Superman Laptop Advance
© 2006 Oregon Scientific
Shaped liked a plate-sized Superman insignia, this pretend laptop features 30 activities (each in both English and Spanish) on a low-resolution LCD screen, with good quality sound. The coolest feature of this laptop is the way it opens. As children wave their hand above the closed lid, the Superman theme song starts playing, lights start flashing, and the the lid pops open. We still haven't figured out how the lid knows how to open. The next step is to enter one of 60 cryptic Mission Codes by typing in a two-digit number, using a printed reference at the top of the screen. Activities cover Math, Spelling, Logic and Memory, and vary in quality. The level of play is determined by how many questions are answered correctly. For every ten correct answers, the level is increased. For example, Word Play Mission displays a picture, and then three printed word choices are given. Your job is to name the picture using the arrow keys to select the correct word. Super Speed is one of six memory games, where three numbers flash on the screen and are then hidden. Children must repeat the sequence. There are also some simple games, including a music composition activity, where other keys are used to enter simple melodies. Our testers were interested in most of the games. Reading is required in most of these dry games, making it out of the range of most preschoolers. Progress is not saved from play to play. The device is powered by 3 AA batteries or an AC adapter (sold extra). While the Superman theme is fun, and this toy pushes the limits of what you can do with an LCD screen, the activities are clunky compared to typical screen content. Also, the prices seems a bit high.
$40, Smart Toy
Teaches: math, logic, memory, spelling, English, Spanish
CTR Rating: 78%