Getac V120 Review: Built For Places Where Ordinary Laptops Give Up

Rs 8,000 Diwali Bonus Scam: PIB Issues Warning, Here's How To Report It If You've Lost Money

Shayak Majumder — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 14:26:34 +0530

A WhatsApp message promising an Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus from the Prime Minister is doing the rounds, but there is no such government benefit. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has flagged the viral claim as fake, warning citizens that fraudsters are using the festive season to lure people into a phishing scam. The messages encourage recipients to click on links to claim the supposed cash reward, redirecting them to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

The warning is particularly important for anyone who may have already clicked on the link, shared banking details or completed a transaction believing the offer was genuine. The authorities have urged people to avoid interacting with these messages and report suspicious activity immediately.

Those who have lost money should act quickly, as reporting a suspected cyber fraud without delay can help initiate the process of tracing the transaction.

🚨 Scam Alert! 💸 ⚠️ A fraudulent message is circulating on WhatsApp falsely claiming that the Government of India is providing Rs 8000/- as diwali bonus under the name of the Prime Minister. The message leads to a fake website seeking personal information. 💡 Beware of phishing scams that could lead to financial losses. Do not click any suspicious links or share OTPs with unknown people. 🔴 Report suspicious content related to the Central Government to PIB Fact Check 🔽 📲 +91 8799711259 📩 factcheck@pib.gov.in
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) November 2, 2026

How The Fake Rs 8,000 Diwali Bonus Scam Works

The fraudulent messages, circulated through WhatsApp, claim that the Central Government is distributing Rs 8,000 as a special Diwali benefit under the Prime Minister's name. Recipients are asked to visit a website through an embedded link to register for or claim the supposed payment.

However, the website is not an official government portal. Cybercriminals may use such pages to collect sensitive information, including banking credentials and personal details. Victims could also be asked to pay a processing fee, authorise fraudulent UPI transactions or download applications that may compromise their devices.

The PIB has categorically rejected the claim and cautioned people against clicking on suspicious links or sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) with unknown individuals. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has also flagged the message as a phishing attempt. The warning was shared by the PIB following an alert circulated by the Cyber Crimes Unit Hyderabad.

ALSO READ: Now That The New iPhone Costs Rs 3 Lakh, Buyers Should Now Go For Pre-Owned Gadgets

What To Do If You Have Already Clicked On The Link

Clicking on a suspicious link does not necessarily mean that your bank account has been compromised. However, if you have interacted with the website, it is important to take precautions immediately.

Here are some steps you should follow:

If you entered personal or banking details: Contact your bank immediately through its official customer care number or banking application. Inform the bank about the possible compromise and ask it to secure your account and payment services.
If you shared your OTP or UPI PIN: Contact your bank without delay and request that potentially compromised banking and payment services be secured. Change your banking passwords and UPI credentials where applicable.
If you downloaded an application: Avoid using the suspicious application or granting it further permissions. Disconnect your device from the internet if you suspect it is being remotely accessed, and seek assistance to remove the malicious application.
If you authorised a UPI transaction: Contact your bank immediately and report the unauthorised payment. Do not wait for the transaction to be investigated on its own.
If you forwarded the message: Stop circulating it and alert the people who received it not to click on the link or share their details.

Even if you have not lost money, reporting a suspicious link and securing any information you may have shared can help prevent further damage.

Lost Money In The Diwali Bonus Scam? Report It Immediately

Anyone who has transferred money after responding to the fraudulent offer should report the incident immediately. The national cybercrime helpline, 1930, is the first point of contact for reporting financial cyber fraud.

Victims should also follow these steps:

Call 1930: Report the suspected financial fraud and provide details of the transaction, including the amount and payment reference, if available.
Inform your bank: Contact your bank's official fraud or customer support team immediately. Request assistance in flagging the transaction and securing your account.
File an online complaint: Visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in and submit a complaint with the relevant details.
Preserve evidence: Keep screenshots of the WhatsApp message, fraudulent website, phone numbers, payment confirmations, transaction IDs and any communication with the suspected fraudsters. These details may help authorities investigate the incident.
Follow up on the complaint: Retain your complaint acknowledgement number and share it with your bank when following up on the reported transaction.

Reporting the fraud as soon as possible is important. While there is no guarantee that the money will be recovered, an early complaint gives the authorities an opportunity to take timely action.

ALSO READ: India Wants Machines To Police Deepfakes. First, They Must Learn To Say 'I'm Not Sure'

How To Report The Fake Government Diwali Bonus Message

People who come across misleading messages claiming to offer government benefits can also report them to the PIB Fact Check unit.

The bureau has provided the following contact details for reporting suspicious claims related to the Central Government:

Phone: +91 8799711259
Email: factcheck@pib.gov.in

Citizens should also verify government schemes and financial assistance announcements through official government websites before sharing personal information or making payments.

The key takeaway is simple: a WhatsApp forward promising free money in the name of the Prime Minister should never be treated as an official announcement. With fraudulent messages becoming increasingly convincing, verifying the source before clicking a link or sharing financial information remains one of the most effective ways to avoid falling victim to cybercrime.

Vivo S2 FE Review: Meet The 10,000mAh Battery Beast That Keeps Going

Shayak Majumder — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 13:20:30 +0530

Vivo S2 FE Review: There is a particular kind of smartphone user who has developed an unhealthy relationship with the battery percentage indicator. Every few hours, there's a glance at the top-right corner of the screen. A charger is always within reach, a power bank is permanently packed, and the prospect of leaving home with 35 per cent battery feels like preparing for a polar expedition.

Vivo appears to have designed the S2 FE for precisely this person.

Its headline feature is difficult to ignore: a massive 10,000mAh battery. That's considerably more capacity than what you'll find in most mainstream smartphones, and Vivo has managed to put it inside a device weighing approximately 224–225g. The phone also brings a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP primary camera, IP68/IP69 protection and Android 16-based OriginOS 6.

The starting price, however, is Rs 38,999. The 8GB RAM variant costs Rs 42,999.

ALSO READ: Vivo X300 FE Review: Tiny Flagship, Titanic Camera Ambitions

That's not pocket change for a phone whose biggest selling point is that you might not have to charge it as frequently. And it raises a more interesting question than how long the battery lasts: has Vivo built a genuinely useful all-round smartphone around a huge battery, or is the 10,000mAh figure doing most of the heavy lifting?

Let's examine what you're actually buying.

The 10,000mAh Question: How Much Battery Is Too Much Battery?

Let's start with the obvious. A 10,000mAh battery is enormous by mainstream smartphone standards. The Vivo S2 FE's capacity is the kind of specification that immediately catches the eye, particularly among people who travel frequently, work long hours outdoors or spend much of their day away from a charging point.

The phone uses a lithium-ion battery and supports 44W charging. Vivo has not supplied a claimed charging duration or an official battery endurance figure in the specifications shared with us, so we won't pretend to know how many hours or days it will last.

But the capacity itself is significant. A larger battery gives Vivo more room to accommodate demanding usage patterns without requiring users to constantly look for a socket.

The bigger question is what happens when you finally do need to charge it.

At 44W, the S2 FE's charging support doesn't sound particularly ambitious for a phone with such a large battery. The capacity is impressive, but filling it back up could become a consideration, especially for users accustomed to faster-charging smartphones.

The 44W figure is worth keeping in perspective: the S2 FE is built around carrying more power, not necessarily replenishing it at a spectacular speed.

