Lenovo LOQ (2025) Review – The Not-So “Budget” Gaming Laptop

For years, Lenovo’s LOQ series has been a go-to for budget-conscious gamers seeking solid performance without breaking the bank. Competing with brands like Acer’s Nitro and Asus’s TUF, the LOQ has carved a niche with its blend of affordability and gaming prowess. However, the 2025 Lenovo LOQ takes a surprising turn, priced at $1,299, which pushes it out of the traditional “budget” category. Is it still a worthy contender, or does the higher price tag overshadow its strengths?

This hands-on review dives deep into the design, performance, gaming capabilities, thermals, battery life, and value proposition of the 2025 Lenovo LOQ, based on extensive testing, to determine if it’s the right choice for students, casual gamers, and professionals. Let’s uncover whether this laptop lives up to its legacy or stumbles under its premium aspirations.

Design & Build Quality

The 2025 Lenovo LOQ embraces a clean, professional aesthetic, moving away from the stereotypical “gamer spaceship” look with over-the-top RGB lighting and aggressive designs. Instead, it borrows heavily from Lenovo’s higher-end Legion series, featuring subtle accents and clean lines. The mirrored LOQ lettering on the lid and a small Lenovo badge on the left keep branding minimal, making it versatile for students or professionals who need a laptop that blends into classrooms or offices without screaming “gaming rig.”

The chassis is entirely plastic, which is expected at this price range but feels sturdy and well-assembled. The lid shows slight flex when pressed, but it’s far from flimsy, outperforming some cheaper competitors with wobblier builds. At 5.29 lbs (without the power brick), it’s not ultralight but portable enough for daily commutes in a backpack. Compared to flashier gaming laptops like the Asus TUF A15 or Acer Nitro 5, the LOQ’s understated design is a breath of fresh air, appealing to users who want performance without the neon glow.

Verdict: The LOQ’s design strikes a balance between gaming functionality and professional versatility, but the plastic build and minor lid flex prevent it from feeling premium. It’s ideal for those who prioritize subtlety over flashy aesthetics.

Port Layout & Connectivity

The LOQ’s port layout is thoughtfully designed for practicality, with most ports conveniently placed for desk setups:

• Right Side: One USB-C port (3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbps, no USB 4), a camera privacy switch, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and one USB-A port (3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps).
• Back: One HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, a slim power connector, and two additional USB-A ports (3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps).
• Left Side: Completely bare, which may disappoint users who prefer side-accessible ports for quick connections.

A standout feature is the rear port labels, which make plugging in cables easier without fumbling under the desk—a small but appreciated quality-of-life touch. The 245W power brick is impressively slim for its wattage, enhancing portability. However, the USB-C port’s lack of USB 4 or Thunderbolt support limits high-speed data transfers (capped at 10 Gbps), a drawback compared to pricier laptops with USB 4 capabilities.

Comparison: The LOQ’s port selection is robust for a budget gaming laptop, outshining the Acer Nitro 5’s more limited layout. However, the absence of USB 4 and the bare left side slightly reduce its versatility compared to premium models like the Asus Zephyrus G14.

Keyboard & Trackpad Experience

The full-size keyboard on the LOQ is a highlight, offering a pleasant typing experience with clicky keys and good key travel. It includes a numpad, a boon for spreadsheet-heavy users or gamers who rely on numeric inputs. The standard model features white backlighting, which is functional for low-light environments, though an optional RGB version is available for those craving a bit of flair. Compared to the Lenovo Legion 7 Pro’s exceptional keyboard, the LOQ’s is a step down but still outperforms many budget competitors like the HP Victus 15.

The trackpad is responsive and supports multi-finger gestures, but it’s not as premium as those on higher-end laptops. It’s adequate for casual use but may feel less precise for intensive tasks. The sticker placement (GeForce and AMD badges) on the keyboard deck feels cluttered, slightly detracting from the clean aesthetic.

Verdict: The keyboard is a strong point for productivity and gaming, with the numpad and backlighting adding value. The trackpad is decent but unremarkable, and the sticker clutter could be toned down.

Display Quality

The LOQ features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a classic choice for gaming laptops. The anti-glare IPS panel delivers above-average brightness for SDR content, making it usable in well-lit rooms. Color accuracy is surprisingly good, covering a wider gamut than expected for a budget laptop, which benefits casual content creators and gamers alike. The inclusion of G-Sync support ensures tear-free gaming, a rare feature at this price point, enhancing smoothness in fast-paced titles.

