Need help finding laptop for a 6yr old, $250 or under.

[budmonster]

My 6yr old son is pretty tech savvy & has been asking for a laptop. I'm looking for something $250 or under, it can be refurbished.

He will be doing school stuff on it, learning software & light gaming like Minecraft.

This is the laptop I purchased: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1TS-000D-002J8

but was told it will not be "sufficient" enough for a young kid so I'm thinking of returning it. Can you guys please help me find one that'll work for him, however I can't justify dropping $500-600 on a 6yr old.

 

[geofelt]

In what way is that supposed to be "insufficient"?

I have had great success in buying used thinkpad laptops and replacing a slow hard drive with a ssd.

 

[USAFRet]

Keep it. For a 6 year old, that is on the edge of 'too much'.

 

[velo3100]

You are better of with a lenovo as they are more sturdier. Try and find a second one on ebay and it should last a lot longer.

 

[geofelt]

If you are a bit handy:
Buy a refurbished thinkpad. Here is one for $110
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834321062

Buy a Samsung 120gb ssd for about $70(240gb will be about $100)
clone the os and replace the hard drive. You may need a usb to sata adapter cable for $10 or so.
The performance difference is magical.

2gb is a bit small, but a 2gb ram upgrade will be about $15.

So, for $200 or so, you will get a very good quality laptop that should last a long time.