There's also the physical cost of that battery. At 224–225g and approximately 8.6–8.7mm thick, the S2 FE isn't a lightweight smartphone. It is not outrageously bulky for a device with this capacity, but you will notice that you're carrying a substantial phone.

The takeaway: If battery anxiety is your biggest smartphone complaint, the S2 FE has a compelling proposition. If you prefer a light device that charges extremely quickly, its enormous battery may come with compromises you don't particularly want.

A Surprisingly Premium Display For A Battery-First Phone

Here's where the S2 FE becomes more interesting. Vivo hasn't paired its giant battery with an obviously compromised display.

The phone gets a 6.83-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2,800 × 1,260 pixels, a pixel density of 449ppi and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It supports a P3 wide colour gamut and has a listed HBM brightness of up to 2,000 nits.

In other words, this is a fairly ambitious display package for a phone being marketed around battery endurance.

AMOLED technology offers deep blacks and strong contrast, while the higher resolution should provide plenty of detail for reading, streaming and browsing. The 120Hz refresh rate should also make supported scrolling and animations look smoother.

The 2,000-nit HBM figure is also worth noting. High brightness can help with outdoor visibility, although HBM is not necessarily the brightness the display maintains continuously.

Still, on paper, the S2 FE doesn't look like a phone that has sacrificed its screen to accommodate the battery. That's a good start.

Dimensity 7300e: Sensible Performance, Not A Gaming Revolution

The Vivo S2 FE runs on MediaTek's Dimensity 7300e, an octa-core chipset manufactured using a 6nm process. Its CPU configuration includes four cores clocked at up to 2.5GHz and four efficiency cores reaching up to 2.0GHz.

Memory options include 6GB and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The combination should provide a reasonably modern foundation for everyday smartphone usage. UFS 3.1 storage is also a welcome inclusion, while the two RAM configurations give buyers some flexibility.

However, the Dimensity 7300e is not the kind of processor specification that immediately positions the S2 FE as a performance-focused flagship alternative.

The S2 FE's chipset appears better positioned for everyday multitasking, social media, streaming, navigation and general productivity than for buyers who want a dedicated high-performance gaming phone. That's not a criticism; it's about understanding the product's priorities.

Vivo also advertises software-assisted RAM expansion, taking the 6GB variant up to a claimed 12GB and the 8GB version up to 16GB. This uses internal storage to supplement physical memory. It should not be confused with having 12GB or 16GB of actual RAM.

One more thing: neither configuration supports expandable storage through a microSD card. You're limited to the 128GB internal storage option listed here, so buyers who store large quantities of videos, photographs and offline content should factor that into their decision.

For a phone costing close to Rs 40,000, the absence of a higher storage configuration is worth questioning.

IP68 And IP69: The S2 FE Wants To Be Tough Too

The S2 FE's other significant selling point is its IP68/IP69 ingress protection rating.

This means the phone is positioned to offer protection against dust and water ingress under the specific conditions covered by the respective certification tests. IP68 generally relates to dust-tight construction and immersion under specified conditions, while IP69 addresses protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets.

For someone who travels frequently, works outdoors or simply wants additional protection against accidental exposure to water and dust, this is a useful feature.

However, please note that water-resistance ratings are based on controlled laboratory tests, not an invitation to experiment with your smartphone. Salt water, chlorinated water, soaps and everyday wear can affect seals. Manufacturers also generally exclude liquid damage from standard warranty coverage.

Still, having both IP68 and IP69 ratings is a meaningful addition. The S2 FE is not merely trying to be a battery phone; it is also attempting to offer durability that buyers increasingly expect from premium mid-range devices.

The combination of a large battery and enhanced ingress protection could make it particularly attractive to people who spend considerable time outdoors.

Cameras: A 50MP Main Sensor, But Don't Expect A Photography Flagship

The rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP secondary camera with an f/2.4 aperture. On the front, there's a 32MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture.

The camera software includes portrait, night, video, dual-view, high-resolution, panorama, document, slow-motion, time-lapse, Pro and food modes.

That's a fairly extensive list of shooting options, but the hardware configuration is relatively straightforward.

The 2MP secondary camera is also unlikely to be a major reason to buy this phone. The primary camera will do most of the photographic work, and given the fact that this is ultimately a Vivo phone, you can rest assured that it is more than capable to handle basic photography tasks needed for your vacation album. Just don't expect a Galaxy S-series or a Pixel-level finesse.

The 32MP front camera looks promising on paper for selfies and video calls. But again, resolution alone doesn't establish image quality.

At this price, camera performance is an important part of the buying decision. If photography is your top priority, the S2 FE needs to prove itself against rivals rather than relying on its battery capacity to win the argument.

OriginOS 6 And Android 16: The Software Side Of The Deal

The Vivo S2 FE runs Android 16 with OriginOS 6.

The specifications also list Bluetooth 5.4, dual-SIM 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi support across 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, USB Type-C and GPS support.

There are, however, a couple of omissions worth noting. The phone does not support NFC, and it does not include an FM radio. Hi-Fi audio is also not supported according to the supplied specifications.

None of these omissions will matter equally to every buyer. But NFC, in particular, is worth checking if you regularly use contactless payments or other NFC-dependent services.

The phone includes an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, a conventional vibration motor and the usual collection of navigation and motion sensors.

Vivo also includes a charger, USB cable, phone case, SIM ejector tool and a pre-applied protective film in the box. That's useful, particularly at a price where buyers may not want to spend additional money on basic accessories.

One detail we would have liked to see clarified is the software update commitment. The supplied specifications confirm Android 16 and OriginOS 6, but do not establish how many Android version upgrades or years of security updates the S2 FE will receive. At nearly Rs 40,000, that information should be part of the buying decision.

ALSO READ: Vivo X300 Pro Review: This Isn't A Phone. This Is A Camera With A SIM Card

Who Should Actually Buy The Vivo S2 FE?

This is where the S2 FE's identity becomes clearer. It isn't necessarily designed for someone who wants the fastest processor, the best camera system or the slimmest smartphone.

It is designed around a particular priority: spending less time charging.

1. Professionals who spend long hours outdoors

Field executives, sales professionals, journalists, delivery managers and people who travel between meetings may appreciate having a larger battery reserve. Navigation, calls, messaging, mobile data and frequent screen usage can make battery management a daily concern.

2. Frequent travellers

People who spend long hours on trains, buses, flights or road journeys may find the 10,000mAh capacity particularly appealing. The combination of a large battery and dual-SIM 5G connectivity is useful for staying connected while travelling.

3. Heavy content consumers

If your phone is your primary entertainment device, the 6.83-inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate and large battery make an attractive combination for streaming, browsing and reading.

4. People who prioritise durability

The IP68/IP69 rating gives the S2 FE an advantage for buyers who want additional protection against dust and water exposure. It could be a useful option for people who frequently work or spend time outdoors.

5. Users who simply hate charging their phones

This might be the most obvious audience. If you are constantly looking for a charger, carrying a power bank or worrying about battery percentages, the S2 FE is clearly designed to address that frustration.

Who Should Probably Look Elsewhere?

Mobile gamers: The Dimensity 7300e may be adequate for everyday gaming, but serious gamers should compare sustained performance, GPU capability and thermal behaviour before buying.
Photography enthusiasts: The 50MP + 2MP rear camera setup needs to prove its worth. Don't buy it solely on the megapixel count.
People who prefer lightweight phones: At around 224–225g, this is a substantial handset. The battery comes with a physical trade-off.
Users who need expandable storage: There is no microSD support, and the listed configurations stop at 128GB.
Buyers who rely on NFC: The S2 FE does not support NFC, so this could be a deal-breaker depending on your usage.

