If you've been putting off buying a laptop in Nepal, the next few weeks are probably your best chance this year. Memory chip costs are still climbing worldwide, the rupee has been weak against the dollar, and Dashain and Tihar offers are about to start. Stock bought at older prices won't last forever, and the next shipments will likely cost more.

Below are 8 reasons we're telling customers not to wait, plus some tips on getting the best deal. If you already know what you want, you can browse all laptops at ITTI or shop by brand.

Is now a good time to buy a laptop in Nepal?

Yes, for most buyers. Laptop prices usually fall slowly after a model launches, so waiting normally pays off. That pattern has broken in 2026. The components that decide a laptop's price, memory and storage, have become much more expensive, and Nepal pays for every imported laptop in US dollars at a weaker exchange rate. Both costs are still moving up, just more slowly than earlier in the year.

8 reasons to buy a laptop in Nepal now

1. RAM and SSD costs are pushing laptop prices up

AI data centres are buying enormous amounts of memory, and chipmakers are selling to them first. In February, TrendForce raised its forecast for conventional DRAM contract prices to a 90–95% rise quarter on quarter in Q1 2026, and for NAND flash, the chips inside SSDs, to 55–60%. Both were the largest quarterly increases TrendForce had recorded, and it expected PC memory prices to at least double in that quarter.

Laptop brands have passed those costs on. IDC said Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer and Asus had warned clients of price increases of 15 to 20 percent, and Dell and Lenovo have since raised PC prices. On 25 June 2026, Apple raised the price of the MacBook Neo from US$599 to US$699 and the 512GB MacBook Air from US$1,099 to US$1,299, saying it had never seen a component price rise this much, this quickly. You can see how that affects local pricing on our MacBook Neo page.

Nepal imports nearly all its computer hardware, so these increases reach Kathmandu with every new shipment. Because memory is the part getting more expensive, configurations with 16GB of RAM or larger SSDs rise the most. Many laptops on shelves now were imported before the latest round of increases. Once that stock sells, replacements arrive at today's memory prices.

2. Prices are unlikely to fall after Dashain

The increases are slowing, but they have not stopped. For Q3 2026, TrendForce forecasts a further 13–18% rise in conventional DRAM contract prices and 10–15% for NAND. It said the slowdown is happening because PC and phone brands have reached the limit of what they can absorb, which means more of the cost shows up in retail prices. Tom's Hardware has reported that PC makers expect more increases and volatility through the rest of 2026.

Looking further ahead, SK Hynix chief executive Kwak Noh-jung told Reuters that 2027 will be the worst year for memory supply in the industry's history, with demand outstripping supply beyond 2030. A memory maker benefits from a shortage story, so treat that as a company forecast rather than a certainty. Even so, no major supplier or analyst is predicting a return to 2025 prices soon. If you want to see what is launching next, our upcoming laptops in Nepal page tracks new arrivals.

Check ITTI’s Dashain Tihar Offer for Unbeatable Deals

3. The rupee has been weaker against the dollar

ITTI and every other Nepali retailer pay suppliers in US dollars, so the exchange rate feeds straight into the price you pay. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the selling rate for US$1 was Rs 137.75 in June 2025. It reached Rs 147.41 on 25 January 2026, a record at the time, and stood at Rs 153.51 on 28 September 2026.

That is roughly an 11% increase in the rupee cost of the same dollar in just over a year. Because the Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee at a fixed rate of 1.6, any weakness in the Indian currency carries straight over to Nepal. A stronger dollar on top of higher memory costs adds up quickly on a Rs 1.5 lakh laptop.

4. Dashain offers start soon, and popular models go first

Dashain 2083 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October 2026. Vijaya Dashami, the main Tika day, falls on Wednesday 21 October, and the festival ends around 25 October. Tihar follows in early November.

This is when Nepali shoppers spend the most on electronics, and retailers run their biggest offers, such as cashback, free bags and mice, extended warranties, and exchange deals. You can check ITTI's current festive offers on our Dashain-Tihar Offer page.

The most popular configurations also sell out first every year, especially Core i5 and Ryzen 5 laptops with 16GB of RAM and entry-level gaming laptops. This year, restocking is slower and more expensive. Buying early in the season gives you a better chance of getting the exact model, colour and configuration you want, instead of choosing from whatever is left in the week before Tika.

5. Windows 10 laptops are running on borrowed time

Microsoft ended regular Windows 10 support on 14 October 2025. Home users can still get critical and important security fixes through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, which Microsoft has extended to 12 October 2027 for enrolled devices. ESU brings no new features or general fixes, and your PC must be enrolled to receive it.

If your laptop can't run Windows 11, you will need to replace it within the next year anyway. With memory shortages expected to peak in 2027, replacing it this festival season is likely to cost less than waiting until the ESU deadline.

