The games consoles

Nintendo Game Boy Micro & DS

Which should . . .
boast “the same power as previous Game Boy Advance models, complete with the ability to play all GBA games”, while the DS “combines dual screen action with touch-screen interaction, providing the player with a unique gaming experience”.

Which actually . . .
is more for boys than girls. The Micro came with a game where you had to shoot things, so my brother liked it more. It is a good size. You could hold it in one hand but the screen is still big enough to enjoy the game. The DS was my favourite. It’s a bit bigger than the Micro and has two screens — one of which you use with a touch-screen pen. I liked the pen. I played Nintendogs, a game where you look after dogs. It’s voice activated and you train your dog to do as you say. The DS is a good size. The screen isn’t too big and it fitted easily in my schoolbag.

Nintendo Game Boy Micro, £69.99, Nintendo DS, £89.99 (www.nintendo-europe.com 0870 6060247)

The computer

Apple Mac Mini

Which should . . .
deliver “what you need to have more fun with your music, photos and movies . . . Mac Mini works with both Mac- and PC-compatible peripherals”.

Which actually . . .

is a perfect size. I have a work bench under my bunk bed and it fitted there easily. It is good that it has Microsoft Word because I know how to use that. I plugged it straight into the television. The best thing is the keyboard, which doesn’t have wires so you can carry it around.

Apple Mac Mini, from £359 (www.apple.com/uk 0800 0391010)

The television

Samsung LE32R41BD

Which should . . .
“allow the viewer to experience the ultimate in home entertainment without compromising space and style”.

Which actually . . .
is lovely. It’s really big — 32in — so it took up a big space in my room. I watched CBBC, which had all the usual things, though I had to watch CBeebies with my brother (this television model has a digital Freeview receiver built in). The screen was flat and wasn’t as bulky as some televisions. I wouldn’t want it any smaller. What I like about the big screen is that when you’re watching things, it looks as if they’re really happening. It’s like 3-D. My Mum and Dad think it’s too big for my bedroom, but I don’t think so. I’ll definitely be asking Santa to put one of these in my stocking this year, although my Dad tells me that it may be too heavy for his reindeer to carry.

Samsung LCD Digital Widescreen Television, LE32R41BD, £1,150 (www.samsung.com. Available at John Lewis www.johnlewis.com 0845 049049)

The phone

KidsOK

Which should . . .
enable you to locate your errant child by sending their mobile phone a text message, explains Paul, Eleanor’s father. You then receive a text back telling you where they are.

Which actually . . .
is useful, but lacks precision. The text comes back with a map and a red circle that locates them to within a two-mile radius — not precise enough if they are lost, but enough to give you a general idea of where they are. While an 8-year-old is unlikely to venture far from the house on their own, I could imagine this system might come in handy with a teenager. Another good feature is that they don’t know that you have texted them. The best idea would simply be not to tell them that the phone has the feature in the first place — that way they wouldn’t be tempted to turn off the phone.

KidsOK mobile phone tracking service, £39.95 per year or £7 set-up and £2.95 per month, avaiable from various department stores including Debenhams, Comet, Boots and The Link (www.kidsok.net)