Vivo S2 FE Review: Final Verdict

The Vivo S2 FE is an interesting smartphone because it doesn't appear to be chasing every premium feature at once. Instead, it has picked one particular problem, battery anxiety, and built its identity around solving it.

The 10,000mAh battery is undoubtedly the headline attraction. The 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, IP68/IP69 protection and Android 16-based OriginOS 6 make the overall package more appealing than a battery-focused device with an otherwise basic specification sheet.

But Rs 38,999 is a significant asking price, rising to Rs 42,999 for the 8GB RAM version. At that level, buyers should expect a well-rounded experience, not just a gigantic battery. The Dimensity 7300e is a sensible mid-range platform on paper, the camera setup looks conventional, charging is rated at 44W, and the absence of NFC and expandable storage may disappoint some users.

The S2 FE is therefore a phone that makes the most sense when battery life is your first priority, rather than one of several equally important priorities.

Think of it as the smartphone equivalent of a long-distance touring vehicle: it may not be the fastest machine on the road, nor the most exciting one to look at, but it is designed to keep going when everyone else is looking for a pit stop.

Should You Buy The Vivo S2 FE?

Yes, if: You spend long hours away from charging points, travel frequently, consume a lot of content or simply want a smartphone with an unusually large battery.
Maybe, if: You want a balanced smartphone with a premium display and strong durability credentials, but need to see real-world battery, camera and performance tests before committing nearly Rs 40,000.
No, if: You prioritise gaming, photography, lightweight design, fast charging or NFC connectivity over battery capacity.

SURI The Seventh Note Review: A Promising Tune That Falls Flat

Shayak Majumder — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:39:24 +0530

India's gaming industry has another ambitious debut with SURI: The Seventh Note, a rhythm-based platformer from Tathvamasi Studios that attempts to make music an integral part of gameplay. Set on a mysterious island where rhythm governs the natural world, the game combines precision platforming, musical puzzles, vibrant environments and an emotional journey centred on family and survival. Its premise is intriguing, and its colourful art direction makes an immediate impression.

However, while SURI has several interesting ideas, its execution is considerably less consistent. Unpredictable movement, repetitive musical arrangements, and a narrative that struggles to establish an emotional connection prevent the game from reaching its full potential. There are moments when everything comes together beautifully, but maintaining that harmony throughout the adventure proves difficult.

A Story Of Survival That Struggles To Strike An Emotional Chord

SURI: The Seventh Note places players in the shoes of Ajira, a young girl living on the fantastical island of Suri. Music and rhythm are deeply connected to the island's existence, but an unexplained illness has disrupted its natural balance. The disease has already taken Ajira's father, and her mother is now fighting for survival. With a sacred tree holding the possibility of a cure, Ajira embarks on a journey to find its fruit, gradually discovering that her mission could have consequences for the entire island.

The premise offers enough material for an engaging adventure, particularly with the emotional stakes surrounding Ajira's family. Unfortunately, the storytelling rarely makes the most of this opportunity. Character interactions and narrative sequences feel relatively static, with limited animation and little variation in character presentations. The absence of voice acting also takes away some of the emotional weight that could have made important moments more impactful.

There is an interesting world waiting to be explored, but the narrative does not provide enough character development or storytelling depth to make players genuinely invested in its outcome. The central quest gives the adventure direction, although the emotional connection remains somewhat distant.

**Beautiful Art Direction Makes SURI A Visual Treat**

One of the game's biggest strengths is undoubtedly its presentation. SURI: The Seventh Note features a distinctive hand-drawn visual style, with colourful environments, detailed backgrounds and character designs that give the island a personality of its own.

The art direction also draws inspiration from Indian cultural and architectural traditions. Elements associated with Rajput fortifications, Theyyam performances and Himalayan monasteries contribute to the game's visual identity, helping it stand apart from conventional fantasy platformers.

Different environments offer contrasting atmospheres, ranging from lush forests and ancient temples to mysterious ruins and more threatening locations. Lighting effects, animation and environmental details add depth to these settings, making exploration one of the more enjoyable aspects of the experience. The illustrated character portraits also have a distinctive aesthetic, even if their limited variation becomes noticeable during narrative sequences.

There are, however, occasional technical inconsistencies. Certain transitions feel abrupt, while some environmental assets appear poorly aligned or abruptly cut off. Character and background elements can also reset unexpectedly during screen transitions. These issues are not frequent enough to ruin the presentation, but they do interrupt an otherwise impressive visual experience.

**Rhythm-Based Platforming Is SURI's Biggest Gamble**

The central gameplay idea behind SURI: The Seventh Note is straightforward but ambitious. Instead of treating music as something that simply accompanies the action, the game makes rhythm an essential part of navigating its environments.

Players must coordinate Ajira's jumps, movements and special abilities with the underlying musical beat. Platforms and obstacles contribute their own sounds to the soundtrack, creating a system in which successful navigation gradually builds a musical arrangement.

When the mechanics work as intended, the experience can be genuinely satisfying. Moving through a sequence of obstacles without missing a beat creates a sense of momentum that conventional platformers do not always offer.

However, getting into that rhythm is easier said than done. Ajira's movement occasionally feels floaty, and certain jumps lack the precision needed for a game that places so much importance on timing. Some sections quickly become exercises in trial and error, with a mistimed action forcing players to repeat an entire sequence.

The game introduces additional abilities as players progress, including Echo, which allows Ajira to interact with special runes and gain additional airtime, and Phase, which helps her navigate particular obstacles and activate environmental mechanisms.

These abilities introduce some welcome variety, particularly when combined with puzzles, elaborate platforming sections and boss encounters. Certain challenges encourage players to experiment with their powers rather than simply follow familiar movement patterns. However, the novelty gradually diminishes as familiar obstacles return, making some sections feel repetitive.

Controls And Difficulty Can Interrupt The Flow

SURI's control scheme is relatively straightforward, with movement, jumping and special abilities assigned to individual inputs. The game also includes a calibration sequence to account for input latency, an important feature considering how heavily its mechanics depend on precise timing.

On PlayStation 5, DualSense haptic feedback adds another dimension to the experience by providing physical cues that complement the soundtrack. It is a useful addition, particularly when trying to synchronise movement with the music.

Unfortunately, these features cannot completely overcome the inconsistencies in platforming. Some sections demand extremely precise positioning, and it is not always clear whether a failed attempt is the result of incorrect timing or awkward movement.

Checkpoints help reduce the frustration associated with repeated attempts, but particularly challenging sequences can still become exhausting. Players looking for accessibility options to make the rhythm-based challenges more forgiving may also find the available adjustments limited.

Soundtrack Has A Great Concept But Limited Variety

Music is supposed to be the defining feature of SURI: The Seventh Note, making its audio design particularly important.

The game combines atmospheric background compositions with individual sounds generated by platforms, obstacles and other environmental elements. As players navigate a level, these sounds contribute to the overall musical arrangement, creating the impression that the player is actively participating in the soundtrack.

The ranking and combo systems are connected to this concept. Maintaining a successful sequence increases Ajira's performance grade and gradually introduces additional musical elements, making the environment feel more expressive when players maintain their rhythm.

It is an interesting approach, but the compositions do not always deliver the variety needed to sustain engagement. Repeated encounters with familiar obstacles mean that their musical contributions can quickly lose their appeal. Some individual sounds also fail to blend naturally with the background arrangement, occasionally creating an uneven listening experience.

