Product Description

LeapFrog's ClickStart My First Computer is the first preschool learning system featuring a desktop experience that looks and works like a grownup PC. The ClickStart platform turns any TV into a child's first computer, simultaneously introducing core preschool skills and basic computer functionality. A friendly green puppy named Scout accompanies little ones on their learning journeys, appearing on the wireless keyboard with automatic shut-off as well as in onscreen games and activities.

Rich with content, ClickStart My First Computer offers exciting games as well as engaging software applications that work together to help kids earn treats for their friend Scout. Includes wireless keyboard with automatic shut-off, cartridge based console, child-sized mouse and right or left hand adjustable mouse pad. Requires 4 "AA" batteries and 4 "C" batteries (not included). Measures 16" x 8".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #351 in Toys & Games
• Brand: LeapFrog
• Model: 22325
• Released on: 2007-06-07
• Dimensions: 18.50" h x 12.10" w x 4.30" l, 3.50 pounds

Features

• Turns television into a learning computer and teaches how to use mouse and keyboard and to navigate screens
• Miniature mouse for little fingers to point and click; colored buttons to help learn keystrokes
• Four learning games teach phonics, letters, animal facts, counting, and computer skills
• Includes wireless keyboard, plug and play console, mouse and mouse pad

Amazon.com Product Description
The LeapFrog ClickStart My First Computer introduces tots to the wonders of the PC and helps them learn basic computer skills. Ideal for ages three through six, this interactive toy plugs right into the television and teaches youngsters how to use a mouse and keyboard.

A Child-Friendly Design
The ClickStart features a child-friendly wireless keyboard, plug and play console, and a child-sized mouse with a right- or-left-handed adjustable mouse pad. It transforms the TV into a PC, which allows kids to work on a big screen and the whole family to join in on the fun. The miniature mouse is perfectly formed for little fingers to point and click. Large, colored buttons make it easy for kids to learn basic keystrokes, and four friendly games create a safe, age-appropriate environment to navigate. ClickStart is built to withstand rough toddler handling, a plus for parents who want to spare their high-end desktops from child's play. And the wireless keyboard is light and convenient to transport from place to place, so kids can bring the fun with them wherever they go.

Transform your TV into a PC for your child, complete with wireless keyboard and mouse. View larger.

Your child can click any of the icons on the desktop to play a game and learn.

Encourages Age-Appropriate Learning
It is never too early to teach children the correct way to use a computer. The ClickStart ensures that a child's first computing experience is age appropriate and pleasant, with engaging games that not only enhance basic computer skills, but prepare children for pre-school and kindergarten. This educational tool has four games that teach phonics, letters, animal facts, and counting, while sharpening a child's screen navigation skills. Friendly puppy Scout guides kids through keyboard functions and allows them to work at their own pace. Techno tots can click on a faux in-box to receive their first e-mail; it even has sound for nonreaders. Should the youngster ever become stumped, a hint button gives them a clue. Additional ClickStart software packages, sold separately, feature well-known characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, and Nemo.

What's in the Box
Wireless keyboard, plug and play console, mouse and mouse pad, and 4 learning games are built into the system. (Batteries are not included)

From the Manufacturer
Turns your TV Into A Learning PC! Introduce your child to the world of computer learning. Features a child-friendly wireless keyboard with automatic shut-off, cartridge-based console, child-sized mouse and right- or left-hand adjustable mousepad. ClickStart My First Computer creates a safe environment right on your television, transforming it into child's very own computer. Four included games teach essential skills for school while introducing basic computer navigation. Additional software featuring popular children's characters is also available!

Customer Reviews

This is a must have for preschoolers
We bought this for our 2 1/2 year old, because she kept wanting to play with our laptop computers. We figured this was a better option for her, so she would not break our laptops.
She loved it from the minute we hooked it up, and has played it everyday for the past three weeks. She has not gotten tired of it at all since the more you play the more challenging the games get. We are still using the original set of batteries and the keyboard does actually turn itself off after 5 minutes of non-use. (Note...buy the AC adapter, so you can skip having to use batteries in the console unit)LeapFrog ClickStart™ My First Computer Adapter

We give it 5 stars for fun due to the fact that she wakes up each morning still looking forward to playing with Scout, and the Typing Tree. Not many toys can entertain and teach the ever important skills of keyboarding and mouse control to a 2 1/2 year old.