However, the chunky bezels give the display a slightly dated look compared to slimmer-bezel competitors like the Asus TUF Dash. Lenovo offers an optional QHD (2560×1440) panel, which is better suited for content creators or players of older, less demanding titles, but the FHD panel is the sweet spot for 1080p gaming with the RTX 5060 GPU. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures fluid visuals, though response times could be sharper for competitive gaming.

Verdict: The FHD display is a strong performer for gaming and light creative work, with G-Sync as a standout feature. The QHD option is tempting but unnecessary for most users at this resolution.

Webcam & Audio

The 1080p webcam is a pleasant surprise, offering better-than-expected quality for a budget gaming laptop. It performs well in meetings, with minimal graininess in good lighting, though low-light performance is average. The microphones include noise cancellation, which mitigates background noise (like a microwave hum in testing), but the effect isn’t transformative. Audio quality from the bottom-firing speakers is a major letdown—flat, tinny, and lacking depth, making external speakers or headphones a must for immersive gaming or media consumption.

The absence of biometrics (no fingerprint scanner or IR-based Windows Hello) is disappointing, forcing users to rely on PINs or passwords for login, which feels outdated in 2025. Competitors like the Acer Predator Helios Neo offer fingerprint scanners at similar price points, making this a notable omission.

Verdict: The webcam and mics are functional for video calls, but the weak speakers and lack of biometrics are drawbacks for a modern laptop.

Performance – CPU & Daily Use

The LOQ is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7250, an efficiency-first CPU designed for low power consumption rather than raw performance. For daily tasks—web browsing, document editing, and office productivity—it feels snappy, with quick wake times and smooth desktop navigation. It’s comparable to Intel’s Lunar Lake chips in lightweight workloads, making it ideal for students and office users.

However, the CPU struggles with heavier tasks. Compiling large projects (e.g., Mozilla Firefox) took 41 minutes, lagging behind high-boost CPUs like Intel’s Core i7-13700H or AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840HS, which are 20%+ faster in single-core performance. Multi-core performance is also limited, making the LOQ less suitable for intensive creative workloads like video rendering or 3D modeling. In Premiere Pro, editing with layered timelines revealed the CPU as a bottleneck, causing noticeable slowdowns.

Verdict: The Ryzen 7 7250 excels for light productivity but falls short for heavy creative tasks, positioning the LOQ as a gaming-focused machine rather than a creative powerhouse.

Gaming Performance – RTX 5060 GPU

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (100W, 8GB VRAM) is the LOQ’s star component, delivering solid 1080p gaming performance. Paired with a MUX switch (requiring a reboot to toggle), it slightly outperforms last year’s RTX 4060 laptops, offering smooth gameplay on High/Ultra settings in most modern titles. In 3DMark Steel Nomad, it scored comfortably above RTX 5050 laptops and just below RTX 5070 models, aligning with expectations for its tier.

Tested games ran well at 1080p, with frame rates remaining stable for titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Fortnite after minor tweaks to settings for the heaviest games. The QHD panel option is viable for older or less demanding titles, but the FHD display is ideal for maximizing performance with the RTX 5060. The MUX switch enhances gaming by bypassing integrated graphics, though the reboot requirement is less convenient than dynamic switching in premium laptops.

Comparison: The RTX 5060 holds its own against the Acer Nitro 5’s RTX 4050 and Asus TUF A15’s RTX 4060, offering a slight edge in frame rates and future-proofing with 8GB VRAM.

Thermals & Fan Noise

The LOQ’s thermal performance is a standout, with the CPU peaking at ~56°C under sustained load—remarkably cool for a gaming laptop. This is largely due to the efficiency-oriented Ryzen 7 7250, which generates less heat than high-wattage HX chips. The cooling system, featuring large copper pipes and dual fans, keeps the chassis comfortable, with no excessive heat near the WASD keys, a common issue in gaming laptops.

Fan noise is equally impressive, staying under 50 dB under full load, quieter than most competitors that approach 60 dB. In quiet mode, the fans are audible at 42–43 dB, slightly louder than ideal for idle use but still manageable. Compared to the Asus TUF A15 or MSI Katana, the LOQ’s thermals and noise levels are a significant advantage, enhancing comfort during long gaming sessions.

Verdict: Exceptional thermals and quiet fans make the LOQ a leader in its class for comfort and noise management.