The soundtrack is certainly not unpleasant, but it rarely reaches the memorable highs that could have made it a standout feature. For a game built around rhythm, this is a missed opportunity.

Collectibles And Optional Challenges Add Replay Value

Beyond the main campaign, SURI offers additional reasons to explore its environments. Optional routes contain collectibles and more demanding platforming sequences, while items such as Ghungroos and Mirats encourage players to investigate areas away from the main path.

Some collectibles also interact with environmental mechanisms, adding another layer to exploration. Completing optional challenges and achieving higher performance rankings can provide additional objectives for players who want to extract more from individual levels.

Boss encounters offer some of the more interesting gameplay moments, requiring players to use their abilities in different ways rather than relying entirely on standard platforming techniques.

However, the incentive to pursue every optional objective is not always particularly compelling. Certain collectibles can be awkward to register, while the combo system offers limited practical benefits beyond changes to the musical arrangement and visual effects.

When the core platforming becomes frustrating, returning to a difficult section simply to improve a ranking or collect an additional item can feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

**Final Verdict: SURI Has Potential But Cannot Quite Find Its Rhythm**

ABP Live Verdict: 4/10

Honestly? This one pains me a little. As someone who has been covering the Indian gaming industry for years now, and knowing all the troubles devs have to go through to bring out a game in this burgeoning-with-teething-issues market, I do try to highlight the best efforts in any IP. However, in the case of SURI, especially considering all the hype and support the title received from the community, it is a sore disappointment that the game lacked the one thing it cannot afford to sleep on: finesse.

And when I talk about finesse, I want you to remember genuinely lovable titles like Detective Dotson, which didnt just have finesse but also had dollops of fun slathered all over it.

SURI: The Seventh Note is an ambitious first outing from Tathvamasi Studios, and there is plenty to appreciate about its creative direction. Its hand-drawn visuals, Indian cultural influences and attempt to integrate rhythm directly into platforming give it an identity that separates it from more conventional games in the genre.

Its strongest moments arrive when movement, music and level design work together. Those sequences demonstrate just how engaging a rhythm-based platformer can be when everything falls into place.

Unfortunately, inconsistent movement, demanding platforming sections, repetitive music and underwhelming storytelling prevent the game from maintaining that momentum. The DualSense implementation and additional abilities add some welcome depth, but they cannot entirely compensate for the problems affecting the core experience.

Players who enjoy challenging platformers and do not mind learning through repeated attempts may find something worthwhile here. However, those expecting a consistently polished rhythm adventure might find the experience more frustrating than satisfying.

SURI: The Seventh Note is a promising debut with a distinctive visual identity and some genuinely interesting ideas. It just needs a little more refinement to turn those ideas into a memorable gaming experience.

Now That The New iPhone Costs Rs 3 Lakh, Buyers Should Now Go For Pre-Owned Gadgets

Mahesh Shetty — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:03:04 +0530

A friend of mine spent twenty minutes last week trying to justify buying the new iPhone 18 Pro Max to me, and by the end of it even she didn't sound convinced. That's basically where a lot of people are right now with Apple's pricing. The top storage variant of that phone now costs Rs 3,29,900 in India. For a phone. One that will probably feel a generation behind in three years, same as every other iPhone has.

Most buyers obviously don't go anywhere near that 2TB model. They pick the base storage, pay somewhere around one to one and a half lakh, and still end up feeling like the price tag was a bit much for what they got. Apple has run this playbook for years, price the top model high enough that the regular one starts looking like the sensible choice. It's worked for a long time. I think it's starting to wear thin on people, though, especially with prices climbing the way they have over the last couple of launches.

So what's the alternative if someone actually wants an iPhone without that kind of spend? Pre-owned, and I mean the properly certified kind, not a random listing on OLX with no idea what's actually wrong with the battery. A phone that's been tested, had its battery health checked, comes with some kind of warranty backing it.

The argument for this has only gotten better, mostly because of how long Apple keeps phones updated. Five, sometimes six years of software support means a two or three-year-old flagship is still running the current iOS, still getting security patches, still doing basically everything the newest model does for most people's day-to-day use. The camera on an iPhone from two generations back is still genuinely good. Nobody using one is sitting there frustrated that it feels slow. What that extra lakh or two on a brand-new top-end model actually buys you is often small stuff, a slightly better zoom lens, a bit more battery life, the satisfaction of having the newest one first.

There's a money angle people don't think about enough either. New electronics lose a big chunk of their value almost immediately, phones more than most things. Buy one used a year in and someone else has already absorbed that drop for you. You're getting the same screen, same camera, same chip, you just didn't pay the premium for being the first owner.

None of this is to say buying new is a bad call. If someone genuinely wants the newest chip or just likes having the latest phone, fair enough, that's a real reason and there's nothing wrong with it. But for most people who just want something reliable without wiping out a month's pay, the math is leaning harder toward pre-owned than it used to.

Rs 3,29,900 isn't coming back down, and it'll probably climb again next year. What's changed is how much more sense it now makes to just skip that race entirely and buy smarter instead of first.

(The author is the Chief Operating Officer at Maple Digital Technology Intl. Pvt. Ltd.)

Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.

OPINION | India Wants Machines To Police Deepfakes. First, They Must Learn To Say 'I'm Not Sure'

Shrey Pandit — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:24:32 +0530

India now gives platforms three hours to remove unlawful content once ordered, and asks the largest to check uploads for synthetic media before they go live. Under the IT Amendment Rules 2026, every intermediary must act on a court or government order within three hours, or two for non-consensual intimate or morphed imagery. Services that let users create or share synthetic media must label it and, where feasible, embed provenance metadata; the largest platforms must also verify users’ declarations about uploads. IndiaAI is also funding detectors, such as Saakshya from IIT Jodhpur and IIT Madras, and IIT Kharagpur’s real-time voice deepfake detector.

So can machines tell real from fake? Sometimes. The danger is a machine that won’t admit when it can’t.

Consider Raghunath, a hypothetical 67-year-old retired bank clerk in Patna. His family WhatsApp group receives a clip of his grandson, bandaged in a hospital bed, pleading in Bhojpuri for Rs 40,000. The face and room are real, lifted from the boy’s Instagram, but ten seconds of audio are in a cloned voice. Raghunath runs it through a free detector app, which says: “Real, 92%.”

I build AI systems that reason over text and video, and study how to catch errors that look right. Raghunath’s clip fails every test we know is hard.

Why The Machine Got It Wrong

The fake carried no label: The rules bind platforms and compliant tools; a scammer using an open-source cloner labels nothing, and forwarding often strips metadata anyway. Worse, research on warning labels finds an “implied truth” effect: once some content is labelled, the rest looks more credible.

The fake was out of distribution: Detectors learn from lab data. Researchers who tested open-source detectors on deepfakes circulating online found their performance roughly halved, with many barely better than chance, and blamed academic datasets that no longer resemble today’s fakes. Even that real-world test set was mostly English. Compression widens the gap: lab studies have long shown detection accuracy falls on compressed video. A thrice-forwarded Bhojpuri clip is far from anything detectors were trained on.

The fake was partial: Judging a whole file is easier than locating the problem inside it. In Hard2Verify, my colleagues and I tested 29 AI verifiers against expert step-by-step grading of maths solutions. By balanced accuracy, GPT-5 scored about 90% at judging whole solutions but 71% at finding the first wrong step when asked directly (77% when prompted step by step). Weaker verifiers marked almost every step correct. A detector scoring a whole clip can be similarly generous to ten bad seconds inside ninety good ones.

