These are my recommendations for what computer you should buy based on your budget.
It is preferable to buy computers after you’ve seen them in person or know someone who is using them. Online reviews can be fake. Even then, it makes sense to go through all the 2-star and 3-star reviews if you have no other options.
Also, it is always better to budget at least Rs. 4,000 extra for a 1TB external hard disk to backup your data or Rs. 5,500 for a 2TB external hard disk.
It is ideal if your budget is more than Rs. 40,000, as it is where the price-to-performance ratio is the highest. If you have less money to spend, you will have to make a few compromises.
These are my recommendations based on your budget.
Under Rs. 5,000
Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB of RAM+ a wireless keyboard, mouse and use your existing TV for display.
Under Rs. 10,000
Used Desktop or an Android phone with 4GB or more RAM and 64GB storage, such as the Realme Narzo 50i, a USB-OTG cable and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Under Rs. 20,000
Entry- level laptop or a Mid-range phone such as the Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, a USB-OTG cable and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Under Rs. 30,000
Laptop which has a 256 GB SSD in it. Or buy a laptop without an SSD and spend Rs. 3,000 and add an SSD to it. You could even consider a Chromebook.
Under Rs. 40,000
Laptop which has a 256 GB SSD in it, and a 1080p screen or a custom-built entry-level Desktop.
Under Rs. 50,000
Laptop which has a 512GB SSD, backlit keyboard and a 1080p screen or a custom-built Desktop with slightly better specifications.
Under Rs. 60,000
Laptop which has a 512GB SSD, backlit keyboard, GTX1650ti and a 1080p screen with 144Hz refresh rate like ASUS TUF Gaming F15.
Under Rs. 70,000
Apple M1 Mac Mini + a monitor, keyboard and mouse of your choice.
Under Rs. 80,000
Apple M1 Macbook Air 256GB base model, LG Gram 14.
Above Rs. 90,000
Custom-built desktop.
Note: These prices are as of December 2021.