I did not anticipate a gaming laptop computer to exchange my work PC – then I attempted this Lenovo

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 is at present accessible for $1,000, with costs various by configuration.
• It delivers clean 1080p gaming, a speedy 144Hz, and quick charging capabilities, making it a good selection for work and play.
• Since it is a funds machine, it lacks the premium options of high-end machines.

extra shopping for selections

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In my opinion, the largest subject with gaming laptops is their excessive barrier to entry. They’re costly, with many costing a number of thousand {dollars}. It is smart, although, because you’re (normally) packing top-tier {hardware}, a high-quality show, and a sturdy cooling system right into a compact machine. 

Fortunately, there are midrange choices that do not break the financial institution, and Lenovo’s latest LOQ 15AH10 is such a tool, offering an reasonably priced strategy to get pleasure from trendy PC gaming.

Also: The finest Lenovo laptops of 2026: Expert examined and reviewed

To preserve prices down, Lenovo made some compromises. It isn’t a high-end powerhouse. It lacks most of the bells and whistles of fashions just like the Lenovo Legion 9i. Still, even with extra modest {hardware}, it stays a strong, pleasant laptop computer for many.

A modest look

Compared to your typical gaming laptop computer, the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 has a surprisingly subdued design. It’s not a cumbersome, all-black machine with RGB lighting throughout its chassis and a large rear cooling shelf. Instead, the LOQ mannequin is slim, sporting an all-silver end and no RGB lighting on the keyboard. It solely has vibrant white backlit keys, with the one contact of colour being the purple on the ability button.

It’s additionally extra compact than most high-end gaming laptops, measuring 0.94 x 14.17 x 10.19 inches and weighing simply over 5 kilos. A kind issue like this enables the system to suit comfortably inside most baggage. At 5 kilos, it is simple sufficient to hold round, though the included energy adapter provides an additional two kilos.

Like most gaming laptops, Lenovo’s machine has restricted battery life. Even with its setting optimized for longevity, it solely lasted about six hours on a single cost throughout testing. It can barely make a full day with the best utilization behaviors. However, the laptop computer helps Rapid Charge Pro, which considerably accelerates charging. Lenovo claims {that a} 30-minute cost is adequate to totally cost the battery to 50%. In my assessments, the laptop computer hit 77% in that point whereas turned off.

Port choice is pretty minimal, with Lenovo opting to supply the necessities. On the best, you may discover the ports you are most probably to make use of: a single USB-C port, a USB-A, and a headphone jack. The rear homes secondary ports, which embrace HDMI 2.1 for connecting to exterior screens and an Ethernet port for wired connections. The life aspect is totally naked. I want Lenovo had made higher use of the house allotted to the LOQ.

Also: This funds Lenovo laptop computer I examined has no enterprise being this good for the worth

The array on the best is sufficient for a controller, a pair of headphones, and an exterior drive. Still, the setup feels restricted. Another USB-C port would’ve been good for added equipment. I might have additionally appreciated help for Thunderbolt 4 for quicker information transfers, however I suppose that is what docking stations are for. These equipment can compensate for the restricted choice.

Lenovo did an excellent job with the keyboard. The full-size format occupies practically the whole house allotted to it, offering every key with ample room. Neither the arrow keys nor the quantity pad has been shrunk down. Nothing feels cramped, and I adore it. Typing feels fairly good. The keys sit barely above the steel of the laptop computer, sporting a tender rubber keycap. It offers every button a pleasant, bouncy really feel to make sure comfy typing.

Also: This Lenovo laptop computer is certainly one of my favourite work units from final yr

Another downside of the Lenovo LOQ is the show. It measures 15 inches with a 16:9 facet ratio. I discovered the scale and form of the panel to be considerably awkward. It would not totally fill the lid, leading to thick bezels throughout the glass that give the laptop computer a barely rugged look. That mentioned, there may be an upside: the bigger bezels mixed with the silver chassis assist the system mix in additional naturally into skilled environments.

Solid efficiency

My assessment unit of the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 got here geared up with an AMD Ryzen 7 2500 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, and 32GB of RAM. That’s a strong midrange configuration. Below is a desk evaluating the mannequin to different laptops I’ve not too long ago examined, together with each gaming and non-gaming fashions. At first look, the numbers would possibly make the LOQ appear underwhelming, falling behind extra highly effective gaming machines, such because the Razer Blade 14.

Looking on the numbers alone, you would possibly assume the laptop computer performs poorly. Actually, that wasn’t my expertise in any respect. In real-world testing, Lenovo’s mannequin dealt with each AAA sport I threw at it (Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Arc Raiders, and extra) with ease. I did not encounter any main slowdowns. Particle results popped with colour. The intense battles, like these discovered on Arc Raiders, had been engrossing due to the {hardware}, which ensured fluid fight and detailed combatant fashions.

Contrary to my earlier criticisms, I imagine the show performs a giant function within the system’s top-notch efficiency. The panel on the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 helps 1080p decision. Image decision is not as sharp as on higher-end machines with 2.8K or 4K screens. However, the upshot, for my part, is that the 1080p show is much less demanding on the {hardware}, permitting video games to run extra easily. It additionally helps that the panel runs at a 144Hz refresh charge, making certain clean movement and responsive gameplay.

Also: Is Lenovo’s new SteamOS handheld well worth the hype? I examined it, this is my verdict

Outside of gaming, the gaming laptop performs admirably as an on a regular basis work machine. As you’ll be able to picture, it handles widespread workflows like doc modifying, creating spreadsheets, and multitasking with dozens of tabs with out breaking a sweat. The system holds up nicely for gentle programming work, making it an acceptable choice for each college students and professionals.

That mentioned, due to the 1080p display, I would not suggest utilizing the LOQ for artistic work. The colour output is ok, and it is completely usable in a pinch; nevertheless, the decision turns into a limitation when working with 4K footage.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

At the time of this writing, the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 is at present on sale on the firm’s web site with costs beginning at $800. The entry-level configuration options an AMD Ryzen 5 2200 G CPU and 16GB of RAM. Lenovo offers consumers the chance to customise the {hardware}. You can buy my assessment unit for $1,195.

I extremely suggest this LOQ mannequin in the event you’re searching for a gaming laptop computer that additionally serves as a dependable on a regular basis productiveness machine. MSI’s Katana 15 HX is a strong various of comparable dimension, though it leans extra towards a standard gaming aesthetic. It’s cumbersome, all-black, and comes with RGB lighting.