Primebook 3 Max Review: An Android-Based Laptop That Works Best If You Know What You're Buying

The Primebook 3 Max is an Android-based laptop released in India for Rs. 35,990. It features a larger 15.6-inch screen, a full keyboard with a number pad, and a MediaTek Genio 720 chip, setting it apart from previous models. Unlike traditional laptops that run Windows, Primebook 3 Max operates on PrimeOS, an Android-based operating system built on a Linux kernel.

Design-wise, the laptop boasts a metal lid and back with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. It weighs around 1.59kg and folds flat to 180 degrees using a dual hinge. The laptop also includes a USB Type-C charger, a keychain, a phone stand, stickers, and a one-year warranty that can be extended. The ports are generously placed, with USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm jack on the left side, while the right side has USB-A and USB-C ports with USB 3.2 speed for 4K display output.

The 15.6-inch full-HD IPS panel has a matte coating to cut reflections, ideal for use near a window. Although the peak brightness is around 250 nits, it might struggle with direct sunlight. The speakers are loud enough for a class or a YouTube video.

The keyboard is full-size with a number pad and backlighting, featuring shortcut keys for clipboard, notes, and calculator. Typing is fine for the price, though there's some flex in the middle. The trackpad is large and responsive, with gestures such as a three-finger swipe down to minimize and a three-finger tap to switch apps, which differ from Windows and may take a day or two to adapt to. The 5-megapixel webcam has a privacy shutter, suitable for video calls.

In terms of performance, the Genio 720 chip has eight cores, including two Cortex-A78 and six Cortex-A55, paired with a Mali GPU, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The laptop claims a 40% improvement over its predecessor, with Geekbench results indicating 975 single-core and 2,010 multi-core scores, and AnTuTu around 7 lakh.

Everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, video playback, and Android apps run smoothly. However, heavy 3D games would require cloud gaming, which Primebook offers through PrimeX Cloud PC. PrimeOS, built on Android and its Linux kernel, runs Android apps with desktop-style windows, a taskbar, and a file manager. Windows .exe programs cannot be run natively.

PrimeOS comes with PrimeOffice (free for life), a Linux terminal with coding tools like GIMP, Postman, and LibreOffice, and PrimeX Cloud PC for streaming a Windows desktop from the cloud. These features are available at no cost initially, with top-ups for AI credits costing Rs. 100 for 10,000 credits. The UI is reminiscent of Chrome, with a control panel to switch off the camera and microphone, and updates roughly every three months. However, PrimeOS is not Windows, and users will notice differences.

The laptop's battery is rated at 60.3Wh and provides up to 12 hours of use according to Primebook's claims. In actual tests, it lasted up to 10 hours under mixed usage. The laptop should last a day of easy use, but heavy usage may require frequent charging. The USB Type-C charger takes about an hour to fully charge the laptop.

In conclusion, the Primebook 3 Max is an ideal choice for students or first-time laptop buyers who primarily work in a browser, write documents, and watch videos. It is not a replacement for Windows for those reliant on specific desktop software. At Rs. 35,990, users must trust a smaller company's operating system and consider extending the one-year warranty.

At this price, Windows 11 laptops with a Core i3 or Ryzen 3 chip and 8GB of RAM, such as Acer Aspire Lite and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, are also available. ChromeOS laptops or tablets with keyboards might suit lighter users. The Primebook 3 Max receives a rating of 3.5/5.