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Cheap, brand-new laptops are getting harder to find. As memory chip makers redirect DRAM and NAND production toward AI infrastructure, component costs have climbed so fast that some laptop makers can no longer make money on entry-level machines -- and the industry's response says a lot about where budget computing is headed in 2026.
The Budget Laptop Segment Is Getting Squeezed
Qualcomm recently launched its Snapdragon C platform, a chip line built specifically for laptops starting around $300, aimed at keeping the budget tier alive as manufacturers struggle with what's being called the DRAM squeeze. The move is a direct response to a shrinking market: analysts quoted by Tom's Hardware warn that the sub-$500 laptop category could largely disappear before 2028 as thin-margin devices become impossible to price profitably.
Why Memory Prices Are Driving This
The root cause is a global memory shortage. Research firm IDC now expects average PC prices to rise by as much as 8% in 2026 because of the ongoing memory crunch, and the shortage has gotten severe enough that some manufacturers are reportedly shipping pre-built desktops without RAM installed at all, leaving buyers to source their own -- a detail reported by Tom's Hardware. When 8GB or 16GB of RAM becomes meaningfully more expensive to source, it's the cheapest laptops in a manufacturer's lineup that get squeezed out first, since there's the least room to absorb the extra cost.
What Qualcomm's Response Actually Tells Us
Snapdragon C runs Windows on Arm with a built-in NPU, which is a reasonable way to build a capable, efficient laptop at a lower bill of materials. But it's also a signal: chipmakers are having to design entirely new, cost-optimized platforms just to keep a $300-ish laptop viable at all. That's a much bigger structural shift than a routine price bump, and it means the "just wait for a sale" strategy that used to work on budget laptops is less reliable than it used to be.
What This Means If You're Buying in India
India's laptop market is unusually price-sensitive, which makes it more exposed than most to a shrinking budget tier. If new entry-level laptops keep getting thinner on specs or pricier, the practical question for most buyers becomes: what's actually available that fits a real budget without compromising too much on RAM or storage?
For Students
Most students don't need peak performance -- they need reliable battery life, enough RAM for browser tabs and coursework, and a machine light enough to carry daily. Since Chromebooks and Celeron-based machines tend to struggle once real multitasking is involved, it's worth looking at properly specced options in student laptops or unboxed laptops instead.
For Business Buyers
Business use tends to demand more RAM headroom for multitasking across spreadsheets, video calls, and internal tools, plus dependable build quality. Buyers who don't want to gamble on a newly cost-optimized budget chip platform can find well-configured options in business laptops.
The Smarter Alternative: Refurbished and Unboxed Laptops
A refurbished or unboxed laptop bought today was originally specced and priced before this latest round of memory cost increases, which is exactly why it can be a better deal than a new budget model right now. At Get Like New, refurbished laptops are graded Good or Fair based on cosmetic condition (not function) and come in 256GB or 512GB SSD configurations paired with 8GB or 16GB RAM, backed by a 6-month brand warranty. Unboxed laptops and gaming laptops are opened-box, effectively new, and carry a fuller 1-year brand warranty. Browse the full range in used laptops or unboxed laptops to see what fits your budget today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are budget laptops disappearing in 2026?
Memory chip makers have diverted DRAM and NAND production toward AI infrastructure, pushing component costs up sharply. Qualcomm's new Snapdragon C platform is aimed at propping up the sub-$300 laptop segment, but analysts still expect the sub-$500 category to shrink significantly before 2028 as brands struggle to absorb rising memory costs on thin-margin devices.
Is a laptop built on Qualcomm's Snapdragon C platform a good choice right now?
It can suit light, everyday tasks like browsing and document work, since it runs Windows on Arm with a built-in NPU, but app compatibility on Arm-based Windows machines is still catching up compared to traditional laptops, so it's worth checking your must-have software before buying new.
Are refurbished laptops a real alternative to a new budget laptop?
Yes. A professionally graded refurbished laptop was priced and specced before the latest memory cost increases, so it often carries more RAM and storage than a new budget model at a similar price today. Grades of Good or Fair reflect cosmetic condition only, not function.
What should students and business buyers each look for?
Students generally get the most value from a lighter machine with solid battery life for browsing, writing, and video calls. Business buyers should prioritize higher RAM configurations and dependable build quality for multitasking across everyday work tools.
Does a refurbished laptop come with a warranty in India?
Yes. Refurbished laptops from Get Like New include a 6-month brand warranty, while unboxed laptops and unboxed gaming laptops carry a fuller 1-year brand warranty.
