laptops so you can choose the one that’s compatible with what the school suggests they own.
The good thing is that laptops are portable so the kids can tote theirs along with them to school, study group, or the library.
We rounded up the 10 best laptops for your 10 year old son or daughter so you can prepare them for the tech-filled future and make sure they stay ahead of the curve.
1. Dell Inspiron HD Chromebook 11 3181
Chromebooks are great for kids as they’re easy to use and virtually mistake-proof, and this 2-in-1 Dell Chromebook doesn’t disappoint, whether you drop it or not.
A unique thing about this laptop for your 10 year old son or daughter is that you can’t download any malicious software as it provides one of the safest environments for them to use.
It also comes with parental controls, and is pretty affordable if your kid needs a cheap laptop to get school assignments done.
What’s more, this excellent device transforms into a tablet so they can play some games after they’re done with their homework.
This laptop sports a chunky design with a plastic and rubber case that favors durability over looks, so its build is sturdy and solid enough that it won’t flex under pressure.
The rubber lining on the outer edge of the main body and lid make it likely to survive drops, so it’s a solid choice for students.
Its battery can last an entire school day without needing a charge, plus its lightweight means your kid can carry it around all day in their backpack without worrying about it breaking.
The Dell 3181 features include an Intel Celeron N3060 processor with Intel HD Graphics 400 card, an 11.6” (1366×768) HD touchscreen, and eMMC storage of 32GB-64GB with 4GB RAM.
It also has two standard USB ports, a full-sized HDMI port, memory card reader only for microSD cards, and a standard headphone jack.
What We Like
- Rugged design
- IPS screen with good viewing angles
- Multi-tasking capabilities
- Longer than average battery life with quick charging
- Affordable
- Access to Android apps
- Solid and durable
- Split-screen functionality
What We Don’t like
- Heavy for its size
- Isn’t future proof
- Not very powerful
- Can be sluggish
- Dated plastic and rubber design
- Sub-par speakers
- Poor screen visibility in direct sunlight
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2. Asus Chromebook C202
This is a great kid’s laptop because of its portability, durability, and impressive battery life.
It can also withstand all the possible bruises and bumps that can happen because it has a reinforced rubber guard around it, which protects against drops of up to 3.9 feet.
The Asus C202 features a spill-resistant keyboard, 10 hours of battery life, 16GB storage and 4GB RAM, an 11.6” (1366×768) anti-glare display, and Intel Celeron N3060 processor.
It can stand up to daily use in and out of class, with its rugged yet durable build, plus your child will enjoy the comfy keyboard that makes typing a breeze.
Its lay-flat hinge means you can fold its lid backwards until the screen lays flat. This is great for kids working as a group.
Being a Chromebook, you won’t have to worry about possible malware or viruses that could infiltrate it from other platforms.
It also has parental controls you can use add screen time limits, or limit visits to particular sites.
You can also use the controls to block potentially harmful extensions on Chrome that can compromise your child’s experience with the computer.
What We Like
- Offers great value
- Durable
- Comfortable keyboard
- Impressive battery life
- Anti-glare screen helps in bright sunlight
- Access to Android apps
- Portable
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller screen
- Grainy camera
- Design isn’t as slick as other Chromebooks
- Limited features
- Performance may suffer in a few areas
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3. Lenovo IdeaPad 120S
This Windows laptop isn’t quite as ruggedized as other laptops here, but it comes at an excellent price and offers a good amount of storage.
If your kid likes or is accustomed to Windows 10, the Lenovo IdeaPad 120S will be one of the best laptops he or she can use. It boasts a USB-C port, and its build is mildly ruggedized so it can survive drops and slips.
Its design is stylish and attractive, in fact better looking than its bargain price would suggest. However, the screen resolution isn’t high enough, but it makes up for this flaw by having a good full-day battery life.
The trackpad is also big, so younger hands will enjoy it, and the laptop is free of bloatware that can be a distraction to your child as they do their assignments, play games, or watch videos.
Features include an Intel Celeron N3350, Intel HD Graphics 500 card, 11.6” (1366×768) HD screen, eMMC 64GB storage, and 2GB RAM.
