Verified answer

I don`t see any problem with an eight year old having a laptop as long as he is supervised.

Children are very computer savvy these days, my four year old niece has been using one for a long time and it`s definitely helped with her spelling and reading etc.

I would go for a decent used or refurbished netbook.

Don`t go for the Allfine mini netbook, Windows CE is nothing like a normal Windows laptop, Ubisurfer is another one, I`ve tried it out and it`s a nightmare to run.

I`ve had an Acer aspire one and I`m using a Samsung NC10 at the moment, both brilliant and easy to restore factory settings if you have any problems.

I would search Ebay and other selling sites, Preloved is a good site.

Go for one with XP or Windows 7 with at least 1GB of ram and 80- 160 GB hardrive space.

Another good site is cash converters, I got my Aspire One from there and a laptop for my grandson which was described as used, but didn`t look like it had ever been used.

I hope this doesn't sound wrong or make you feel worse, but your a single mom, while I'm sure they function as a family. Its amazing how adding another adult to the equation can make a big difference. Do you have anyone who can help you, a mom, grandma etc? If your working, and taking care of your daughter having someone who can come over and watch her while you tidy the house etc could be a big help. And don't worry about the clothes, I'm sure thats how most people feel when they are limited on money. I know thats how I felt, we'd been using hand me downs for the last 5 years. And had to save like crazy just to get some good new school clothes this year. Though now I'm seeing my mothers point, kids grow so fast, its almost a waste to pay $10 a shirt, or $20 for a pair of jeans. They'll grow out of them before they really use them. lol OK...and this is going to sound lame, but I read it in a magizine and it does make a difference. (I started doing it when I felt down about myself). Dress up everyday. Just because. Even if your not going anywhere, do your hair, put on some make up etc. I have a tendency to stay in my PJ's all day because I work from home, and am constantly doing things like scrubing out the bathtub (not something you do in heels & a dress lol). But I got into a rut, and after a year of just doing the basics I started to feel so unatractive, but I didn't see the point in dressing up to clean the house. But I did it anyway and it did make me feel better. Good luck!

It depends on if you want something new or not.

Also, there are small computers (smaller than laptops) that have small memory, camera, web capability, word processing capability, chat... just about everything an 8 year old needs.

Now, you might not be able to install World of Warcraft on a small mini netbook, but perhaps it's a good way to familiarize your kid with computers, Windows... (without putting YOUR computer at risk).

buy him a 2nd hand netbook off ebay. there would be plenty to choose from, even under 150 GBP.

that Allfine mini netbook is a waste of money.

Your son is 8. How about a good second hand laptop as a starter?

I have a netbook and seriously they are just as good as any other laptop! :)

i hope you and your son have a nice christmas, forget about the money and just have fun.

What can an 8 year old do with a laptop? How about video games console?

Hi, I think ebay is the place to go! They have so.... many great laptops for the cheapest prices.

Check that site out.

No doubt you will find one for around the price your looking for.

Hope This Helps.

you are a bad parent if you give you 8 years old son a computer.

1, he will just play play and play and then he will hate school and keep play and become a nerd.* + theres so much bad on internet.

2. when i was 8 i got candy and I was happy, when i was 16 i had my first computer, when i was 16 i had a phone. He is 8... now think again and then buy him a present.

well then tell him that you can't afford a laptop. Not everyone gets what they want all the time. It's a fact of life.

When I was 8, i wanted a walkman, but I didn't get one, due to lack of money. It's just life.