Let’s be honest, finding a good laptop under Rs 15,000 feels almost impossible these days. You’re either stuck with low performance, outdated designs, or clunky user experiences that make even basic tasks a difficult job. So, when I came across the Primebook 4G, priced at just Rs 15,990, I was more than a little curious. It runs on Android, supports 4G SIM connectivity, and is purpose-built for students. And I decided to put it to the test to see whether this budget-friendly Android laptop is a genuine bet or not. DesignThe Primebook 4G is an 11.6-inch laptop and weighs just a little over 1kg and is lightweight and compact. If you’re a student, on the go, rushing through the metros and autos, this laptop will not make your backpacks feel heavy. It features an all-black matte plastic finish that gives it a clean, no-fuss look. But it does attract fingerprints and is a scratch magnet, so do get a laptop sleeve for this one. Despite the price tag, the laptop doesn’t feel too flimsy, and the hinge is sturdy enough. What surprised me the most was the keyboard. It was pretty fun to use. Now, if you’re coming from a 13 or 15-inch laptop, it will take some time to get used to it but once that happens, it is pretty comfortable to use. The keys are well spaced, offer good travel, and are comfortable for typing long sessions. The tactile feedback is also decent. But the trackpad isn’t as good as the keyboard, it just works. It isn’t smooth always and I faced some occasional jitters and pointer issues. The response is also a little inconsistent, which becomes annoying when you’re knee-deep into work/studying. My suggestion would be that you can buy an external mouse to go with it. It also includes all the basic ports – USB-A, USB-C, microSD slot, mini HDMI, and a headphone jack. DisplayThe laptop has an 11.6-inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 720p. The display is basic and does the job that it is made for. It is usable for casual tasks like browsing on the internet, attending online classes, and the studying part. But when you switch to YouTube or streaming content, that is when it can feel like it’s missing something as the colour production is just decent at best and the dynamic range could have been better. Also, it has thick bezels, which does take away from the viewing experience. But for the price, I think it’s still a good deal. If you’re using it indoors, then you won’t have so much issue with the brightness, but outdoors I struggled a bit. The bezels are thick and the brightness isn’t great outdoors, but for indoor use, the screen holds up well. Lastly, the speakers, which are placed at the bottom, are loud enough for your online classes and solo content consumption. But again, the clarity and richness are missing. PerformancePowered by a MediaTek MT8788 processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. It will be unfair to expect high performance from a laptop at a price of Rs 15,990 and treat it like other laptops. It is not made for power-heavy users, and that’s not really a bad thing. For students, or those who need a laptop for studying, casual office work and can’t spend a lot, this is a pretty good deal. For tasks like writing, researching, browsing, and watching videos, it works fine. Yes, the app load times aren’t that fast, but they’re acceptable. If you open several tabs or apps at once, it can slow down the laptop significantly. But if you’re attending a class on Google Meet or typing something on Docs, you’ll have no problems. And since it’s Android-based, you can even install educational apps and other productivity tools you’d use on a smartphone. And you can even run basic games like Subway Surfers on it, but I would say skip on demanding games like BGMI as they suffer from frame drops and lags, even on the lowest settings. SoftwareThe Primebook 4G runs on PrimeOS which is based on Android 11 and it can feel a little outdated. And it does not support Google Play Store, so you will have to sideload apps or download it from its own app store. Now, it does not have a full-fledged laptop OS like Windows or macOS, but if you’re already comfortable with Android, you’ll adjust quickly. Another interesting thing here is that the Primebook 4G also offers built-in calling and SMS features. This means that you don’t have to rely on WiFi everywhere and can use your data anytime, and in cases of emergence, it can also double up as a backup device. With PrimeOS you can run apps in resizable windows, you can even do multitasking to some extent, but then certain desktop-level apps won’t run on it which can get a little frustrating at times. BatteryThe Primebook 4G is powered by a 4,000mAh battery and on a single charge and constant usage, it will last you for 3-4 hours while attending online classes, typing on docs, and using PDFs to read the study material. On moderate use, you can still stretch it for almost 6 hours. And for the price that you’re paying, I think that’s respectable. The charging speeds are also decent, it charges from 0-100% in around 1 hour. VerdictThe Primebook 4G isn’t your typical budget laptop and that’s both its strength and limitation. It isn’t trying to be a traditional Windows laptop or a high-performance one. Instead, it focuses on doing the basics right for students and those with budget constraints. At Rs 15,990, you get a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, decent display for indoor use, connectivity options including 4G SIM support, and a lightweight, travel-friendly build. But yes, there are compromises too, the trackpad is subpar, multitasking can be a challenge, the software is Android-based and not for everyone, and the display isn’t ideal for content consumption. If you’re a student or a parent looking for an affordable device for their kids that’s better than a tablet, with a physical keyboard, and more versatile than a basic smartphone, the Primebook 4G is genuinely worth considering. Just don’t expect it to replace a full-blown laptop.