What We Like
- Great price
- Good storage
- Stylish design
- USB-C port
- No bloatware
- Full-day battery life
What We Don’t Like
- Mildly ruggedized
- Low resolution screen
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4. Acer Chromebook R11
This is a 2-in-1 device that works as a tablet or laptop and is comfortable for use in any of the two modes. Parents looking for a higher level of control over their children’s time on the computer or online will find the Acer Chromebook R11 an outstanding choice.
It offers a convertible body and all-day battery, alongside an 11.6” touchscreen display with parent-friendly features like Supervised Users that lets parents control the sites kids can visit while capturing their web activity.
However, it has limited app download potential, which means you won’t have to worry about malware or viruses. The laptop is also designed for easy and quick access to the internet, but as mentioned, you have full control over what your kid is doing or not doing online.
While it’s a bit heavy to use as a tablet over long periods of time, it hits the right marks in performance and design with attractive styling choices including colors like gray and black.
However, it’s largely made of plastic with a textured metal insert on the lid for a unique look and an entirely white body and angular look compared to other Chromebooks.
Features include a USB 3.1 port, full-sized HDMI port and SD card reader, USB 2.0 port, audio jack, and speakers, plus a passively-cooled design with no vents or fans. This results in less power consumption and silent operation.
It has a 11.6” IPS touchscreen display so color depth and viewing angles are great. Its native 1366×768 resolution is a little low, but common for its size and can be used indoors in all kinds of light levels.
The keyboard has nicely spaced keys so you can type for long periods of time, and its touchpad feels somewhat loose, but is still usable.
What We Like
- Stylish design
- Google integration
- Good keyboard
- Intuitive touchscreen
- Seamless switching between tablet or laptop mode
- Good for productivity
- Crisp, colorful display
What We Don’t Like
- Low resolution screen
- Inconsistent touchpad
- Grainy camera
- Lower battery life than others
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5. MacBook Air
Apple’s MacBook Air isn’t just for adults, but is also one of the best laptops for kids. Your 10-year old son or daughter will find this computer exciting, with its top-notch performance and slim build.
There are plenty of deals out there on MacBook Air laptops, so you needn’t worry about price. However, you’ll get a lot more like great battery life, a smooth and easy to navigate operating system, and a light and thin form factor.
It’ll also last your kid for years as Macs are built for longevity.
The MacBook Air features an Intel Core i5-i7 processor, Intel HD graphics 6000 card, 13.3” WXGA+ (1440×900) LED screen, 128GB-512GB SSD storage, and 8GB RAM.
It’s an all-aluminum build, lightweight and slim laptop, which means it’s portable and will take up minimal space in your kid’s backpack.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Easy to navigate operating system
- Portable
- Fits in a backpack
- Great battery life
- Good storage
- Top-notch performance
What We Don’t Like
- Low resolution screen
- Doesn’t have the latest parts inside
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 11
This is another great laptop for 10-year old kids and they can use it both for schoolwork or play. It packs features such as an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, Intel HD Graphics 500 card, 32GB eMMC storage, and an 11.6” HDF (1366×768) touch screen.
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 sports a rugged design and is powerful enough to get your kids through their daily schoolwork or assignments. As a 2-in-1 machine, they can flip the keyboard and use it as a tablet to play games in their free time.
Other features it offers include two USB-C and two USB 3.0 ports, a snappy keyboard, two cameras, Wacom stylus, ChromeOS so it won’t get viruses, plus access to Android apps.
While it shrugs off drops, knocks, and water spills, its display is a bit dim and its performance isn’t that great. However, it makes up for this with its affordability, durability, and functionality.
What We Like
- Rugged design
- Great features
- Affordable
- Durable
- Functional
What We Don’t Like
- Low resolution screen
- Stylus can get lost easily
- Android compatibility isn’t perfect
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7. Dell Chromebook 11 3180
This Dell Chromebook sports rubberized edges with drop protection making it a great value laptop for parents as they can rest easy knowing it can withstand at least small drops.
Its spill-resistant keyboard can handle anything from spills and snacks, to backpacks and lockers.
It also has great battery life with 10 hours available when it’s in use, which is more than what your kid needs to make it through the day at school.
It can lay flat or prop up like a tent, but it can also act as a traditional laptop or a tablet, making it easy to work as a group with other kids.
Parental controls are built into the laptop’s operating system so you can keep your kids only on tasks while controlling the content they watch during downtime.
