My friend wanted advice on what Laptop to get for his kid
I told him to get a Toshiba + extended "no matter what" warranty, that lets you get a replacement right away (and not wait for servicing, part arrivals or other BS).
The inside hardware is the same anyways, so unless some bad design/cooling issue is present, like on one of those HP Envy models, wheere when you open the screen it blocks the fan exhaust (?!) its all the same.
Also Toshiba lets you get a DOS equipped laptop only and skip the OS price altogether.
They have been happy 4 + years now, and his kid games a lot.