Would Like Advice On What to Purchase for a 12yr Old's Birthday | Advice Corner | Forums

I'd like to get him a desktop (much more durable than a laptop, this is one active boy!!) and I'd like advice on what ya'll think would be the minimum requirements to get him thru high school. He's in 7th Grade right now.

I mean, if I have to upgrade some eventually, that's fine, but I'd like to get him a strong system now (It'll no doubt be better than my laptop,lol) and not worry about it again for a while. My step-son can build computers and said it's cheaper to buy the components and put it together, that you can get much cooler, more exciting features and make it look more 'tricked out, with lights and a nicer tower' if he does it compared to the store. I'd also like to know what I should be expecting to pay. He thought $300-$400, does that sound about right for a desktop with all the bells and whistles? You're helping an 11yr old with Asperger's have an incredible Birthday-kids on the high end of the Autism Spectrum tend to do really, really well when they have a computer to use for school dedicated to that, though I know there are games he desperately wants to play.

Oh, plus, recommendations about free software he absolutely can't be without, would be awesome too. Especially a monitoring program where I can see exactly what hes looking at from my laptop rather than having to go to his computer if possible? I know that one may not be free, but if there's a really good one or two out there I'd love to know what they are.Thanks all! I really appreciate your time and consideration!!

Thanks! Which software other than security do you think would be best on his computer? are there programs that are must have? Games, utilities, he'll be using this for homework as well as play. So I'd love a list of can't live without stuff. Thanks again!