Lenovo LOQ 15.6" 15IRX9 Luna Gray 2023

The Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 is an absurdly good value gaming laptop, with a zippy 144Hz display and performance that punches above its price. The real star is that price tag, regularly dipping below $600. It's heavy and the fans get loud, but for the money, this thing is a no-brainer.

The Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 is basically the poster child for getting a lot of gaming muscle without emptying your wallet. It packs a 13th Gen Intel i5 and an RTX 3050 into a sturdy, no-frills chassis that feels more expensive than it is. We're talking smooth 1080p gaming at medium to high settings, a fast 144Hz display, and a keyboard that's a genuine pleasure to type on. It's not trying to be a slim ultrabook, and it doesn't pretend to be.

That said, it definitely has some rough edges. The fan can get shouty when you push it, and at 2.38kg, you'll notice it in your backpack. But for the price, especially at the lower end of the $579 to $787 range we're seeing, it's tough to beat. If you can live with a little extra bulk and some fan noise, this thing delivers where it counts.

Inside, that 10-core i5-13450HX and 16GB of DDR5 memory chew through everyday tasks and gaming with confidence. The RTX 3050 with 6GB VRAM isn't going to max out Cyberpunk at 4K, but for esports titles, older AAA games, or even some light video editing in DaVinci Resolve, it's more than competent. Our database puts the CPU and GPU in the top third of all laptops, which is impressive for a budget machine. The 144Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage makes everything look crisp and color-accurate, though 300 nits brightness means you'll want to stay indoors. Loading times are quick thanks to the PCIe 4.0 SSD, but 512GB fills up fast if you're installing multiple large games.

At a price that swings from $579 all the way up to $787 depending on the vendor, the LOQ 15IRX9 is an absolute steal if you catch it at the lower end. That kind of performance for under $600 is rare. Even at the higher end, you're getting a capable 1080p gaming rig with a great screen and solid build. The 16GB of RAM and current-gen connectivity mean you won't feel shortchanged for a while. If you're on a tight budget but still want a proper gaming laptop, this is one of the best value plays we've seen in months.

Stacked against sleek rivals like the ASUS ProArt PX13, Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro, or HP ZBook Ultra G1a, the Lenovo looks like a chunky monkey. Those machines are all thinner, lighter, and often come with brighter, higher-res displays and much better battery life. But they'll cost you two to three times as much, and their integrated graphics can't touch the RTX 3050 in games. The MSI Prestige PRE13EVOA2088 is closer in spirit but still pricier and less gaming-focused. If raw fps per dollar is your metric, the LOQ wipes the floor with the whole lot. You're trading portability for performance, plain and simple.

Don't buy this if you need a laptop that slips easily into a slim bag and lasts all day on battery. The LOQ is thick, heavy, and its battery life is unremarkable. If portability or all-day unplugged use is a priority, look at something like a used MacBook Air or a Ryzen-powered ultrabook instead.

This laptop is built for budget-minded gamers and students who want a capable machine for both work and play. It'll handle most modern games at respectable settings, breeze through productivity apps, and won't embarrass you with a crappy screen or mushy keyboard. The upgradeability is a nice bonus too. Just know that you're signing up for a laptop that's happier on a desk than in a coffee shop. If you're okay with that trade-off, the LOQ 15IRX9 is an easy recommendation.