Primebook's new 2 Pro landed as a wake-up call: a fully packaged, Android‑15 laptop with 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS storage, a 14.1‑inch FHD IPS screen and a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, priced at just ₹17,990 — and it claims up to 14 hours of battery life and built‑in AI features that make it sound like a much more expensive machine.
The low‑cost laptop segment in India has morphed from basic netbooks into a surprisingly versatile space where vendors experiment with operating systems, mobile SoCs and aggressive pricing to deliver utility for students, remote workers and first‑time buyers. Recent market roundups show manufacturers pairing entry‑level x86 chips with larger RAM and SSDs to push the “capable at a low price” narrative, and new entrants are now using mobile silicon and Android‑based OS builds to squeeze further value.
That context is important because the Primebook 2 Pro — and devices like it — don’t directly compete with conventional Windows notebooks on architecture. Instead, they trade native x86 app compatibility for mobile efficiency and low cost, and then lean on cloud tools and AI features to bridge the capability gap. Multiple mainstream outlets reported the Primebook launch and the claimed hardware set, positioning it as one of the most affordable “AI‑ready” laptops in its price bracket.
The Primebook 2 Pro is significant because it reframes what “capable” means at the sub‑₹20k price point: instead of promising raw local compute, it pairs efficient mobile silicon with software features and cloud offload to deliver a practical, affordable workflow for many students, educators and cloud‑centric developers. For buyers who understand its architectural tradeoffs and are comfortable using cloud services for peak workloads, it represents a compelling, surprisingly capable option. For those who need native heavy desktop performance, a discounted x86 laptop remains the safer path.
Source: Techlusive Top-Rated Laptops Under Rs 25,000 That You Didn’t Know Could Handle Heavy Tasks Smoothly
Background
The low‑cost laptop segment in India has morphed from basic netbooks into a surprisingly versatile space where vendors experiment with operating systems, mobile SoCs and aggressive pricing to deliver utility for students, remote workers and first‑time buyers. Recent market roundups show manufacturers pairing entry‑level x86 chips with larger RAM and SSDs to push the “capable at a low price” narrative, and new entrants are now using mobile silicon and Android‑based OS builds to squeeze further value.That context is important because the Primebook 2 Pro — and devices like it — don’t directly compete with conventional Windows notebooks on architecture. Instead, they trade native x86 app compatibility for mobile efficiency and low cost, and then lean on cloud tools and AI features to bridge the capability gap. Multiple mainstream outlets reported the Primebook launch and the claimed hardware set, positioning it as one of the most affordable “AI‑ready” laptops in its price bracket.
Overview: What Primebook 2 Pro brings to the table
Key specifications (what the company lists)
- Display: 14.1‑inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel.
- Processor: Octa‑core MediaTek Helio G99 (MT8781) mobile SoC.
- Memory & storage: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS storage (expandable via microSD).
- OS: PrimeOS 3.0 — an Android 15‑based laptop OS tuned for larger screens and keyboard shortcuts.
- Battery: 60.3Wh battery rated up to 14 hours (company claim).
- Other: Backlit keyboard, 1440p webcam, dual stereo speakers, noise‑cancelling microphones, dual USB‑A and Type‑C ports, microSD slot.
- Price: Launched at ₹17,990 for the Pro (128GB) variant.
Technical reality check: Helio G99 and what it can (and cannot) do
The SoC: mobile heritage, mid‑range performance
The Helio G99 is a mid‑range mobile System‑on‑Chip originally designed for smartphones. It has a CPU cluster of 2 × Cortex‑A76 cores at up to ~2.2GHz and 6 × Cortex‑A55 cores, paired with a Mali‑G57 MP2 GPU. Benchmarks put it squarely in the mid‑range mobile class: respectable for multitasking in Android, efficient for long battery life, but not comparable to modern x86 laptop CPUs in raw single‑thread or multi‑thread throughput.- Benchmarks and community score aggregators show AnTuTu and Geekbench numbers consistent with mid‑range smartphone silicon; sustained CPU power and thermal headroom are limited by mobile TDPs (around 5W sustained for similar chips). That means sustained heavy CPU workloads (large video encodes, multi‑minute compile jobs, heavy data processing) will be slower than on a mainstream Core i3/i5 or Ryzen laptop of even modest vintage.
