Gaming in 2026 looks like a mad scramble to get what you want and never a lot else, lest it’s a must to pay over the chances for it. The Lenovo LOQ 15 AMD Gen 10 looks like an entry-level gaming laptop computer very a lot of its time. Its modest processor and GPU aren’t going to blow you away, however its {hardware} and general design may simply be what you want to get gaming at 1080p, with out breaking the financial institution.
Lenovo LOQ 15 AMD Gen 10
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A finances laptop computer that does not compromise on energy, simply battery life.
Lenovo LOQ 15 – Design and Options
The LOQ 15 isn’t about to win design awards. Identical to its predecessor, the Lenovo LOQ 15 has a clear design with out the additional frills that costlier gaming laptops appear to require today. . It’s practical, with a strong really feel to it and the power to easily and simply shut the lid one-handed.
The port choice features a USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, on the right-hand aspect, and a few further USB-A ports and an HDMI output on the rear. There’s additionally an Ethernet port if you wish to play video games the place steady Wi-Fi isn’t available. There’s no high-speed USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 or 5, however until you’re planning on transferring RAW picture information or UHD video from an exterior gadget, that’s not more likely to be one thing you’ll miss. Three USB-A ports are loads for a keyboard, mouse, and webcam, or different exterior gadget, and the USB-C port is nice for recharging your cellphone or connecting exterior storage gadgets. Holding the vast majority of the connections on the again ensures the cables are tucked out of the best way too.
Although the onboard Wi-Fi 6 is hardly cutting-edge, it’s loads quick for on a regular basis workplace work and gaming.
At simply over 5 kilos, the LOQ 15 isn’t essentially the most moveable laptop computer, but it surely’s lighter than most gaming laptops and it’s not a chore to hold round – I can’t see it inflicting a lot pressure being carried round in a backpack both. It’s large enough that I most likely wouldn’t wish to sport on my precise lap, but it surely’s moveable sufficient that gaming on a prepare or plain desk isn’t exterior the realm of risk.
Show
1920 x 1080 144Hz IPS
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050
Connectivity
WiFi 6, 1G Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.3
Ports
3 x Kind-A assist USB3.2 Gen1, 1 x Kind-C assist USB 3.2 Gen2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Audio Combo Jack
Audio
2 x built-in audio system, Dolby Atmos with Sensible Amp, dual-microphones
Dimensions (LxWxH)
14.2x 10.2 x 0.9 inches
Lenovo cites RAM and storage upgradeability as a profit for this laptop computer, and certainly it’s. It’s only a disgrace RAM is so costly that truly doing so anytime quickly in a finances gaming laptop computer appears unlikely. The 16GB is okay for many video games, however there are some AAA video games that demand 32GB for something past low settings, so you might discover some experiences restricted till you possibly can improve.
The mannequin I reviewed comes with a 512GB SSD, which is okay for indie libraries, however whereas testing a handful of AAA video games I typically discovered myself having to uninstall one thing simply to put in the following sport – although that’s one thing most individuals received’t should take care of. The 1TB mannequin isn’t an enormous price improve, simply including an additional $100 in case you customise the construct your self, so earlier than AI-inspired shortages ship that northwards, seize the bigger mannequin whilst you can.
The show is fairly vivid at 300 nits, and its 144 Hz refresh price is welcome for extra informal video games and esports – although don’t count on this laptop computer’s entry-level GPU to be placing out triple digit body charges in AAA video games.
The keyboard is an actual contender for one in all my favorites in current reminiscence, with a strong really feel and satisfying mild click-clack as you kind away. There’s 1.5mm of journey, and not one of the keys really feel crammed collectively. One of many benefits of a laptop computer this measurement is you possibly can let your fingers roam a little bit extra, and Lenovo takes full benefit of this with its keyboard design. There’s solely white backlighting, however so long as I can see the keys at midnight, I’m not too involved with what coloration they’re.
Audio is what you’d count on from a extra inexpensive gaming laptop computer with a mere pair of 2W audio system. There’s mainly no bass to talk of and at increased volumes there’s a definite drop in readability. The assist for Dolby Atmos is a welcome addition in case you’re film watching, however you might be 100% higher off listening by headphones as you’ll discover the expertise a lot improved.
The Lenovo Legion Area software program the laptop computer ships with is considerably helpful, in that it will probably provide help to handle energy profiles for the laptop computer’s varied elements, and it provides you an perception into their utilization, temperature, and so forth. It’s a helpful software however one which likes to radiate from the taskbar with notifications aplenty each time you boot it up. I don’t want it, I doubt most customers do, but it surely’s there.
