Short answer: for most kids, a Chromebook such as the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 ($469.99) is the best laptop: it handles schoolwork, runs Roblox from the Google Play Store, and Google’s parental controls are built in. If your child wants Fortnite or more demanding PC games, get a Windows gaming laptop such as the Lenovo LOQ 15 with an RTX 5050. For older kids and teens who want a Mac, the MacBook Neo ($699, or $599 with education pricing) runs Roblox, but it falls below Minecraft: Java Edition’s new minimum, so for Minecraft on a Mac look at the MacBook Air (M5).
Check the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 on Amazon →
How we put this together: this guide is based on the official system requirements from Roblox, Mojang and Epic Games, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or launch prices at the time of writing. See how we choose products.
Best laptops for kids compared
| Laptop | Best for | Roblox | Minecraft | Fortnite | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 | Most kids: school + Roblox | Yes (Play Store) | Bedrock, if your model is supported | Cloud gaming only | $469.99 | Check price |
| Acer Chromebook 315 | Cheapest for school | Yes (Play Store) | Check your model | Cloud gaming only | Budget | Check price |
| Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (8GB) | Younger kids, tablet + keyboard | Yes (Play Store) | Check your model | Cloud gaming only | About $400 | Check price |
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | Cheap Windows laptop | Yes | Bedrock; Java not guaranteed | Low settings | Budget | Check price |
| Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050) | Fortnite and PC gaming | Yes | Yes (Java + Bedrock) | Yes, medium settings+ | Has sold for $789 | Check price |
| Apple MacBook Neo | Older kids who want a Mac | Yes | Below Java’s new minimum | Check first | $699 ($599 education) | Check price |
What does a laptop need for Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite?
- Roblox asks for very little: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), macOS 10.13 or later, or a Chromebook with the Google Play Store, plus about 1GB of memory and a 1.6 GHz processor. Almost any current laptop runs it (Roblox).
- Minecraft on a Chromebook needs ChromeOS 114 or later and at least an Intel Celeron N4100 or Core i3-4150-class processor, with 8GB of memory recommended (Minecraft). Not every Chromebook is supported, so check that Minecraft can be installed from the Play Store on the exact model before buying it for that game. On Windows, the PC version includes both Java and Bedrock Editions. Bedrock needs only 4GB of memory, but on July 21, 2026, Mojang raised Java Edition’s requirements: at least 8GB of memory with a graphics card or 12GB with integrated graphics, a Vulkan 1.3 graphics chip, and an Apple M1 or newer on a Mac; 16GB and a 6GB graphics card are recommended (Minecraft).
- Fortnite is the demanding one. Epic’s minimum for Windows is 8GB of memory and Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics; the recommended spec is 16GB with a GTX 960-class graphics card (Epic Games). A laptop that only meets the minimum will run it at low settings.
The best laptops for kids in 2026
1. Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15: best laptop for most kids
Announced at CES 2026, the Chromebook Plus i 15 starts at $469.99 (Notebookcheck). Its Intel Core i3-N355 and 8GB of memory are well above what Roblox needs, the 15.3-inch 1920×1200 screen is big enough for schoolwork, and Lenovo rates the battery at up to 11 hours. It also has a 5MP webcam with a privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader and HDMI. Chromebooks update automatically, and Google Family Link lets you manage apps and screen time.
Good to know: Chromebooks can’t run Windows games, and there’s no Fortnite app for ChromeOS; it can only be streamed through a cloud gaming service such as GeForce NOW. If those matter, skip to the Windows picks.
Check the Chromebook Plus i 15 on Amazon →
2. Acer Chromebook 315: cheapest laptop for school
For Google Docs, Classroom and Roblox, the Chromebook 315 is a sensible low-cost pick: a 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen, an Intel N100, 8GB of memory and up to 12 hours of battery. Trusted Reviews names the 2026 model its best Chromebook for students.
Good to know: versions with only 64GB of storage fill up quickly once games are installed. Check the model year, memory and storage in the listing.
Check the Chromebook 315 on Amazon →
3. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: best for younger kids
For younger children, a tablet with a keyboard is easier to handle than a laptop. The Duet 11 is a 10.95-inch 2K tablet with a detachable keyboard in the box and a MediaTek Kompanio 838 that Notebookcheck calls a “mobile energy-saving champion”. It launched at about $400 with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, and runs Roblox from the Play Store.
Good to know: get the 8GB model; 9to5Google found 4GB isn’t enough. The small keyboard isn’t made for long typing sessions.
Check the Chromebook Duet 11 on Amazon →
4. Acer Aspire Go 15: best cheap Windows laptop for kids
If your child needs Windows, for school software, Roblox, Minecraft: Bedrock Edition or Fortnite at low settings, the Aspire Go 15 gives you an 8-core Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 15.6-inch Full HD screen. That’s double Fortnite’s minimum memory, and plenty of storage for Roblox, Minecraft and schoolwork.
