twenty fifth Jul 2025
With such a digital world round us, it’s virtually not possible to remain offline for on a regular basis duties. Whether or not that’s learning for varsity or college, or shopping for on-line, or saving cash via comparability and cashback web sites, being on-line looks like an important a part of life.
However laptops and telephones value cash, to not point out discovering low cost broadband. The excellent news is there are some methods to get free and low cost laptops and smartphones, that can assist you get on-line even when your cash is tight.
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Getting Free laptops and computer systems
Free or Low-cost Laptops for College students
Getting free laptops and computer systems:
It isn’t straightforward to get one however there are schemes on the market particularly designed to assist low-income households entry to the tech they want.
Go to the library
It’s not a long-term answer, however your native library may have free web and computer systems you need to use. Typically, you need to e book time forward throughout busy durations, so ensure you communicate to the librarian about the way it works. Libraries supply a lot greater than books and free computer systems too: in the event you’re struggling, they’re an incredible place to ask for group assist. Librarians are greater than e book shelvers, they’re a wealth of group information and can also know of native charities or teams who present free or subsidised know-how to these in want.
Claiming Common Credit score?
Jobseekers claiming Common Credit score could also be eligible for a grant in direction of a brand new machine. Converse to your job coach if it would make the distinction between you being out of labor or getting a job. You may as well go to the Job Centre to finish your weekly job search, do your CV, and different work-related duties in addition to verify your Common Credit score account.
Charity Grants and Assist
If you’re on common advantages, a pupil, disabled or a low earnings household, then the Charity Excellence Framework could possibly assist.
They provide a variety of laptops, computer systems, software program and IT help and gear and have a complete record of organisations who could possibly assist in your space. charityexcellence.co.uk If you happen to don’t have entry to a pc, strive contacting the library or a group group for assist or name 07595371444 for extra info.
The Good Issues Basis is a charity which was set as much as repair the digital divide. They encourage corporations to donate their IT gear to their Nationwide System Financial institution and the IT gear, as soon as professionally and securely wiped of all knowledge, could be re-used throughout group organisation nationwide. To seek out out extra go to www.goodthingsfoundation.org
If in case you have a disabled or severely sick baby, the Household Fund can present grants for know-how to help them with their studying and digital improvement.
You’ll be able to apply if you’re the dad or mum or carer of a disabled baby and meet the eligibility standards. Go to familyfund.org.uk for extra info or name 01904 550055 the place somebody will have the ability to provide you with assist with an software.
Subsidised Computer systems:
If you happen to aren’t eligible for a free pc you could possibly get one less expensive than within the retailers via organisations like Get On-line@ House. They promote closely discounted computer systems and tablets to prospects who meet the standards for his or her subsidy scheme.
You might want to be a part of a low-income household that receives state advantages, lives in a group with a restricted entry to know-how or is disabled.
Their PCs vary from £99 and laptops from £199. Even in the event you aren’t eligible for the subsidised worth, the units are nonetheless obtainable to buy and less expensive than common.
The units are usually not backside of the barrel rejects, they’re refurbished and particularly for low earnings prospects.Go to getonlineathome.org for extra details about how they could give you the chance that can assist you.
There are incapacity grants obtainable for youngsters and adults to assist with know-how gear, together with computer systems. There’s a entire record obtainable on disability-grants.org however these can change so verify them out fastidiously to seek out those which can fit your wants finest.
The Restart Challenge relies in North London however they record reuse initiatives throughout the UK that settle for units that folks could not want however which could be repaired and refurbished not solely to assist folks but additionally to cut back the e-waste mountain. therestartproject.org
Free or Low-cost Laptops for College students:
It’s now not possible to check at a better stage with out a laptop computer or desktop pc. Whereas college students are of faculty age, they are able to entry schemes or borrow units from their faculty. However at school and college age, this isn’t at all times an possibility.
If a pupil has a long run well being situation or particular studying problem like dyslexia or dyspraxia, then they could possibly be eligible for a Disabled Scholar’s Allowance (DSA). If you happen to suppose you may be eligible for funding which could be a number of thousand kilos, then go to www.gov.uk and take a look at their finance pupil part and the place to seek out your native DSA evaluation centre.
You may as well get pupil reductions on model new tech from the Apple Retailer through the summer season months, normally incorporating free equipment like AirPods or keyboards. The Apple Training Retailer gives 10% off year-round for college students, dad and mom, and individuals who work in instructional establishments.
If you happen to belong to a commerce union, they might even have grants or bursaries to present in direction of a tool. You don’t at all times need to be a member, both. For instance, the Society of Authors Disaster Fund may help with one-off grants even in the event you’re not a member (however you have to be a author making nearly all of your earnings from writing).
Second-Hand Tech Outlets
It’s simpler than ever nowadays to bag a second-hand tech discount. There’s the small catch that almost all of those are on-line: for instance, you’ll want to have the ability to get onto the eBay web site to seek out units and bid on auctions.
If you happen to’re shopping for on-line, by no means purchase outdoors of the platform – for instance, eBay has purchaser safety in case the machine is damaged or wrongly marketed, however they’ll’t assist in the event you prepare to pay outdoors of the platform.
If you happen to stay close to a city with a OCpop into the shop to seek out out extra concerning the tech they’ve on supply. You’ll be able to cut back the value even additional if in case you have previous telephones, DVDs, pc video games or different tech that you just don’t use anymore to commerce in for a voucher.
Coupon Web sites
Keep watch over web sites like Groupon and Wowcher, too. Once more, you have to to borrow a tool or use the library pc to entry these. Nevertheless, they may help you bag a discount on refurbished laptops, tablets, and smartphones at a fraction of the value of different retailers.
Older folks and know-how:
AbilityNet has a UK large community of tech volunteers who supply help to older folks. Whether or not you want help organising a brand new machine, connecting to the web or want help connecting to household and mates on-line, abilitynet.org.uk may help.
Volunteers are DBS checked and might help you by telephone, over the web or at residence. They may help you select gear that meets your wants in addition to steering on find out how to store safely on-line. They’ll attempt to discover a volunteer in your space. Name 08000487642 for additional info.
Don’t be afraid to ask and who is aware of, it may open up an entire new and thrilling world. And in the event you can’t discover one thing best for you, you possibly can at all times strive good offers and coupon codes – for instance, in the event you get an excellent eBay coupon, that may supply a pleasant low cost in your buy.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie isn’t a licensed monetary advisor and subsequently info discovered right here together with opinions, commentary, strategies or methods are for informational, leisure or instructional functions solely. This shouldn’t be thought-about as monetary recommendation. Anybody pondering of investing ought to conduct their very own due diligence.
