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With the huge amount of desktop computers out there, it can be hard to know which one is the best option for you. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the best desktop computers for kids. We’ll go over the best options for different budgets, as well as what a desktop computer for kids even means.

What is a Desktop Computer for Kids?

A desktop computer for kids doesn’t necessarily mean a computer designed specifically and only for children to use. While those types of computers exist, we won’t be including them in our list for a few reasons. They tend to be only for very young children, have very limited options for what you can actually use them for, and you can’t upgrade them or use them for several years as your child grows.

In this blog post, we’ll be including our favorite full and compact desktops for kids to use. This means that we’ll be looking at desktop computers that are great for writing papers, doing homework, using the internet, watching youtube, and that can be used for some light gaming.

Why Should I Get a Desktop Computer for Kids? (instead of a laptop)

You may be wondering if you should get your child a desktop or a laptop computer. While either is a great option, there are a few points to consider that will make the decision easier for you.

First, desktop computers are a better bang for you buck. You’ll get better quality and power with a desktop computer for the same price as a laptop. While there are awesome laptops that are budget-friendly, you’ll still be paying a premium for smaller parts and mobility.

Second, desktop computers generally last longer than laptops. You can expect a typical laptop to last about 3 years. Desktops will usually last about 5-8 years. A third aspect to consider that correlates to the longevity of a desktop is that you can easily upgrade them. This is not possible with laptops. With a desktop computer, you can upgrade memory, the processor, the graphics card, etc., to keep the computer running for longer and adapt to your child’s changing needs.

Another point to think about is that it is much easier to monitor what your child is doing if they are using a desktop instead of a laptop. You can keep the desktop in a shared area where you can supervise them and they won’t be able to move it out of your line of vision.

There are also some great reasons to get a laptop for your child. One of them being the simple fact that it is mobile. They can take laptops anywhere with them to use for school or for fun. If you are interested in learning about laptops for kids, you can check out these articles:

What to Look For

We decided to include this section in our post for a couple of reasons. First, if you are reading this post and the inventory of desktop computers changes, you’ll still know what to look for in a desktop computer for kids. Second, if you are looking to buy a used desktop computer, or use an old desktop, you’ll still know the basics of what you’ll need so your child can do homework, watch youtube and play some video games (basic video games, Minecraft, Roblox, etc).

These are the areas you’ll want to pay attention to: the processor, SSD and hard drive, and RAM.

Processor

The processor is the brain of your computer. It pretty much does all of the work. The better your processor, the faster your computer will feel. You’ll probably want at least an i3 processor for a desktop for kids (you can go higher, but that is slowest you’ll want to have). Some compact desktops use a laptop processor, which will usually save you some money and use less power (if the processor ends in ‘U,’ it is a laptop processor). A laptop processor will be slower than a desktop one, but will still be fine for what your average kid will be doing.

SSD and Hard Drive

The hard drive or SSD (solid state drive) is like the long term memory of your computer. It determines how many programs and files you can download before your computer runs out of space. For a kid’s desktop computer, we recommend having at least 250GB. The more storage, the more they’ll be able to download and save. SSD’s are faster than traditional hard drives, and are becoming the norm in laptops and desktop computers. However, traditional hard drives are much cheaper. For many people this choice comes down to budget concerns when they are purchasing a computer for their child.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It’s basically like short term memory for your computer. It allows the computer to do more than one thing at a time. You’ll probably want to have at least 8GB of RAM on your desktop computer.

Best Desktop Computers for Kids

Now that you know what to look for, here is our list of the Best Desktop Computers for Kids. We have them broken down into two sections, based on your budget. One is under $400, and the other section lists desktops over $400.

Under $400

To get the best bang for your buck, in this section, we’ve listed new desktop computers, as well as renewed desktop computers from Amazon. Renewed products from Amazon come with a 90 day replacement/refund, have been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned, and will have no visible cosmetic imperfections. The accessories may not be original, but are fully compatible and functional.

Mini PC Windows 10 Pro

This is a mini PC, which means that the computer tower is much smaller than your average desktop computer. That’s an added bonus if you’re trying to save space. This desktop has an i3 (laptop) processor, 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD. It has tons of USB and HDMI ports and a wall mount bracket to put it on the back of your screen. It is important to note that this desktop includes only the tower. You will need to buy the screen, keyboard, and mouse separately.

