The primary thing I recommend is comparing Apples to apples. Don’t compare a cheap Inspiron to a Macbook Pro.
If you compare comparable models, the cost difference is about $250. Look at the Dell Latitude models.
The real issue is, “What software will your kid need to use?” If any is Mac software, the answer is clear, since it is easy to install Windows on a Mac, but the opposite isn’t true.
What is the difference between Latitude and other choices?