To find the best good laptop for kids, you’ll need to determine the features that are right for you and your family. We recommend that you favor laptops with light and compact form factors and those that are relatively inexpensive, to suit budget-minded families. Make sure to also consider the specs, as a powerful laptop will easily run advanced games and software applications. When buying a good laptop for kids, always look for a powerful processor, a gorgeous display, and a light and slim form factor.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Acer Spin 11 is the best good laptop for kids on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about the best laptops on the market today.
Top 10 Best Good Laptops for Kids
#1 Acer Spin 11 Good Laptop for Kids
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best laptop for homework, thanks to offering a convenient 2-in-1 convertible design, complete with touchscreen, and a high-grade battery that can last around ten hours on a single charge.
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- Offers tablet-like functionality
- 10 hours of battery per charge
- Weighs 3lb and is 0.8” thick
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- 11.6” display on smaller side
- 4GB of RAM and 32GB eMMc flash storage drive
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The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is one of the best laptops for high school students, thanks to a long-lasting battery that can run for ten hours before needing a recharge. This is a convertible laptop with a 10-point touchscreen, offering a superior tablet-like experience. We also appreciated the light and slim form factor, as this laptop for kids weighs just three pounds and is 0.8-inches thick.
Though the powerful Intel processor and seamless integration with Google’s Chrome OS make this one of the best laptops for homeschool scenarios, the 11.6-inch touch display is on the smaller side. Additionally, this computer ships with just 4GB of dedicated RAM, which could impact multitasking and a relatively small amount of solid-state storage. A better option would be the best laptop with an i7 processor and 64GB of RAM.
#2 Lenovo Flex 14 Good Laptop for Kids
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great choice for kids of all ages, thanks to a powerful AMD Ryzen processor, 12GB of DDR4 RAM, 256GB of solid-state storage, and a touchscreen display that offers a tablet-like experience.
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- Quick-charge battery technology
- Touchscreen display with pen included
- 12GB of RAM
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- Somewhat expensive
- Speakers could be stronger
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The Lenovo Flex 14 is a powerful computer that offers some robust features, such as a fantastic AMD Ryzen CPU, 12GB of dedicated RAM, and a 256GB solid-state storage drive. This is a great choice if you are wondering if to buy a laptop or iPad for kids, as the integrated touch display offers the best of both worlds and even ships with a high-grade digital stylus pen. We also appreciated the quick-charge technology embedded in the battery, as it can receive an 80 percent charge in under an hour.
This is a relatively expensive model, however, as the internal components are of exceptional quality. Also, the integrated stereo speakers are somewhat weak, so we would recommend attaching this laptop to a good third party sound system. Alternatively, you may want to consider purchasing the best laptop for college students that is the perfect entertainment machine.
#3 Apple MacBook Air Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality laptop with durable components and a powerful feature set that includes an Intel Core processor, 8GB of dedicated RAM, touch ID capabilities, and 256GB of solid-state storage.
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- Backlit keyboard for night use
- 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
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- On the expensive side
- Weighs around 5lb
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The Apple MacBook Air is the best laptop for a 10 year old daughter, or a child of any age, thanks to a robust feature set that includes an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of dedicated DDR4 RAM, and a speedy 256GB solid-state storage drive. We also appreciated the fantastic battery here, which can last up to twelve hours before a recharge, and the backlit keyboard that can easily be used at night or in lowly lit areas of the home.
This is an Apple laptop, however, and it is on the expensive side, likely due to the advanced features on offer. Additionally, the weight here may impact younger children, as it clocks in at around five pounds. A much lighter option is the best windows laptop, weighing in at less than 3 pounds.
#4 Lenovo Chromebook C330 Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST PORTABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Portable and compact design, weighing just over 2.5lb, with nifty features including a responsive touchscreen and a long-lasting battery that can go for over ten hours before needing a recharge.
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- Responsive touchscreen
- Attractive Blizzard White exterior
- 10 hours of battery life
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- Stereo speakers are rather weak
- 4GB of RAM
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The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is the best laptop for toddlers, thanks to an extremely light and compact form factor, as it weighs just 2.5 pounds and is 0.5-inches thick. The specs here are decent, with a battery that can go over ten hours before a recharge and a MediaTek MT8173C processor. We also appreciated the attractive white exterior, which is aesthetically pleasing for kids and adults alike.
