Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 Review: Gaming laptop at a low price
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 is a noteworthy addition to Lenovo’s gaming laptop lineup. By creating a sub-brand that inherits design cues from the Legion series while focusing on affordability, Lenovo has opened up opportunities for gamers with tighter budgets to experience quality gaming.
The laptop’s blend of performance, design, and value make it an attractive proposition for those who want to delve into the world of PC gaming without sacrificing their financial constraints.
Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8: Video Review
| Specs | Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 |
| RAM | Up to 64GB DDR5 |
| Hard Drive | Up to 2TB + 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Display | 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS 144Hz, 350 nits, Non-touch Display |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes ( Fn + Space) |
| Audio | 2 x 2W speakers with Nahimic Audio |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth |
| Webcam | Yes |
| Ports | 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x Audio Combo Jack, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps), |
| 1 x E-Shutter Button, 1 x DC-in, 1 x RJ45, 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1 x HDMI 2.1 | |
| Dimensions | 14.16 x 10.43 x 0.99 inch |
| Weight | 5.29lbs, (2.4 kg) |
| Color | Grey |
Design
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 takes a balanced approach to design, striking a middle ground between the slim form factor of conventional laptops and the bulkier profile of high-performance gaming laptops.
Sporting a Storm Grey color option, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8’s choice of color might not be the most exciting, but its overall design compensates for this. The laptop’s chassis exudes a sense of quality craftsmanship, and a unique design element adds a touch of elegance with its metallic finish.
The lid of the laptop features the distinctive “LOQ” branding, presenting a minimalist approach to gaming aesthetics. Unlike many gaming laptops that incorporate flashy RGB lighting on the lid, the LOQ opts for a more understated yet confident look. However, the moment you catch sight of the rear of the laptop, any subtlety is dispelled as the bold design language unequivocally declares its status as a gaming laptop.
A key aspect of the laptop’s design is the color detailing around the ventilation system, especially prominent at the rear. These color accents contribute to the gaming vibe of the laptop without resorting to full-blown RGB lighting. The base of the LOQ is thoughtfully designed with extensive ventilation to aid in effective heat dissipation, ensuring the laptop remains cool during intense gaming sessions.
In terms of connectivity, most of the ports are situated at the rear, maintaining a clean and organized aesthetic. These ports include the power connector, an HDMI port, an RJ45 LAN port, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A ports.
Additional ports are distributed on the sides, featuring a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A port and the webcam on/off switch on the right side, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C port along with a 3.5mm audio/mic jack on the left side. Weighing around 2.4 kg, the laptop strikes a balance between portability and performance.
The laptop’s keyboard boasts a full layout with chiclet keys that offer satisfying tactile feedback. The proximity of the keys might be a tad tight for some users, but the inclusion of a numeric keypad is a valuable addition. The trackpad below the keyboard is sizable, but a slight gap when pressing the right mouse button might give it a slightly delicate appearance, though it’s not a practical concern. Customizable RGB backlighting for the keys, managed through the Lenovo Vantage app, adds a dash of personalization to the keyboard experience.
Audio quality through the built-in 2x 2W speakers is commendably loud, although there’s a hint of tinny sound in the higher frequencies. Enabling the Nahimic equalizer in the Lenovo Vantage app can enhance audio performance, and the app offers further settings to fine-tune the experience. It’s worth noting that under load, fan noise can become quite noticeable.
The integrated 1080p webcam is equipped with a side switch that allows you to physically adjust the shutter, addressing privacy concerns when the camera is not in use.
Display
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 boasts a captivating 15.6-inch IPS display that undoubtedly elevates the gaming experience. The display showcases an optimal 16:9 aspect ratio, a common choice in the gaming world that balances immersive visuals and the practicalities of gaming interfaces.
With its 144Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color accuracy, high resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels, fast response time 3ms, and Nvidia G-SYNC support, the display is well-equipped to provide an engaging and visually pleasing gaming environment. Whether you’re exploring immersive open worlds or competing in intense multiplayer matches, the display’s capabilities can undoubtedly elevate your gaming sessions.
Performance
The LOQ 15IRH8 stands out as a compelling budget gaming machine with a solid set of specifications that make it a competitive player in the gaming laptop arena. Despite its affordability, it manages to pack in impressive hardware that caters to both gaming and productivity needs.
At the heart of the system, you’ll find the option for up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. This GPU offers commendable gaming performance and is well-suited to deliver smooth gameplay across a range of titles, even if it doesn’t quite reach the premium tier of RTX 4070 models. Paired with up to 16GB of dual-channel 5600MHz DDR5 RAM, the laptop boasts substantial memory bandwidth for seamless multitasking and gaming.
Storage options are versatile, featuring up to 512GB or 1TB PCIe SSD NVMe TLC/QLC M.2 2242 (Gen4) storage. This ensures that the laptop not only boots up quickly but also offers ample space for storing games, applications, and multimedia content.
The CPU lineup consists of the 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H for the LOQ 15i variant and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS for the LOQ 15 version. While these CPUs might not be as powerful as those found in Lenovo’s higher-end Slim 7/7i laptops, they are still current-generation components that handle productivity tasks with ease.
In terms of performance benchmarks, the laptop demonstrates its prowess with impressive scores. It achieves a PCMark score of 6545, indicative of its ability to handle various productivity tasks. On the gaming front, it garners an 8222 3DMark score, showcasing its capabilities in rendering graphics-intensive scenarios.
However, the laptop does tend to heat up when pushed to its limits. This is especially noticeable around the keyboard area, which can get quite warm during intense gaming sessions. Despite the heating issue, the laptop manages to handle demanding games like Halo Infinite on Ultra settings with minimal lag. Nonetheless, the thermal management can lead to loud fan noise and noticeable heat, making it a bit uncomfortable for extended gameplay.
Battery
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 comes equipped with a 60Whr battery, a respectable capacity that strikes a balance between portability and battery life.
With a 170W charging solution, users can experience remarkable charging speeds. In just about 30 minutes of charging time, the battery can reach up to an impressive 70% capacity.
In addition to the dedicated charging port, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 also offers support for 140W USB-C charging. This versatility allows users to travel light with a single charger that can power multiple devices.
Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8: Conclusion
Designed under the LOQ sub-brand, this laptop draws inspiration from its gaming-focused Legion siblings while catering to a tighter budget, making it an enticing option for gamers and productivity enthusiasts alike.
Under the hood, the LOQ 15IRH8 impresses with its performance-oriented specifications. The option for up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, combined with up to 16GB of dual-channel 5600MHz DDR5 RAM and versatile storage choices, creates a solid foundation for a seamless gaming experience. The choice of either an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen CPU ensures that productivity tasks are handled with ease, allowing users to switch between work and play without compromise.
However, the laptop does have its thermal considerations, as it tends to heat up under heavy loads. This can result in both fan noise and noticeable heat around the keyboard area, potentially impacting extended gaming sessions.
In conclusion, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 stands as a remarkable addition to the gaming laptop market, effectively striking a balance between performance, affordability, and thoughtful design.
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