Video games in 2026 really feel like a mad scramble to get simply what you want, as it’s a must to pay towards the percentages. The Lenovo LOQ 15 AMD Gen 10 seems like an entry-level gaming laptop computer more often than not. The modest processor and GPU will not blow you away, however its {hardware} and total design is likely to be simply what you should play video games at 1080p with out breaking the financial institution.
Lenovo LOQ 15 β Design and options
LOQ 15 will not be going to win any design awards. Like its predecessor, the Lenovo LOQ 15 has a clear design with out the frills required of dearer gaming laptops today. . It has a strong really feel, and the lid might be closed easily with one hand.
Port choice consists of USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the fitting, and several other extra USB-A ports and an HDMI output on the again. There’s additionally an Ethernet port if you wish to play video games in locations the place steady Wi-Fi is not available. There is no high-speed USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 or 5, however you will not miss this until you propose on transferring RAW picture information or UHD video from an exterior system. The three USB-A ports are lots for a keyboard, mouse, webcam, or different exterior gadgets, and the USB-C port is ideal for charging your cellphone or connecting an exterior storage system. By inserting many of the connections on the again, cables will also be saved out of the way in which.
The onboard Wi-Fi 6 is not innovative, nevertheless it’s quick sufficient for on a regular basis workplace duties and gaming.
Weighing simply over 5 kilos, the LOQ 15 is not probably the most moveable laptop computer round, nevertheless it’s lighter than most gaming laptops, so it isn’t a ache to hold round. I do not assume it will be an excessive amount of of a burden to hold round in a backpack. On account of its giant measurement, you may not need to play video games in your precise lap, nevertheless it’s moveable sufficient which you can even play video games on the prepare or on an everyday desk.
Lenovo cites the upgradeability of RAM and storage as a bonus of this laptop computer, and that is true. It is a disgrace that RAM is so costly that it is unlikely to really be applied in a funds gaming laptop computer any time quickly. 16 GB is ok for many video games, however some AAA video games require 32 GB above low settings, which can restrict some experiences till you improve.
The mannequin I reviewed had a 512GB SSD, which is ok for indie libraries, however when testing some AAA video games I usually discovered myself having to uninstall one thing simply to put in the following recreation. Nonetheless, that is one thing that most individuals do not need to cope with. The 1TB mannequin is not an enormous improve and solely provides $100 if you wish to customise the construct your self, so purchase the most important mannequin you possibly can earlier than the AI ββscarcity turns into much more extreme.
The show in all fairness vivid at 300 nits, and the 144Hz refresh fee is welcome for extra informal gaming and esports, however do not anticipate this laptop computer’s entry-level GPU to ship triple-digit body charges in AAA video games.
This keyboard is a powerful contender as considered one of my favorites in current reminiscence, with a strong really feel and a pleasant mild click on as you kind. Regardless of the 1.5mm of journey, not one of the keys really feel pressed in. One of many advantages of a laptop computer this measurement is which you can transfer your fingers just a little extra freely. Lenovo takes full benefit of this with its keyboard design. The backlight solely is available in white, however I do not actually care in regards to the colour of the keys so long as I can see them in the dead of night.
The audio is what you’ll anticipate from a extra inexpensive gaming laptop computer with two 2W audio system. There’s mainly no bass, and readability decreases noticeably once you flip up the amount. If you happen to’re watching a film, Dolby Atmos assist is a welcome addition, nevertheless it’s 100% higher to pay attention with headphones, because it drastically improves the expertise.
The Lenovo Legion Area software program that ships with the laptop computer is considerably helpful in that it helps handle the facility profile of the laptop computer’s numerous elements, providing you with perception into issues like part utilization and temperature. It is a useful gizmo, however I like the way it pops up with tons of notifications from the taskbar each time I begin it. I do not want it, and I do not assume most customers want it, nevertheless it’s there nonetheless.
What I actually hoped would not occur was that by the point I obtained my laptop computer up and operating, my McAffee antivirus trial was about to run out. It seems like I have been caught with this antivirus trial for 30 years, and it is nonetheless happening. Home windows Defender is nice sufficient for most individuals, and people who want extra options will possible go for their very own. These “free trials” are extra of a nuisance than the rest.
