From 420ceb49b53a8fa9d8ba8443e42e50cd7bd7cea9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Philip Wittamore Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2026 11:08:50 +0200 Subject: update --- .../Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 32 insertions(+) create mode 100755 articles/2023/Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html (limited to 'articles/2023/Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html') diff --git a/articles/2023/Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html b/articles/2023/Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html new file mode 100755 index 0000000..d7d5531 --- /dev/null +++ b/articles/2023/Forget-VTech,-get-an-old-laptop-instead.html @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ + + + + + + + Bloggings + + +
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Forget VTech, get an old laptop instead

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2023-12-29

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I had the dubious joy of setting up a miserable low powered android excuse for a kids computer from VTech over christmas.

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It's so low powered the slow reaction time made me believe it wasn't working for a while. The screen is tiny, the ergonomy crappy, and the software is gahh...

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To give the kids something they could actually use without bringing tears to the kids and their parents, I set up an old laptop with Linux Mint Cinnamon.

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A nice, easy, and quick installation.

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I added Seb's IP hosts file, and in Firefox, in addition to the basics (Ublock Origin,Decentraleyes,etc.) I set the search engine and default page to Qwant Junior. I also added some bookmarks like WebJunior.

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With Mint's library of games and educational software, their mum can add more things later as required as only she has the root password.

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For the same price of the VTech toy, you can get a refurbished Thinkpad X240 from Backmarket, set it up the same way, and actually have something useable.

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UPDATE: The kid loves the old laptop, and the VTech ...thing has been relegated to the dustbin of Christmas past. Win!

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