Good to know: its integrated Radeon graphics aren’t made for gaming, so Fortnite will run at low settings at best. Mojang’s new Java Edition minimum names Intel integrated graphics but not AMD’s, so for Java with mods, the LOQ 15 below is the safer choice. At about 1.8 kg (3.9 lb), it’s heavy for a school bag.
Check the Aspire Go 15 on Amazon →
5. Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050): best for Fortnite and PC gaming
For a kid who’s serious about Fortnite, Minecraft shaders or newer PC games, a real graphics card makes the difference. The RTX 5050 version of the LOQ 15 usually pairs it with an Intel Core i5-13450HX, a 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz screen, 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. Its list price has been around $1,129, but Tom’s Guide spotted it at $789 on Lenovo’s site and says it’s good for playing the latest games at medium settings.
Good to know: gaming laptops are heavy and their batteries don’t last long away from a socket. Many Amazon listings are third-party bundles with “upgraded” memory at a markup, so compare with the standard 16GB / 512GB version. More options are in our cheapest gaming laptops guide.
6. Apple MacBook Neo: best for older kids who want a Mac
For teens, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s cheapest laptop: $699, or $599 with education pricing, since Apple’s June 2026 price increase. It has an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage and a 13-inch, 500-nit display in a 2.7 lb body (MacRumors), and it lasted 13.5 hours in TechRadar‘s battery test. Roblox supports macOS. Minecraft: Java Edition runs on Macs, but Mojang’s July 2026 minimum asks for an Apple M1 or newer and 12GB of memory with integrated graphics, so the Neo’s A18 Pro and 8GB fall short on paper: Mojang says the game should still launch below the minimum, but performance isn’t guaranteed (Minecraft). For Minecraft, the MacBook Air (M5) clears the minimum. Screen Time gives parents control over apps and time.
Good to know: Epic’s Fortnite requirements are for Windows, and 8GB of memory can’t be upgraded. See our MacBook Air 13 (M5) guide for how it compares with the Air.
Check the MacBook Neo on Amazon →
Parental controls: set these up first
- Roblox: since June 2026, age-checked players aged 5 to 8 get Roblox Kids accounts with chat turned off by default, and 9 to 15-year-olds get Roblox Select accounts where chat unlocks gradually. Linked parents can change chat settings and allow or block specific games until 16, and set screen-time and spending limits until 13 (Roblox).
- The laptop: use Google Family Link on a Chromebook, Microsoft Family Safety on Windows, or Screen Time on a Mac to manage apps, purchases and time limits.
- Keep it in a shared space for younger kids, and set the account up as a child account rather than an adult one.
Black Friday tips for a kids’ laptop
Black Friday 2026 is November 27. The cheapest laptop listings often cut storage or memory, so check the specs, not just the price. Look for at least 8GB of memory (16GB on Windows), avoid 32GB or 64GB storage if your child will install games, and check the exact model name: a “LOQ 15” can have an RTX 5050 or RTX 5060, and an older Chromebook may not get Minecraft.
Our verdict
For most kids, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 is the best laptop: it’s fast enough for Roblox and schoolwork, safe and easy to manage. The Acer Chromebook 315 is the cheapest school option, the Chromebook Duet 11 suits younger children, the Acer Aspire Go 15 covers Windows on a budget, the Lenovo LOQ 15 is the pick for Fortnite and PC gaming, and the MacBook Neo is the Mac for older kids.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best laptop for kids?
For most kids, a Chromebook such as the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 ($469.99): it handles schoolwork, runs Roblox from the Play Store and has Google’s parental controls built in. For Fortnite or PC games, choose a Windows gaming laptop like the Lenovo LOQ 15.
Can a Chromebook run Roblox?
Yes. Roblox runs on Chromebooks with the Google Play Store, and its requirements are very low. Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is also available for supported Chromebooks, but Fortnite has no ChromeOS app and can only be played through cloud gaming.
What laptop do I need for Fortnite?
A Windows laptop. Epic’s minimum is 8GB of memory with Intel HD 4000 or Radeon Vega 8 graphics, and it recommends 16GB with a GTX 960-class graphics card. A gaming laptop with an RTX 5050 or better runs it comfortably.
How much should I spend on a laptop for a kid?
Around $300 to $500 covers a good Chromebook for school and Roblox. A Windows laptop for Fortnite and PC games starts at around $800 on sale, and a MacBook Neo costs $699, or $599 with education pricing.
Can I control what my child does on Roblox?
Yes. Roblox’s age-based accounts keep chat off by default for under-9s, and a linked parent account can change chat settings and block games until 16, and set screen-time and spending limits until 13.