GPU and media handling
The Mali‑G57 MP2 GPU is fine for Android games at modest settings and for hardware‑accelerated video playback. For GPU‑accelerated desktop workflows (e.g., GPU rendering in Windows apps or heavy GPU‑bound ML tasks), it isn’t in the same league as discrete or higher‑end integrated x86 GPUs. For everyday multimedia — streaming, photo edits in mobile apps, light video trimming inside Android editors — it performs adequately.Memory and storage
8GB LPDDR4X and UFS storage are noteworthy at this price point. UFS is faster than eMMC and this improves app launch times and file transfers. However, 8GB shared between the OS and multitasking Android apps is a ceiling for heavier workflows, and there’s limited headroom for many browser tabs, full‑scale IDEs or bulky VMs unless you offload heavier processes to the cloud.Can it “handle heavy tasks smoothly”? (a nuanced answer)
The phrase “heavy tasks” covers a lot of ground. Break it down and the answer becomes clearer.Tasks the Primebook 2 Pro can plausibly handle well
- Office productivity and large spreadsheets in Android‑native apps or web apps: good.
- Web development with cloud toolchains (code in cloud editors like GitHub Codespaces, Replit or Cloud PC streaming): practical and often smooth. Primebook explicitly promotes Cloud PC for Windows/Linux streaming.
- Light photo editing and mobile app‑based video trimming: usable for casual creators.
- Android gaming at moderate settings and emulated touch titles with keymapping — the Helio G99 is competent here.
- Multi‑window Android workflows and basic Python scripting within the device’s resource limits.
Tasks where it will not match a Windows laptop with an x86 CPU
- Native Windows apps that require x86 architecture (heavy desktop IDEs, Visual Studio builds, Adobe Premiere exports, professional 3D rendering) — these either won’t run natively or will need to be streamed via Cloud PC. The Primebook’s Cloud PC feature is explicitly a bridge for those workflows, but it requires paid subscription and a quality internet connection.
- Sustained CPU rendering or large compilations — mobile SoC power and thermal limits make these slow compared to even budget Ryzen/Core laptops. Benchmark comparisons show Helio G99 is significantly behind typical mobile x86 chips.
- GPU‑accelerated machine learning or heavy GPU rendering — the Mali GPU is a mobile GPU with limited compute for such tasks.
The reality: “handles heavy tasks smoothly” needs context
- If “heavy” means many browser tabs, multiple Android productivity apps and some cloud‑based development, the Primebook 2 Pro will feel capable and responsive — especially when paired with Cloud PC for peak loads.
- If “heavy” means native, CPU/GPU‑intensive desktop workloads, the Primebook will be constrained and not a replacement for a Windows or macOS workstation.
How Primebook bundles software to compensate: PrimeOS, AI and Cloud PC
PrimeOS 3.0 is an Android 15‑based interface tailored for laptop screens with keyboard shortcuts, windowed apps and specific laptop conveniences. The company also touts AI Companion (Gemini‑based) global search, PrimeCoding (an offline learning environment for coding) and Cloud PC streaming — all intended to expand what the hardware can do without increasing its compute budget.- AI Companion & Global Search: Useful for quick research, contextual answers and file discovery. Useful for productivity gains that don't require heavy local compute.
- Cloud PC: Lets you stream a full Windows or Linux desktop, effectively outsourcing heavy compute to a remote server for a subscription fee. This is the crucial feature that converts a modest device into a flexible worker for heavier, native Windows tasks — but it makes the user dependent on network speed and latency.
Real‑world impressions, battery and build considerations
Battery life
Manufacturer claims — “up to 14 hours” — are optimistic projections under ideal workloads (video playback at low brightness or light productivity). Independent reviews and listings show a range of real‑world battery estimates; mobile SoC efficiency helps, but actual battery life will vary with workload, screen brightness and wireless usage. Treat the 14‑hour number as a best‑case marketing figure rather than guaranteed daily reality.Build and I/O
A metal or robust polymer chassis, backlit keyboard and a 1440p webcam at this price are competitive advantages. The inclusion of multiple ports and a microSD slot adds practical expandability that budget x86 laptops sometimes lack. Dual speakers and noise‑cancelling mics are helpful for remote classes and meetings.Thermal behavior and sustained performance
Mobile SoCs are efficient but are tuned for mobile power envelopes. Under sustained heavy loads, SoC performance can throttle to control thermals and battery drain. In short bursts (application launches, web browsing), the device will feel snappy; prolonged, heavy workloads will show the platform’s limitations.Who should consider the Primebook 2 Pro
- Students who primarily use web apps, cloud IDEs and Android apps, and want long battery life and portability at a low price.
- Web developers and cloud native coders who rely on cloud IDEs or remote servers and want an affordable, portable client device. The Cloud PC feature is specifically sold for this use case.
