Should you buy a Dell laptop in India or in the UK?

PC access is an integral part of a learning experience, but it is also one of the biggest investments you’ll have to make as an international student.

A good laptop can make all the difference when studying abroad — think portability, a sleek all-in-one design, and the ability to be used virtually anywhere. These perks typically come with a hefty price tag, but not if you know where to look for student discounts. 

Take the exclusive Dell student discounts, for example. The massively popular technology company offers learners savings on desktops, monitors and, of course, laptops.

It’s no surprise such initiatives are on the rise. Price is a major factor for students when deciding where to purchase a laptop.

A 2019 survey commissioned by Jamf showed that more than half (56%) of students in higher education prefer a PC due to its low price. 

Among the lucky, Oluwasegun Fabiyi, a Master of Art in African Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, tells Study International that he uses a MacBook Pro simply because, as a scholarship recipient, he can afford it. 

Apple devices — including MacBooks — are not only known for their premium features but high price tag as well. If the high cost of a MacBook were not a consideration, 51% of students would prefer to use one.

With that said, let’s take a look at some other top laptop brands offering students discounts and why accessibility matters to them:

Whether you are buying a MacBook or a regular laptop, knowing where to get them for cheap can make a world of difference. Source: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Which laptop brands offer student discounts?

Apple’s annual education discount programme, “Back to School”, sees current and new students, teachers and staff at Indian universities enjoying great deals on a line of Apple products. Students can save up to 10,000 Indian rupees on their products.

Likewise, students, parents, and teachers in K-12 schools and higher education institutions are eligible for a year-round education discount of up to 10% of selected products, according to Microsoft. 

In this, you might wonder: Why do brands offer student discounts? 

The main reason is customer loyalty. In the case of buying a laptop, brands like Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and many more have recognised the financial strains such purchases have on college students.

A student discount not only helps to lift financial burdens but also helps the company gain a customer for life. 

It’s a strategy that pays off. One study showed that an engaging brand experience affects consumer attitudes and brand image.

97% of the students who had a student discount for a specific business would indeed try them out., according to one study. Source: Pau Barrena/AFP

Dell student discounts: What to look out for 

Dell XPS 17

Specifications: 

• CPU: 12th Generation Intel Core i7 – 12700H 
• Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
• RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
• Storage: Up to 8TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

The Dell XP3 17 is decked out with impressive hardware.

With its 12th-generation Inteli9 processor, 64GB of memory and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, this laptop is more than capable of handling a university student’s needs — and it is also one of the best alternatives to the MacBook Pro on the market. 

Its huge 17-inch screen and 16:10 aspect ratio make the XPS 17 ideal for students who edit videos and photos in their free time since the XPS 17 offers more vertical space.

Currently, the laptop costs 279,990.00 Indian rupees (approximately US$3393.60 at the time of writing) if you purchase it through Dell’s website.

A less powerful variant — XPS15 — is available on Dell UK’s website for 1,942.80 pounds.

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (7610)

Specifications: 

• Processor: up to 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1255U 
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® MX570/570A, 2 GB GDDR6 
• RAM: 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
• Storage: 512 GB

The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus has a slightly larger display and brings an impressive sharp 3k resolution. Pair that with a graphics card good enough for gamers or casual users and a beefy Intel Core i7 processor, and you get a great general-purpose PC. 

It is capable of rendering graphics-intensive games at 1080p as well as playing a 4k movie on an aeroplane tray table. The laptop’s compact chassis also gives you easy access to upgrades. 

The only drawback is its weight and that there are no touchscreen options. 

Depending on the processor you choose, the laptops cost 47,990.01 to 90,989.98 Indian rupees (approximately US$579.27 to 1098.32). 

In the UK, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) — a great budget laptop that can handle day-to-day tasks and some very light gaming — is priced at 429 pounds.  

Alienware M15 R7

Specifications: 

• CPU: Up to 12th Generation Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
• Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
• RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
• Storage: Up to 4TB RAID0 + 512GB SSD

If you have some extra money to splurge, consider a couple of higher-end Dell models. 

For example, its subsidiary Alienware offers the M15 R7, which features cyro-tech cooling technology and introduces newly engineered fans for better performance. Students can also expect to experience smooth, fast, and stunning graphics with Dolby Vision. 

While the build quality doesn’t have a premium feel compared to some of its X-series counterparts, this laptop is more affordable for those who want to upgrade their gear.

The Alienware M15 R7 is priced at 154,990.00 Indian rupees (approximately US$1870.84 at the time of writing) and 1,148.99 pounds. 

HD22Q Dock

Dubbed the world’s first laptop docking station with a wireless charging stand, you can charge your Qi-enabled smartphone or earbuds with the HD22Q Dock.

The DisplayPort1.4 and HDMI 2.1 port allows you to connect up to two 4K monitors at once, and there are multiple USB ports for you to connect to various devices easily.

Dell student discounts run for an indefinite period, so be sure to keep an eye out for the best deals. Source: Josep Lago/AFP

All you need to know about the Dell student discounts in India and the UK

Do only students get discounts with Dell?

In India, all students with an academic email address of registered institutions are entitled to a student discount.

In the UK, any student over 16 years old at the college and university level (vocational school included) will receive a student discount. Remember to provide a copy of your student ID and email for the discount.

There are no indications that teachers will receive a discount for Dell products on the company’s website.

How to get a student discount on Dell products?

As explained, you must have a valid student email address and official documents, such as a student ID, for this discount.

Click “Generate your coupon” on Dell India’s website to claim your student discount. If you are in the UK, click “Get Your Voucher” on Dell UK.

Remember to read the terms and conditions on the website for further clarification.

How much is a Dell student discount worth?

Here’s how you can save on Dell laptops, accessories, and monitors if you purchase them through the company’s Indian website:

• Discounts up to 1,000 Indian rupees for purchases up to 60,000 Indian rupees
• Discounts up to 2,000 Indian rupees for purchases up to 80,000 Indian rupees
• Discounts up to 3,000 Indian rupees for purchases up to 100,000 Indian rupees
• Discounts up to 5,000 Indian rupees for purchases up to 100,000 Indian rupees

For Dell UK, the discount depends on the type of products that you purchase. Currently, the Dell student discount applies to laptops, business laptops, gaming laptops, accessories and monitors.

Remember to check if you are eligible for a student discount when buying your laptop. Source: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

What else to look out for when buying a laptop

If you buy your devices overseas, you will not be able to use your warranty when you return to your home country. 

You might also be eligible for a VAT refund if you bought anything in the UK within the last three months.

You would have to confirm that you will not be entering the UK or European Union for the next 12 months on student visas, short-term visas, and tourist visas.

There is also a price difference if you don’t buy your laptop from the official store. What’s more, expect to lose out on certain benefits. For example, if you did not buy an Apple product from an Apple store, you will not be eligible for an Apple Care package. 

Lastly, Apple offers student discounts of up to 15% on its iPads and Macs, allowing you to potentially save big money. Your eligibility for a discount depends on whether UNiDAYS — the platform Apple uses to verify students — recognises your institution.