Buying electronics, be it laptops, monitors or consoles, tends to get expensive. Realistically, now with rising input costs, a lot of major electronics manufacturers have increased their prices in the last few months.
One other problem with electronics is that they age fast. Buying them again and again or getting them serviced can get very costly, especially if you’re a student, a freelancer, an independent employee or a gamer.
With renting being an option now, you can rent electronics or even set up a work-from-home environment for yourself at a minimal cost. This guide will help you decide what you can rent, and how rental, maintenance, and cost work.
Why rent electronics instead of buying?
When you buy an electronic gadget like a laptop or a gaming console, there is the rush of owning the device. But unfortunately, the whole procedure is not cheap, especially if you’re looking for something short-term.
Electronic gadgets tend to wear out faster as well, which is why there is faster depreciation. The depreciation cost for an electronic gadget is also very high because there is little to no resale value.
A laptop in India costs at least ₹35,000. When you rent a gadget, you can completely avoid the upfront cost. Renting a laptop usually involves paying a small fee as a security deposit, which is refundable. Then, you pay a monthly rental, which usually covers maintenance.
This works perfectly well for those people who are looking for a gadget to cover a short period. You also don’t have to worry about repairing your laptop if there is an issue. The rental provider takes care of that, usually free of cost.
What electronics can you rent?
Need laptops, monitors, gaming consoles? You can rent all of them and more. Check this table to know what electronics you can rent.
| Category | What you can rent | Keywords to search |
| Laptops and computers | Laptops, desktops, MacBooks, workstations, tablets | Laptop on rent |
| Monitors and displays | Monitors, ultrawide and gaming monitors, TVs, portable screens | Monitor on rent |
| Work-from-home accessories | Keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, docking station, router | Work from home equipment on rent |
| Printers and scanners | Inkjet and laser printers, all-in-one printers, scanners | Printer on rent |
| Projectors and screens | Projectors, projector screens, presentation clickers | Projector on rent |
| Gaming | PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, controllers, VR headsets, gaming laptops | Gaming console on rent |
| Audio and entertainment | Speakers, soundbars, home theatre systems, microphones | Speaker on rent |
| Cameras and creator gear | DSLR and mirrorless cameras, lenses, tripods, action cameras, ring lights | Camera on rent |
| Smartphones and tablets | Smartphones, iPads, Android tablets | Smartphone on rent |
| Event and office tech | LED screens, PA systems, video conferencing kits, laptops in bulk for teams | Event things on rent |
Laptops, monitors and work-from-home setups on rent: what to know
Are you a freelancer who wants a work-from-home setup quickly? Are you a student who is part of a small project for a couple of months? Or do you have an intern who needs a laptop and its accessories at the earliest? Setting up any of this involves a high upfront cost. If you’re a freelancer or a student who is starting out now, bearing an upfront cost in the beginning can get expensive.
With rentals making their way into every category, you can now rent any electronic gadget for any number of days or months you want.
If you’re a student and need a laptop for a college project or a freelancer who is working on a short-term project, laptops are the go-to choice. Options usually range from basic to high-end models. If you also need a mouse, a keyboard, or a headset, these can be included along with your product, to complete your workspace setup.
Once you check the specifications you need, be it RAM or storage or the processor, you can choose a laptop to rent accordingly.
Renting helps you ready your workstation with low upfront costs, hassle-free maintenance and easy returns or upgrades.
Projectors and gaming consoles on rent
Be it a classroom session, a presentation, an event, a movie night or a gaming session with friends, you don’t have to own the device to be in any of the above situations. These are usually short-term needs, and this is exactly why renting is for you. Renting also makes more sense than buying in these situations given that you may not need one of the devices after the particular event, and you can return the product.
A small office team, a small group of trainers, students or families planning a quiz or a movie night would need projectors. Given that these situations are short-term, renting helps you reduce your expenses significantly. Your rentals can be on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on the provider.