6. Current laptops are a real step up, and they are mature

NVIDIA's RTX 50-series laptop GPUs have reached Nepal, with the RTX 5050 and RTX 5060 appearing in Lenovo LOQ and ASUS TUF gaming laptops, while RTX 4060 models have come down in price. Many new ultrabooks and 2-in-1 laptops include an NPU, a dedicated chip for AI features, along with longer battery life and faster SSDs.

These models have been on sale long enough for early bugs to be fixed and drivers to settle. You get new hardware without being a first-month tester.

7. Buying the right RAM now costs less than upgrading later

Many modern laptops, especially slim ones and every MacBook, have RAM soldered to the motherboard, so you can't add more later. On laptops that can be upgraded, separate RAM sticks and SSDs now cost far more than they did in 2025.

Buy the RAM and storage you'll need for the next four or five years at the start. For most students and office users, that means 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Developers, designers and video editors should look at Intel Core i7 laptops with 16GB to 32GB of RAM.

8. The festival season makes buying, setting up, and delivery easier

Many colleges start new intakes and semesters after the festival season, and BCA, CSIT, BIT, and engineering students need a working machine from the first week. Our guide to the best laptops for students in Nepal compares options by course and budget.

Many salaried workers also receive their festival allowance before Dashain, and remittance from family abroad often rises at this time of year. The Dashain break then gives you a few quiet days to move files, install software, and set up backups, or to show a parent how their new laptop works.

Order early, though. During Dashain, much of Kathmandu travels home, and couriers slow down, especially outside the valley. ITTI offers free home delivery across Nepal, with payment by cash on delivery, bank transfer, Khalti, eSewa, or Visa and Mastercard. You can also order through the ITTI app on Android or iOS.

Should you wait for a better deal?

Waiting makes sense in only a few situations: your current laptop runs Windows 11 well, you don't need more performance for the next year, or you want a specific model that hasn't launched in Nepal yet. For everyone else, the memory shortage and the exchange rate mean today's price is more likely to go up than down.

When is the best time to buy a laptop in Nepal in a normal year?

The 2026 memory shortage overrides the usual pattern, but these are the moments worth watching in any year.

Tips for buying a laptop in Nepal this festival season

• Decide your budget and main use first, whether that's study, office work, programming, design or gaming. This narrows your choices faster than comparing specs.
• Choose 16GB of RAM if you can afford it. Upgrades are expensive this year and often impossible on slim laptops.
• Get at least a 512GB SSD so you aren't forced into a costly storage upgrade later.
• Check for an official local warranty and where the nearest authorised service centre is.
• Compare the full offer, including accessories, warranty and exchange value, not just the sticker price.
• Order before Ghatasthapana if you live outside the valley, so delivery isn't caught in festival traffic.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to buy a laptop in Nepal?

In 2026, the best time is before and during Dashain and Tihar, from October to mid-November. Festival offers are running, and current stock is priced below what new shipments are expected to cost because of the global RAM and SSD shortage. In a typical year, Dashain, Tihar, and Nepali New Year bring the biggest offers.

Why are laptop prices increasing in Nepal?

There are two main reasons. AI data centres are buying huge amounts of RAM and SSD chips, which has raised component costs for every laptop brand. At the same time, the rupee has weakened against the US dollar, which raises the cost of every import.

Will laptop prices go down after Dashain?

It's unlikely this year. Memory price increases have slowed, but TrendForce still expects them to rise, and SK Hynix expects supply to be tightest in 2027. A return to 2025 prices is not expected soon.

How much RAM should I get in 2026?

16GB is the practical choice for most students and office users. 8GB is enough only for light browsing and documents. Gamers, programmers, and video editors should consider 16GB to 32GB.

Is it safe to keep using a Windows 10 laptop?

Only if it is enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates programme, which provides critical and important security fixes until 12 October 2027. If your laptop can't run Windows 11, plan to replace it before then.

Is a laptop cheaper in Nepal during Dashain?

Sticker prices don't usually drop, but festival offers add value through cashback, free accessories, extended warranties and exchange deals. In 2026, buying during Dashain also means buying older stock before newer, more expensive shipments arrive.

Can I buy a laptop from ITTI online outside Kathmandu?

Yes. ITTI delivers free across Nepal and accepts cash on delivery, bank transfer, Khalti, eSewa and card payments.

Buy your laptop from ITTI Computer World

ITTI Computer World sells genuine, sealed laptops with warranty, from budget student laptops and MacBooks to gaming laptops and business machines. You can visit our showroom in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, or our other showroom at IT Plaza, Kamaladi, or shop online at itti.com.np.

Not sure which laptop suits you? Contact us with your budget and what you'll use it for, and our team will suggest two or three options.