Page Text: Best Gaming Laptop for Teens: Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC
Best Gaming Laptop for Teens
For the gaming teen, you won’t want to overlook the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC.
$1,595.00
Buy on Amazon
The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM and a 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H 6 Core Processor – and if you aren’t sure what that exactly means, the best way to put it in layman’s terms is that it will play pretty much any game your teen could want to play. And if she’s an avid gamer, then this is one you won’t want to miss out on.
Of course, it’s not only good for gaming; your teen will still be able to take notes and write essays with no problems. This computer is robust enough that you can expect your teen to be able to use it just as you could a desktop – for better or for worse. You may want to check into parental controls if you’re concerned, because this computer has very few limitations on its operation!
This gaming laptop has right around 450 customer reviews on Amazon that have earned it an overall rating of 4.2 stars. That’s plenty enough to sell you on the quality, but if you need a bit more reassurance, take a look at those reviews and we think you’ll be sold!
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC Key Features:
Additional options include: headset, mouse pad, and Microsoft Office
2-hour initial set up time
WASD and Arrow blue-lit; keyboard backlit
Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Teens: Lenovo 11.6″ HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1
Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Teens
Rather than purchasing both a tablet and a laptop, why not get one that will do both with the Lenovo 11.6″ HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1.
$208.00
Buy on Amazon
Most teens have access to a tablet or a laptop, but we dare say most parents aren’t particularly keen on the idea of giving them both. The Lenovo 11.6″ HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1 is the best of both worlds and allows your teen to have all the perks of either, depending on his use. If she wants to type her papers up quickly, then the laptop will be opened just as you’d expect, and she’ll have the added bonus of combining the touchscreen to amplify her use. If she’d rather run an app that works better as a tablet, then the keyboard folds back and the touchscreen will allow her to do so.
As a Chromebook, you’ll probably want to bear in mind that she won’t be able to install Microsoft Office, but with growing popularity for these types of laptops, Google Docs is more and more widely accepted for emailed assignments. It’s even more user friendly than it once was, making the pull towards a Microsoft laptop less and less. For printed-out and handed in essays, the teacher won’t even know the difference.
More than 150 people have felt strongly enough about this laptop to come back to Amazon and leave a review; and when the reviews are 85% positive, giving it an overall rating of 4.4 stars, it makes the laptop all the more attractive. And for a laptop that only runs around $240, you certainly won’t feel like you’ve bought a lemon with this one!
Lenovo 11.6″ HD IPS Touchscreen 2-in-1 Key Features:
1366 x 768 HD resolution
10 hour average battery life
Google Chrome OS
Who Should Buy a Laptop for a Teen
If your teen has been struggling in classes, then a laptop may be able to help with his grades. Not only will he be able to take more efficient notes in class with the use of a laptop, he won’t lose them, either. In the same vein, completed homework won’t be misplaced or left at home, and his essays will always be available for him to work on while he has his laptop on hand. Accessing the internet is all the easier with a laptop that he can connect to a wifi wherever he takes it and that means his ability to complete his homework is only dependent on access to the internet. Even if your teen hasn’t been struggling, you may see a bump in grades and overall productivity with the addition of a laptop. Not only will your teen be better able to complete homework and projects, but the entire world’s knowledge will be just a few clicks away.
For a teen who is about to enter college, a high-quality laptop is an absolute must-have item. Once in college, the number of times your teen will use it daily will be astronomical, so you’ll want to make sure you’re finding a laptop that will stand up to her frequent use. And if you know what a teenager can subject her possessions to, then you know just how badly that can go. Make sure you’re accounting for that by picking a laptop that will get the same kind of treatment. They make ultra-durable laptops for the rougher teens and for the neglectful, you can choose a robust antivirus, too. Before college, the teen may not use the laptop as religiously, but both of those features become all the more beneficial for that age. And for the high school aged teen, there will still be plenty of use in both school and for entertainment. You’ll be able to keep in contact easier when your child is away from home and the games she’ll be able to play, even on a basic laptop, will still keep her occupied for as long as she wants.
Best Overall Laptop for Teens
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is all your teen will need for a laptop to get his work done and still perform a bit of gaming or video watching, as well.
$390.48
Buy on Amazon
Important Features to Consider
A teen’s laptop should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a laptop for your teen:
Processor. If your teen will be doing any work with graphics or wants a laptop for gaming, you’ll want to consider upgrading the processor. Otherwise, most available processors are powerful enough to handle any standard applications a high school student would run.
RAM. If speed, such as for gaming, is an issue, then shopping around for models with upgraded RAM is essential. This will ensure your teen’s laptop doesn’t get slowed down at critical moments.
Audio/video. A decent set of speakers, integrated microphone, and camera are must-haves for your teen’s laptop dream sheet. This ensures they can stay connected with friends and family, and allows them to enjoy both movies and games with ease. If, however, you’re going to monitor how your teen uses this new laptop, you may want to consider that in the type of laptop you purchase.
Storage. Unless your child requires large storage capabilities for school projects, most standard hard drives will cover their needs. Anywhere from 128GB-500GB is standard and will more than handle most needs. If additional storage is required, you can purchase an external hard drive that easily connects via USB for an affordable price.
