The laptop performs well with a decent display and a surprisingly good webcam. However, it comes with a chunky build, limited battery life, and lacks USB-C ports.
| Rs. 1,15,915
I’ve often pondered: What are the key expectations for a gaming laptop? Picture your ideal gaming notebook with three crucial features. Now, introduce a fixed budget into the equation, where your decision depends entirely on it. Lenovo believes in delivering a reasonably decent gaming laptop within budget constraints, and that’s where the new Lenovo LOQ 15 comes into play. This gaming laptop targets those on a budget who aspire to play AAA games. While some may question Lenovo’s promises with the LOQ 15, I aimed to unravel the truth in my review.
Lenovo LOQ 15 14th Gen (15, Intel) price in India: Rs 1,15,915 onwards
Passionate Gamer
Back again in the world of gaming, where many folks adore flashy gaming laptops with impressive specs. Unlike them, I’m not that into these eye-catching devices. I prefer casually exploring the latest PC games, saving them for weekend fun. Plus, since I mainly use my laptop for work—writing and editing—it’s not just about gaming for me. I care about things like the keyboard, how portable it is, the speakers, and having the right ports, as much as its gaming capabilities. So, even if I’m not a pro-gamer, I’m still a gamer like anyone else.
Slightly weighty with an all-plastic body
Before transitioning to the Lenovo LOQ, I had a clear understanding of what to expect. Realistically, I wasn’t anticipating a sleek form factor reminiscent of a MacBook Air, complete with a fanless design. The trend in gaming laptops, however, had shown a move towards increased portability and slimness. Now, it’s important to note that the Lenovo LOQ 15 isn’t aiming to outdo ultrabooks in terms of portability. It carries a bulkier profile and a somewhat economical feel, though not as flimsy as some other budget gaming laptops.
The laptop is constructed with an all-plastic chassis and adopts an angular design, which, in my opinion, isn’t a significant issue. However, I do wish Lenovo had opted for a lighter and slimmer design. Weighing in at 2.6 kg, the laptop leans towards the heavier side, and this weight is noticeable when placed in a backpack, especially alongside the hefty power adapter. It’s acknowledged that gaming laptops naturally tend to be somewhat heavier than traditional notebooks due to their robust internal components and the demands of the cooling system. This inevitably affects the overall size of the machine.
Quality Display and Audio laptop
Experience rapid response times with the 15.6-inch screen boasting a native resolution of 1080p and a 144Hz refresh rate. While it provides an excellent display for fast-paced action games, it falls short of being the absolute best in terms of gaming laptop panels. Users accustomed to even higher refresh rates and HDR support may notice the difference. If vibrant colors and outdoor gaming are priorities for you, the QHD display might be more appealing. However, it’s worth noting that Lenovo exclusively offers this notebook with an FHD, IPS display. Additionally, the LOQ’s speakers deliver ample volume, ensuring a satisfactory audio experience during gaming sessions or video calls.
1080p Webcam and Multiple ports
Testing the laptop’s webcam for calls became a crucial part of evaluating its functionality, given the increasing reliance on virtual communication in today’s hybrid work environment. Surpassing my expectations, the LOQ’s 1080p camera performed admirably, a notable feat for a laptop webcam. During Google Meet calls, the clarity was commendable, and the microphones effectively captured my voice.
On the laptop’s rear, you’ll find a range of external ports, including dual USB-A, HDMI, a network port, and a proprietary power adapter port. Additionally, there’s an extra USB-A port and a USB-C port on the side. However, an additional USB-C port would have been appreciated. The laptop supports wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi 6, delivering excellent reception and bandwidth.
Rapid pace…but the battery life has its compromises.
Lenovo’s website lists two models of the LOQ 15: my test unit with a Core i7-14700HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, priced at Rs 123,790; and another option with the same Core i7-14700HX and RTX 4060, but with a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM, costing Rs 115,915.
While I won’t delve into intricate details, the combo of Core i7-14700HX and Nvidia’s RTX 4060 is robust, delivering solid performance for AAA gaming. Titles like Palworld and Hi-Fi Rush ran smoothly, and I believe it can handle high-fidelity games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, comparisons with high-end gaming laptops might yield different results. Despite that, the LOQ 15 not only satisfies my gaming preferences but also fulfills productivity needs for tasks like web browsing, gaming, and casual series watching. Note that even resource-intensive applications like Google Chrome run smoothly on this laptop.
On the downside, the battery life is disappointing, lasting only about 1 hour and 10 minutes during gaming sessions. While non-gaming activities might extend the battery life somewhat, it still falls short compared to more compact devices like a MacBook Air. Additionally, the cooling system is quite loud.
Now.. Is the Lenovo LOQ 15 14th Gen (15, Intel) laptop worth it?
Lenovo put in effort to broaden the appeal of the LOQ 15 for those seeking a gaming laptop, and it does deliver to some extent. Despite typical gaming laptop downsides like a hefty design and limited battery life, it impresses with its screen, performance, and keyboard. While not the most glamorous option, for many gamers, it’s a worthwhile choice.