With the matric exams coming to an end and results just around the corner, hopefuls are already applying to begin their journeys into tertiary education, which means there will be a new swathe of young university students from the beginning of next year.

Whether it be in a private varsity or a larger government university, whether they will be staying at home or starting a new life in a residence, the first year is one of many firsts: new experiences and new struggles.

University is tough, here are a few affordable tech options you can get the new varsity student in your life ahead of their sojourn into the next level of academia.

ASUS X415 Celeron N4020 notebook | R4 499

First and foremost, a notebook has become a near-essential for a university student. Every single institution is now integrating hybrid models in their learning curricula which means studying remotely some of the time. Not only that but assignments are all done digitally now. The days of handing in papers are long gone. COVID-19 saw to that.

There are some bursaries being offered by local institutions and entities that cover almost all expenses, like accommodation and even notebooks, but only a small percentage of students will be able to take advantage of this.

With the current economic situation, an affordable device is key and we think a machine like the ASUS X415 Celeron N4020 with its 8GB RAM and 1TB storage space could see a student through all of their university career, especially at its discounted price (as of time of writing.)

At 14 inches, this notebook is compact for ease of carrying, and it is among the most well-reviewed machines at this price point on Takealot.

Razer Kraken V3 | R1 839

Hybrid learning means students will often be engaging with their lecturers and other students over applications like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. A good headset will make these classes a more private experience, allowing for better focus and communication.

For our money, a good gaming headset provides the best quality sound and microphone pairing, even if you’re not using the device strictly for gaming. These are often made to be worn for long stretches of time and for sharp voice capture.

Razer can be a controversial brand, and some say its Chroma colour-changing gimmick is tricky to use and just inflates the price. However, headsets like the Razer Kraken V3 are very comfortable, have a great sound quality and connect with only a single USB for both microphone and audio use.

The Kraken V3 is slightly discounted as of December 2022, and delivery is free on Takealot.

HP DeskJet 2710 All-in-One Printer | R748

While students aren’t handing in papers anymore, printing is definitely not out of date, especially when you’re getting pages on pages of readings sent to you and you really don’t want to spend hours squinting at tiny letters on your smartphone or deal with the glare of your notebook.

Fear not, to combat the death of paper, printers have focused on eliminating as many inconveniences as possible. Enter the HP DeskJet 2710 All-in-One Printer, which connects to virtually any device through its own app, be it a smartphone or notebook. This means the printer can be used without a wired connection and only requires WiFi. Perfect for printing notes or readings straight from your email address or campus Blackboard application.

This machine has received glowing reviews on Takealot, with many noting its ease of use. Just make sure you follow the instructions.

It is an unfortunate truth that we live in a dangerous world, and letting your young people go out into this world can be scary. We chose this particular tazer because its small enough to fit inside a handbag or in a pocket, and according to reviews it makes a scary noise.

It also has an additional flashlight and a rechargeable battery so you don’t have to keep buying replacers. Crime in the country is boiling over as we speak and terrible things happen to young women every day.

This affordable little personal security device is available for free delivery on Takealot, and it will, at least, give you a bit of peace of mind as your youngsters head out into the world.

JBL Go 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker | R749

University life isn’t all about studying. Social interactions are important too, and music is a must for any spirit gathering of likeminded colleagues. The speaker-bringing person is always appreciated and luckily high quality Bluetooth speakers are easy to use and affordable nowadays.

JBL are a respected brand in sound and its Go 3 Speaker is made to be compact and portable without sacrificing a punchy bass and big bad volume. As of the time of writing it is available at Makro for R100 less, making it a bit more affordable. This would make a great gift for the young person in your life, whether they are going to university or not.

Yeelight LED Bedside Lamp D2 | R999

Loadshedding is here to stay and it can be a pain to try and study in the pitch. A smart, battery-powered light can be a boon when taking notes for exams, reading and, let’s face it, its sucks to socialise in the dark.

The Yeelight D2 is a lamp that can be charged through USB and when the power cut hits, it can be switched on by touch. It has four modes to choose from so it can act as a comforting bedside lamp, a stronger light to study by, or it can use its colour-changing (every RGB variation you can think of) feature for a full-on party mode. It can even adapt to the game you’re playing.

This is an excellent little gadget with a host of awesome, customisable features. Now available locally from retailers like Makro for R999.

TECNO CAMON 17P | R 4999

Many of the above options require smartphone capabilities, and if you’re looking for an affordable but solid handset for a university student starting out, we recommend the likes of the TECNO CAMON 17P which we called a “genuine competitor” in the entry-level smartphone market.

The 17P provides a respectable foundation and would make an excellent first smartphone for a student. It offers a two-day battery life and increased performance capabilities in comparison to similar devices within its range.

It retails for R4 999 and is available at many local outlets and online shops.