The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) delivers commendable gaming performance, particularly excelling with less graphically intensive titles. It remains cool even during intense gaming sessions. However, it’s slightly weighty and the port arrangement may prove inconvenient for frequent travelers. Nevertheless, given its affordable price point, it emerges as a compelling choice for both novice and budget-conscious gamers.
Pros:
- Impressive gaming performance
- Rapid refresh rate
- Efficient thermal management
Cons:
- Cumbersome port placement
- Slightly bulky
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Quick Review
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) belongs to the league of Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050-equipped laptops targeting budget-conscious PC gamers. It promises performance at the current-gen level, surpassing many cheaper alternatives armed with older GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050.
While the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) may not claim the throne among premium gaming laptops, it firmly establishes itself in the budget gaming laptop arena. The key question revolves around its competitiveness compared to other cost-effective options.
As we delve deeper, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) emerges as a reliable choice for gamers on a budget, handling most gaming tasks with minimal compromise. Admittedly, there are some downsides, but these are inherent to lower-priced gaming laptops. Nevertheless, none of these factors diminish the appeal of this gaming laptop, especially considering its price point.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Pricing and Availability
Wondering about the cost? Well, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) starts at $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199, and it’s already on the market.
You can snag it in the US, UK, and Australia. This laptop, also known as model 15APH8, boasts an enticing price tag. For $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199, you’re treated to an AMD Ryzen 5 7640S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 8GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Craving more power? Consider upgrading to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD coming in at $1,379.99 / £1,300 (note: Aussies can’t opt for the RTX 4060).
Our reviewed unit aligns closely with the base model but packs the potent AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, boasting 8 cores and 16 threads versus the AMD Ryzen 5 7640S’ 6 cores and 12 threads. This upgrade tacks on an extra $40 / £40, bringing the entry price to $1,299.99 / £1,120.
In comparison to other gaming laptops housing an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, you do have slightly cheaper options. For example, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) comes in at $999 (around £785 / AU$1,543). However, it falls short in battery life for everyday non-gaming tasks, sports a less impressive trackpad, and exhibits a somewhat budget appearance.
Price Evaluation: 4 / 5
| Configuration | Price |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 7640S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 | $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | $1,379.99 / £1,300 |
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Specifications
Lenovo offers limited choices for the LOQ 15 (AMD). Your CPU options are the AMD Ryzen 5 7640S and AMD Ryzen 7 7840S. You can select between Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPUs. RAM choices include 8GB or 16GB, and SSD sizes are either 512GB or 1TB.
Here’s a breakdown of the specs:
| Component | Base configuration | Review configuration | Max configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199 | $1,299.99 / £1,120 (approx. AU$2,037) | $1,379.99 / £1,300 (approx. AU$2,162) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 7640S | AMD Ryzen 7 7840S | AMD Ryzen 7 7840S |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR5-5600MHz | 8 GB DDR5-5600MHz | 16 GB DDR5-5600MHz |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Screen | 15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Level 144Hz | 15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Level 144Hz | 15.6-inch QHD, IPS-Level 165Hz |
| Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack |
| Wireless | Wireless Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wireless Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wireless Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Camera | 720p Webcam | 1080p Webcam | 1080p Webcam |
| Weight | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Dimensions | 0.87-0.99 x 14.16 x 10.43 inches (22.1-25.2 x 359 x 264.8mm) | 0.87-0.99 x 14.16 x 10.43 inches (22.1-25.2 x 359 x 264.8mm) | 0.87-0.99 x 14.16 x 10.43 inches (22.1-25.2 x 359 x 264.8mm) |
Apart from internal components, you have choices in the UK for webcam and display upgrades. A 720p to 1080p webcam upgrade costs £10 while switching to a 1440p display with a 165Hz refresh rate adds £50. If RGB lighting matters, a £20 upgrade transforms the keyboard backlighting from white to 4-zone RGB.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Design Analysis
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) boasts a distinctive design, akin to Razer or Alienware laptops. They all sport the eye-catching Storm Gray color, which adds character.
Notably, the lid opens with a slight protrusion, similar to Alienware laptops. This space houses vital cooling components, and the laptop handles heat efficiently during demanding tasks.
Considering it falls within Lenovo’s budget lineup, the laptop is a tad weighty at 5.3lbs. However, when compared to the Lenovo Legion Slim 5, which is slightly larger and pricier, the weight difference is marginal.
The display, while not exceptional in color accuracy or HDR capabilities, offers a reliable 1080p IPS panel with a bright 350-nit screen. Its standout feature is the speedy 144Hz refresh rate.
The 1080p webcam functions acceptably, featuring a handy privacy shutter toggle. The keyboard lacks backlighting but offers comfortable typing, and the trackpad performs capably. Gamers may still prefer a mouse.
