Why Computer & Laptop Prices Are Rising in 2026 — And What Smart Buyers Are Doing

A student walked into our center last week with a quote:
“Sir, Dell Inspiron 3520 — ₹42,000. Last year, same model was ₹31,500.”

He wasn’t wrong.
According to CMIE & TechArc data (Jan 2026), average laptop prices in India rose 32% YoY, while RAM (8GB) jumped 41% and 512GB SSDs 37%.

Why? Three Key Reasons:

1. Global Chip Shortage (Again)

   New export controls on DRAM/NAND chips from key suppliers (South Korea, Taiwan) → less supply, higher cost.

2. GST on Refurbished Devices Increased to 18% (from 12%)

   Makes certified second-hand devices — once a budget lifeline — 22% costlier.

3. “AI-Ready” Upselling

   Brands now push “AI-capable” laptops (with NPU chips) — even for basic users — inflating base prices.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to overpay.

At hSECURITIES, we help students and small businesses get maximum value — not just the cheapest device.

🔍 Smart Buyer’s Checklist (2026)

✅ Don’t Buy ‘AI’ If You Don’t Need It
→ For MS Office, YouTube, UPI: A 10th-gen i3 or Ryzen 3 is enough. Avoid “AI” labels unless doing video editing/AI tools.

✅ Refurbished ≠ Risky — If Certified
→ We partner with certified refurbishers (1-year warranty, full diagnostics). Example:

• Dell Latitude (i5, 8GB, 256GB SSD) → ₹18,500 (new: ₹38,000)

  ✅ Upgrade Later, Not Upfront
  → Buy 8GB RAM now → add another 8GB later (₹1,200 vs. ₹4,500 built-in).

  ✅ Avoid ‘Student Packs’ with Bloatware
  → Many “education bundles” include useless software. We help clean & optimize.

🛠️ Free Service at hSECURITIES

As part of our Computer Basics course (₹499), we offer:
🔹 Free Device Health Check (for enrolled students)
🔹 Refurbished Device Verification (bring any laptop — we test battery, SSD, screen)
🔹 Upgrade Guidance (what’s worth it in 2026?)

“Maine ₹19,200 mein certified Dell liya — 3 saal chalega. Sir ne bataya kya check karna hai.”
— Vikram S., Student, Adarsh College

📈 What Not to Do in 2026

❌ Buying lowest-price new laptop on Amazon/Flipkart (often older stock + no support)
❌ Skipping SSD (HDD laptops are 5x slower — not worth saving ₹2,000)
❌ Ignoring warranty terms (many “1-year” covers only parts — not labor)

🚀 Get Smart. Save Smart.

📞 Free Device Advice: +91 86996 53049
📍 Visit: hSECURITIES, Adarsh Nagar, Opposite Verma Ornaments, Near Kochhar PG, Mandi Gobindgarh
📅 Computer Basics + Device Guide Course: ₹499 | 45 Days | Starts Jan 10

We don’t sell devices. We teach you how to buy wisely.