Bangladesh Laptop Buying Guide 2025: Everything You Need to Know Without the Hype
So, you need a laptop. Let’s cut through the noise. No fancy words. Just straight talk. I’ve sold laptops in Dhaka for over a decade. Seen it all-good, bad, and utter garbage. Here’s how to not waste your money.
1. First Things First: What’s Your Laptop For?
Don’t buy a gaming beast if you’re just typing essays. Common sense, right? But most folks mess this up.
- Students: Notes, Zoom, Netflix. You don’t need a 1 lakh BDT machine.
- Office Work: Spreadsheets, emails. Go for battery life, not flashy specs.
- Gaming/Editing: High-end GPU, cooling, RAM. Budget? At least 80k BDT.
- Casual Use: Web browsing, social media. Cheap and cheerful.
Pro tip: Write down your top 3 tasks. Stick to them.
2. Laptop Prices in Bangladesh: What’s Fair in 2025?
Prices can swing wildly. Here’s the real deal.
Budget Range | What You Get | Top Models |
---|---|---|
20,000–40,000 BDT | Basic specs: Intel Celeron, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD. Good for schoolkids, light use. | Walton MX311G, Lenovo IdeaPad 3, Infinix InBook X1 |
40,000–70,000 BDT | Mid-tier: Intel i5/Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD. Handles office work, coding. | HP 15s, Acer Aspire 5, Asus VivoBook 15, Dell Inspiron 15 |
70,000–1,20,000 BDT | High performance: Dedicated GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD. Gaming, editing, pro work. | Asus TUF Gaming F15, MSI Thin GF63, Apple MacBook Air M2 |
1,20,000 BDT+ | Premium: OLED screens, top-tier CPUs, 1TB SSD. For designers, hardcore gamers. | Dell XPS 15, MacBook Pro 14-inch, HP Spectre x360, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon |
Watch out: Brands like Chuwi or Smart might look cheap, but their after-sales service? Questionable.
3. Laptop Specs Explained
- Processor (CPU): The brain.
- Intel Core i3/Ryzen 3: Basic tasks.
- i5/Ryzen 5: Best for most people. Smooth for work, light gaming.
- i7/Ryzen 7/Apple M-series: Heavy-duty editing, gaming.
- RAM: Short-term memory.
- 4GB: Avoid. Slower than a rickshaw in traffic.
- 8GB: Good for students, office work.
- 16GB: Gamers, editors, multitaskers.
- Storage:
- HDD: Cheap, slow. Only for tight budgets.
- SSD: Faster, reliable. 256GB minimum.
- Battery: Aim for 6+ hours. Check reviews-manufacturers lie.
- Display:
- HD (1366x768): Okay for cheap laptops.
- FHD (1920x1080): Sharp enough for most.
- OLED/4K: Gorgeous colors. Drains battery, though.
4. Top Brands in Bangladesh: Who Actually Delivers?
HP
- Best for: Reliability. Students, office workers.
- Top Picks:
- HP 15s (50k BDT): Lightweight, decent battery.
- HP Spectre x360 (1.5L BDT): Premium build, 2-in-1.
- Service Centers: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna.
Asus
- Best for: Gamers, creators.
- Top Picks:
- Asus TUF Gaming F15 (90k BDT): Nvidia RTX 3050, solid cooling.
- Asus ZenBook 14 (1.1L BDT): Slim, powerful for creatives.
- Why Buy: Often cheaper than Dell/HP with similar specs.
Apple
- Best for: Designers, long-term users.
- Top Picks:
- MacBook Air M2 (1.1L BDT): Silent, smooth, great battery.
- MacBook Pro 14-inch (2.5L BDT): Overkill for most, but editors love it.
- Downside: Repairs cost a kidney.
Dell
- Best for: Business users, durability.
- Top Picks:
- Dell Inspiron 15 (65k BDT): All-rounder.
- Dell XPS 13 (1.8L BDT): Lightweight, premium.
Acer
- Best for: Budget buyers.
- Top Picks:
- Acer Aspire 5 (55k BDT): Balanced specs.
- Acer Predator Helios (1.3L BDT): Gaming beast.
5. 7 Deadly Sins of Laptop Buying (Don’t Get Scammed)
- Grey Market Imports: No warranty. Check for official stickers (e.g., “Genius Marketing” for HP).
- Fake “Windows 11” Licenses: Pirated copies crash often. Buy from authorized sellers.
- Overpriced Upgrades: RAM/SSD prices drop weekly. Check prices on Four Star IT first.
- Refurbished Sold as New: Open the box in-store. Check battery cycles (ask the seller).
- Bloatware: Brands like Lenovo pre-install junk. Format and install clean Windows.
- Flashy Ads, Lousy Specs: MediaTek processors? Avoid. Stick to Intel/AMD.
- Ignoring After-Sales Service: Walton’s service? Meh. Stick to HP/Dell/Asus.
6. Upgrading Your Laptop: Cheap Hacks
- SSD Upgrade (3,000 BDT): Replaces HDD. Makes old laptops 5x faster.
- RAM Boost (2,500 BDT for 8GB): Easy DIY. YouTube it.
- Cooling Pad (500 BDT): Stops overheating in Bangladesh’s summer.
- Note: Apple MacBooks? Forget upgrades. Soldered parts.
7. Where to Buy in Bangladesh (Trusted Shops)
- Dhaka: Four Star IT.
- Online: Four Star IT.
- Avoid: Random Facebook sellers. 60% are scams.
8. Laptop Buying Guide by User Type
Students
- Budget: 40k–60k BDT.
- Key Specs: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 6h+ battery.
- Models: Acer Aspire 5, Lenovo IdeaPad 3, HP 15s.
Freelancers (Graphics/Editing)
- Budget: 80k–1.2L BDT.
- Key Specs: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA RTX GPU.
- Models: Asus ProArt StudioBook, Dell XPS 15, MacBook Pro 14-inch.
Gamers
- Budget: 90k BDT+.
- Key Specs: RTX 3050/3060 GPU, 144Hz display, 16GB RAM.
- Models: MSI GF63 Thin, Asus ROG Strix G15, Acer Predator Helios.
Business Users
- Budget: 70k–1.5L BDT.
- Key Specs: Lightweight, fingerprint reader, LTE support.
- Models: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, HP EliteBook 840.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (Real Answers)
Is 4GB RAM enough in 2025?
No. Windows 11 eats 4GB for breakfast. 8GB minimum.
MacBook vs Windows?
MacBooks: Smooth, long battery, great for design.
Windows: Cheaper, more software options.
How long do laptops last?
3–5 years. MacBooks last longer (5–7 years) but cost more upfront.
Can I game on a cheap laptop?
Casual games (Minecraft, Roblox): Yes. AAA games (Cyberpunk 2077): No.
Are used laptops worth it?
Only if tested in person. Check battery health (apps like HWMonitor).
Why are laptops pricier in Bangladesh?
Taxes. Import duties add 30–50% to original prices.
10. Final Verdict: Keep It Simple
- Set a budget.
- Match specs to your needs.
- Buy from trusted shops.
Don’t overcomplicate. An HP or Asus in the 50k–70k range works for 80% of people.