The closest fakes are the hardest: In MedHallu, our benchmark for medical hallucinations, errors closest to the truth were hardest to catch: without supplied knowledge, GPT-4o’s F1 on the hardest cases was just 0.625. A real face with a cloned voice is the audio-visual equivalent. In Teaching with Lies, we trained hallucination detectors on synthetic falsehoods ordered from easy to hard, pushing them past obvious tells; deepfake detectors need such curricula, refreshed as generators change.

The verdict was too sure: “Real, 92%” sounds like evidence. It is a guess with a decimal point. When Raghunath asks a chatbot instead, he gets a fluent answer either way. FaithEval, which I contributed to, tests whether models stick to the context in front of them; across 4,900 problems, even top models often failed, and GPT-4o fell from 96.3% on its own knowledge to 47.5% when a passage contradicted it. One task checks whether a model admits the context lacks the answer; that remains hard.

Policing Can Misfire Too

Errors cut both ways: The rules ask platforms to use automated tools to verify users’ declarations and to block unlawful synthetic content before publication, so detectors will make many calls. One that wrongly flags genuine footage, satire or a whistleblower’s recording blocks real speech, and the rules give users whose uploads are blocked no notice or way to challenge it. Detectors shrunk to run at platform scale also need fairness audits. At Microsoft Research India, we found that compressing language models can worsen fairness, depending on model and method.

What Would Work

None of this needs a breakthrough, just systems designed to admit doubt:

Provenance first, detection second: Phones and cameras can attach content credentials at capture. The rules already ask for metadata; messaging apps should preserve it on forward, so authentic media can prove itself.
Three answers, not two: Detectors should say real, synthetic or can’t tell, and “can’t tell” should be shown prominently. In MedHallu, adding a “not sure” option along with domain knowledge improved precision and F1 by up to 38% relative to baselines.
Point to the problem: A useful detector marks which seconds or which region looks altered, so a person can check it.
Test where Indians are: IndiaAI’s detection projects should be evaluated on a shared public benchmark of Indian-language, code-mixed and WhatsApp-compressed media, with missed-fake and false-alarm rates published.
Keep a human in the loop: Where a detector score triggers blocking or a label, require human review, notice to the user and a quick appeal.
Keep a second channel: For Raghunath, the best detector is a phone call to his grandson’s known number, or a family code word. Awareness campaigns should teach that first.

Machines can help police deepfakes, but only if they are honest about uncertainty. For nearly 1.5 billion Indians, a detector that says “I’m not sure” is not failing. It is the one telling the truth.

(The author is a Research Scientist at Salesforce AI Research, in Palo Alto, California, US)

Apple MacBook Pro Gets Touchscreen For The First Time, With An Eye-Watering Price Tag

Ehtisham Qudrat — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:11:31 +0530

Apple has introduced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, bringing touch controls to its professional laptop lineup alongside a new tandem OLED display and M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. The new models are available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes and feature Dynamic Island, enhanced display technology and up to 24 hours of battery life. The new MacBook Pro models are designed for professionals, developers and content creators who need high-performance computing for demanding workloads. Apple has also redesigned the laptops to make them thinner and lighter than their non-touchscreen counterparts.

Apple MacBook Pro Touchscreen Models: Price In India

Apple's new touchscreen MacBook Pro lineup starts at Rs 3,49,900 in India for the 14-inch model with the M5 Pro chip. The 16-inch version with the same processor is priced at Rs 4,09,900.

For users who need more processing and graphics performance, the M5 Max configurations are also available. The 14-inch model with the M5 Max chip costs Rs 5,49,900, while the 16-inch variant is priced at Rs 5,89,900.

Eligible students and educators can access lower prices through Apple's education savings programme. The 14-inch M5 Pro model starts at Rs 3,31,900 with education savings, while the 16-inch variant starts at Rs 3,85,900.

MacBook Pro Gets Touchscreen OLED Display

The biggest change is the introduction of touchscreen functionality on the MacBook Pro for the first time. The new models feature Apple's tandem OLED-based PROLED XDR display, which supports touch input and offers a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

According to Apple, the display reaches up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and offers a claimed contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1. It also supports both the P3 and Adobe RGB colour gamuts, which could benefit professionals working with photographs, videos and colour-sensitive creative projects.

Users can interact directly with onscreen content, including manipulating 3D models and working with supported applications using touch gestures. Apple has also introduced Dynamic Island on the Mac, which can display information related to Spotlight, Live Activities and Siri AI.

MacBook Pro Powered By M5 Pro And M5 Max Chips

The new touchscreen MacBook Pro is available with Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. Both chip options are designed to handle demanding workloads, including software development, video editing, graphics-intensive applications and artificial intelligence tasks.

The laptops support up to 128GB of unified memory and up to 16TB of storage in selected M5 Max configurations. They also feature Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and Apple's latest software platform, macOS 27, with Apple Intelligence capabilities.

The M5 Pro configurations are aimed at professionals who need high performance for everyday professional workloads, while the M5 Max variants are designed for more demanding tasks such as 3D animation, visual effects and advanced video production.

Battery Life, Design And Other Features

Apple claims that the new touchscreen MacBook Pro models can deliver up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge. The redesigned laptops are also thinner and lighter than the corresponding non-touchscreen models.

Other features include a 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality microphones and a six-speaker audio system. Apple says the redesigned speaker system delivers 50% deeper bass than the previous generation.

The laptops also support Thunderbolt 5, while the display's 120Hz variable refresh rate is designed to provide smoother scrolling and animations. These features are intended to support professional workflows as well as video calls, media consumption and other everyday tasks.

MacBook Pro Touchscreen: Availability In India

Apple opened pre-orders for the new touchscreen MacBook Pro models on October 28 through its online store and the Apple Store app in selected markets.

According to Apple's India announcement, the new models are scheduled to become available from November 9 through the Apple online store and authorised resellers. Customers can choose between 14-inch and 16-inch models, with M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations available at different price points.

The launch marks a major change for Apple's professional laptop lineup by adding touchscreen interaction while retaining the performance-focused MacBook Pro design. However, buyers will need to consider the higher starting price when deciding whether the new display and touch features justify an upgrade.

iPhone 18e Leak Tips A20 Chip, 24MP Selfie Camera; 60Hz Display Expected

Ehtisham Qudrat — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:32:43 +0530

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18e could feature an A20 chipset and an upgraded selfie camera, according to a new leak. However, the company's next budget-friendly smartphone may retain a 60Hz display and a single rear camera which suggests that the device could bring limited hardware changes over its predecessor, the iPhone 17e. According to reports, tipster Digital Chat Station has shared details about the expected specifications of the iPhone 17e successor on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

The handset is expected to launch in spring 2027, although Apple has not officially announced the device or confirmed its specifications.

iPhone 18e May Feature A20 Chipset

According to the leak, the iPhone 18e could be powered by Apple's A20 chipset, reportedly built using a 2nm manufacturing process. The processor could represent a significant upgrade over the A19 chip used in the iPhone 17e.

A previous report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also pointed towards the A20 chipset for the upcoming device, alongside a possible 9GB RAM configuration.

The smartphone is tipped to feature a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. If accurate, this would mean Apple could continue to reserve higher refresh rates for other models in its smartphone lineup.

A 60Hz refresh rate means the display refreshes up to 60 times per second, while a 120Hz panel can offer smoother scrolling and animations.

iPhone 18e Camera Specifications Leaked

On the camera front, the iPhone 18e is tipped to feature a single 48MP rear camera which matches the resolution of the main camera on the iPhone 17e.

