Lenovo LOQ 15 (2024) evaluate: An affordable gaming laptop computer, however can it run AAA video games?

The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a gaming laptop computer that prices simply $749 – you heard proper – lower than $800. Good gaming rigs can set customers again $2,000 or extra, so after I heard the value, I assumed, “This could't be Good … Appropriate?”

nicely it relies upon. If you’re a bougie gamer, this gaming laptop computer won’t fulfill your fussy calls for. There's no method you will get greater than 60 frames per second with this unhealthy boy with all of the shiny bells and whistles (for instance, ray tracing, dynamic shadows and different excessive ranges of element).

Nonetheless, should you're okay with dialing again the settings to get a playable triple-A gaming expertise, this might be the most effective low cost gaming laptops for you.

Lenovo LOQ 15 value and specs

The Lenovo LOQ 15, as I discussed to start with, is $749 – and will be discovered at Finest Purchase.

The evaluate unit I’ve comes with the next specs:

Give, er, attention-grabbing Issues stand out to me about these specs – and contribute to why the LOQ 15's value is so wallet-friendly. To begin with, it has a CPU that's a couple of generations previous; This chip might be launched in 2022. In different phrases, this laptop computer is operating on two years previous processor energy.

Second, the Intel ARC A530M GPU is, so to talk, the sheen or purpose of a graphics card. It's nowhere close to the caliber of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU, the Yves Saint Laurent of graphics playing cards the place you're getting top-tier efficiency in a cellular kind issue.

However in fact, should you don't have the cash for high-fashion, you'll should accept decrease high quality. And at lower than $800, you're getting what you pay for with Intel ARC A530M graphics. Nonetheless, it delivers simply sufficient For individuals who aren't anticipating Dom Pérignon on a beer price range.

What do I like concerning the Lenovo LOQ 15?

I admire that Lenovo is increasing accessibility in gaming. You don't have to spend $4,000 (come right here Lenovo Legion 9i) To play your favourite triple-A PC video games. All you want is eight Smacaroos, and also you're off to the races.

Nonetheless, there's much more to love concerning the Lenovo LOQ 15 apart from its value.

Very good efficiency

The LOQ 15's 15.6-inch show has skinny bezels on both aspect, however its large chin would give Jay Leno a run for its cash.

As anticipated for a gaming laptop computer on this value vary, this 300-nit display screen is dim. Nonetheless, the 1920 x 1080-pixel display screen displayed ample richness and vibrancy after I checked out godzilla x kong Trailer on YouTube. From lush, inexperienced landscapes to small droplets of sweat on Dan Stevens' brow, the LOQ 15 has a pleasant show for a sub-$800 gaming rig.

i performed one thing deathloopToo, and I used to be impressed by how the show reproduced colours and textures, from the burgundy knit sweater worn by the protagonist to the delicate build-up of orange-red rust on the motion-activated steel doorways.

Futuristic, minimalist design

LOQ 15 seems prefer it was torn from the dashboard of a spaceship. From the chamfered edges to the shiny, mirrored “LOQ” branding on the higher left aspect of the lid, this budget-friendly, metal-like laptop computer has a futuristic, minimalist vibe.

On the again, you'll discover vents organized in a beautiful honeycomb sample that I don't see usually as a laptop computer reviewer.

Though it has a plastic chassis, at first look, you'd by no means get the impression that the LOQ 15 is a sub-$800 laptop computer. Not solely does it Look sturdy, it feels Robust too. Making use of stress to the deck and lid yielded no outcomes.

correct quantity of ports

Many of the LOQ 15's ports are on the again, under the hinge. You'll discover a energy connector that helps Lenovo's proprietary 170W charging cable, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port.

On the best aspect, you'll discover one other USB-A port, a headset jack, and a USB-C port (DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity and 140W energy supply).

Though I perceive why Lenovo positioned many of the ports on the again (it's supposed to maintain cables out of the best way whilst you're gaming), my energy supply sits on my left aspect, so plugging within the proprietary charging cable is a should. It was a bit unusual to maintain it in.

Respectable efficiency for a gaming laptop computer underneath $800

As you'll study in later sections, the LOQ 15 isn’t any powerhouse, and it wasn't designed that method. this could offer you simply sufficient Get pleasure from taking part in triple-A video games at low-to-medium graphics settings.

That being mentioned, I discovered that the LOQ 15 was in a position to meet the minimal necessities – 60 frames per second – so long as I didn't tax the GPU with demanding graphics duties.

respectable warmth dissipation

I cyberpunk 2077 for half-hour. With a dual-fan setup inside, the LOQ 15 remained comparatively cool. It's value noting that the realm above the operate row keys grew to become the most popular, however thankfully, this space is usually untouched.

What's 'eh' concerning the Lenovo LOQ 15?

There are some elements of the LOQ 15 which might be neither spectacular nor disappointing – they don't make me do something aside from say “meh”.

180-degree hinge

I'm not fairly certain what, precisely, the use case is for a gaming laptop computer whose show can tilt again 180 levels.

However should you want it it's there.

keyboard is okay

LOQ 15 has that devoted CoPilot key that Microsoft has been bragging about. In different phrases, you possibly can activate Copilot, Home windows 11's AI assistant, with the simple press of a button.

Nonetheless, I’ll admit that I’m detached to the keyboard. As talked about above, LOQ 15 seems like Robust and strong, however the deck – and the shield-shaped keycaps – positively really feel like plastic. However hey, what else do you anticipate from a gaming laptop computer that prices underneath $800?