Though this laptop does ship with a relatively large 64GB eMMC flash storage drive, the RAM here is underwhelming, with just 4GB of dedicated RAM included with purchase. Also, the integrated stereo speakers are on the weaker side, so we’d recommend connecting this computer to some external speakers. Check out the best laptop brands on the market today to decide which model is best for you.
#5 Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ships with a multitude of ports and connectivity options, including options for USB 3.0, HDMI, and SD cards, in addition to featuring a fantastic HD webcam and a battery that can last up to ten hours on a single charge.
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- Built-in high definition webcam
- Relatively light, at just 3lb
- Battery lasts up to ten hours
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- 16GB of eMMc flash storage
- 4GB of RAM
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The Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook is built for superior connectivity, thanks to a pair of USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, an audio jack, and integration with modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. It features a built-in HD webcam and a battery that can go up to ten hours on a single charge. We also appreciated the relatively light form factor, as this computer weighs just three pounds.
This model only ships with 16GB of eMMc flash storage, though this can be expanded via the integrated SD reader. Additionally, this laptop comes with just 4GB of dedicated RAM, which could impact multitasking. A better option would be the the best touch screen laptop with a stellar feature set that includes a powerful tenth-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 12GB of dedicated RAM.
#6 HP A4-9120C Chromebook Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Value-conscious laptop with a stellar feature set that includes a high definition camera, a powerful dual-core AMD processor, and a gorgeous anti-glare HD display.
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- HD camera with dual-array mic
- Powerful dual-core AMD processor
- 14” HD anti-glare display
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- 4GB of RAM
- Weighs nearly 5lb
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The HP A4-9120C Chromebook comes in at a value-friendly price while offering certain features in line with more expensive competitors, such as an HD webcam complete with a dual-array digital microphone and a powerful dual-core AMD processor. We also appreciated the large and gorgeous 14-inch HD display, which has been treated to resist glare and increase the viewing angle.
Though many of the specs found with this HP Chromebook are decent, this laptop does only ship with 4GB of dedicated DDR4 RAM, which could impact multitasking and running advanced applications. Also, the weight here is on the higher end for a Chromebook, clocking in at nearly five pounds. A more portable option is the best i3 laptop that has excellent specs and still features a light and thin form factor.
#7 Asus Chromebook C202SA Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly laptop with a bevy of high-end features, including a spill-resistant keyboard, a rubberized exterior, and a light and compact form factor, weighing just 2.65 pounds.
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- Spill-resistant keyboard
- Rubber bumpers help survive accidental drops
- Weighs just 2.65lb
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- Chrome OS not for everyone
- 11.6” display is not touch-sensitive
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The Chromebook C202SA comes at a budget-conscious price while offering features in line with more expensive competitors, such as a powerful Intel Celeron processor and a battery that can last for ten hours on a single charge. This is also a durable computer, which is perfect for kids, with a spill-resistant keyboard and rubber bumpers that help the laptop survive accidental drops of up to four feet.
Though this is a light and thin laptop, weighing just 2.65 pounds, the display is on the smaller side, at just 11.6-inches wide, and it is not touch-sensitive. Additionally, this computer runs using Google’s Chrome operating system, which may not be for everyone. For a Linux option, consider the best Ubuntu laptop.
#8 Asus VivoBook Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST AESTHETICS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Aesthetically pleasing black matte exterior that should please kids and adults alike, with a light form factor, a long-lasting lithium battery, and 64GB of eMMc flash storage.
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- Weighs only 2.2lb
- 10 hours of battery life
- 64GB of eMMc flash storage
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- HD display, but on smaller side
- No touch integration
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The Asus VivoBook is an extremely attractive laptop with a gorgeous black matte design and a high definition display. The specs here are on point, thanks to an Intel Celeron N4000 processor and a lithium-ion battery that can last for up to ten hours before needing to hit the power outlet. We also appreciated the light form factor, weighing just 2.2 pounds, and the 64GB of integrated eMMc flash storage.
Though the high definition display is attractive, it is just 11.6-inches wide, which is on the smaller side. Also, this display is not touch-sensitive, so you will not be able to access tablet-related applications and games, despite the power of the Intel Celeron processor. Compare instead the best 2 in 1 laptop with a pen that ships with a digital stylus for use with the touch display.
#9 Acer Chromebook 15 Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST AUDIO
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ships with a pair of upward-facing speakers that produce a crisp and rich audio experience, with a long-lasting battery that can get 12 hours per charge and a durable aluminum exterior.