Upgradability & Internals

Accessing the LOQ’s internals is straightforward, requiring only Phillips head screws to remove the bottom panel. Inside, you’ll find:

• Dual storage slots: One populated with a 2240 SSD (supports 2280), with decent read/write speeds, and one free slot for expansion.
• RAM: One 16GB dual-channel stick (upgradable to 32GB total).
• Wi-Fi 6E card: Upgradeable for future-proofing.
• Robust cooling system: Large copper pipes and dual fans ensure efficient heat dissipation.

This level of upgradability is a major plus, allowing users to boost storage and RAM as needed, a feature not always available in budget laptops like the HP Victus 15.

Verdict: The LOQ’s easy access and expandability make it a future-proof choice for budget-conscious users.

Battery Life & Charging

Despite its modest 60Wh battery, the LOQ delivers over 6 hours of battery life in light productivity tasks (browsing, document editing), thanks to the efficient Ryzen 7 7250. This is impressive for a gaming laptop, where sub-4-hour runtimes are common. The 245W power brick is slim for its wattage, enhancing portability compared to bulkier chargers in competing models like the Acer Nitro 5.

Comparison: The LOQ’s battery life surpasses the Asus TUF A15 (~4–5 hours) and matches or slightly exceeds the Lenovo Legion 5’s performance in similar tasks, making it a strong choice for students or professionals who need unplugged flexibility.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Professional, clean design: Subtle, Legion-inspired look suitable for work and play.
• Solid 1080p gaming: RTX 5060 delivers smooth performance on High/Ultra settings.
• Excellent thermals: CPU stays cool (~56°C), with quiet fans (~50 dB under load).
• Upgradable internals: Dual storage slots, up to 32GB RAM, replaceable Wi-Fi card.
• Good webcam & mic: 1080p camera and noise-canceling mics perform well for calls.

Cons:

• Overpriced at $1,299: Better alternatives exist at this price.
• Weak speakers: Flat, bottom-firing audio lacks immersion.
• Average CPU for creative work: Ryzen 7 7250 struggles with heavy tasks.
• No biometrics: Lacks fingerprint scanner or Windows Hello IR.
• No USB 4/Thunderbolt: Limited high-speed connectivity.

Price & Value for Money

Priced at $1,299, the 2025 Lenovo LOQ is a tough sell in the budget gaming segment. At this price, it competes with more powerful options like:

• Gigabyte Aero X16: Offers an RTX 5060, QHD display, double the storage (1TB), and 32GB RAM for $150 less.
• Asus Zephyrus G14: Slightly pricier but includes a better CPU, double storage, and a premium build.

The LOQ’s strengths—solid gaming performance, excellent thermals, and upgradability—are overshadowed by its high cost. It would be a compelling buy at $1,000–$1,050, especially during sales, but at $1,299, it struggles to justify its value against competitors.

Verdict: The LOQ is a strong performer but overpriced at launch. Wait for discounts to maximize value.

Who Should Buy the Lenovo LOQ (2025)?

Ideal For:

• Students: Its professional design and 6+ hour battery life suit classroom and study needs.
• Budget-conscious gamers: The RTX 5060 delivers smooth 1080p gaming for casual to mid-tier players.
• Casual editors: Fine for light photo/video editing, though heavy workloads are limited.
• Office users: Handles productivity tasks with a numpad for spreadsheet work.

Not For:

• Heavy creators: Video editors or 3D modelers needing robust CPU performance.
• Audiophiles: Weak speakers disappoint for media consumption.
• Premium buyers: Those seeking biometrics or high-speed connectivity (USB 4).

Final Verdict – The “Not-So-Budget” LOQ

The 2025 Lenovo LOQ is a capable entry-level gaming laptop with a lot to like: a clean, professional design, strong 1080p gaming powered by the RTX 5060, exceptional thermals, and upgradable internals. Its quiet fans and cool chassis make it comfortable for long sessions, and the 6+ hour battery life is a rare win for gaming laptops. However, the $1,299 price tag is a major hurdle, as competitors like the Gigabyte Aero X16 and Asus Zephyrus G14 offer superior specs for similar or lower costs. The weak speakers, lack of biometrics, and average CPU for creative tasks further dampen its appeal at this price.

If the price drops to $1,000–$1,050 during sales, the LOQ becomes a compelling choice for budget gamers and students. Until then, it’s a solid but overpriced option in a competitive market. Check it out on Lenovo’s website or retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, but hold off for discounts to get the best value.

Author Section: Matthew Moniz Quality Tech Reviews Product coverage includes mobile phones, computers, anything that I find interesting! Thank you for your support and don’t forget to subscribe if you like what you see!