Durability. If there’s a potential for bumps and drops, purchasing a laptop with integrated shock absorbers or the like will help to protect your investment. You can also purchase aftermarket accessories that help cut down on wear and tear, and any accidents that may happen. Carrying cases or protective sleeves are worth the small investment in order to protect your child’s laptop.
Size. Teens (especially those who are gaming) will appreciate a larger screen size. Models around 13 inches offer a good compromise between size and affordability. Be conscious of the weight of the laptop, so that your child isn’t lugging around a computer that’s too heavy for them to safely carry. Heavier laptops are also more likely to be damaged in case of falls or bumps. Look for models that weigh less than 5 pounds.
Specs overrule names. You’ll probably see plenty of the same name brands and model names over and over while you’re searching for the right laptop for your teen. The one thing you’ll need to bear in mind is that the brand and even model number does not always mean they’ll have the same specifications. You’ll want to check the above features in each laptop you’re considering. You may very well think you’re getting the model with the 8GB of RAM, but you accidentally get the laptop 6GB of RAM and your child’s favorite game won’t be run on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do high school students need laptops?
Need is a relative word. Your teen very likely won’t need a laptop during high school; if the course material requires a computer, one will most often provided for your teen’s use. Schools will typically give high schoolers a free period and access to a library or computer lab to complete anything they are required to type up or research. For more affluent schools, they may even allow your child to borrow laptops during the school year. If your teen tends to bring home a lot of homework that requires the use of a computer and your home is without one (or you aren’t able to share), then you may want to look into a local library that will, no doubt, provide him access to one. For most assignments in high school, there will still be ample opportunity to work on the assignments that require their use.
However, they will undoubtedly benefit from a laptop. Case in point, with a laptop, your teen won’t be able use the excuse, “I didn’t have a computer for my homework” to blame for his bad grades and incomplete assignments. If your child struggles with focus or time management, then the time provided for the class may not be enough for him and he will require additional work at home. If you’re able to give him the ease a laptop can provide, even if not needed, it will still be very helpful for your teen’s grades and academic career.
Can computers be tracked if stolen?
Unfortunately, your teen’s laptop won’t be able to be tracked in case of theft when you purchase it. However, there are a few programs you can put on the laptop to help with that (some are even free). These programs will lay dormant until you notify the server that the laptop has been stolen. Then the program will, most often, trace your laptop’s location via the wifi locations as it connects to them or enters their range. You’ll be able to monitor your laptop’s connectivity and view screenshots of your computer’s use remotely via the program’s website service. These programs can even periodically take webcam photos to identify the thief. It doesn’t guarantee that your teen’s laptop will be recovered, but it certainly increases the chances!
Your computer’s laptop can be tracked if stolen – but only if you take precautions ahead of time. After picking out a laptop for your teen, you’ll probably want to check out a list of laptop tracking software .
What are the benefits of a laptop for teens?
Primarily, having her own laptop will give your teen the opportunity to reach her potential in academic success. It will make researching a bit faster, and over time they’ll learn how to discern credible sources from the less credible. You’ll be giving your child multiple options for writing and editing, which will often help her learn different formats and after correcting the same grammar mistakes over and over, she’ll learn the correct way to write faster than by handwriting. By trying multiple writing and editing programs, she’ll learn what works best for her and develop her skills more easily in her preferred format. She’ll also have more efficient notes from her classes. She’ll be able to go back to her typed notes to better organize them and as she organizes, she’s actually studying. When she wants to find something specific in her notes, she’ll be able to quickly search through several pages at once, making it much faster to find the right answers. With access to the internet and emails, she’ll be able to send and receive her classmates’ notes to compare and facilitate efficient group work. Should she miss a class, another student with a laptop can send her the notes and she can paste them directly into her working class document to make it a seamless absence.
As an additional perk, your teen will be able to play a lot of her games in the privacy in her own room without bothering the rest of the family or monopolizing the television. You could also allow your teen to use her laptop for video calls with friends or family, making the distance between her and his grandparents meaningless. Finally, keep in mind that even if you have a family computer, purchasing a laptop for your teen will keep her off yours.
What age should a kid get a laptop?
Of course there are no hard and fast rules on what you get your kid and when. When you purchase a laptop for your child – if you ever do – is going to depend on your and your child’s preferences, as well as your finances, to say the least. With the increased use of tablets and phones, your child may not even want a laptop until it becomes academically beneficial. If that’s the question you’d like answered, then you’re looking at advanced middle schoolers maybe but primarily, high school aged teens will benefit from owning a laptop. If you’re willing or able to, you can experiment by allowing them to borrow your laptop and see how well they do with it. If you notice an improvement in grades, or a minimized time completing homework, then you may want to look deeper into a laptop of their own. After high school and into college your teen will more likely “need” a laptop. (Or rather, this is the academic level where not having one will be a detriment to him.)
It’s a personal choice that will probably effect your entire family in one way or another, so you’ll want to avoid rushing in, just because there’s a good Black Friday sale. Remember, if your oldest child gets a laptop at 13 years old, your other children will want one at that age as well. While that may make sense, bear in mind, too, that your 11 year old may get into coding and your 16 year old could still love using the computer lab at school.
Other Laptops for Teens We Reviewed
Best Overall Laptop for Teens
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is all your teen will need for a laptop to get work done and still perform a bit of gaming or video watching, as well.
$390.48
Buy on Amazon
We looked at 45 other laptops for teens. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best laptops for teens list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your teen. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.