However, the front-facing camera could receive an upgrade. According to Digital Chat Station, the upcoming handset may feature a 24MP selfie camera, compared with the 12MP front camera on its predecessor.

The leak does not provide further details about the camera sensor, additional photography features or battery capacity.

iPhone 18e Launch Timeline

Apple launched the iPhone 17e in March 2026, and the iPhone 18e could follow a similar spring launch schedule in 2027.

However, Apple has yet to confirm the launch timeline or specifications of the iPhone 18e. The reported features should therefore be treated as unconfirmed until the company makes an official announcement.

Best Laptops Under Rs 30,000: Primebook 2 Pro, Lenovo Chromebook, More

Ehtisham Qudrat — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:14:39 +0530

Best Laptops Under 30000: Buying a laptop under Rs 30,000 has become easier, with several budget-friendly options available on Flipkart from brands such as Primebook, Lenovo, HP and ASUS. These devices cater to different needs, including online classes, office work, web browsing, document editing and entertainment. Buyers can choose between Android-based laptops running PrimeOS and Chromebooks powered by ChromeOS, depending on their software requirements and usage patterns.

While some models offer larger displays and more storage, others focus on portability and everyday productivity. Here are five laptops under Rs 30,000 worth considering, along with their key specifications, features and approximate prices to help you compare the available options.

Primebook 2 Pro

Price: Rs 26,990

The Primebook 2 Pro is an option for users looking for an affordable, lightweight device for everyday tasks. It features a 14.1-inch Full HD display, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, it runs Android 15-based PrimeOS 3.0.

The device can be considered for online classes, web browsing, video streaming and working with compatible Android applications. However, users who require traditional Windows desktop software should check application compatibility before purchasing.

Key specifications: MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 14.1-inch display and PrimeOS 3.0.

Primebook 2 Max

Price: Rs 27,990

The Primebook 2 Max is another option for buyers who prefer a larger screen. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD display, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, paired with the MediaTek Helio G99 processor.

Like the Primebook 2 Pro, it runs PrimeOS 3.0 based on Android 15. Its larger display may appeal to students and users who frequently attend online classes, watch videos or work across multiple application windows.

Key specifications: MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, 15.6-inch display and PrimeOS 3.0.

HP Chromebook 14 MediaTek Kompanio 540

Price: Rs 29,990

The HP Chromebook 14 is an option for buyers who primarily work online. The MediaTek Kompanio 540-powered model comes with 4GB RAM, 128GB storage and ChromeOS.

The device is designed for everyday activities such as browsing, email, online classes, document editing and video streaming. ChromeOS also supports Android applications on compatible devices, although availability and functionality can vary.

With its 14-inch display, the Chromebook offers a larger viewing area than compact budget laptops. However, buyers should consider its 4GB RAM and ensure that their required applications work on ChromeOS before purchasing.

Key specifications: MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 14-inch display and ChromeOS.

Lenovo Chromebook MediaTek Kompanio 520

Price: Rs 22,990

The Lenovo Chromebook powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor is an option for students and users looking for an affordable laptop for everyday tasks. It features a 14-inch HD display, 4GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage, running Google's ChromeOS.

The laptop is suitable for web browsing, online classes, email, document editing and video streaming. It also features Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and an HD webcam for video calls. However, buyers should note that ChromeOS differs from Windows, so compatibility with required applications should be checked before purchasing.

Key specifications: MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC storage, 14-inch HD display and ChromeOS.

ASUS Chromebook CX14 Intel Celeron Dual Core N50

Price: Rs 24,990

The ASUS Chromebook CX14 is another budget option for students and users who need a device for everyday online tasks. The Intel Processor N50-powered model is available with 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage and ChromeOS.

It features a 14-inch Full HD display, making it suitable for browsing, online learning, email and document work. Its compact design also makes it convenient for users who need a laptop for everyday use.

However, its 64GB storage capacity and 4GB RAM may be limiting for users who keep large files locally or frequently run several demanding applications. Buyers should also remember that ChromeOS is different from Windows.

Key specifications: Intel Processor N50, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage, 14-inch Full HD display and ChromeOS.

Before buying, check the latest prices and exact configurations on Flipkart, as availability and offers may change.

1 in 2 Indians Often Miss Cleaning Under Beds And Furniture, Dyson Study Finds

Ehtisham Qudrat — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:58:09 +0530

Nearly one in two Indians frequently miss cleaning areas beneath beds and furniture, while 48% struggle to clean corners, edges and skirting, according to Dyson’s first How India Cleans Study 2026. The findings highlight the challenges households face in removing dust and debris from hard-to-reach spaces, even after spending considerable time cleaning their homes. The study surveyed 651 respondents across seven Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Kochi. The fieldwork was conducted between July 28 and August 6, and examined household cleaning habits, common frustrations and consumer expectations from floor-cleaning technology.

According to the study, 52% of respondents said areas under beds and furniture were frequently missed during cleaning. Meanwhile, 38% reported that dust settled again quickly after cleaning, while 36% identified human or pet hair left behind on floors as a common frustration.

Indians Spend Time Cleaning But Struggle With Hidden Dust

The study found that more than half of respondents spend between 30 minutes and one hour cleaning their floors. Another 11% said they spend between one and two hours on the task.

However, the time spent cleaning does not always translate into the desired results, as dust and debris can remain in difficult-to-reach areas or settle again on surfaces.

Flooring variety also presents a challenge for households. While 72% of respondents reported having carpets and rugs at home, 51% had marble flooring, 49% had vitrified or ceramic tiles, and 43% had granite surfaces.

The findings suggest that households need cleaning solutions capable of handling different surfaces as well as narrow gaps and spaces beneath furniture.

Technology Tops Consumers' Floor-Cleaning Priorities

The study also examined the factors influencing consumers' choices when purchasing floor-cleaning products.

Better technology emerged as the leading consideration, cited by 61% of respondents. Cleaning performance followed at 54%, while 49% identified trust as a factor. By comparison, 21% cited better prices or offers.

Vacuum cleaners were also being used for tasks beyond cleaning floors. According to the survey, 71% of respondents used them under furniture, 70% on hard floors, 69% on carpets and rugs, 69% on upholstery, and 63% on beds and mattresses.

Dyson highlights new vacuum-cleaning technology

Commenting on the findings, Tim Hare, Design and Development Engineer for Floor Care at Dyson, said, “People are demanding more from their vacuum cleaners in a single clean, from tackling fine dust and long hair to cleaning across different surfaces and hard-to-reach spaces. Dyson vacuums are engineered to deliver advanced performance as complete systems for effective cleaning throughout the home. This includes powerful, fade-free suction to capture fine dust and debris, an intelligent cleaner head engineered for different surfaces and advanced filtration with machine sealing to ensure what is captured remains trapped inside. And as part of the Dyson difference, all our products are backed by relentless testing, so they are built to last.”

The study highlights the gap between time spent cleaning and the results households expect, particularly when dealing with hidden dust, hair and different flooring surfaces. However, its findings are based on 651 respondents across seven cities and should not be interpreted as a nationally representative estimate of all Indian households.

Getac V120 Review: Built For Places Where Ordinary Laptops Give Up

Shayak Majumder — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:29:52 +0530

Getac V120 Review: There are laptops designed for people who work at a desk, and then there are laptops designed for people whose desks might be inside a moving vehicle, beside a power substation, at an industrial plant or in the middle of a field operation. The Getac V120 belongs firmly in the second category. This is a fully rugged convertible notebook that combines a 12.2-inch touchscreen, a rotating display, a physical keyboard and hardware designed to withstand dust, powerful water jets, accidental drops and the vibration associated with vehicle-based work. It also brings Intel Core Ultra 200H Series processors, integrated AI acceleration, Wi-Fi 7 and a range of optional connectivity and security features.

