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New PC prices are climbing again in 2026, and this time desktops aren't spared. The memory shortage that hit laptops earlier in the year has spread through the rest of the PC market, and analysts now expect the pressure to last well into next year. If you're shopping for a home office or a study setup, here's what's driving the increase and why a refurbished or unboxed machine is the more sensible way to buy right now.
The 2026 PC Price Problem
According to Tom's Hardware, industry analysts expect memory and storage costs to climb sharply through 2026, with overall PC shipment forecasts being cut by double digits as buyers hold off on new purchases. TechRadar reports that major manufacturers including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer, and Asus have already flagged further price hikes for the second half of the year, on top of increases most buyers have already absorbed.
The upshot: whether you're eyeing a new laptop or a desktop tower, you're paying a RAM-crisis premium right now. That premium doesn't exist on refurbished and unboxed stock, since that inventory was priced against yesterday's component costs, not this month's.
Laptop or Desktop: Which Makes Sense for Home Office or Study?
The RAM shortage is a good excuse to actually think through this choice instead of defaulting to a laptop out of habit.
For focused home-office work
If you work from a single desk most days, a desktop from our desktop PC collection usually gets you more performance for the same budget than an equivalent laptop, since you aren't paying for a battery, a built-in screen, or a thin chassis. Pair it with a monitor you already own and you've got a setup built for spreadsheets, video calls, and multitasking without compromise. Professionals who need a dependable daily driver can also look at our business laptop range if portability between home and office still matters.
For students juggling space and mobility
Students moving between hostel, library, and classroom are almost always better off with a laptop. Our student laptop collection is built around lighter, portable configurations that handle note-taking, research, and coursework without the price tag of a brand-new machine.
Why Refurbished or Unboxed Beats Buying New Right Now
Buying refurbished isn't just a budget move anymore, it's also a hedge against a volatile component market. It's a shift showing up in the numbers too: India's recommerce market has been growing at a steady pace, with market research cited by Yahoo Finance pointing to continued double-digit growth as more buyers turn to refurbished and pre-owned electronics.
Here's what that actually looks like when you buy from Get Like New:
- Clear grading: Every refurbished laptop is graded Good or Fair before it's listed, so you know its cosmetic and functional condition upfront, with configurations available in 256GB or 512GB SSD storage paired with 8GB or 16GB RAM.
- Real warranty coverage: Refurbished laptops carry a 6-month warranty, while unboxed laptops and gaming laptops (browse the unboxed laptops collection or gaming laptops collection) come with a full 1-year brand warranty. Unboxed phones carry a 6-month warranty.
- Fast, predictable shipping: Orders above Rs 5,000 ship free, with 1-2 business days of processing and 7-10 business days for delivery.
- A safety net if something's wrong: There's no change-of-mind return policy, but transit damage is covered through a defect remedy process, provided you record an unboxing video. Beyond that, the buyback program lets you sell your device back for 80% of the purchase price within 15 days.
What to Check Before You Buy
Whichever form factor you land on, match the grading and warranty to how hard you'll actually use the machine. A Fair-grade laptop meant for light browsing and documents is a different purchase than a Good-grade machine meant to be your only work device for the next two years. If you're comparing options, our used laptops collection lets you filter by grade and spec, so you can weigh condition against price before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a laptop or a desktop for a home office in 2026?
If you need portability, a laptop is the obvious pick, but if you mostly work from one desk, a desktop typically gives you more power per rupee, easier upgrades, and a display you already own or can add separately, especially useful as new PC prices keep climbing this year.
Are refurbished laptops from Get Like New reliable?
Yes. Every refurbished laptop is graded Good or Fair before listing, with configurations spanning 256GB or 512GB SSD storage paired with 8GB or 16GB RAM, and each one carries a 6-month warranty so you know exactly what condition and coverage you're getting.
What warranty do unboxed laptops and phones carry?
Unboxed laptops and gaming laptops come with a 1-year brand warranty, while unboxed phones carry a 6-month warranty, giving you new-condition hardware with manufacturer-backed coverage at a lower price than retail.
Can I return a refurbished laptop or desktop if I change my mind?
No, Get Like New does not accept change-of-mind returns. Transit damage is covered through a defect remedy process, but you must record an unboxing video to qualify, so film one as soon as your order arrives.
What if I'm not happy with my purchase after a few days?
Get Like New's buyback program lets you sell the product back for 80% of your purchase price within 15 days, which offers a safety net that's rare among refurbished electronics sellers.
