Find the Perfect PC for Your Family

Tiny Tots

Different age groups have very different computing needs, which means, of course, different hardware needs. Let's start with the youngest group, children between the ages of two and eight.

People are often surprised when they see my son deftly maneuvering his mouse, but he's hardly the only tech tot out there. He learned his way around the computer by using some of the many applications designed for children. Plenty of companies, including Fisher-Price and The Learning Company, develop games that help teach toddlers colors, numbers, words, and letters; subjects for older kids include spelling, geography, and math.

The hardware requirements for educational software are usually fairly modest; in a random sample of more than 20 titles, I found that in all cases, a 300-MHz Pentium II with 128MB of RAM was more than enough for all of them. This makes it very inexpensive to have a separate PC for the youngsters; you have the option of getting a secondhand PC, or simply dusting off the one you've had sitting in the closet.

If you'd prefer a brand-new model, consider buying from a budget PC vendor like EMachines. The $449 T2824 probably has everything you need except for a monitor. It features a 2.53-GHz Intel Celeron D 325 processor, 256MB of system RAM, a 40GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, an 8-in-1 memory card reader, and Windows XP Home edition. EMachines' least expensive monitor costs $110.

EMachines' Web site offers more details about the T2824.

Another good entry-level option is Dell's Dimension 2400. Configured with a 19-inch CRT monitor, a 2.66-GHz Pentium 4 processor, and both DVD-ROM and CD-RW drives, we got a price of $699. Plus, it includes a home-oriented software bundle.

Incidentally, the jury is still out on very young children using computers. Some experts think that using a mouse can enhance hand-eye coordination; others see benefits in educational software that allow children to explore shapes, colors, and sound. Others say computers (along with TV) help decrease attention span, and take away time from other developmental activities. Even if you agree with those in the former camp, it's generally recommended that children not spend too much time in front of the screen at the expense of other healthy activities. Also, keep an eye on their posture--ergonomic considerations that are important for adults are even more important for kids, whose bodies are still developing.