We give it 5 stars for educational value because she at 2 1/2 now has enough eye hand control to use not ony her little mouse accurately, but she can use a real computer mouse with percision. Counting, letter recognition, color recognition, following directions, phonics as well as nurturing are all addressed in the 4 games that are preloaded. The ability to add more games also merits 5 stars.

Durabiity gets 5 stars because she is two, has played with it everyday for three weeks and it still works! :-) She is not super tough on her toys, but has on several occasions carried the entire keyboard by the mouse cord. I was concerned that that mouse would stop working if the cord became loose, however, it is attached to the keyboard very securely behind a screwed in plate that kids cannot access, and you can actually replace it yourself with the replacement mouse offered by Leap Frog.

Again, this is a GREAT product!

LOVE IT!!!!
Bought this for our 3 year old's birthday and he absolutely LOVES IT!!! He was always interested in playing with our home computer and when I happened to see this while birthday shopping I bought it without reading the reviews, when i got home and read the reviews I was glad I bought it, now that he has actually played with it I am thrilled with this purchase!!! He adores this system and it is really educational, it is something I don't mind him playing with for hours on end which he frequently does. We are actually thinking about geting a TV especially for this since he uses it so much. He is learning so much from this system and on my work days when he is home with dad I can send him a postcard before I leave and he is thrilled to wake up and get his "mail". This is definitely one of the best purchases we have made.
As far as the keyboard, it turns itself off after about five minutes, it will turn itself back on as soon as it is moved but it stays off after we put it away for the night!
If you have preschoolers this is a MUST HAVE!!!

Could have been much more...
Let me start of by saying that I'm somewhat satisfied with some elements of this product. The build is good, the keyboard is above average, the quality of picture is not bad. So far, so good. I would also like to say that the keyboard and mouse are a tremendously great idea and would be a great introduction to computers for little kids IF they had been actually implemented to any useful and educational extent. As it stands, the reviewer who said that better educational software could be had over the internet is absolutely correct. The software that comes with this computer and even the software you buy for it is drivel.

Here's the rub, the software that is available for this device are the very nearly the exact same pieces of software that appeared on the LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game System (Leapfrog's handheld) device in reduced form. Yes, let me rephrase that, the software you buy for this computer is less powerful than the software you can get for Leapfrog's handheld computer: the LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game System. There's less to do, and what there is to do can be done without the keyboard!

Take for example the Dora software, there are three activities in the ClickStart version of the software. Those same three activities and TWO MORE are available for the Leapster. The same can be said for the Thomas software. The Animal Painting software doesn't allow freeform painting, instead it simple click to color a region painting which my 3.5 year old finds dreadfully boring. He kept wanting to do real painting, something he can do with the Leapster's built-in software!

To be sure, Leapster software is more expensive and in this case you get what you pay for. I had expected Leapfrog to do more than just simply port and reduce already existing software but alas, this new software doesn't even take advantage of the keyboard. Both the computer and the Leapster use a Flash engine, the same engine that is used to make games for various educational web sites. Truth be told, the games you can find on the net have more value than the games that come with this so-called computer.

If this is a child's first Leapfrog product then great, it's a real neat thing, it works beautifully and does the job admirably but if you already have a Leapster then please reconsider. If your child has already played Thomas and Dora to death then they will find nothing new in those titles on this computer. So far my son has found one activity he enjoys and that is typing. Something we let him do on our home computers already. He wanted more options (different backgrounds to type on, for example) within five minutes of turning this thing on. That doesn't make it a bad product but don't assume this will replace a full computer in the child's life.

It should also be noted that there is a profanity filter in the typing element of the built in game. It won't allow the child to type the word "Hello" which is one of the first words my son tried to type. This, in my opinion, is going a bit overboard. There seems to be no setting for turning the filter off.

I beg of Leapfrog to make more robust software for the device and in particular software that really exercises the keyboard. As it stands it's the lesser of two products. I'd recommend the Leapster over this one in a heartbeat despite the fact that the ClickStart has a keyboard and mouse. At the very least Leapfrog should have allowed the Clickstart to run Leapster games.