- Casual creators who edit short videos or photos in Android apps and need a low‑cost device with a proper keyboard and decent screen.
- First‑time laptop buyers who prioritize price, battery life and basic multimedia over native Windows app compatibility.
Practical tips to squeeze the best performance out of a Primebook 2 Pro
- Use the Cloud PC for heavy desktop tasks. Configure a reliable subscription and test latency to your streaming host before committing.
- Use lightweight Android apps and web apps rather than trying to emulate full desktop toolchains locally.
- Manage background processes: Close unused apps and limit background sync to free RAM.
- Use microSD expansion for extra storage (UFS remains the fast system drive).
- Lower screen brightness and use adaptive settings to extend battery during long sessions.
- Offload rendering and heavy workloads to cloud‑based GPU instances if you need occasional heavy lifting for video editing or ML experiments.
Risks and caveats buyers must weigh
- Software compatibility: Native Windows desktop apps do not run natively on Android. While Cloud PC mitigates this, it introduces subscription cost and network dependency.
- Limited native performance for sustained heavy compute: The Helio G99 is a mid‑range mobile SoC; it’s not a substitute for x86 laptop CPUs for long, CPU‑bound jobs.
- Update and driver support: Long‑term OS support, security updates and driver maturity for such hybrid Android laptops can vary; check warranty and update policies.
- Real‑world battery variation: Manufacturer battery claims are often best‑case scenarios. Validate with independent reviews if battery life is a mission‑critical factor.
- Ecosystem tradeoffs: If your workflow demands specific Windows‑only tools, the Primebook model becomes more of a thin client (Cloud PC) than a standalone workhorse.
Alternatives under ₹25,000: realistic comparisons
If the goal is maximum native local performance for heavy desktop workloads inside the ₹25k bracket, several bargain Windows laptops still compete by offering x86 CPUs (older Core i3, Celeron, low‑end Ryzen models), larger SSDs and native Windows software compatibility:- Windows notebooks with Intel Celeron or older Ryzen chips often appear in lists of best laptops under ₹25,000. These provide native Windows app support and often come with Windows 11 and larger SSDs, but may sacrifice battery life and webcam quality compared with some Android‑based designs. Examples in market roundups include Celeron‑based Lenovo and Chuwi offerings and occasional discounted Ryzen-based units; buyers should compare specs and check recent price drops.
- Chromebooks or ChromeOS‑based devices can be excellent low‑cost alternatives for cloud‑centric users. They offer native Chrome‑centric productivity and usually long battery life, but they also have app compatibility tradeoffs similar to Android laptops.
Final assessment: strengths and what to watch out for
- Strengths
- Exceptional price‑to‑feature ratio: raw specs (FHD IPS, 8GB RAM, UFS storage, backlit keyboard, 1440p webcam) are impressive for ₹17,990.
- Battery efficiency of mobile SoC and lightweight design make it an outstanding option for long sessions away from power.
- Cloud PC and AI features create a credible pathway to do heavier, native desktop work through streaming rather than local execution, which is a pragmatic architectural choice for the price.
- Potential risks
- Limited native performance for sustained heavy workloads: Helio G99 is mid‑range mobile silicon and cannot match modern x86 CPUs in sustained compute.
- Dependency on Cloud PC for native desktop workflows: this requires a paid subscription and a stable, fast internet connection to be effective.
- Long‑term support and software ecosystem uncertainties: Android‑based laptop OSes are still niche; buyer caution is warranted until independent long‑term reviews accumulate.
Practical buying checklist (quick, actionable)
- Confirm the exact SKU and storage/RAM variant offered at your retailer.
- Validate the warranty and update policy — who provides service and how long OS updates are promised.
- Test the Cloud PC trial (if available) to measure latency from your home/office before relying on it for heavy tasks.
- If you need native Windows apps, compare x86 discount laptops in the same price range before buying.
- Read independent hands‑on reviews and battery tests when they appear to set realistic expectations.
The Primebook 2 Pro is significant because it reframes what “capable” means at the sub‑₹20k price point: instead of promising raw local compute, it pairs efficient mobile silicon with software features and cloud offload to deliver a practical, affordable workflow for many students, educators and cloud‑centric developers. For buyers who understand its architectural tradeoffs and are comfortable using cloud services for peak workloads, it represents a compelling, surprisingly capable option. For those who need native heavy desktop performance, a discounted x86 laptop remains the safer path.
Source: Techlusive Top-Rated Laptops Under Rs 25,000 That You Didn’t Know Could Handle Heavy Tasks Smoothly