Make sure you check for brightness, resolution, ports, and whether the screen, cables and setup help are included, and then you can rent your device.
If you’re a gamer, or you’re going to a gaming night with friends, or you just want to try out a console before you buy, renting a console is just for you. Consoles like PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch are available for rent, usually with controllers and accessories.
All you need to do is check the condition of the console, game availability and damage terms, and you’re good to go. Renting gets you the equipment and lets you avoid the big upfront costs. You can avoid storage and return it once your specific task is done.
How electronics rental works: deposit, tenure, delivery and support
Electronics rental usually follows the same model as an electronic appliance rental. There is a refundable security deposit, a monthly (daily/weekly depending on the rental company) rental, a lock-in period, delivery and support included.
The security deposit is usually refundable once the device is returned in good condition. High-value items like laptops and consoles often carry a higher security deposit than accessories like a mouse or a headset. In some cases, the deposit is deducted if there is damage to the device.
A lock-in period applies when you rent a device from a provider. A lock-in period is the minimum period of time during which you have to use the device before you can return it. Laptops and desktops are often rented out on a monthly basis, and some rental providers also give projectors on rent for a few days.
The monthly rental usually covers delivery, installation, maintenance and relocation if needed.
For example: a very similar model works for home appliance providers and water purifier providers like DrinkPrime. DrinkPrime offers a range of water purifiers on rent. The lock-in period is three months with a refundable security deposit of ₹1,500. Every month, the rental includes the water purifier, delivery, installation, maintenance and relocation. DrinkPrime’s rentals start at ₹349/month.
What to ask before renting electronics
Renting electronic gadgets is a little complicated when compared to renting home appliances or furniture. Because high specifications in terms of condition, data and damage all affect your experience, it is better to ask questions to save trouble and money.
Cost
- What is the total monthly rent, including GST?
- How much is the deposit, and when is it refunded?
- Are there any extra charges (delivery, setup, pickup, late fees)?
Device and condition
- Is the device new or refurbished?
- What are the exact specs (processor, RAM, storage, screen size, resolution)?
- Which accessories are included (charger, cables, controllers, remote, screen)?
Lock-in period and exit
- What is the minimum tenure?
- What does early closure cost?
- Can I extend the rental or upgrade the device later?
- Can I buy the device after renting?
Support and damage
- Who pays if the device breaks, and what counts as damage?
- How quickly are repairs or replacements done?
- What happens if the device is lost or stolen?
Data and privacy (laptops and tablets)
- Is the device wiped before delivery and after return?
- Can I add my own software, and are there restrictions?
Delivery and return
- Are delivery, installation and pickup included?
- How is the return scheduled, and what condition should the device be in?
Get all the answers in writing before you decide to rent your device.
Rent vs buy: electronics
| Factor | Renting | Buying |
| Upfront cost | Low. Usually a refundable security deposit | High. The full price is paid at once |
| Monthly expense | Depends on the product, the rental provider and how much the subscription costs | No monthly cost, unless bought on EMI |
| Long-term cost | Can add up if you rent the same device for years | Cheaper in the long run if used for many years. Maintenance costs can build up |
| Depreciation | The provider bears it | Electronics lose value very fast |
| Upgrade | Swap or upgrade to a newer model, depending on the provider | Resale if you want a new model |
| Maintenance | Usually handled by the provider | Once the warranty ends, you’re responsible for it |
| Lock-in | Minimum tenure applies; early exit may be chargeable | None |
| Ownership | The provider owns the device | Yours to keep it |
| Device’s condition | May be refurbished or previously used | Brand new unless you buy a previously used device |
| Data and customisation | Restrictions may apply on software and settings | Full freedom to use it freely and set it up your way |
| Best for | Short projects, students, freelancers, interns, trial before buying, event needs | Daily long-term use |
The basic rule of thumb is to rent the device if you need it for a shorter period, and to buy it if you want it for the long term and if you want to own the product.
