Lenovo LOQ 15 review
The Lenovo Lenovo LOQ 15 ranks as the #134 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 79. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #108-ranked features among 560 laptops. Consider the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro X or Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that's worth considering. However, the Arc configuration falls short compared to the Nvidia version. It offers worse performance in games, shorter battery life, and less VRAM on the GPU. Additionally, Intel's driver support lags behind Nvidia's. While it's not terrible for an entry-level gaming experience, spending $50 more on the Nvidia version is a no-brainer. The Arc configuration feels pointless given its limitations. Overall, if you're looking to spend around $750, the LOQ 15 with Nvidia graphics is still a great value, but the Arc version's shortcomings make it less appealing.
Build
The Lenovo LOQ 15's visual design has undergone small yet welcome changes. The black keyboard is now easier to see, the new power button design is brighter, and the thermals are fine. However, the decision to leave the left side blank and move ports to the right seems misguided, particularly for right-handed mouse users. Additionally, the smaller 170-watt charger results in battery drain, a drawback that may not be new but still noteworthy. Overall, the build shows promise, but some design choices fall short of perfection. You might want to check out Lenovo Legion 5i, featuring an upgraded build for a superior experience.
Display
The Lenovo LOQ 15's display is a mixed bag. The visuals design changes are welcome improvements, with a black keyboard that's easier to see and a new power button design that's brighter. However, the blank left side panel and moved ports to the right can be frustrating for right-handed mouse users. In terms of display quality, the LOQ 15's screen is decent but not outstanding. The panel lacks vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it less ideal for gaming and media consumption. The display also has a relatively low resolution, which can make text and images appear pixelated at times. Overall, while the LOQ 15's display is serviceable, it's not particularly impressive in terms of picture quality or features. Take a look at Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 - its improved display sets a new standard.
Performance
The Lenovo LOQ 15 delivers decent gaming performance for its price point. The Nvidia configuration offers both G-Sync and Advanced Optimus, making it a better value compared to the Intel Arc version. While the Arc laptop has improved thermals and upgradeability, its performance in games is worse than the Nvidia counterpart. Battery life while running a game also suffers with the Arc model. Spending $50 more on the Nvidia configuration offers significant improvements, making the cheaper Arc option feel somewhat pointless for gamers seeking a robust experience. If you're after top-notch performance, consider Lenovo Slim Pro 9i.
Battery and Charging
The Lenovo LOQ 15's battery life is decent, but not exceptional. While running games, the battery drains faster than expected. The 170W charger, though compact, is a letdown as it doesn't provide enough power to keep up with demanding tasks. This might be a carryover from previous models, but it's still worth noting. The smaller charger also raises concerns about longevity and overall build quality. A more efficient battery or a larger charger would have made a significant difference in this review.
Connectivity
The Lenovo LOQ 15 boasts a sturdy design with welcome improvements, including a black keyboard and redesigned power button. Connectivity is a mixed bag, with ports moved to the right side, potentially inconvenient for right-handed mouse users. A smaller 170W charger also results in battery drain during use. Give Lenovo Legion 5 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled connectivity.
Features
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop with decent specs for its price point. It features Intel's Arc graphics drivers, which get frequent performance improvements. The Nvidia configuration offers G-Sync and Advanced Optimus, while the Intel version has worse performance in games and less VRAM on the GPU. Upgradeability has been improved, supporting two double-sided SSDs. However, battery drain due to a smaller 170W charger is a drawback. Get your hands on Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X if you're looking for better features.
Support and Maintenance
The Lenovo LOQ 15 offers decent gaming performance for its price point. The Arc configuration starts at $749 USD while the Nvidia version begins at $799 USD, with the latter offering better performance and features like G-Sync and Advanced Optimus. However, Intel's driver support still lags behind Nvidia's, which might be a concern for some users. Overall, it's a solid budget option but not without its limitations.
Pros
1. Lenovo's LOQ 15 is still a great budget friendly gaming laptop compared to what alternatives offer at this price point.
2. The Nvidia config having both G-Sync and Advanced Optimus
3. The visual design changes are only small, but are welcome improvements.
4. The black keyboard is a bit easier to see, the new power button design is brighter
5. Not having hot air blowing on your mouse hand is always welcome, especially when thermals were otherwise fine.
6. The extra upgradeability by now supporting two double sided SSDs is nice too.
7. Lenovo's BIOS has a lot of extra options that many other laptops like ASUS, Razer and Acer simply do not have.
Cons
1. The battery drain due to the smaller 170 watt charger isn't ideal
2. The Arc laptop has worse performance in games
3. Worse battery life while running a game
4. Less VRAM on the GPU
5. No advanced optimus so you have to reboot, and Intel's driver support is still playing catch up compared to Nvidia
6. The Arc version feels a bit pointless since it costs $50 more than the Nvidia version for similar performance
7. The left side being blank and moving its ports to the right is an odd design choice
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