Finding a solid gaming laptop that doesn’t cost a fortune has always been a challenge. Budget models often come with compromises that kill the user experience — whether it’s a dull display, poor build, or underpowered internals. Enter the new Lenovo LOQ laptop, which aims to bring top-tier performance to a more budget-friendly price tag. The question is — does it deliver where it counts?
A Display That Gets the Job Done
One of the most important parts of any laptop is the display, especially if you’re gaming or working on creative projects. The Lenovo LOQ features a spacious 15.6-inch screen. You can opt for a high-end configuration with a 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate, which looks sharp and fluid. It tops out at 350 nits of brightness — not the brightest out there, but it’s coated with an anti-glare matte finish, making it usable even in brighter spaces.
There’s also a 1080p version with a 144Hz refresh rate and 300 nits brightness. While it’s slightly dimmer, it’s more power-efficient and can lead to better frame rates in competitive games. Both variants support G-Sync, so screen tearing won’t be an issue.
And above that display? You get a 5-megapixel webcam, the same high-quality camera used in Lenovo’s more premium Legion line. It even has a physical switch to turn it off for privacy — a small but thoughtful touch.
Keyboard and Build Quality: No Shortcuts Here
Despite the lower price tag, Lenovo hasn’t compromised on the keyboard. In fact, it’s the same one found in the last-gen Legion series — 1.5mm key travel, tactile feel, and 0.3mm concave keycaps that guide your fingers right where they need to go. There’s also a full number pad, though the keys are slightly narrower.
RGB fans will be happy to know the LOQ includes 24-zone RGB backlighting, which can be customized through the Lenovo Legion Space app — more on that later.
As for the build, the LOQ is a bit larger than the Legion 5, but it’s still very portable, weighing around 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs). The Luna Gray finish resists fingerprints much better than black models, keeping your laptop looking clean longer. The chassis feels sturdy with very little keyboard flex.
Cooling: It Stays Cool Under Pressure
One of the highlights of the LOQ is its cooling system, which borrows from the higher-end Legion line. Heat is expelled from the rear vents, keeping the keyboard and palm rest area cool — especially helpful during long gaming sessions with a mouse.
Fresh air is drawn in from underneath the laptop thanks to elevated feet for better airflow. If you place it on a stand, it becomes even more efficient. And the best part? It stays relatively quiet, even under load.
Ports and Connectivity: Mostly Great, with One Flaw
When it comes to ports, the LOQ has plenty — though not all are ideally placed. There’s one USB-C port on the right side, and surprisingly, none on the left. However, you’ll find most of the action on the back, including two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and another USB-A, totaling three USB-A ports — which is excellent for gamers using multiple peripherals.
You also get a headphone jack on the right side and a dedicated power port that supports fast charging with up to 245W of power.
Battery Life: A Bit of a Trade-Off
The battery inside is 60Wh, which is on the smaller side for a gaming laptop. That means you’ll want to carry the charger for longer sessions. However, the laptop includes a MUX switch and the CPU has an integrated GPU, allowing you to disable the dedicated GPU when you’re not gaming to extend battery life.
Performance That Punches Above Its Weight
You can configure the LOQ with several CPU and GPU combinations. The model reviewed here came with an AMD Ryzen 7 7260 and an Nvidia RTX 4060. You can go higher with a RTX 4070 if you need more power. The CPU, based on AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, offers eight cores and sixteen threads, making it highly capable for both gaming and content creation.
In actual use, the RTX 4060 handled competitive games smoothly, even before enabling DLSS. Video editing also felt seamless, with rendering times that were far better than those on thin-and-light laptops.
One of the standout features is the new Legion Space app, which lets you overclock the GPU, enable AI-based performance optimization, and even auto-disable the trackpad while gaming to avoid accidental clicks. You can also manage games and record gameplay clips easily from the app.
Easy Upgrades
Lenovo has also made this laptop upgrade-friendly. You can upgrade both RAM and storage. Just be aware — if you choose a model with 16GB of RAM, it may come with only one stick installed. While this makes upgrading easy, it does slightly impact performance until you add a second stick for dual-channel memory.
Final Verdict: A Budget Laptop That Feels Anything But
The Lenovo LOQ gaming laptop offers a surprisingly premium experience at a mid-range price. The few compromises made — like battery size and port placement — don’t take away from the core experience. With powerful components, a stellar keyboard, solid cooling, and a quality display, this laptop is a fantastic option for gamers or creators looking to stay within budget.
Whether you’re into esports, video editing, or just need a reliable, high-performance machine, the LOQ proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a fantastic laptop.
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