Student Budget Guide
Cheap laptops for students in South Africa: what R1,000 off really buys
A cheap student laptop gets cheaper with the R1,000 student discount, but only when it is not already on special. Here is how the pricing works and what to check before you buy.
- cheapest laptop not on special, after the R1,000 student discount (read 4 Nov 2026)
- R9,399
- where laptops on special start
- R8,499
- cheapest PC at Evetech
- R6,499
The real starting prices
Read these three numbers first, all as of 4 November 2026. The cheapest PC is R6,499. Laptops on special start at R8,499. The cheapest laptop that is not on special is R10,399, which is R9,399 after the student discount.
| Route | Starting price | Student discount? |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop on special | From R8,499 | No. It carries its own discount |
| Laptop not on special | From R10,399, or R9,399 after R1,000 off | Yes, once a year for verified students |
| PC | From R6,499 | Yes. The R1,000 comes off the PC |
Special or student discount?
A laptop marked Special already has its own price cut, so the student discount steps aside for it. The student discount is for PCs and laptops that are not on special, and it cannot be combined with a promo code or creator code. So the cheapest tag is not always the cheapest laptop for you: compare the final price in your cart, then pick the lower total that still meets your course needs.
What a budget laptop must still do
A low price is only a saving if the laptop gets you through the year. Check these before you pay:
- Memory: 8GB covers notes and browsing, while 16GB gives more room for many tabs, video calls and course software
- Storage: an SSD makes starting up and opening files quick, and 512GB fills slower than 256GB once coursework and videos pile up
- Weight and battery: lecture halls do not always have plug points, so a lighter laptop with good battery life earns its place
- Your faculty list: some courses need specific software, so read the department's requirements before you buy
When a PC is the cheaper way in
If you mostly study in one place, a PC can be the cheaper way in. The cheapest PC is R6,499 and the cheapest PC with a dedicated graphics card is R10,999 (read 4 November 2026). A PC needs a screen, keyboard and mouse, and those stay at their normal price, because the R1,000 comes off the PC only.
Three steps before you pay
- 01.
Verify in My Account
Sign in to your own Evetech account and open Student Discount. With a student email we send you a code. Without one, upload your student card and proof of registration for this year. - 02.
Look for the Special mark
Pick a PC or laptop that is not already on special. A laptop marked Special carries its own discount, so the student discount steps aside. - 03.
Tap Use my student discount in the cart
Once you are verified the button appears in the cart, and the R1,000 comes off the PC or laptop in your order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest laptop for a student at Evetech?
As of 4 November 2026 laptops on special start at R8,499, and the cheapest laptop that is not on special is R10,399. After the student discount that one is R9,399.Does the student discount work on the cheapest laptops?
Only on laptops that are not already on special. Laptops marked Special carry their own discount, so the student discount does not apply to them.Can I use a promo code with the student discount?
No. It is one discount at a time, and the promo code box in the cart is hidden while the student discount is on.Is a PC cheaper than a laptop for a student?
The cheapest PC is R6,499, against R10,399 for the cheapest laptop that is not on special. A PC also needs a screen, keyboard and mouse, which stay at their normal price.How do I get the student discount?
Verify once in My Account under Student Discount: a student email gets a code, and without one you upload your student card and proof of registration for this year. Then tap Use my student discount in the cart.Does the R1,000 come off accessories too?
No. It comes off the PC or laptop in your order. Components and accessories in the same order stay at their normal price.How long does my student status last?
Once verified, your student status lasts until 31 March of the next year. After that you verify again.Is 8GB of memory enough for university?
8GB covers notes, browsing and light work. If you multitask or your course uses heavy software, 16GB gives more room, so check your faculty's software list first.
