Kid Computers

Kid Computers - Fun and Functionality For Junior’s First Box

by Bob Liddil

Today’s kids will never have known a time when computers did not play a role in their lives. Many families think nothing of there being two, three or more networked computers in the house. School kids now routinely log onto the Internet to collect information for their homework, especially at this current event intensive time. So where is it written that a kid’s computer must be just another dull beige box? Not at the web site, kid-computers.com. These guys threw imagination into overdrive, caution to the wind and created a line of computers any kid would be thrilled with.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Kid-Computers.com let the dogs out, with the release of their Doggy Computer system. The computer looks, well, like a happy orange dog. It comes with matching keyboard, mouse and speakers and a dog bowel mouse pad to complete the theme. One can also add a 17" CRT doggy monitor cover. This computer is fun for any child’s room or day care center.

There’s a good computer inside that doggy! The basic configuration includes an Intel Celeron 2.0 processor, 256MB of PC133 SD ram, 20GB hard drive, floppy drive, 16X DVD-ROM / 48X CD-ROM, Savage 4 Video, AC97 Audio, 10/100 Network / Cable modem connection, loaded with Microsoft’s Windows XP Home Edition. The DVD-ROM includes drivers and software to play DVD movies.

This is not a screaming game computer, mind you, but it is very adequate to the needs of the young children for whom it is intended, and at a very reasonable price, starting at $599. Upgrade to any Doggie is available from a very easy to use on-line customizing tool on the Kid-Computers.com web site.

Our gray scale picture (above) does not do justice to the cheerful bright orange coloring on the case. The molded pooch motif is perfect for a kid.

It’s different! If you’re looking for the perfect computer for your child or are just a fanatic dog lover then you will want to consider the Doggy Computer. It’s diverse features and low price makes it’s bark worst then it’s bite.

Kitty Computes

I don’t want you cat lovers to feel left out now. And neither does Kid-computers.com. Our feline friends are well represented by Kitty (right) which is comes both in the same basic configuration, and custom-ized form as Doggie.

Kitty comes in a sleek soft silver color, with contrasting highlights and although kids will adore it, so will some cat-loving adults. It would make a great present/first computer for a beloved aunt or grandmother who is known to enjoy cats.

The Penguin Strikes Again!

You already know that there are a literally a plethora of bland and boring cases out on the market today; anything ranging from your basic white to your slightly more off-white. However, now more and more, cases are being customized to suit the user’s tastes and interests. So what better way to accomplish this than to completely change the molding of the case and have your favorite animal represented in a cute cartoonish rendition.

Kids Computers is now offering the Penguin Case. The basic internal hardware remains the same: Intel® Celeron - 2.0GHz (400MHz FSB, 128k cache) CPU, 256MB PC133 SDRAM, 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive – White, 20GB ATA100 7200RPM Hard Drive, Toshiba® DVD-ROM 16x / CD-ROM 48x – White, [On Board] S3 Savag4 2D/3D Video 32MB Ram, [On Board] AC97 Audio w/ Line in, Line out, Mic in jack, 2 USB 2.0 Connections + Game Port, [On Board] 10/100 RJ-45 Network (NIC) Connection, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers – Grey, plus Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and 1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty.

Not only do you get all this great hardware, but it’s all bundled up in an adorable package of your standard arctic Emperor Penguin mold on the front side of the case. The basic anatomy of the case has not changed. It is still completely ATX compatible and open for expansion to grow with the user, plus it’s cool. The CD-ROM drive opens above the penguin’s head and the floppy drive is in his beak, giving you the impression that he holds the floppy disk in his mouth and spits it out to you when you need it.

With the specs and the case, as shown, this computer is suited well for the young user (not to mention the die hard Linux user). The internal components are adequate for all children’s educational software and the outside case is warm and inviting. This case makes learning fun and will prompt most young users to even name the system and possibly want to learn more about penguins and their environment. So, not only is it really cool, but it also inspires learning and fun. And as mentioned before, as the child user grows, the case and the hardware can grow with the user. Whenever an upgrade is needed, since the case is still ATX compatible, all it requires is to open it up, add/remove the hardware, close it up again, and your penguin is ready to go.

At it’s shown, the computer hardware is suited more towards the young user and the majority of these Penguin Computers are made with the child-user in mind. However, it should be reiterated that because of the case’s versatility, the hardware can be customized to suit any user of any age. Wyrm Works Computers (Wyrm Works.com), affiliated with Kids Computers, can customize your penguin case for any user, from the basic workstation to the ultimate gaming machine.

Several local vendors are looking into carrying the computers as well as the cases, which are available separately and which can, as mentioned be custom configured. For the moment though, ordering on-line is the best bet, or you can contact your local dealer and ask him to order one in your behalf. The manufacturer is encouraging dealer sales.

If you would like more information on how to order your Penguin Computer, visit Kids Computers at http://www.kids-computers.com.

For more information on how to customize and tweak-out the penguin case, or just for general upgrades, you can visit Wyrm Works Computers at http://www.wyrmworks.com . Check these guys out. They’re ultra-cool.