Lenovo Loq 15 β Efficiency
Seems are essential for gaming laptops, however efficiency remains to be essential. That is to not say I went into the Lenovo Loq 15 anticipating it to be a aggressive gaming laptop computer. In spite of everything, that is an entry-level gaming laptop computer. However for an inexpensive system with entry-level elements, it was completely able to enjoying the whole lot I threw at it.
All assessments had been run with high quality set to 1080p decision, most settings, and DLSS when out there.
In complete testing, the Lenovo LOQ 15 produced completely usable numbers. It is about 30% slower than the lately reviewed Alienware Aurora 16X, however prices 40% much less, and the leads to real-world video games are much more spectacular.
In Name of Responsibility Black Ops 7, the Lenovo laptop computer managed 78 frames per second and regarded very clean on the excessive 144Hz refresh fee show. Cyberpunk 2077 was naturally extra demanding, however we had been nonetheless capable of hit 49 fps with ray tracing on extremely settings. Utilizing RT Overdrive, I used to be additionally capable of obtain a playable 32 fps. This seems like an important accomplishment for an entry-level cell GPU just like the RTX 5050.
Sadly, I used to be not capable of allow body era and end the benchmark. Each time I attempted to run the benchmark, it will crash in direction of the top of the benchmark. Hopefully that is only a bizarre anomaly on our take a look at system and regardless of the very detailed settings it stays an choice to additional enhance efficiency.
Metro Exodus: Enhanced continues to be a demanding recreation even on trendy GPUs, and the Lenovo LOQ 15 may solely handle 37 fps there. It’s totally simple to play, nevertheless it’s not a clean expertise as soon as the motion begins. Nonetheless, Complete Battle: Warhammer III was a lot simpler to play, delivering a really clean gaming expertise with a mean of 84 fps, even whereas utilizing Extremely settings.
Murderer’s Creed Shadows is likely one of the latest video games on our benchmark checklist, and you will find: The sport appears completely beautiful. Even on the RTX 5050, I managed 38 fps with out body era and a mean of 66 fps with it enabled. I encountered an odd blocky artifact on this recreation’s benchmarks throughout testing, nevertheless it wasn’t current in the primary recreation itself. As such, I take it extra as a bizarre quirk of the benchmark than an precise drawback – however one thing value mentioning simply in case.
All the gaming energy comes at a slight sacrifice in noise degree. When linked and in excessive efficiency mode, this laptop computer will get fairly loud and I do not need to play video games with out headphones. However that is not a giant query. Additionally, for those who do not thoughts some efficiency hit and play in a extra balanced energy mode, the noise ranges aren’t as noticeable.
The Procyon’s basic efficiency was respectable and on par with different AMD laptops we have reviewed lately, together with the Razer Blade 16, regardless of its newer, higher-end CPU. Nonetheless, it is clear that Intel has a bonus in these sorts of benchmarks, so think twice for those who’re on this laptop computer primarily for basic workplace work.
Sadly, battery life wasn’t amazingly lengthy. It is not horrible, lasting simply over 5 hours in our Procyon battery take a look at. Nonetheless, that is similar to high-end gaming PCs with extra highly effective processors and bigger GPUs. The Lenovo LOQ 15 has a small battery that helps maintain weight and measurement down, nevertheless it’s not the form of machine you may use on the go whereas working or enjoying all day.
I discovered the Lenovo LOQ 15 AMD to be enjoyable to make use of each day. It is mild sufficient, and we appreciated that though it is an entry-level laptop computer, particularly in the case of gaming, the fashion and design is way from entry-level. The lid opens and closes simply with one hand, and the design is glossy with just a few nods to gaming chops, just like the honeycomb consumption grille on the underside.
The considerably restricted battery life wasn’t an annoyance on a day-to-day foundation, nevertheless it’s not supreme to be just a little involved in regards to the battery once you’re working a full day on a model new laptop computer. That is one laptop computer you may need to maintain a charger readily available for those who’re planning on having lengthy periods.