The port placement, a potential point of contention, concentrates most ports at the back. While it suits a tidy desk, accessing rear ports can be inconvenient for those frequently plugging and unplugging peripherals.
Design Evaluation: 4 / 5
| Design Aspects | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Distinctive Storm Gray |
| Lid Design | Protruding section for efficient heat dissipation |
| Weight | Heavier at 5.3lbs |
| Display | Reliable 1080p IPS panel, 350 nits, 144Hz refresh rate |
| Webcam | Adequate 1080p with privacy shutter toggle |
| Keyboard & Trackpad | Comfortable typing, no backlighting |
| Port Placement | Mostly at the back, ideal for a tidy desk |
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Gaming Performance
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) delivers commendable 1080p gaming performance, excelling in competitive titles. Its speakers are serviceable.
Benchmark Results:
- 3DMark: Port Royal: 4,773; Fire Strike: 19,991; Time Spy: 8,858
- GeekBench 6: 2,367 (single-core); 8,157 (multi-core)
- 25GB File Copy: 27.5
- Handbrake 1.6: 6:24
- CrossMark: Overall: 1,571 Productivity: 1,588 Creativity: 1,636 Responsiveness: 1,345
- Far Cry 6 1080p (Ultra) 68 fps
- Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 21.66 fps
- Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 6:29:49
- PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 0:46
These laptops with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPUs consistently offer strong 1080p performance, as seen in the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD). However, it faces limitations, particularly evident in Cyberpunk 2077, where it achieved 22 fps on Ultra settings. In comparison, the MSI Katana 15, with its 16GB RAM, performed significantly better, nearly hitting 39 fps.
In practical gaming, titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield ran playably on medium settings, with minor stuttering. Running these demanding games on low settings proved smooth.
Beyond resource-intensive games, including Battlefield 2042, the laptop excelled. While you might not reach the display’s 144 fps potential in more demanding games, it shines in competitive titles, exemplified by the silky-smooth experience of Rocket League.
For audio, the built-in speakers offer decent quality, although they won’t replace dedicated gaming headsets. They provide a reasonable soundstage and frequency response, albeit with a somewhat boxy sound. The Nahimic app offers subtle but appreciated EQ and spatial audio controls.
Performance Rating: 4 / 5
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Battery Performance
During gaming, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) depletes rapidly. Under heavy load, it barely endures 46 minutes. Its battery once drained during a few hours of sleep mode.
Yet, for typical tasks, like our Battery Informant benchmark, it offers a respectable six-and-a-half hours. While this is commendable compared to some gaming laptops, it doesn’t stand out among general-purpose laptops.
Battery Assessment: 4 / 5
Should You Consider the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD)?
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Affordable but not unique in this category. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Mostly good, aside from port placement, and it stands out from budget gaming laptops of other brands. | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Offers good 1080p performance with adjustment options for various games. | 4 / 5 |
| Battery | Decent for a gaming laptop during non-gaming use but weak when gaming. | 4 / 5 |
| Average Rating | The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) is capable and affordable, though it doesn’t stand out significantly among similar gaming laptops. | 4 / 5 |
Buy It If…
- You want solid 1080p performance, especially for most current games.
- Competitive gaming is your focus, benefiting from the laptop’s ample power and 144Hz refresh rate.
Don’t Buy It If…
- You demand top-tier performance across all games; this laptop may struggle with some.
- Portability and extended battery life are critical factors for your needs.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Also Consider
If you’re exploring other options, here are two laptops to contemplate:
| Component | Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) | MSI Katana 15 (2023) | Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1299.99 / £1,120 (about AU$2,037) | $999 (about £785 / AU$1,543) | Starting at $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,599 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 7840S | Intel Core i7-13620H | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Ryzen 7 5800H CPU in UK and AUS) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – RTX 3080 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR5-5600MHz | 16GB DDR5-5200MHz | 16 – 32GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1TB SSD | 512 GB – 1TB SSD |
| Screen | 15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Level 144Hz | 15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Level 144Hz | 15.6-inch QHD (1440p), 165Hz, 3ms, 300 nits |
| Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB Type-A, 1x MicroSD, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 1x Kensington lock |
| Wireless | Wireless Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wifi 6, Bluetooth |
| Camera | 1080p Webcam | 720p | None |
| Weight | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) | 4.96 lbs (2.25 kg) | 4.19lbs (1.9kg) |
| Dimensions | 0.87-0.99 x 14.16 x 10.43 inches (22.1-25.2 x 359 x 264.8mm) | 14.13 x 10.20 x 0.98 inches (359 x 259 x 25mm) | 13.97 x 9.59 x 0.78 inches (355 x 243.5 x 19.9 mm) |
