PC for schoolchildren: Computers for children in homeschooling

Many children need a lot of computers in lockdown because they want to take part in lessons at the same time. However, not every family has several computers at home. When the big sister is studying for the Abitur, the little ones only have to follow the lesson on their smartphone. But learning on the tiny screen is difficult.

A problem that the state is unable to solve and that sticks to parents (here you will find practical tips for homeschooling). The good thing first: You don’t need a powerful gaming computer to do your homework. But what should parents watch out for if they want to set up a digital school desk for their children?

Pc for schoolchildren: taking stock

Basically, you need a webcam, microphone, screen, mouse and keyboard and of course a computer to take part in the class. This opens up several options when choosing a PC for students: If you want everything in one, opt for a laptop, a Chromebook or an all-in-one PC. The devices offer a webcam, microphone, screen, keyboard – everything that children need for lessons.

However, they are usually more expensive to buy than a mini PC that can also cope with schoolwork. If you or friends still have a monitor with HDMI connection, USB mouse and keyboard and a webcam flying around in the basement, the mini-PCs can be used to set up a workstation.

1. Laptops for school: Windows laptops

Asus F515JA-EJ721T

The offers everything that students need: Microsoft Office programs such as Word run smoothly on the laptop. Its display measures 39.6 centimeters diagonally and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The memory measures 512 gigabytes and is therefore generously dimensioned.

The eight gigabytes of RAM work together with an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor. The processor cannot manage demanding games, but it is definitely sufficient for work. Windows 10 Home is already installed on the computer.

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 11IGL05

You can also travel well with that for your child . The laptop has an Intel Celeron N4020 processor. However, its display only has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It measures 29.46 centimeters on the diagonal. Windows 10 is preinstalled on the computer. There is a total of 128 gigabytes of data on the internal memory. Lenovo has given its laptop 4 gigabytes of RAM. The laptop processes Word and Excel documents without any problems. Nice: All Windows laptops have a webcam and speakers. You don’t have to buy additional hardware for your child to attend class.

2. PC for students: Chromebooks as an alternative to Windows

It doesn’t always have to be Windows. Students do most of the tasks through the browser. Find out how your child works. If it depends on Microsoft Office programs, there is nothing to do with a Windows computer, because Word, Excel & Co. only run in a slimmed-down browser version on Chromebooks.

Why? The devices run under the Google ChromeOS operating system and Microsoft has not yet programmed its Office programs for this. Chromebooks also have another drawback: Most of the devices lack Ethernet and HMDI ports. Your children are therefore dependent on stable WiFi. What Windows laptops and Chromebooks have in common is an integrated webcam, microphone and speaker. There are no additional costs for additional hardware.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

The display of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 measures 29.46 centimeters diagonally and has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. 64 gigabytes of photos and documents find a new home on the Chromebook – not much, but sufficient for work materials. The MediaTek ARM Cortex A73 / A53 processor works in the Spin 311 and masters school assignments. 4 gigabytes assist him with his work. As with the Windows laptops, the performance of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is not sufficient for games.

Acer 314 (CB314-1H-C6KW)

Another representative of the Chromebooks is this . Its display extends over a diagonal of 35.56 centimeters and has a full HD resolution. Acer has given the Chromebook an Intel N4100 processor, whose four cores clock at 1.1 gigahertz. Pupils save their work materials on 64 gigabytes of memory. Four gigabytes of RAM assist the processor in its calculations.

Acer Chromebook at notebook cheaper

Lenovo Chromebook S345-14AST

A Windows alternative worth considering is also hidden behind the . Compared to the Acer Chromebook, Lenovo uses AMD for the processor. What the processors of the different manufacturers have in common is that they can perform simple tasks, but are not suitable for computationally intensive applications. It’s a shame: the internal memory of 32 gigabytes is extremely sparse, but it should be enough for school work. The display measures 35 centimeters diagonally. Nice: It dissolves in Full HD.