BMAX Mini PC

This is another mini PC. It has an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD. It does cost more than the mini PC above, but it has a faster processor, and you can expand the RAM to 64GB if you want/need to. This company also offers a 1 year warranty and lifetime technical support. As with most mini PC’s, you will need to purchase a monitor, keyboard and mouse separately.

DELL Optiplex 9020 Ultra Small Tiny Desktop Micro Computer PC (Renewed)

While this micro computer has pretty much the same specs as the one above, it is over $100 cheaper because it is a renewed item. This desktop has an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD. This renewed computer has lots of great reviews, but many commented on it not having the HDMI cable that was advertised. You will need ot purchase a monitor, keyboard and mouse separately for this computer.

Dell OptiPlex 3020 Small Form PC Desktop Computer (Renewed)

This small form PC from Dell offers an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD, but this price also includes the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This is also a renewed PC, which explains why you’re getting so much more for your money. Like all renewed computers, it comes with a 90-day Amazon guarantee. Remember that the accessories (keyboard, mouse, monitor) might not be original or the same brand, but they are compatible with this PC tower.

HP Elite Desktop PC Computer (Renewed)

This renewed HP desktop PC also has an i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. It does have 1TB of hard drive storage (which is more than all of the other PC’s we’ve listed so far), but remember that it is not SSD, which may or may not matter to you. Having a hard drive instead of an SSD also means this renewed PC is much cheaper, and it includes a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Over $400

Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91

This Acer is a great brand new desktop PC. It has an i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. Your child will have no problem completing schoolwork, watching videos and doing light gaming with this PC. The memory is easily expandable if you decide your child needs more. This PC comes with a mouse and a keyboard, but you will need to purchase your monitor separately. It has great reviews and should last your child for quite some time.

Acer Aspire C24-963-UA91 All in One Deskstop

This option is an all in one desktop. What that means is that there is no tower. Everything is part of the monitor. That means this desktop is much sleeker and takes up way less space than your average desktop. The screen, keyboard and mouse are all included with this purchase. However, one con of the all in one desktop is that you can’t really upgrade it. Because the parts are in with the monitor instead of a separate tower, upgrades are really difficult, if possible at all. This computer has an i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD.

Mini PC Intel i7-10750H

This mini PC is the most expensive on our list, but it does have the specs to back the price up. It is also brand new (the next two options are renewed). This mini PC has an i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. It is super small (5.9”x5.9”x2.7”), so it is lightweight, portable, and doesn’t take up much space on a desk. You will need to purchase your own keyboard, mouse and monitor for this option. This tiny workhorse has more than enough for what your child will need, plus you can upgrade it as time goes by to keep it current and improve memory and speed.

Dell 7010 Desktop Computer PC (Renewed)

This renewed desktop PC has an i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 500GB of HDD. It does come with a monitor, keyboard and mouse, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and new 16GB Flash drive. One thing to note is that the monitor doesn’t have a camera, so if you’re planning to use this computer for zoom meetings, you’d need to purchase a separate camera or a different monitor. It also has a 90 day warranty and comes witch tech support.

Dell Business Desktop Optiplex 3060 Computer (Renewed)

This renewed PC has an i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and 500GB of SSD. It also comes with a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a webcam. This desktop is more expensive than the previous renewed one, but it does have more RAM and an SSD instead of an HDD. And while this included monitor doesn’t have a camera either, you are provided with a webcam so you can use it easily for zoom calls.

Building your Own Desktop Computer for Kids

Another option to consider when thinking about getting a desktop computer for your child is to build it! I know this might sound crazy, but it’s not as difficult as it seems, and you’ll definitely get the most for your money if you build it yourself. If could be a really fun project to work on with your child! There are kits you can buy that make it easier to build a desktop on your own. For more info on building your own desktop computer, check out our blog post all about it.

Conclusion

There are a lot of reasons why you may be thinking of buying your child a desktop computer. We hope our list of the Best Desktop Computers for Kids has been helpful, even if it was just to understand the specs you should be looking for. Desktop computers are a great option for kids because you get more for your money, you can monitor what they’re doing more easily, and they last longer than laptops. Our overall pick for the best desktop computer for kids is the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91. We think you get the most for your money with this option, you can upgrade it when necessary, and we’ve used Acer Aspire computers and have found them to be reliable and tough.

Let us know what you think in the comments!