A touchscreen laptop with detachable screen would seem to be the best of both worlds.

If she's only being using mac stuff get her a PC.

Dunno if it's just me, but I despise people that act stupid as soon a you change the operating system.

It's a friggin computer! 😆 Use it ffs! 😀

Sorry, I thought you were offering a trade. Imagine my disappointment.

If there is not a lot of school work involved yet, then I think an iPad is much more enjoyable for surfing, games etc. My daughter certainly preferred an iPad to a laptop.

If there is a lot of school work (graphs, documents, power point etc) then I personally think a laptop is much better. IPads are great for surfing and reading presentations etc, but for creating documents and modifying them, a laptop is much better.

I disagree with the above poster. It is a total PITA to move between operating systems unless you're someone who uses computers a lot in work. Moving from a PC to a Macbook is still frustrating and I've had my Macbook for 3 years!!

It is a total PITA to move between operating systems

I've got no issues swapping between os x, windows, linux or even android. It's completely alien to me that it would be a PITA.

This is not because of a lifetime in one operating system! 😆 plus they aren't all that different. it's unfamiliarity that causes people issues.

lots of people at work are going surface. they seem very useful, but does this pass the 10 year old cool test?

I agree with seosamh about being exposed to multiple OSs. OSx, iOS, Windows. At some point she'll need to use them all... probably.

A computer will help her with homework. Does your school use mathletics, edmodo, google drive etc? I suspect she will soon if not now. Researching, writing essays etc will be far easier on a laptop than an iPad and will be being required sooner rather than later.

A new iPad when the old one works seems a little [s]ridiculous[/s] [s]crazy[/s] [s]astounding[/s] redundant.

You haven't mentioned a budget, so;

A surface with keyboard could be good but a) expensive b) still not as good for being productive as a 'proper' laptop.

A new iPad - probably the most fun but least sensible.

A Chromebook - the most practical, useful, educationally beneficial.

Macbook Air. It's what all the cool kids, at my school at least, have. Would help her with homework in the future too.

A touch screen laptop. Pricey. I have no first hand experience but it would seem to fit the requirements.

I bought my 8 year old a asus touch screen laptop. It was about £350, and recently upgraded to Windows 10 which has transformed it as a great little machine. She also has a iPad but have found that is less useful for schoolwork.

Agree that exposing them to various operating systems is good and I have both Mac and Windows machines which kids are on regularly.

A touchscreen laptop with detachable screen would seem to be the best of both worlds.