Best Gaming Laptop Under $1000!
Looking for an affordable gaming laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance? The Lenovo LOQ 15i could be the perfect contender for you. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the key aspects of this budget-friendly gaming laptop, including its build quality, design, port selection, input options, keyboard and trackpad, sound quality, display, performance, thermals, and battery life. Read on to discover why the Lenovo LOQ 15i stands out as one of the best cheap laptops for gamers.
Build Quality and Design – Lenovo LOQ 15i
The Lenovo LOQ 15i boasts a solid build quality that surpasses its Legion series counterparts. The laptop features a unique design with a slanted back protrusion where the fans are located, adding character to its overall appearance. Made entirely of plastic, the laptop comes in an attractive gray color with stylish blue highlights. While there is a slight flex in both the lid and chassis, the overall rigidity is commendable. Weighing 2.40 kg and measuring around 22mm thick, the laptop may not be the most compact, but it offers convenient one-handed lid opening and thin bezels, along with a webcam that can be easily blocked with a side button. Overall, the Lenovo LOQ 15 excels in build quality, with few drawbacks considering its size.
Port Selection and Input – Lenovo LOQ 15i
When it comes to port selection, the Lenovo LOQ 15i leaves little to be desired. It offers a comprehensive array of ports for gamers, including 3 USB 3.2 type A ports, 1 USB C port, 1 HDMI 2.1 port, 1 Ethernet port, a headphone microphone combo jack, the previously mentioned camera privacy shutter button, and power input. This selection covers all the major ports necessary for gaming, making it highly convenient for gamers seeking versatility and connectivity.
Keyboard and Trackpad – Lenovo LOQ 15i
The Lenovo LOQ 15i delivers a satisfying keyboard and trackpad experience. The keyboard features full RGB backlighting, a number pad, and large arrow keys, ensuring comfort and ease of use. Thanks to its long key travel and clicky feedback, typing on this laptop is a delight for users who appreciate tactile feedback. The trackpad, measuring 75 by 120 mm, offers a smooth and responsive surface, providing accurate cursor control for seamless navigation.
Sound Quality – Lenovo LOQ 15i
While not groundbreaking, the sound quality of the Lenovo LOQ 15i’s speakers is decent for a laptop in this price range. The bottom-facing speakers deliver reasonably loud audio with a flat sound curve, meaning no particular frequency is emphasized over others. For casual use and gaming, these speakers are more than capable and offer an enjoyable audio experience.
power input. This selection covers all the major ports necessary for gaming, making it highly convenient for gamers seeking versatility and connectivity.
Display Quality – Lenovo LOQ 15i
The Lenovo LOQ 15i boasts a 15.6-inch full HD IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. Upon first glance, it becomes evident that the display offers good sharpness, brightness, and wide viewing angles. With a maximum brightness of 381 nits, the display is adequately bright. However, it falls slightly short in terms of color accuracy, covering only around 54% of the sRGB color gamut. Nonetheless, for gaming purposes, the display feels smooth and responsive, thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate and quick response times typically associated with IPS panels. Whether you’re a gamer or a regular user, this display is a standout feature for the Lenovo LOQ 15.
Performance & Thermals – Lenovo LOQ 15i
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-13420H |
| RAM | 8GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 8GB DDR5 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
When it comes to performance, the Lenovo LOQ 15i holds its ground against competitors in its price range and even slightly more expensive options. Equipped with an Intel Core i5-13420H CPU, 8GB of DDR5 RAM, a 512GB M.2 SSD, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, this laptop delivers impressive performance for 1080p gaming and lighter 4K editing tasks. The powerful specifications enable smooth gameplay, and the 144Hz display allows you to take full advantage of high frame rates in esports titles. The only major downside is the 8GB RAM, which may be insufficient for demanding gaming or editing work. However, it’s worth noting that the RAM is easily upgradeable at an affordable cost, mitigating this drawback.
In terms of thermals, the Lenovo LOQ 15i performs adequately, comparable to other gaming laptops in its class. Under load, the CPU reaches around 80-85 degrees during stress tests and stays at approximately 75 degrees while gaming. The base of the laptop, where the keyboard is located, does get warm, but the overall temperature remains consistent even under higher load conditions.
Battery Life – Lenovo LOQ 15i
As for battery life, the Lenovo LOQ 15i falls in line with similar gaming laptops at this price point. You can expect around 5 hours of comfortable usage for basic browsing and video playback, which is decent for a gaming laptop.
Conclusion – Lenovo LOQ 15i
| ➕ Pros | ➖ Cons |
|---|---|
| + Solid Gaming Performance | – Only 54% sRGB Coverage |
| + Smooth & Good Looking Display | – Average Battery Life |
| + Affordable for a Gaming Laptop | |
| + Great keyboard | |
With a price tag just over $1000, the Lenovo LOQ 15i offers a compelling package with minimal downsides. Its solid build quality, impressive display, and satisfactory performance make it one of the best affordable gaming notebooks available today. Although it may require a RAM upgrade for more demanding tasks, this minor drawback is outweighed by the laptop’s overall value. If you’re a budget-conscious gamer seeking a reliable gaming laptop, the Lenovo LOQ 15 is definitely worth considering.