After testing the full-size keyboard (it has a numpad, which is sweet to see), I appreciated the nice tactile suggestions. However aside from that, nothing a lot to put in writing residence about. You received't get any RGB lighting both. However by urgent the Fn button and the spacebar, you possibly can play with two ranges of keyboard backlighting.

lots of audio

The LOQ 15 has two down-firing audio system that may be discovered on the again. I began taking part in SZA's “Saturn” by way of Spotify, and I discovered that it sounded a little bit tinny. Additionally, I wouldn't say the audio is “quiet”, however it's not loud both.

Fortunately, there’s a tuning app referred to as Nahimik obtainable. There are a number of presets obtainable together with Music, Film, Communication, Gaming and Good. I most popular Good, which dynamically tunes the LOQ 15's audio to ship one of the best sound in any scenario. SZA sounded fuller and extra melodious underneath the Good Audio profile than the opposite 4 presets.

attracts fingerprints

As you possibly can inform from these photos, LOQ attracts 15 fingerprints.

Preserve a microfiber towel useful.

What do I dislike about LOQ 15?

On the subject of budget-friendly laptops, you need to watch out to not speak about ineffective options which might be simply apparent trade-offs. For instance, I wouldn't hassle mentioning the poor battery life nor the meh webcam – even high-end gaming laptops can't ship good leads to these areas.

And naturally, the LOQ 15 isn't designed to supply envelope-pushing efficiency, so I received't even hassle mentioning its mid-range benchmark numbers.

Nonetheless, there are two issues I dislike concerning the LOQ 15 which might be value mentioning.

Touchpad actuation is cumbersome

I choose my touchpad to ship a shallow, strong click on. The LOQ 15 requires a little bit extra stress and power than I anticipated earlier than reaching its activation level.

Fortunately, you possibly can simply pair your gaming laptop computer with a controller, so that you don't should take care of this when diving into your favourite titles. However should you plan to make use of the LOQ 15 for work, take into account its sluggish activation.

too heavy

LOQ 15 doesn't cross my one-handed take a look at. There's no method I can maintain the LOQ 15 in my hand for greater than 5 seconds with out it carrying out on me.

The LOQ 15 weighs in at 5.25 kilos, which is a hefty monkey. In such a scenario, this Lenovo laptop computer will be troublesome to hold alongside throughout your morning commute.

How nicely does the Lenovo LOQ 15 play AAA video games?

we like to make use of cyberpunk 2077 This serves as our benchmark take a look at to see how nicely a gaming laptop computer can deal with graphics-intensive triple-A video games.

Usually, we run the Excessive preset at 1080p. And within the case of the Lenovo LOQ 15, which has an Intel ARC A530M GPU, it reported a number of factors 39 frames per second.

I do know, a little bit disappointing. Nonetheless, after I dialed the settings again to the medium preset I received larger body charges, resulting in a rating of 62 frames per secondWhich meets our minimal of 60 frames-per-second.

The next presets gave related outcomes: 63 frames per second.

So sure, it could possibly play triple-A video games, however not with the settings raised to the max.

Lenovo LOQ 15 Geekbench scores and efficiency

The LOQ 15 has an Intel Core i5 processor, which implies it has In truth Not designed to deal with any heavy processing. And for many video games, it’s the minimal CPU stage offers playable expertise.

As talked about, it's additionally two years older – and its less-than-impressive efficiency displays that. On Geekbench 6, the Intel Core i5-12450HX CPU delivered a multi-core rating of LOQ 15. 7,757. For reference, it's not removed from iPhone 15 Professional Max – Sure, a cellphone – which has a rating 7,359 On the identical take a look at. Efficiency-wise, it’s much like hp specter foldWhich additionally has twelfth technology CPU (at present we’re in 14th technology of Intel CPU).

For instance, should you're planning to dive into intensive workflows at LOQ 15, similar to working with giant datasets, anticipate some slowdown.

Battery lifetime of Lenovo LOQ 15

we drove pcmark 10 Gaming battery life take a look at at LOQ 15. it solely went 42 minutes As soon as charged.

For newcomers, that is par for the course for a gaming laptop computer. Be sure to preserve the charging cable plugged into your outlet.

Lenovo LOQ 15 Webcam

You'll discover the LOQ 15 720p webcam on the highest bezel – and it's about as weak as you'd anticipate for a budget-friendly gaming laptop computer.

After I fired the shooter, the image was, as anticipated, blurry and noisy. Nonetheless, within the “blessings hidden” second, it fails to seize any delicate imperfections on my face, like darkish circles and barely-there zits marks.

Is the Lenovo LOQ 15 value it?

The higher query right here is, “Who’s the Lenovo LOQ 15 for?” As a result of it's fairly heavy, it's finest for avid gamers who work at home and plan to go away their laptop computer on their desk (in any case, it's not very power environment friendly).

If you wish to journey with it, it’s possible you’ll discover it too cumbersome.

And, in fact, on condition that this can be a price range gaming laptop computer, it's not for bougie avid gamers. Positive Play your favourite triple-A titles at the very best settings. Should you're utterly okay with sacrificing high quality graphical particulars for smoother gameplay, then LOQ 15 is for you.

If you’re okay with a gaming laptop computer that gives the naked minimal to your gaming wants, leaving you with more cash to your pocket, then the LOQ 15 is without doubt one of the finest price range gaming laptops of 2024.