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- 12 hours of battery life
- 15.6” Full HD touch display
- Durable aluminum exterior
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- 4GB of RAM
- Nearly 5lb
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The Acer Chromebook 15 is a great option for elementary school kids who like to stream movies and listen to music, as it includes a pair of high-grade upward-facing stereo speakers that produce crisp and rich audio. The specs are stellar, thanks to a long-lasting lithium battery that can go twelve hours before needing a recharge and a 15.6-inch Full HD display that is fully touch-capable. We also appreciated the durable aluminum exterior, which is made to survive short falls.
Though many of the specs are great here for middle school students and others, this laptop does ship with just 4GB of dedicated RAM, which could impede some multitasking. Additionally, this is a somewhat heavy computer, clocking in at nearly five pounds. Consider instead the best netbook on the market that weighs just over three pounds, which is not terribly heavy.
#10 Microsoft Surface Go Good Laptop for Kids
Award: BEST DETACHABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Fully detachable design, allowing for use as a full-fledged Windows laptop or tablet, with 8GB of dedicated RAM, a speedy 128GB solid-state storage drive, and a battery that lasts up to 9 hours per charge.
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- 9 hours of battery life
- 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD
- Extremely light, at around 2lb
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- PixelSense touch display is just 10”
- Does not ship with stylus or keyboard
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The Microsoft Surface Go is an iconic Windows laptop for a reason, as the fully detachable design allows it to excel as both a traditional laptop and a tablet, without much sacrifice in either department. The specs here are excellent, with a powerful Intel processor, 8GB of dedicated RAM, and a speedy 128GB solid-state storage drive. We also appreciated the light form factor, weighing just over two pounds, and the lithium battery that can go all day before needing a recharge.
Though the detachable design of this Surface laptop is great for middle school students and kids of all ages, as is the two-pound form factor, this model ships with the tablet only and does not include the keyboard or stylus pen, which is something of an oversight. Also, the PixelSense touch display of this Surface Go is gorgeous, but it is small at just 10-inches wide. A better option is the best business laptop that comes in at a respectable 14-inches of width.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we thoroughly researched a number of top laptops, ensuring they would be simple enough for kids to use but powerful enough for the adults in their lives. To that end, we admired light and compact laptops that children could easily carry around school.
We liked computers with powerful specs, so as to easily stream movies and complete homework assignments. We ended up choosing laptops with powerful processors, typically manufactured by Intel or AMD, and those that shipped with plenty of RAM, for multitasking, and large and speedy solid-state storage drives that offer plenty of storage space and storage capacity. Solid-state drives are typically more efficient and much faster than HDDs.
The displays were also extremely important here, with bonus points awarded to models that shipped with touch-enabled screens, for the purposes of allowing access to a tablet mode experience for both kids and adults. Finally, we liked laptops with a bevy of ports and connectivity options, including USB 3.0 ports, USB C ports, HDMI ports, and integration with modern Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards. A comfortable keyboard and robust security features were also a must as we went about our research.
Best Good Laptop for Kids Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Weight and Size
As these laptops are intended for use by kids as they go about their school day, weight and size should be of extreme importance. Look for laptops that are exceptionally light, around three pounds or so, and those that are slim and compact, for the purposes of stuffing into a stowaway bag or a backpack before heading off to school. You should always err on the side of caution when purchasing a laptop for a child, as a computer that weighs six or seven pounds could be frustrating to transport from location to location. - Specs and Display
Like any laptop, the specs of these kid-friendly devices should be researched before making a purchase. Look for a laptop that features plenty of computing power, with a processor manufactured by Intel or AMD and plenty of RAM, the latter being necessary for multitasking and for running power-hungry applications. You’ll also want to make sure that the computer comes with a good amount of speedy and efficient solid-state storage. The display is equally important. Look for Full HD displays that are touch-enabled, as tablet mode displays can effectively turn your laptop into a tablet, which is a great feature for kids who just want to relax and play some simple games after doing their homework. - Additional Features
Some additional features should be of interest to kids and parents alike. These include high-grade HD webcams, for the purposes of video chatting with friends and family, and vibrant integrated stereo speakers for watching TV shows and movies. Other great features can include a multitude of ports, including USB 3.0, and integration with modern Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards. Finally, some features, such as a fingerprint scanner, can be useful for the purposes of security.
