Lenovo’s new LOQ laptops are designed for beginner gamers

Lenovo Legion is one of the most famous gaming brands in the world, but what if you don’t want one of the company’s high-end laptops? Some Legion units are available for around $1,000/£1,000, but few models have effectively catered to more casual gamers – until now.

With the new LOQ line, Lenovo aims to provide a solution for people who are new to the world of gaming laptops. The €1,099 starting price doesn’t get you all the bells and whistles of a high-end machine, but the essential features are here, including some impressive performance specs.

Both 15-inch and 16-inch models are available with Intel (up to Core i7-13700H) or AMD (up to Ryzen 7 7840) processors, and discrete GPUs up to Nvidia’s RTX 4060. This is slightly less than the absolute best laptop performance. available, but it should run most AAA games with ease.

It’s paired with a maximum of 16GB DDR5 RAM out of the box, but it’s expandable up to 32GB. While not expandable, a 512GB or 1TB SSD will be enough for most people.

You’ll find WQHD (2560×1440) IPS displays in both sizes, as well as the option of a 165Hz dynamic refresh rate. Lenovo claims full sRGB color gamut coverage, but only at a maximum brightness of 350 nits.

A thickness of at least 25.2mm and a weight of 2.4kg mean neither is particularly portable, but the 60Wh battery means they can be used for a while without plugging in. On the RTX 4050 and 4060 models, you’ll find a 230W adapter (instead of 170W) in the box, which supposedly can fully charge devices in 80 minutes.

Also worth mentioning are the ports, which are divided into both sides and the back. In addition to the DC power jack, you get one USB-C, four USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet (RJ45), a 3.5mm audio jack, and Lenovo’s Novo Hole for quick access to recovery options.

Lenovo

Like almost all gaming laptops in 2023, the LOQ 15 and 16 run Windows 11 – you can choose between Home and Pro editions.

The devices are only available in Storm Grey, although this durable polymer casing should make them more durable than a typical laptop.

Other notable features include a 1080p webcam with electronic shutter, dual speakers, and of course, a full-size RGB backlit keyboard. The difference with the 16-inch model is that a separate numeric keypad is attached to it.

The 15-inch Intel version will arrive in May and all other models will arrive in June. Starting prices range from €1,099 to €1,199 but can be set much higher. Prices in the US and UK have not yet been disclosed.

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