Features include 11.6” screen, spill-proof keyboard, 32GB storage, Chrome operating system, a rubberized bumper, and Corning Gorilla Glass to give the screen extra scratch protection and more resilience.
What We Like
- Great battery life
- Portable
- Sturdy build
- Comfy keyboard
What We Don’t Like
- Poor audio quality
- Unattractive design
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Although it’s pricey, this laptop runs Windows 10, which means it can run Microsoft Office and other software for educational purposes. If you need to attach a keyboard, you can do that but you can also connect a stylus for drawing or writing by hand.
This beautiful laptop features a 12.3” screen with 2736×1824 resolution, which is much higher than others on this list.
A front-facing 5-megapixel camera is also available for use during live chats, plus its battery lasts all day for a school day and still have some left over for assignments.
What We Like
- Great battery life
- Responsive
- Vibrant display
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Sound quality is just fair
- Screen keyboard is odd
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9. Acer Chromebook 15
The Acer Chromebook 15 is a perfect laptop to get your kids when they turn 10 because they’ll need something that’s robust with sharper streaming and can support them over larger class projects.
This sophisticated laptop features full HD display, a HDR webcam and fast USB 3.0 connections. It is ideal for 10 year old kids or older, and they’ll enjoy a large size and luxury experience beyond the kid-proof features of the computers they used at a younger age.
It also has an Intel Pentium N4200 processor, 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) display, Intel HD Graphics 505 card, 32GB storage, and 4GB RAM.
What We Like
- Good resolution
- Luxury feel
- Great battery life
- Fanless design
- 1080p display
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Hefty dimensions and weight
- Can be weighed down with tabs
- Trackpad feels clunky
10. Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft Surface Go is a well-built yet affordable laptop, and is the most portable option in Microsoft’s Surface Tablet line. It packs a light core processing power and it’s extremely powerful and well made.
This machine may be pricier than some on this list, but it’s very adaptable and offers extremely good value as it works brilliantly as a laptop or tablet.
Features include a 10.6” screen, 64GB storage, and Windows 10 in S mode. It even has a kickstand, which folds out holding the tab in different angles if your kid wants to watch a video or type assignments.
It also has good battery life, a lot of storage, a decent keyboard, plus you can get a Type Cover to protect the screen, and other extras like a stylus and mouse.
What We Like
- Low-cost Surface line laptop
- High quality build
- Good battery life
- Small, lightweight design
- Portable
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Cramped keyboard
- Middling speed
- No full-size USB ports
- Narrow for lap use
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What To Look For In A Laptop For A 10-Year Old Kid
There’s a lot to consider when looking for the best laptop for your 10 year old son or daughter.
Below are some of the main factors to check for as you search for the best pick:
Size
Children have smaller hands and aren’t as strong as adults, so smaller and lighter laptops of up to 13 inches are easier to carry, and they won’t struggle transporting them to school and back.
Sturdiness
The laptop must have a sturdy build because kids don’t take as much care and delicacy with most stuff. For it to last, find something durable and strong.
Delicate glass screens may not last long, but find something with a well-built shell, and rubbery lining plus ruggedized design to protect interior components.
Operating System
ChromeOS is the preferred system as it is almost impossible to infect with malware or viruses, and they’re cheap.
However, it can’t run standard programs like Microsoft Office, so you might want to opt for Windows or MacOS if your kid has web-based work.
Parental Controls
A laptop for kids should have parental controls so you can provide guided access to the Web, without endangering them.
Chromebooks helps you create supervised user accounts to lock out dangerous websites while preventing malware or viruses.
Compatibility
The laptop you get should match the educator’s demands if it’s going to be used for schoolwork.
Performance: Pick a laptop with a good processor, typically Core i3 or higher, adequate storage of about 128GB, and a good graphics card for light gaming or video streaming.
Price: the average cost for laptops for kids will vary but that’ll largely depend on what you want and the specs.
Lower ticket computers may be constructed simply and be less durable, but you get what to pay for.
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Conclusion
Buying a laptop for your 10 year old child is as strategic a decision as you would make when buying your own.
You’re open to a lot of learning, curiosity, and play, but it can be a daunting process trying to figure out what is needed and what isn’t necessary.
We hope you now know what to look for and you’ve found a few picks from our list that you’ll consider for your child.
