If you have young children, you know how difficult it is to keep them away from your computer. Whether it's a desktop or a laptop, kids just can't resist. Unfortunately, your computer is just another toy to them – albeit a very expensive one – that really isn't appropriate for gradeschool children's use without close supervision. You can now get junior his very own laptop thanks to Disney and Asus, the maker of the Eee PC netbook. Disney and Asus have recently partnered to create a laptop just for kids ages six to twelve, called the Disney Netpal. You can rest assured that your computer will be safe from curious little hands, because they will be too enthralled with their very own laptop.
Not only is the Disney Netpal visually appealing to youngsters – with kid-friendly software starring their favorite Disney characters – it is also designed to withstand the extra "love" that kids tend to give to their possessions. This laptop is durable with a reinforced mechanical design, and while not totally kid proof, it can certainly withstand a six-year-old's enthusiasm better than your $2,000 laptop. Let's not forgot that it is from Disney, so there is a unique user interface including Disney-themed email, Disney-themed browser and a "robust suite of Disney-themed control panels." In fact, there is an array of filters (forty in all) not normally found with standard laptops that let parents control not only what their kids can see online, but also who they can email.
With an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi capabilities and Windows XP Home, your child will be able to use this specially designed laptop as they would your "grown up" laptop. However, you'll have the peace of mind that they won't be reconfiguring or deleting anything important from your machine. The Disney Netpal is also easy to set-up for the parents out there who have never set-up their own machines.
Disney recognizes that parents want their kids to be able to experience technology, but there is still some trepidation. "Today's kids are a digital generation," said Chris Heatherly, head of Disney's Toymorrow team and VP of Toys and Consumer Electronics for Disney Consumer Products. "Parents are comfortable with their kids using the Internet, but they want to be assured that their kids are having a safe online experience. The Disney Netpal, designed together by ASUS and our Disney Toymorrow team, is a no-compromise device. There are plenty of terrific features and fun applications designed just for kids, but parents have ultimate control over the experience, with the power to set limits on how their kids are using the PC."
The Disney Netpal will be available in late July from Amazon.com and Toys "R" Us with a suggested retail price of $349.99.