3. The all-in-one PC for students

All-in-one computers are computers that offer everything in one. The most famous representatives of this category are the iMacs from Apple. Word, Excel & Co. also run on computers from other manufacturers, for example on the . The computer saves a maximum of 256 gigabytes of work materials on its SSD. That’s enough for a lot of schoolwork.

Its display dissolves in Full HD (1920 x 1080) and extends over a screen diagonal of 60.5 centimeters (23.8 inches). So your child needs a free desk to work on the computer. Medion uses the Intel Core i3-1005G1 as the processor. It is a dual core for everyday use. Surfing, video conferencing, Word and Excel he can easily manage for the next few years. The latest games don’t run on the processor. Windows 10 Home is installed on the computer. Keyboard and mouse are included in the scope of delivery.

Two USB 3.2 Gen.1 portsTwo USB 2.0 portsWindows 10 HomeEthernet portHDMIWLAN and Bluetooth 5.0Storage: 256 GBCamera: IntegratedMicrophone: IntegratedSpeaker: Integrated

4. Emergency nail mini pc

If you have a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and webcam lying around, mini PCs are well worth a look. The tiny computers can cope with office tasks, save space, are easy to transport and are therefore well suited for schoolchildren. Before you buy, however, make sure that the computers have enough USB ports for a mouse, keyboard, headset and webcam.

Most of the time, the small computers only have two or three USB ports. Then students have problems connecting the headset, keyboard and mouse to the computer. Mini-computers are therefore only an emergency solution for schoolchildren. In addition, many manufacturers sell the small computers without an operating system or with Linux, such as the , that comes along with Ubuntu. This means that students can take part in lessons without any problems – but getting used to them brings frustration.

Acepc-Mini-PC

The rather. Windows 10 is preinstalled on it. The computer has two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 sockets. If you want to connect a mouse, keyboard and webcam via USB cable, you might need one to give the computer more connection options. In the mini PC, the four cores of the Intel Atom x5 Z8350 processor work in conjunction with 4 gigabytes of RAM. So gambling is not an option on the small PCs either. Its hard drive stores 64 gigabytes of data. That’s not a lot, but students mostly save Excel or Word documents – and they don’t take up a lot of memory.

Acepc mini PC stick

The The same processor works in it as in the Acepc Mini-PC. The stick has two USB sockets, but unfortunately no Ethernet connection. So you are dependent on WiFi. Depending on the living situation, this can be annoying for students if the radio reception is not enough in the children’s room. In addition, the Windows 10 stick requires a screen with an HDMI connection. Similar to streaming sticks from Amazon or Google, you plug the tiny thing directly into the monitor’s HDMI socket. By the way: Of course, this also works on TV. In an emergency, a screen with HDMI connection can be converted into an office monitor.

Intel Nuc Mini

A premium model among the small office computers for students is the. The four-core Intel J3455 works in it in conjunction with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 500 gigabytes of storage space. The PC for students has four USB sockets, a Gigabit Ethernet port, WLAN and Bluetooth 4.2. However, if you still have to buy a keyboard, mouse, webcam and monitor, it is worth looking at an all-in-one computer or laptop from this price range upwards.

5. Monitor, mouse and keyboard, webcam

If you still have an older laptop or computer but are missing a webcam, mouse, screen or keyboard, the same applies as for computers: You don’t need gaming hardware to do schoolwork. Wired are available from Amazon from 15 euros. If the USB slots are limited, you can click change. Most contain one such as the Jelly Comb keyboard and mouse set.

A webcam with an integrated microphone is available from the same manufacturer. Alternatively, there is also potential for savings here on the software side: Free apps such as “” convert the smartphone into a webcam. To do this, you have to install the associated app on your computer and smartphone and connect your mobile phone to the computer using a USB cable. Alternatively, your child can of course also take part in video calls on their smartphone and then do the tasks on the computer.

New office monitors, on the other hand, are a little more expensive. The costs around 100 euros and is completely sufficient for homeschooling. The monitor lacks nice features like an integrated USB hub. If the slots on the Mini-PC are few and far between, you want one .