At US$4,311, or roughly Rs 4.10 lakh before any applicable taxes and import-related costs, the V120 is not trying to win the usual laptop shopping contest. Its prospective buyers are unlikely to be choosing between this and a thin-and-light notebook for watching films on a flight. They are more likely to be asking a different question: can this machine keep working when the environment, rather than the workload, becomes the biggest obstacle?

That distinction matters. The V120's value proposition is not simply that it is powerful or durable. It is that it attempts to combine both with a form factor suited to professionals who move constantly between collecting information, reviewing it, sharing it and documenting what happened.

Built Around A Different Kind Of Workday

The V120 succeeds the Getac V110, a platform that evolved over seven generations and served the company's rugged-computing portfolio for more than a decade. The new model represents a more substantial architectural change than a routine processor refresh, with a larger, higher-resolution display, upgraded connectivity, increased ruggedness and hardware capable of accelerating certain AI workloads.

Its defining feature, however, remains the convertible design.

The display rotates so the laptop can be closed with the screen facing upwards, turning it into a tablet without requiring users to detach a component or carry a separate device. The same mechanism allows the screen to be turned towards a colleague, customer or team without moving the entire computer.

For someone working at a desk, this might sound like a clever design flourish. For a field engineer examining an installation with a colleague, a technician reviewing a vehicle diagnostic screen, or a first responder documenting an incident, it can be a practical workflow advantage.

The point is not that a tablet is inherently better than a laptop. It is that field work frequently requires both modes. A touchscreen is useful when inspecting a diagram, navigating an interface or presenting information to another person. A physical keyboard is better suited to typing detailed reports, entering records and handling longer documents.

The V120 brings those functions together in one machine.

There is a trade-off: at 12.2 inches, it is more compact than Getac's larger rugged laptops, but it is still a fully rugged computer rather than a lightweight consumer tablet. Its appeal rests on versatility and resilience, not on disappearing into a small bag.

Ruggedness Is The Feature You Pay For, Even When You Hope Never To Use It

The V120 carries an IP66 rating, meaning its enclosure is dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets under specified test conditions. Getac also says the device has been tested to withstand drops from four feet, or approximately 1.2 metres.

These specifications address risks that are routine in certain workplaces. Dust can enter equipment used around construction, manufacturing or infrastructure projects. Water exposure is a concern for outdoor teams. Drops can happen when devices are moved between vehicles, workbenches and field locations. Vibration is another consideration for computers installed in vehicles.

The V120's ports have protective covers, while optional configurations and safeguards are available for particular environments, including marine conditions involving salt fog and potentially flammable atmospheres.

That last point needs careful interpretation. The availability of specialised safeguards does not automatically mean every V120 configuration is certified for every hazardous environment. Organisations working in such locations would need to verify the relevant certification and configuration before deployment.

The same caution applies to the IP66 rating. It is not a licence to submerge the computer, ignore maintenance or assume that every form of liquid exposure is harmless.

The more meaningful benefit is operational. A rugged machine may reduce the risk of equipment damage and the disruption that follows when a worker loses access to essential software or records. Whether that translates into lower total ownership costs depends on the organisation's working conditions, repair arrangements, warranty coverage and deployment scale.

The V120 comes with a standard 3-year Bumper-to-Bumper warranty, which includes accidental damage. Customers can purchase an extension to 5 years.

A Screen Designed For Sunlight, Not Just Showrooms

The V120's 12.2-inch display has a WUXGA resolution of 1,920 × 1,200 pixels. Getac says the screen offers 16 per cent more viewing area than the V110's display.

Its most relevant specification for outdoor work is brightness: up to 1,000 nits. By comparison, many conventional consumer laptops offer considerably lower brightness levels, although the exact figure varies by model.

A bright screen can make a meaningful difference when a worker needs to consult a map, read a technical diagram, inspect a form or enter information outdoors. A screen that becomes difficult to read in direct sunlight can turn even a powerful computer into a source of friction.

Getac's LumiBond display technology is designed to reduce reflections, improve visibility and maintain colour performance. The standard capacitive touchscreen is also designed to tolerate splashes, reject certain incidental touches and work with selected gloves. An optional dual-mode configuration adds active-pen input.

For field professionals, touch and pen support can be more than convenience features. They can help when annotating diagrams, navigating interfaces while standing, or entering information without having to position a keyboard and mouse on a suitable surface.

The 1,920 × 1,200 resolution also provides more vertical space than a standard Full HD display, which can be useful when viewing documents, records and information-heavy applications. For users who need a larger working area, the two Thunderbolt 4 ports can drive external displays.

Still, the screen's practical usefulness will depend on the software and work process. A bright display cannot compensate for an application that is poorly optimised for touch, and touchscreen capability does not eliminate the need for a keyboard when entering substantial amounts of text.

Intel Core Ultra And AI: Useful Hardware, But Not An AI Product By Default

The V120 uses Intel Core Ultra 200H Series processors, with integrated Intel Arc graphics and an integrated neural processing unit. Getac's reviewer documentation cites up to 75 peak TOPS for the integrated Intel Arc graphics and an additional 13 peak TOPS from the NPU.

TOPS, or trillions of operations per second, is a measure of processing throughput for certain workloads. It is not a universal performance score, and the figures for different processing components should not be treated as a direct measure of how quickly a particular application will run.

The practical implication is that the V120 has hardware designed to accelerate supported AI workloads locally, rather than relying exclusively on remote cloud processing. Depending on the software, deployment and security requirements, that could be useful for tasks such as supported image analysis, transcription, document processing or other AI-assisted workflows.

For public safety teams, utilities, industrial operators and defence organisations, the ability to process information locally may be relevant where connectivity is unreliable or where data-handling rules limit what can be sent to external services. But local AI capability is not a guarantee that every model or application will run on the device, nor does it automatically make a deployment secure or suitable for sensitive information.

Organisations should verify software compatibility, memory requirements, data policies and the actual processing needs of their intended AI applications before treating AI acceleration as a reason to buy.

The V120 can be configured with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and SSD capacities of 512GB, 1TB or 2TB, alongside a listed standard configuration of 8GB RAM and a 256GB Gen4 PCIe NVMe SSD. Those options matter because a machine used for light field reporting has very different requirements from one running several technical applications, handling large datasets or processing imagery.

The crucial question is not whether the laptop has AI-capable silicon. It is whether the organisation has a specific workload that benefits from it.

Connectivity For The Real World

Field computing often involves connecting to equipment and networks that a conventional office laptop rarely encounters. The V120 addresses this with a broad selection of ports and optional connectivity.

The listed connections include two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, HDMI 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet. An optional DB9 serial port is available, which may be useful when working with certain industrial, diagnostic or legacy equipment.

It should be noted that the expansion bay can be configured with one of the following: a 1D/2D barcode reader, an additional USB Type-A port with an RS-232 serial port, or an additional USB Type-A port with a microSD card reader

Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are included. Optional configurations include dedicated GPS, 4G LTE and 5G Sub-6, alongside antenna pass-through options for GPS, WLAN and WWAN. A barcode reader can also be specified through the expansion area.

This is where the V120 starts to look less like a premium laptop and more like a deployable work platform.

