Is 16 too young for a laptop Please look at background info it is at the bottom of the page?

Answer 1

So, first of all, let me apologize if I do anything wrong, this is my first time using this website. FYI, this was supposed to be under the explanation of the question, I honestly have no clue how to use this website (yet).

As you see above, I am asking the question if I'm too young to own a laptop. I'm asking because I'm in a struggle with my parents, they're saying no (and I have no clue why), but I really want one (and you may even make an argument saying I need one).

Time for some background so you know what type of kid I am. I currently only use my phone (an iPhone 5s), and our family's desktop (a late 2009 iMac [and I hate macs]). I am running around a 96% unweighted average. I'm in 3 AP classes, and the rest are all honors. In addition, I play guitar, and am very busy with scouts (and I mean VERY busy).

The reason why I want a laptop is for a number of reasons including taking notes (I'm one of the few kids in my class who don't take notes on a laptop, can barely read my own writing, and can type extremely fast). It will also help improve my organization. In addition, I essentially need it for scouts at this point. I'm traveling hours just to get to some meetings, camp outs, etc. I need to be able to keep up with my work on the go (I'm camping almost every weekend), and most of my work at this point is on the computer.

You may say that one of the reasons why my parents don't want me to get a laptop is because of trust, but our family mac is in a small room that they don't check on (ever). There is no parental control (unless you consider me changing the settings so often that my parents have no clue how to use it half the time, but that's a bit backwards ;) ), and they know they can leave me with that kind of access without me doing anything stupid. Then you may say that it's because laptops are expensive, but I'm more than willing to pay for it. In fact, I'd prefer if I paid for it because then I can say it's mine.

Can you think of any reasons I haven't thought of that my parents don't want me to get a laptop? Do you think I should be allowed to have a laptop? Do you have any tips as to how to talk my parents into letting me get a laptop (and don't say to just go out and get one because I have no credit card, so I can't buy one online, and they're my only source of transportation. In addition, I looked up the laws, in the US, they legally can tell me "no" until 18).

Answer 2

It depends on your level of maturity. Laptops are expensive, and if you're not mature enough to take care of one, you can lose it or drop it and break it. If you're a careful sixteen year old, you should be responsible enough for a laptop.

Answer 3

Let me say that my answer is that it is a personal choice of every parent and/or prospective teenaged owner. As a professional, I am always glad to sell what the customer wants and I will not make any judgements about whether one is too young for such technology.

Now, on a personal level, I shall say that I feel that a laptop is a tool, just like a cellular phone, so whether a teenager needs either is in doubt. After all, neither is truly necessary for school, minimum-wage jobs, or other such teenaged situations. A computer is all but necessary nowadays but specifically a laptop is not necessary. With the advent of thumb drives, burnable CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs, carrying a laptop to and from school is not necessary.

Now if the teenager wants a laptop (and has confused the difference between "want" and "need"), that is a horse of a different color. If he wants it and can purchase it on his own, so be it. If, instead, he is asking for assistance in purchasing it, then I would ask for an explanation of his intended uses and help him select the level of technology required to meet those uses. For example, if I am told that the primary purpose will be to take over to friends' homes to play multiplayer games in a "LAN Party," then I would look into the games that are intended and see what the hardware requirements for each is. The reason being that most laptops have only very basic graphic capabilities and will not be able to play the vast majority of games. Further, the video (or other integrated) capabilities of a laptop cannot be upgraded as they can on a desktop computer because they are part of the one and only type of motherboard that can be used in that proprietary design of laptop. There is no way to install something better. Therefore, for the intention of gaming, one must purchase a gaming laptop, the cost of which tends to be much higher than what I affectionately refer to as the "Walmart Special."

So, in the end, it becomes a matter of personal choice and that choice can be based on purpose, actual necessity, or other factors. If you wish any professional input in consideration of various models or if I can help in any other way, feel free to drop me a line. I'm always glad to do what I can to assist.