Lenovo LOQ Lenovo LOQ Essential Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD Review
The Lenovo LOQ packs an RTX 3050 and a 144Hz screen for an almost unbelievable $498, making it a fantastic entry point into PC gaming.
Overview
The Lenovo LOQ is a budget gaming laptop that gets the basics right. It's got a 144Hz screen, an RTX 3050, and 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which is a solid foundation for 1080p gaming without breaking the bank. It's not fancy, but it's a straightforward machine for getting into PC gaming.
Performance-wise, it lands in the middle of the pack. The RTX 3050 GPU is decent for its class, sitting in the 68th percentile, so you can expect playable frame rates in most modern titles at medium settings. Just don't crank everything to Ultra.
Performance
The Intel 12450HX CPU and RTX 3050 combo is a classic budget pairing. It'll handle esports titles like Valorant or Fortnite with ease on that 144Hz screen. For heavier AAA games, you'll need to dial back some settings, especially with only 4GB of VRAM. The CPU and screen rank a bit lower, in the 48th and 40th percentiles respectively, so don't expect top-tier multitasking or the most vibrant colors.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid 144Hz screen for smooth gameplay. 75th
- 16GB of DDR5 RAM is a good amount for gaming. 68th
- RTX 3050 provides decent 1080p performance.
- Reliability score is above average at the 75th percentile.
Cons
- Only 4GB of VRAM on the GPU limits settings in new games. 34th
- 512GB SSD fills up fast with modern game installs.
- It's a bit chunky and not very portable.
- CPU and screen quality are just average for the price.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core i5 12450HX |
| Cores | 8 |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | RTX 3050 |
| Type | discrete |
| VRAM | 4 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR6 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage 1 | 512 GB |
| Storage 1 Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 15.6" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
Connectivity
| HDMI | HDMI |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 |
Physical
| Weight | 2.3 kg / 5.0 lbs |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
At $498, this is a steal if you just want to game. You're getting capable hardware that would have cost nearly double not long ago. The trade-off is in the storage and some of the lower-tier components, but for the price, those are easy compromises. It's one of the best value entries into real PC gaming right now.
vs Competition
Compared to pricier beasts like the MSI Vector or Gigabyte AORUS, the LOQ obviously can't compete on raw power. But it doesn't need to. Its real competition is other budget options. It offers better gaming performance than something like an ASUS Zenbook Duo, which is built for productivity. And it's a much more affordable Windows gaming path than jumping to an Apple MacBook Pro. Just know you're getting a basic, no-frills experience.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a new PC gamer on a tight budget who wants to play at 1080p. It's perfect for students or anyone who needs a capable machine without the premium price tag. If you need more storage or plan on playing the latest AAA games on high settings, you'll want to look at a step-up model with a more powerful GPU.