A field engineer might need to connect to diagnostic equipment. A logistics operator could benefit from barcode scanning. A utility worker may need location information and mobile connectivity while moving between sites. A vehicle-based team could need a wired network connection, external displays or compatibility with existing equipment.

Not every buyer will need every port, radio or accessory. That is precisely why the configuration matters. Organisations should map their existing equipment, software and connectivity requirements against the available options before purchasing, rather than paying for a broad feature set simply because it exists.

The V120 is compatible with existing V110 Gamber-Johnson and Havis vehicle docks when fitted with large bumpers, standard batteries, and a soft handle, hard handle or shoulder strap. Configurations with high-capacity batteries, a hand strap, or slim bumpers require the V120-specific docks.

Battery Design: Endurance Is Also About How You Work

The V120 ships with two 31.5Wh lithium-ion batteries, giving it a combined capacity of 63Wh. Optional high-capacity 47.25Wh packs can raise the total to 94.5Wh.

The batteries snap into the bottom of the device, a redesign that makes room for the thicker extended packs. This matters because field workers do not always have the luxury of returning to a desk or finding a convenient charging point.

However, battery capacity is not the same as battery runtime. Actual endurance will vary with screen brightness, processing load, wireless connectivity, connected accessories and the applications in use. The supplied specifications do not establish a guaranteed number of hours of operation.

For fleet managers, the more useful question is how the battery options fit into the working day. A team working short shifts near charging facilities may not need the extended packs. A crew operating for long periods in remote locations may place a much higher value on the additional capacity.

Getac also offers dual-bay and eight-bay battery chargers among its accessories. In a multi-device deployment, charging infrastructure and spare-battery management can be just as important as the battery inside each laptop.

Security And Deployment: A Business Purchase, Not Just A Hardware Purchase

The V120 runs Windows 11 Pro and includes TPM 2.0. Optional security and identification features include a fingerprint reader, HF RFID reader, smart-card reader and front-facing Windows Hello face authentication, depending on configuration.

These options can support organisations that require device authentication, controlled access or compatibility with established identity systems. But their usefulness depends on the organisation's security architecture, software, policies and implementation.

Getac also offers optional software tools, including its Essentials Suite, with utilities for device monitoring, driving safety and GPS-related functions. Absolute Persistence is available as an additional third-party security solution.

For an IT department, the decision should therefore extend beyond processor and display specifications. It should include device management, authentication requirements, software deployment, remote support, repair logistics and the cost of keeping the fleet operational.

A rugged laptop may be expensive to purchase, but the relevant business calculation is the total cost of ownership over its intended service life. That includes the initial configuration, accessories, support, replacement batteries, downtime, repairs and the cost of a worker being unable to complete a task.

The V120's three-year warranty, optional extensions, dock compatibility and accessory ecosystem are relevant to that calculation. They do not, by themselves, prove that the device will be less expensive to own than a conventional laptop. That depends on the environment and the organisation's existing support arrangements.

Who Should Buy The Getac V120?

The V120 is a specialist device. Its strongest case emerges when the cost of equipment failure, environmental exposure or switching between work modes is high.

1. Public safety and emergency response

Police officers, emergency teams and other field personnel may need to access records, review information, enter reports and share screens while moving between vehicles and incident locations. The convertible design, bright display, optional mobile connectivity and rugged construction are relevant to those workflows.

The suitability of any particular deployment would depend on the software, security requirements, vehicle installation and accessories.

2. Utilities and infrastructure

Electricity, water, telecommunications and infrastructure teams often work outdoors, around equipment and in conditions where dust, water exposure and accidental drops are realistic risks. A dust-tight, water-jet-resistant device with optional GPS and cellular connectivity could suit such environments.

For these users, the value proposition is straightforward: maintain access to information and documentation closer to the point where work is being performed.

3. Automotive diagnostics and fleet operations

The V120's convertible form, optional serial port, USB connections, HDMI, Ethernet and vehicle-dock compatibility make it worth considering for certain diagnostic and fleet workflows.

The key qualification is software and hardware compatibility. Buyers should verify that the diagnostic equipment, operating systems, drivers and vehicle interfaces they already use are supported.

4. Industrial and field engineering

Engineers inspecting equipment, reviewing diagrams, collecting measurements or documenting site conditions may benefit from the touchscreen, optional pen input, outdoor-readable display and port selection.

Its compact 12.2-inch format may also be easier to deploy in constrained work areas than a larger rugged workstation. However, it is still a substantial device, and its suitability for a particular installation depends on mounting, ergonomics and the working environment.

5. Defence and specialised operations

The V120 is positioned for defence-related applications, where ruggedness, connectivity, authentication and compatibility with established systems can be important. Its optional security and communications features may be relevant, but the laptop should not be assumed to meet every military, classified-network or hazardous-environment requirement without verification of the specific configuration and certifications.

6. Logistics, warehousing and mobile operations

Optional barcode scanning, connectivity and rugged construction may suit certain warehouse, transport and field-service workflows. Organisations should assess whether the V120's convertible design and performance justify its price compared with a dedicated rugged handheld or a less expensive rugged tablet.

Who Probably Does Not Need It

The V120 is difficult to justify for someone whose work takes place almost entirely in an office, home or classroom. Most people writing documents, attending video calls, browsing the web and watching films do not need IP66 protection, a four-foot drop-resistance test or specialised vehicle-docking options.

Likewise, a buyer who primarily wants a lightweight travel laptop may find the V120's rugged construction and convertible mechanism unnecessary. Its 12.2-inch screen is compact, but this is not a conventional thin-and-light machine.

It may also be excessive for field workers whose needs are limited to basic forms and occasional photographs. A rugged tablet or a less expensive field device could be more appropriate, depending on whether a physical keyboard, desktop-class software and the V120's connectivity options are essential.

And while the AI-capable processor is a meaningful platform feature, buyers should not choose the V120 solely because AI is fashionable. If the organisation has no supported local AI workload, that capability may not justify the additional investment.

Getac V120 Review: Final Verdict

The Getac V120 makes the most sense when a computer is expected to work where ordinary laptops are vulnerable, and when users need to switch between touchscreen interaction and sustained keyboard-based work without carrying multiple devices.

Its strongest attributes are the combination of IP66-rated protection, four-foot drop testing, a 1,000-nit display, a rotating convertible design, extensive connectivity options, configurable memory and storage, and support for standard and extended battery packs. Its Intel Core Ultra platform also provides a foundation for modern processing and supported AI workloads.

The price is substantial: US$4,311, or approximately Rs 4.10 lakh at the indicative conversion used here. But the right comparison is not simply with a mainstream laptop at a fraction of the price. It is with the complete cost of deploying suitable computing equipment in the environments where the V120 is intended to operate.

For a professional who works in a vehicle, at an industrial site or in the field, the V120 could be a sensible investment if its protection, connectivity and convertible design match the job. For someone who spends most of the day at a desk, it is likely to be an expensive answer to a problem they do not have.

Should you buy Getac V120?

Yes: If you manage field teams, work in challenging environments, need a rugged convertible and can make use of its specialised connectivity and support options.
Maybe: If your organisation needs a durable field computer but has not yet compared the required configuration, accessories, software compatibility and total cost of ownership against alternatives.
No: If your work is primarily office-based, you prioritise portability above ruggedness, or you simply want a powerful everyday laptop.

The Getac V120 is not designed to be the laptop everyone wants. It is designed to be the laptop certain professionals need, and for them, surviving the working day can matter considerably more than looking good on a desk.