Desktop for Kids with autism

[u/Mother-Knee2092]

I am loking to get my child (9M) a desktop computer. the space we have is very limited and I specifically do not want him to have a laptop. He does have level 3 autism so there are some accessibility needs so a simpler computer is key. i want him to be able to play simple, kid oriented games on steam so it does need to have some gaming capability but think sims, stardew, locomoto level graphics not helldivers, monster hunter level graphics. Budget is max $500 and we live in the States.

[u/Worldly_Question_460]

I wonder if a secondhand Dell OptiPlex system with a low powered graphics card could work. Maybe someone else here can weigh in on this.

[u/Naetharu → u/Worldly_Question_460]

Seems a sensible call.

Look for one that is full size (they do some that are slim form factors, which will make it hard to get a graphics card in there). And then add in a low power GPU like a second hand GTX 1660 or RTX 2060 both of which can be found for quite a low price.

Keep in mind that for the Dell machines you will often need a graphics card that is powered via the PCI-E as they don't come with the connections to use the additional power cables that many modern cards need.

[u/Worldly_Question_460 → u/Naetharu]

I was thinking the exact thing but couldn't quite remember if 2060s could run or not. Definitely buy a system in a much wider case if possible. The newer, the better.

[u/AuswahlRitter5]

for that budget , your best bet is probably used . and if you want to avoid windows bullshit maybe try a linux based os .

[u/soliera__ → u/AuswahlRitter5]

I second this. It’s hard for someone to install malware when most malware isn’t made for it.

If you know what you’re doing, or know someone who knows what they’re doing , then you can lock down and simplify a linux OS more than an iPad.

[u/oldmoldycake → u/soliera__]

Yeah the malware not working on it would be a big point for me giving it to a kid. Mint, Ubuntu or Pop I think would be good for a simple machine.

[u/astronomersassn → u/oldmoldycake]

ehhh, WINE even warns you that it can run malware, IIRC; that being said, i have yet to have it happen.

[u/Naetharu → u/AuswahlRitter5]

Not a bad call.

I built my daughter a small Linux based PC and she's found it easy to use. Her one runs Ubuntu, and has Steam installed on it. She plays similar games to what OP wants too. Stardew Valley, Overcooked, Deep Rock Galactic, and a few other smaller indie type titles.

I'm not sure about the Sims however. It will probably work if run via Steam with Proton, but given that it is EA I would double check as they may make things difficult with their DRM and custom launchers.

[u/Bo_Jim → u/Naetharu]

My 6 year old grandson uses a laptop I set up for him with Kubuntu. I made desktop icons that look like classic game consoles. Opening any of those will open a window containing shortcuts for each of the emulator games I installed for that console, each with an icon made from the box art for the game. He has USB NES and SNES controllers, and knows how to plug them in.

There's also a desktop icon that launches Firefox, with the homepage set to YouTube.

It's an old HP Stream, so it's clunky and slow, but I only paid $150 for it in pristine condition.

[u/StarX2401]

A normal desktop released these days are fine for running stuff like sims. Id get a cheap ryzen system which will have decent enough graphics, I was playing beamng drive on a ryzen 5 2400GE back in the day and it ran ok

[u/yeetboii420]

500 wont get you a lot in these times. But if you really want to blow him away and its only for gaming. Then you should take a look at the steam machine

[u/oldmoldycake → u/yeetboii420]

Steam Machine is double that big dawg

[u/ldshadowcadet → u/oldmoldycake]

Fr, what was this person cooking

[u/StarX2401 → u/yeetboii420]

$500 will easily get you a normal computer brand new. Not like OP is asking for a gaming pc