One issue is that an iPad is basically non-buildable or modd-able so you can't build your own PC to play a game... which one could argue is a more recent equiva

One issue is that an iPad is basically non-buildable or modd-able so you can't build your own PC to play a game... which one could argue is a more recent equivalent of buy a junky car and fix it up. Now maybe have the kid build a set top PC or something.. or a tivo.. That being said, video gamer kids tend to have super dexterity and they are better at taking in a lot of digital information quickly. So there is that.