Who should rent electronics (and who shouldn’t)?
Renting suits people who are looking for a device for a short period of time, and for those who want to avoid a hefty upfront cost. Buying makes sense if you want to own the product and use it for years.
Who should rent?
- Students and interns: Need a laptop or a projector for a project for a few days or months.
- Freelancers and project-based workers: Need the device for the course of the project.
- Remote workers on a short assignment: People who are working for a fixed short assignment and who don’t want to invest in an expensive device.
- Gamers who want to try before buying: Gamers who want to test a console or need the console for a holiday or a quick gaming session.
- Event organisers, trainers and families: Need the projector or speakers for a day, a week or a month until the events get over.
- People who like to upgrade often: People who want to test out newer models and not invest in resale.
Who shouldn’t rent?
- Heavy daily users for years: The monthly rent can eventually catch up to the initial upfront cost.
- People who want to own and customise: People who want to fully own the device, customise the software, hardware and design.
- People with high-end needs: People who want a specific configuration that the rental company may not provide.
So, who should rent and who should buy? It all depends on the duration for which you need the device.
How to choose a rental provider?
Selecting the right provider matters as much as selecting the right device itself. Your experience can be smooth and hassle-free depending on where you’re renting your device from.
- Availability: Check whether the provider delivers in your city and area.
- Device quality and condition: Check if the devices are tested, cleaned and well maintained. You can also ask if the device is new or refurbished.
- Transparent pricing: Ask what the monthly rent is and what it covers. Clarify the GST part.
- Data safety: Check with the provider if they wipe devices before and after use.
Setting up a new workspace? Check off drinking water too
While you’re setting up a new workspace, one thing you can tick off your list is getting a water purifier. DrinkPrime offers affordable water purifiers on rent for a monthly rental of ₹349, with a refundable security deposit of ₹1,500. The rental covers the product, delivery, installation, maintenance and relocation.
Getting a water purifier is as important as setting up your workspace, and what better than DrinkPrime to do it for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it actually cheaper to rent or buy a laptop in India?
Renting or buying depends on how long you want to use your device for. For a short project or a few months, renting is usually cheaper. For daily use over several years, buying works out better.
2. Do I have to pay a deposit to rent electronics?
Usually yes. It’s refundable when you return the device in good condition, and laptops and consoles often carry a higher deposit because they are high-value. Deductions may apply for damage.
3. What is the minimum rental period for a laptop?
Laptops are often rented on a monthly basis with a minimum lock-in period which kicks in as soon as you get your device.
4. Can I rent products for a daily basis as well?
It depends on what the product is and who your provider is. Laptops may not be rented on a daily basis but other electronics like projectors or cameras may be offered on rent on daily or weekly basis.
5. Can I rent a gaming console for a weekend?
Usually yes. Check with the rental provider if they’re offering the console for a weekend or for a specific period of time. Check if the lock-in period applies if you rent it for a weekend and if the rental includes games and controllers.
6. Who pays if a rented device develops a fault or is damaged?
If your laptop or the device you have rented runs into a problem, the provider usually pays for the repair. However, if a damage has been caused by you or a customer, in general, some amount may be deducted from the security deposit. These terms also vary from provider to provider.
7. What happens to my data on a rented laptop?
Back up your files, avoid storing personal data on the device, and confirm the provider wipes it before and after use.
8. Are rented electronics new or refurbished?
It varies by provider. Ask before you commit and check the condition on delivery.
9. Can I return a rented device before the lock-in ends?
Often yes, but early closure charges may apply.
10. Can I buy the device after renting it, or upgrade to a newer model?
Policies differ by provider.
11. Does the monthly rent include GST?
Ask for the total monthly cost including GST so there are no surprises.
12. Can I rent a water purifier for my new workspace?
Yes. DrinkPrime’s rental starts at ₹349/month, and covers the product, delivery, installation, maintenance and relocation, with a refundable security deposit starting at ₹1,500.
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