Review Summary
Expert Rating
The Lenovo LOQ, introduced a while back, is part of Lenovo’s budget gaming laptop lineup, aimed at gamers and content creators looking for solid performance without breaking the bank.
Featuring a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, there definitely is some promise in the laptop. It is priced at Rs 68,890 on Flipkart, making it a competitive package, in terms of pricing, for those seeking affordable, yet reliable, gaming performance. We tested the LOQ across design, display, performance, and battery life to see how it holds up in 2024.
Table of Contents
Design
The design of the Lenovo LOQ is inspired by Lenovo’s premium Legion series, with its sharp angles and a sturdy plastic build. However, make no mistake, this is a budget laptop. There are some creaks in the chassis when pressed a bit hard and the hinge does seem to be a bit wobbly. But even then the design feels solid and reliable, in line with what you can expect with most budget gaming machines. Bonus brownie points for the black matte finish, which we personally like, and gives the laptop a sleek look.
However, one point of contention is that at 2.25 kg, it’s heavier than some of its competitors like the Acer Nitro 5, making it less portable for users who travel frequently. Even so, for those looking for a sturdy laptop for gaming and work, the build quality is commendable for its price range.
Display
The Lenovo LOQ features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate—a significant plus at this price point. As for the picture quality itself, the 1920×1080 resolution is sharp and the display offers decent brightness at around 295 nits, which is acceptable for indoor use but can feel a bit dim in outdoor or brightly lit environments. Apart from that the colour reproduction quality is excellent considering it’s a budget laptop.
We played several videos and games on it and we can assure you that for its price the LOQ is more than suitable for both gaming and creative tasks like photo or video editing. We also think that compared to other budget gaming laptops like the Dell G3, the Lenovo LOQ’s display is a standout feature.
Keyboard, Trackpad, and I/O
The keyboard on the Lenovo LOQ is a full-sized, backlit unit with decent key travel and feedback. Obviously, it’s not as satisfying as mechanical keyboards on premium gaming laptops, but as a budget machine, it provides a comfortable typing experience.
Also, we think the backlighting is a nice touch, but it’s not customisable like on some other gaming laptops in this price range, such as the ASUS TUF Gaming series.
As for the trackpad, it is large and responsive, with multi-touch gesture support, but it feels a little plasticky. That’s not necessarily bad, but it makes operating the trackpad a bit finicky. We do like though that it’s positioned slightly off-center, which helps avoid accidental touches while typing. However, like most gaming laptops, serious gamers will likely use an external mouse for better precision.
The I/O selection is solid, with three USB-A 3.1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 port (supporting Power Delivery), an HDMI 2.1 port, and an Ethernet jack. The HDMI 2.1 port is a nice addition, allowing for higher refresh rates and resolutions when connected to an external monitor. However, the absence of Thunderbolt support is expected at this price point, but it might be a limitation for users needing faster data transfers.
Performance
Powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450HX processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU with 6GB of VRAM, the Lenovo LOQ delivers respectable gaming performance for its price. The RTX 3050, though an entry-level GPU in the NVIDIA RTX series, is still powerful enough to handle most modern games at medium to high settings at 1080p resolution. We have some benchmark numbers present below which show that the device is a decent workhorse. Working through normal Chrome browsing with several windows containing several tabs proved to be a breeze for the machine.
In games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Warzone, the laptop maintains smooth frame rates at medium settings, and less graphically demanding games like Valorant run flawlessly at high settings with the 144Hz display truly shining. The 16GB of RAM is enough for most casual gaming or multitasking with heavier applications like Adobe Premiere.
While it performs well in gaming, the RTX 3050 also makes the Lenovo LOQ a decent choice for creative professionals working on a budget for video editing or 3D modeling. The 512GB SSD is there to give relatively faster load times, though storage might become an issue for those with large game libraries or creative projects.
Thermal performance on the Lenovo LOQ is generally good, but it’s not without flaws. Under heavy gaming loads, the area around some of the keys can become noticeably warm. This could make long gaming sessions uncomfortable. However, the laptop’s fans do a decent job of cooling the system overall, and thermal throttling was minimal during our testing.
Features and audio
The Lenovo LOQ has a 720p webcam with a physical privacy shutter, a feature that is becoming more common yet always welcomed. The webcam’s quality is decent and slightly grainy in low light, but it’s sufficient for video chats and casual streaming.
The audio quality is adequate but not extraordinary. The twin speakers are good enough for casual listening, but lack bass and depth, making external speakers or headphones preferable for gaming or media consumption, in our opinion.
Battery and charging
Battery life on the Lenovo LOQ is average for a gaming laptop. During moderate use—browsing, video playback, and light gaming—the battery lasted around 4 to 5 hours. However, during intense gaming sessions, the battery life dropped significantly, lasting around 1.5 hours. This is typical for gaming laptops with a dedicated GPU, so you’ll likely need to keep the 135W charger handy for longer sessions.
Speaking of charging speeds, juicing up from 0 to 100% takes about 2 hours, which is standard for laptops in this category.
Verdict
The Lenovo LOQ is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers and creatives who need decent performance without breaking the bank. Its NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU delivers smooth gaming experiences in most modern titles at medium settings, and its 144Hz display is a standout feature in its price range.
Prospective purchasers should be aware of a few restrictions, most notably that the base variant comes with 8GB of RAM, which may cause a lag in more demanding games or multitasking situations. We strongly advise individuals who desire a more seamless experience to upgrade to the 16GB variant, which is the review unit that we have received. Also, the thermals could be improved and the power life is underwhelming even for a gaming machine.
Even so, if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly gaming laptop with a good display, decent GPU, and future-proof upgradeability, the Lenovo LOQ is a strong contender. For more serious gaming performance, you might want to look into options with an RTX 3060 or better, but at Rs 68,890, the Lenovo LOQ is a well-rounded, affordable option for casual gamers and creative professionals alike.
Editor’s rating: 8/10
Pros:
- 144Hz display for smooth gaming
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 delivers solid performance
- Sturdy design with Legion-inspired aesthetics
- Good port selection
Cons:
- Average battery life
- Hotspots during intensive gaming sessions
- Underwhelming webcam quality