Primebook 2 Neo Review: Good for Basics

The Primebook 2 Neo is one of those devices that makes you root for it the moment you pick it up. It’s light, compact, and priced at just ₹14,990, a number that instantly lowers expectations and also invites curiosity: Can a laptop this cheap actually be usable? Surprisingly, the answer is yes… with a few clear conditions.

At its core, Primebook 2 Neo is powered by an Android-based operating system called PrimeOS 3.0, which gives it a personality that’s somewhere between a Chromebook and a tablet-with-a-keyboard. That actually works in its favour. Everyday tasks such as browsing, attending classes, editing documents, streaming YouTube, or using Android apps feel perfectly fine. The MediaTek Helio G99 chipset and 6GB RAM keep the experience smooth enough as long as you stick to light-to-moderate use. And the interface, being Android at heart, feels familiar and easy to navigate even if you’ve never used a laptop before. It’s simple, friendly, and largely friction-free.

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The hardware, however, reminds you that this is very much a budget machine. The 11.6-inch HD display is serviceable for indoor use but lacks punch, colours look muted, the brightness isn’t high enough for sunlight, and the viewing angles don’t compete with even mid-range laptops. The speakers are easily the weakest part of the device: soft, muffled, and nowhere near what you’d want for binge-watching. And the trackpad, though functional, doesn’t offer the precision or sensitivity you’d expect from even an entry-level Windows laptop.

Still, there are parts of the experience that genuinely impress. The Neo is extremely portable and feels almost feather-light, making it ideal for students or anyone who needs a throw-in-the-bag, everyday companion. PrimeOS handles multitasking better than you’d expect from a machine in this price segment, and the ability to run the full Android ecosystem, including educational apps, productivity tools, OTT streaming, and even some games, gives it an advantage over similarly priced devices. Features like cloud PC access and built-in AI tools sound ambitious, and while they work, they’re far from flawless and depend heavily on your internet connection.

This is not a laptop meant for heavy workloads, professional software, editing suites, or serious multitasking. And it’s definitely not designed for someone who values high-quality speakers, a premium keyboard experience, or a bright, colour-accurate screen. But if your needs are basic and your budget is tight, the Primebook 2 Neo is an honest, straightforward little machine. It doesn’t pretend to be anything more than an affordable everyday computer, and as long as you go in with realistic expectations, it can be surprisingly helpful.

For ₹14,990, the Primebook 2 Neo isn’t trying to beat Windows laptops or Chromebooks. It’s trying to give students, casual users, and light-work multitaskers a simple device that works well enough for the daily grind. And in that mission, despite its flaws, it succeeds more often than it fails.

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