Best Devices for students
The 5 Game-Changing Gadgets Every Student Needs (Under R1,500/$8.23)
Let's be real – as a student, your phone is probably glued to your hand 24/7. But what if those same devices could boost your grades instead of killing your productivity?
After testing 37 "study gadgets" (and wasting money on 12 duds), I've found the only 5 affordable tools that:
✓ Save time on assignments
✓ Survive all-nighters
✓ Won't leave you eating instant noodles for months
Before we begin let me just say a little about me:
✓ full-time IT student and certified tech enthusiast
✓ I Find hidden deals most reviewers miss
✓ Can contact me through my email fjaden455@gmail.com
(Bonus: They're all under R1,500 – because we know NSFAS isn't paying for MacBooks.)
1. Anker 313 Power Bank (10,000mAh) – R1,199 ($65,82)
This palm-sized battery survived 3 days of no power with this gadget – and still had enough for my 6AM online lecture
📊 Key Specs:
Capacity: 10,000mAh (3-4 full phone charges)
Output: 12W (not fast but reliable)
Ports: 2x USB-A
Weight: 222g (much lighter than your average textbook)
Bonus: Works with Type M plugs (adapter included)
💡 Student Hack: Use it to charge your router during outages!
2. Lenovo 100e Chromebook (Renewed) – R1,499 ($82,34)
Affordable, Lightweight R1,500 ($82,34) laptop I’d pick over a R8,000 ($439,15) MacBook for essays and Netflix.
📊 Key Specs:
OS: ChromeOS (runs Google Docs/Classroom)
RAM: 4GB | Storage: 16GB eMMC (expandable via microSD)
Battery: 12 hours (tested at Wits library)
Durability: MIL-STD-810G (survives backpack throws)
⚠️ Limitation: Can’t install desktop apps like Photoshop
3. Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 Lite – R899 ($49,35)
These ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) earbuds blocked my will block your loud neighbor Friday night party noise… and cost less than a textbook.
📊 Key Specs:
ANC: Yes (blocks 70% of noise)
Battery: 6hr + 18hr case (full lecture day)
Latency: 122ms (decent for YouTube)
Waterproof: IP54 (survives rain between classes)
🎧 Pro Tip: Use "Find My Device" when you inevitably lose it.
4. Amazon Basics Lap Desk – R649 ($35,63)
Light weight, durable, great size everything you need to turn your bed into a 4.0 GPA workstation with this R600 hack.
📊 Key Specs:
Size: 45cm x 30cm (fits 15” laptops)
Material: Bamboo top + padded base
Features: Phone slot, mouse pad, ventilation holes
Weight: 1.2kg (carry to lectures easily)
🛏️ Dorm Tested: No more sweaty laptop burns during summer blackouts.
5. Rocketbook Smart Notebook – R1,299 ($71,31)
Been using this for a while the pages are reusable letting you use entire notebook again. and what I did is I recycled the same notebook all semester – and it really help me do god in my tests.
📊 Key Specs:
Pages: 32 reusable (wipe with damp cloth)
App: Scans to Google Drive/OneNote in HD
Pen: Pilot FriXion (erasable, 3 colors included)
Bonus: Works with power-outages – notes auto-sync when the internet is available
📚 Eco Bonus: Saves 5+ notebooks per year.
💬 YOUR TURN!
Which gadget saved your academic life?
What should I test next? (I read every comment!)
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