Lenovo LOQ Essentials 15 Gen 11 Review: A good display meets a low-power RTX 5060
The Lenovo LOQ Essentials 15 Gen 11 pairs an RTX 5060, 144 Hz display, and excellent upgradeability with a comfortable keyboard, but its low-power GPU configuration and outdated CPU leave it struggling against rivals at the same price.
The Lenovo LOQ Essentials 15 Gen 11 aims to compete with budget gaming laptops by focusing on essential hardware. Its RTX 5060 graphics, 144 Hz IPS display, robust keyboard, and upgrade options offer advantages on paper. However, the laptop falls short in gaming performance due to a 65W power limit and an older CPU. While usable and practical, the LOQ needs stronger performance to compete.
The design is simple, with a lack of flashy elements, matching its budget-friendly price. The laptop's plastic chassis is solid and durable for daily use, though it's not ideal for portability. The port selection is practical, though it lacks high-speed USB4/Thunderbolt 4. The Wi-Fi 6 card should not cause issues. The specifications include an Intel Core i7-13650HX processor, RTX 5060 graphics with 16GB DDR5-4800 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 15.6-inch 1080p display at 144 Hz.
The laptop weighs 5.07 pounds and costs $1,269.99. The gaming performance is disappointing, often outperformed by competitors like the Acer Nitro V 16S AI, Asus TUF Gaming F16, and MSI Cyborg 15. The LOQ's CPU struggles against newer models, and its RAM and storage are not as fast as competitors. The display is solid, with a smooth 144 Hz refresh rate and anti-glare finish.
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