The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a gaming laptop that makes a deliberate trade-off: it retains the older 15.6-inch, 16:9 display format while most competitors have shifted to taller, 16-inch, 16:10 screens. This isn’t a mistake, but a calculated decision to keep costs down while still delivering solid gaming performance. The LOQ 15 doesn’t try to impress with flashy design – instead, it focuses on what matters most to budget-conscious gamers: raw power for the price.
Performance Where It Counts
The LOQ 15’s core strength lies in its graphics capabilities. Lenovo prioritizes the NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, meaning it can compete with more expensive models in 3D gaming. This comes at the expense of some general application performance, as the AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor isn’t as strong as Intel-based alternatives. However, for gamers on a tight budget, this trade-off is often acceptable.
The base model starts at $1,000 with a Ryzen 5 220 and RTX 5050, while the tested configuration with a Ryzen 7 250 and RTX 5060 costs around $1,029. All models feature a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 1,920×1,080 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Prices in the UK start at £1,144, and in Australia at AU$1,699.
Solid Gaming, Decent Battery Life
In benchmark tests, the LOQ 15 performed well in 3D graphics, delivering frame rates comparable to other RTX 5060 laptops. It also boasts impressive battery life – around 8 hours of YouTube streaming – though this falls short of outliers like the HP Omen 16. The LOQ 15’s battery should provide enough juice for gaming sessions away from a power outlet.
Cooling is adequate but can become noisy under heavy load. The laptop also offers user-replaceable RAM with an open DIMM slot for easy expansion and an additional M.2 slot for a second SSD.
A Functional, Not Flashy Design
The LOQ 15’s design is unremarkable. The gray-and-black plastic chassis prioritizes function over aesthetics. It lacks RGB keyboard backlighting, and the 15.6-inch display has thick bezels, giving it an outdated look. The keyboard is solid but lacks the snappy feedback found in higher-end models.
The display is a pedestrian 1080p, 144Hz IPS panel that hits a peak of 341 nits, covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The webcam is a step above budget fare, with a crisp 1080p camera. However, it lacks an IR sensor for Windows Hello or a fingerprint reader for biometric logins.
Ports and Connectivity
The LOQ 15 includes a decent selection of ports, but only one USB Type-C port, limited to 10Gbps transfer rates.
The Verdict
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a viable option as a secondary gaming laptop. Its 15.6-inch, 16:9 display is well-suited for 1080p gaming, and the RTX 5060 GPU delivers playable frame rates. If you prioritize performance over aesthetics, this laptop provides good value for the price. However, for a more versatile experience, the Acer Nitro V 16S AI or the Alienware 16X Aurora offer better overall features and design at a slightly higher cost.
Ultimately, the LOQ 15 proves that you don’t need a premium price tag to enjoy a capable gaming machine – it just won’t turn heads while doing it.
