Buying a laptop under ₹20,000 — Here’s what you need to know

If you had a budget of ₹20,000 and wanted to buy a device to support both your work and personal needs, you might have once looked at mid-range tablets and high-end phones. In recent years, however, multiple laptops have joined this list, allowing you to bring home a new PC—with some cash to spare.

Some of the brands offering laptops that cost ₹20,000 or less include Primebook, Lenovo, Ultimus, Jio, Walker, and Acer.

What are the benefits of investing in entry-level laptops and what are the trade-offs? Let’s take a look.

Why are people gravitating towards budget laptops?

Budget laptops are well-suited to the needs of new tech users, children, seniors, and users who only want basic computing and internet browsing features. They can serve as portable, low-cost educational tools to help these users practice basic computer skills such as making presentations and conducting research, while the entry-level specs also discourage activities such as binge-watching content online and playing games. This is a definite win for parents and teachers.

Entry-level laptops are well suited to commutes and travel. Due to their smaller size, they can fit into the bags of bikers and are also convenient when the user is working within buses, trains, and planes. Users also do not have to worry about losing a luxury device during airport or train station security checks.

Another point to take into consideration is that more laptops, even those in the entry-level segment, are now designed to support the use of AI chatbots; users can enjoy access to cutting-edge technology while saving money with a less costly device.

Coming to memory, users can expect between 4 GB and 8 GB of RAM, which should serve the needs of most customers.

What are some limitations users should keep in mind?

Entry-level laptops do come with glaring limitations, related to both their hardware and software. A computer user who is, for example, picky about the kind of word processing software they use or their OS updates, is better off exploring more advanced PC options. However, PC users who are agnostic when it comes to which OS or app marketplace they use can look into lower-cost laptops from newer brands.

Entry-level laptops also often keep costs down by opting for low-end cameras and speakers. This means you may have to make do with grainy video quality and/or rely on external accessories such as speakers and headphones for video calls. Such a set-up is acceptable in a pinch, but may not be the right fit for users who are attending online classes for higher education or those who keep in touch with high-profile clients via video calls.

Battery life is also likely to be on the shorter side, meaning that you may need to bring a charger with you while travelling. Energy-intensive operations and gaming are not recommended on such devices due to a less than optimal experience, even if the companies claim to support such activities.

How do budget laptops compare to phones and tablets in the same price range?

For ₹20,000 or less, you can pick up both entry-level and mid-range smartphones, as well as entry-level tablets. Many phones and tablets in this range deliver satisfactory performance, come with immersive screens, support professional video calls, and even allow you to play games. Most routine users can enjoy these devices without feeling overly conscious of their technical limitations. In addition to this, it is often easier for parents/educators to install protections and ad-blockers on laptops when compared to mobile-based apps.

On the other hand, those buying entry-level laptops often trade processing power and screen quality for the PC form-factor. If you want a greater variety of ports in your device, a laptop definitely takes the prize.

If a middle ground is required, another option is to simply pair a tablet with a portable keyboard and a mouse.

What are some tips for those buying entry-level laptops?

Remember to consider the needs of the user and choose a laptop accordingly, rather than simply buying an entry-level laptop due to its attractive price.

For example, if the laptop user works with media such as photos and videos, they may require a more advanced system with greater memory capacity and a much more reactive touchpad. On the other hand, if the laptop is largely being used for activities such as online shopping and scrolling social media and checking emails, an entry-level laptop is a good fit.

However, users working in sensitive fields or those who handle extremely personal or private data should exercise caution when choosing their laptop. Entry-level laptops with lesser known operating systems and lower cybersecurity guardrails may not be the right choice if the device is being used to store and process health or financial data.

Make sure to read recent customer reviews, and ensure that you buy your laptop through an authorised seller. Check details such as the warranty period, the ease of accessing aftersales support, and the year in which the model was manufactured.

Finally, make sure to shoot an unboxing video after receiving your laptop, in order to resolve any potential disputes.

Published – November 28, 2025 10:25 am IST