Computer Shopping Advice for Child (long)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Usually I’m the one people ask for computer advice, but these circumstances have some special considerations I hope I can get some advice on.

My brother-in-law is shopping for a laptop computer for his daughter (my niece, 13 years old). He lives and works in Mexico, being the Mexican that he is. His daughter is spending a year abroad (Spokane, WA) to learn English. Electronics (and laptops especially) are considerably more expensive than in the USA, and international shipping can present some issues, so the logical thing is to ask me to buy it in the USA and ship it to her in Washington.

Cool, no problem, but he wants me to spec it out since I’m the expert in the family, and to ensure that I install Windows, Office, has Hotmail access, and works with Microsoft messenger.

My first instinct, of course, is to set her up with a MacBook, which meets all of the requirements except for Windows. They’re also dirt cheap, stylish, and can run Windows via Boot Camp or Parallels.

The MacBook only has a piddly, little 80GB drive, so I don’t see using both Parallels and Boot Camp (two separate installations). Given that she’s 13, would Parallels be too difficult a concept for her? If I do Boot Camp, maybe she’d never boot into the Mac OS and not get to learn it.

Maybe I should just forget Windows and let her learn the Mac, but if it doesn’t work out I’d feel a little guilty having forced it on them.

The only Windows I can see getting retail is English, which is a good or a bad thing depending on perspective. Mac OS, though, is Spanish right out of the box, which would at least put her in her comfort zone while learning to use the computer.

Am I overthinking this? Windows in a Window isn’t hard to grasp, right?

Any feedback before I make this decision?

2

I think I can see this thread heading for Great Debates.

I think you should do what your BIL asks and get her a Windows machine. Windows is also multi-lingual, so you can use it with Spanish or English.

3

I’d think long and hard about getting a 13 year old a laptop. Too easily stolen, difficult for her hosts to monitor, etc. I’d suggest you consult with the family with whom she’s staying

4

I agree with FatBaldGuy. You should get it with Windows because that’s what was asked for, and there are no compelling reasons not to do so.

5

I’d get her a Windows PC, too. If she’s going to return to Mexico, I don’t know how readily available software is, but Windows software is bound to be easier to find than Apple software.

6

Also, if she is attending school, she might find that there are things that require Windows.

She might also be in classes that are teaching her English by USING Windows - such as basic computer tasks and how to find menu items in English.

She may also get English-teaching software from the schools, which require PCs.

Microsoft is big on giving huge software discounts to schools (especially, I’d assume, in Washington). I do see a lot of schools with Mac stores too, but you can get tons of PC apps for dirt cheap.

She’ll be better off with a PC, IMHO.