What I actually want wasn’t, was the McAffee antivirus trial which had virtually expired by the point I obtained the laptop computer up and operating. I really feel like I’ve been haunted by trials of this antivirus for 30 years and so they’re nonetheless coming. Home windows Defender is loads for many – and anybody who desires extra, will wish to select their very own. “Free trials,” like this, are extra annoying than the rest.
Lenovo Loq 15 – Efficiency
As a lot as seems are essential for a gaming laptop computer, efficiency remains to be king. That’s to not say that I went into this anticipating the Lenovo Loq 15 to be the type of gaming laptop computer that dominates the competitors; It’s an entry degree gaming laptop computer, in spite of everything. However for an inexpensive gadget with entry-level elements, it was completely able to taking part in the whole lot I threw at it.
All checks have been carried out at 1080p decision, with most settings, and the place out there, with DLSS set to high quality.
In artificial checks the Lenovo LOQ 15 put out completely serviceable numbers. It’s round 30% slower than the Alienware Aurora 16X we reviewed just lately, however prices 40% much less, and its real-world gaming outcomes are much more spectacular.
In Name of Obligation Black Ops 7, the Lenovo laptop computer managed 78 frames per second which seems buttery clean on the 144Hz excessive refresh price show. Cyberpunk 2077 was naturally extra demanding, however we nonetheless managed to get 49 fps with ray tracing at Extremely settings. We have been even capable of obtain a playable 32 fps when utilizing RT overdrive, which for an entry-level cell GPU just like the RTX 5050 looks like a formidable achievement.
Sadly we couldn’t get the benchmark to complete with Body Era enabled – it simply crashed in direction of the top of the benchmark each time I attempted operating it. Hopefully, it’s only a bizarre anomaly on our check system, it stays an possibility for enhancing efficiency even additional regardless of the sky-high element settings.
Metro Exodus: Enhanced continues to be a demanding sport for even fashionable GPUs and the Lenovo LOQ 15 was solely capable of handle 37 fps there. Very playable, however not the smoothest of experiences when the motion picks up. Complete Conflict: Warhammer III was way more playable, although, with 84 fps on common for a really clean gaming expertise, regardless of utilizing Extremely settings.
Murderer’s Creed Shadows is among the latest video games in our benchmark listing and it exhibits: The sport seems completely attractive. Even on an RTX 5050 we have been capable of handle 38 fps with out body era, and 66 fps common with it enabled. I did encounter an odd blocky artifact within the benchmark for this sport throughout testing, but it surely wasn’t current in the principle sport itself, so I’m taking that as a bizarre quirk of the benchmark than any actual problem – one value mentioning simply in case, although.
All of that gaming energy does come on the slight price to noise ranges. When plugged in and on excessive efficiency mode, this laptop computer does get moderately loud and I wouldn’t wish to sport on it with out headphones. However that’s hardly an enormous ask. And in case you don’t thoughts taking a slight hit to efficiency and taking part in in additional balanced energy modes, the noise ranges are not any manner close to as distinct.
Normal efficiency in Procyon was respectable – akin to another AMD laptops we have reviewed just lately just like the Razer Blade 16, regardless of its newer and higher-end CPU. Nevertheless it’s very clear Intel holds a bonus in these sorts of benchmarks, so contemplate that fastidiously in case you’re primarily on this laptop computer for normal workplace work.
Battery life, sadly, wasn’t superb. It’s not horrible, lasting simply over 5 hours in our Procyon battery check. However that’s extra akin to high-end gaming PCs with extra highly effective processors and massive, hefty GPUs. The Lenovo LOQ 15 has a small battery, and that helps maintain weight and measurement down, but it surely’s not the type of machine you’ll use on the go for a full day of labor or play.
I discovered the Lenovo LOQ 15 AMD a pleasure to make use of day-to-day. It’s mild sufficient, and I notably appreciated that regardless of being an entry-level laptop computer relating to gaming, it’s removed from entry-level in type and design. The lid opens and closes simply with one hand, the design is smooth while nonetheless giving little nods to its gaming chops, just like the honeycomb air consumption grills on the underside.
The considerably restricted battery life wasn’t an annoyance everyday, however getting a little bit battery anxiousness round a full work day on a model new laptop computer isn’t supreme. That is one laptop computer you’ll wish to maintain the charging brick helpful in case you’re planning an extended session.