Things to consider when buying your child a computer

Purchasing a computer for your child is an important decision for all involved and there are several considerations that should be taken into account before settling on a specific device.

The biggest thing to consider is how closely you would like to monitor and control your child's access to the computer. Desktop computers may be be a parent's best bet for keeping an eye on the activities of younger children. Most of them are already equipped with effective parental control options, and you'll always know when and where the machine is being accessed.

Desktops also offer plenty of benefits to children. Most notably, the extra storage space will allow kids to host large music libraries and run the latest PC games. 

If your son or daughter is a little older and using the computer for school work, a laptop or netbook might be a better choice. The added mobility could allow kids to study at friends' houses, libraries, or even cafes and restaurants if they prefer. Laptops may also save parents the extra expense and hassle of buying a new device when their son or daughter heads off to campus.