That's so funny you should mention this, as my daughter has been begging for one for the holidays as well.

I am going to go with a proper Mac. I think I would have when she was five also, has she had computer interest, simply because I think kids have such an enormous capability to learn electronics quickly. I think the V-Tech will be a waste of money because he will outgrow it FAST.
With a proper Mac, so much learning software can be purchased, not to mention educational websites, AND it will last a long while; worth the money.

I think I am going to try for a laptop, since they are portable. I might even look into some slightly used ones which might make more sense, considering her age and tendency to be a little rough with things.

I hope this helps and happy shopping :)

Kinda tempting:
http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2007/11/one-laptop-per-.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XO-1_(laptop)

--Getting a lot of positive reviews.

that 2nd link didn't work. Trying again:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1

Nicholas,
I just tore an article out of a magazine about this computer/program. I wonder if it's a good computer? I'm going to research it more. I love the idea.

It's not available yet, is it? At least to the average consumer...?

For only 12 more days, in US and Canada:

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

It's a buy two: one for you, one goes to child in need deal:
Total=$400. USD "donation"

That's pretty darn cool. Thanks for telling us about this!

My mom gave us her old computer for my 5 year old. She really love's it.

yeah start off with a real pc, your child will grow with a mac but will grow out of a v-tech, my son is 7 now, i first introduced him to computers at the age of 4, hes a whiz on them now and never gets bored with the educational things because therse always new things coming out to suit his age xx

My daughter has grown up with computers around her all her life - her dad is a complete geek and both of her older brothers have their own. Her first 'computer' was a Cinderella Laptop, which she still loves playing with. That said, she's had her own games on Mummy and Daddy's computers since she was about 3 and LOVES them. I think it's actually good to let kids play appropriate games on real computers from an early age. Lets face it, they're going to be using these things their entire lives, the sooner they get started the better!