Most MacBook rentals in India ask for a refundable security deposit, paid once at the start and returned at the end. You get the money back, but you do not get the use of it for the term, and that has a cost worth putting in the comparison.
How deposits are set
Rental companies set deposits two ways. Some charge a flat amount per device; on the pages we read on 9 October 2026, flat deposits of ₹5,000 to ₹19,500 per laptop were common, mostly on older machines. Others scale the deposit with the device's price. Ours is 15% of the Apple India MRP, which on a MacBook Air 13-inch M5 at ₹1,49,900 is ₹22,485.
What a deposit really costs
A deposit costs you what the same money would have earned, or saved in interest, while the rental company holds it. At a 12% cost of capital over 36 months, holding ₹22,485 costs about ₹6,481 in today's money.
| Team | Deposit, paid once | Cost of holding it for 36 months, today's money |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MacBook Air | ₹22,485 | ₹6,481 |
| 10 MacBook Airs | ₹2,24,850 | ₹64,806 |
| 25 MacBook Airs | ₹5,62,125 | ₹1,62,015 |
Our rent-or-buy calculator counts it as a line of its own, so it is never left out of a rent-or-buy decision.
Is there GST on a deposit?
A refundable deposit is not payment for the rental. Section 2(31) of the CGST Act says a deposit is not treated as payment for a supply unless the supplier applies it as consideration for that supply. So GST is charged on the rent each month, not on the deposit, unless part of the deposit is kept against a charge. Confirm the treatment with your CA.
How to make sure it comes back
- Get the refund terms in writing: when it is paid back, and within how many days of collection.
- Ask what can be deducted, and on what evidence. Normal wear and tear should not be one of them.
- Return every device with its charger, and keep the collection receipt with each serial number.
- If a device is lost, agree in advance how it is charged, so the deposit is not the only thing standing between you and a dispute.
Our terms
The deposit is 15% of MRP per device, paid once and refunded at the end of the term. Rent is 4.5% of MRP a month on 36 months, plus GST. Every configuration, with its rent and deposit, is in the catalogue.
Send the fleet you have in mind and the quote will show the deposit line by line: rentals.adalwin.com/quote.
Questions
How much is the deposit to rent a MacBook in India?
It varies. Some companies charge a flat amount per laptop; on pages we read in October 2026, ₹5,000 to ₹19,500 was common, mostly on older machines. Adalwin Rentals charges 15% of the Apple India MRP, which is ₹22,485 on a MacBook Air 13-inch M5.
Is GST charged on a rental security deposit?
Not while it is a refundable deposit. Section 2(31) of the CGST Act says a deposit is not payment for a supply unless the supplier applies it as consideration. Confirm the treatment with your CA.
When is a MacBook rental deposit refunded?
At the end of the term, after the devices are collected. Ask each rental company for the refund period and what can be deducted, in writing.
12+ years in corporate procurement, gifting, and IT supply-chain in India. Leads an authorised Apple DPP Partner and Logitech Enterprise Partner serving 110+ enterprises. About Sameer K Singh →
