Laptops & Computers buying guide

First decide what the laptop is for: study and office work, creative work or gaming. Then get at least 16 GB RAM and an SSD, a bright screen, and a brand with service near you.

Brands to trust

• Apple MacBook (Premium) — Long battery life, long macOS support and good resale. Student prices all year.
• Lenovo (All budgets) — ThinkPads have the best keyboards and build. IdeaPads are good value.
• HP (All budgets) — Wide range and a large service network in India.
• Dell (All budgets) — Many models offer onsite service.
• ASUS (Value / Gaming) — Strong value, and a good choice for gaming (TUF, ROG).

Think twice

• 8 GB RAM that can't be upgraded (Avoid) — Many thin laptops have RAM soldered to the board. 8 GB feels slow within a couple of years.
• eMMC storage (Avoid) — Much slower than an SSD. It's common on the cheapest laptops.
• Old processors in sale listings (Check) — Sales often clear stock that's two generations old. Check the processor model and year.
• Grey imports and unwarrantied refurbished laptops (Risky) — No Indian warranty means no service support.

When to buy

• Back-to-school offers (Students) — Apple's India back-to-school offer ran 16 Jul-24 Sep 2026. Other brands run similar student offers in the same months.
• Festive sales (Best prices) — The Great Indian Festival starts 8 Oct 2026, and Big Billion Days runs from 9 Oct (8 Oct early access).
• Republic Day sales (January) (Sale) — Another good sale season for laptops.

Where to buy

• Brand stores and websites (Online / Offline) — The best place for student pricing, custom configurations and extended warranty.
• Amazon and Flipkart (Online) — Often the lowest prices in sales. Buy from the brand or an authorised seller.
• Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales (Offline) — You can try the keyboard and screen before buying.

What to check

• BIS registration (Must) — Every laptop sold in India must carry a BIS 'R-' number on its label. You can check it on crsbis.in.
• Warranty start date (Must) — Enter the serial number on the brand's website. The warranty should start from your bill date.
• Processor generation — Compare the exact processor model, not just 'i5' or 'Ryzen 5'.
• Screen — About 300 nits or brighter, and close to 100% sRGB if you edit photos.
• Charger and ports — USB-C charging is handy, since one charger can serve your phone too.
• Genuine Windows and Office — Check that Windows is activated. Many laptops come with Office Home & Student.

Coupons and offers

• Student and teacher pricing — Apple's Education Store, plus student programmes from other brands.
• Employee purchase programmes — Many companies get Dell, HP or Lenovo discounts through their employer. Ask HR.
• Bank offers and exchange — Same as phones: check the maximum discount and any EMI processing fee.

Warranty

• Onsite or carry-in — Onsite warranty means a technician comes to you. It's worth paying for if you rely on the laptop for work.
• Accidental damage protection — Covers drops and spills, which standard warranty doesn't.
• Register the laptop — Register on the brand's website so a warranty claim is quick.

How to negotiate

• Ask for extras — Shops can more easily add a free extended warranty, bag, mouse or accidental damage cover than cut the price.
• Show the online price — Offline chains often match it during sale seasons.

Sources

• BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme: registered products — Bureau of Indian Standards
• Education pricing and student discounts (India) — Apple India
• Big Billion Days vs Great Indian Festival 2026 — Eastern Herald
• National Consumer Helpline — Department of Consumer Affairs