What computer should I buy to run Minecraft?

Craig wants to buy his game-playing son a laptop for up to 500, while other readers want cheaper machines

Could you provide an update to your previous articles on the system requirements for Minecraft? I would love a recommendation on a laptop for my 10-year-old son. I have a 500 budget, and I would have no problem with a refurbished device. Craig

This is a frequently-asked question, and similar queries have come from Jo (seven-year-old son, 450 budget), Lauren (13-year-old son), Ronda (12-year-old daughter), and Natalie (11-year-old son, 200 to 250 budget). I answered much the same question in December last year (What's the best cheap laptop for running Minecraft?), in December 2015 (What's the best laptop for running Minecraft?) and earlier. The principles have not changed, so you may still find them useful. However, the products change, which is why the question keeps coming up.