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After a staggered rollout that tested the patience of gamers worldwide, Lenovo’s updated LOQ 15 (15APH11) is finally available in North America and Australia. First unveiled over four months ago, this Gen 11 gaming laptop quietly arrived in Europe back in late January. But it has taken until now for the model to land on shelves in the US, Canada, and down under.
If you’ve been waiting for a desktop replacement that won’t completely break the bank, the LOQ 15 is worth a serious look. However, as we dug through the specs, we found a mix of genuine upgrades and one head-scratching downgrade that might give you pause.
Pricing and Availability: What You’ll Pay
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. In the US, the LOQ 15 (15APH11) starts at $1,599. Our neighbors to the north will find it starting at CAD 2,089, while Australian gamers are looking at an entry price of AUD 2,339.
For that base price, you’re getting a solid foundation. But before you click "buy," you should know that configurations vary wildly by region. For instance, if you’re shopping in Australia or Canada, you can already snag models with the GeForce RTX 5050 or RTX 5060. In the US? Not yet. As of publication, the US store is still playing catch-up.
Here’s a real-world example of the upgrade pricing in Canada: jumping from the RTX 5050 to the RTX 5060 will set you back an extra CAD 125 (about 91)∗∗.However,thatupgradealsobumpsyourstoragefrom512GBto1TB,whichsoftenstheblow.InAustralia,thesameGPUupgradecosts∗∗AUD330(about91)∗∗.However,thatupgradealsobumpsyourstoragefrom512GBto1TB,whichsoftenstheblow.InAustralia,thesameGPUupgradecosts∗∗AUD330(about29) when you factor in the storage jump.
💡 Looking for the best live pricing or regional stock updates? Check the current deal on Amazon here to see if retailers are matching Lenovo’s MSRP.
Under the Hood: The Good, The Better, and The Battery
So, what exactly are you getting for your money? The short answer is a smart refinement of last year’s model. Lenovo has stuck with the AMD Hawk Point and Nvidia Blackwell architectures we saw in the Gen 10 predecessor (which you can still find for around $1,169 on Amazon). But they’ve turned up the heat in a few key areas.
Power Boost: 15% More GPU TGP
The headline feature is the power delivery. Lenovo has cranked the Total Graphics Power (TGP) up to 115W—a 15% increase from last year’s 100W limit. For gamers, that is a tangible difference. Higher TGP means the GPU can sustain higher clock speeds for longer, resulting in smoother frame rates in demanding AAA titles. The RTX 5050 and 5060 inside this machine should punch noticeably harder than their Gen 10 counterparts.
The New Processor: Ryzen 7 250
Unlike previous generations where you had a menu of CPU choices, the LOQ 15 (15APH11) is launching exclusively with the AMD Ryzen 7 250. This is an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 5 processor with a 28W TDP. It’s a capable mid-range chip that balances gaming performance with thermal efficiency. It won’t top the charts against HX-series monsters, but for this price tier, it’s a sensible match for the RTX 5060.
Ports Get a Much-Needed Speed Upgrade
One of our quiet frustrations with budget and mid-range laptops is the slow port selection. Lenovo actually listened this time. The new LOQ 15 now features a USB4 (40 Gbps) port, replacing last year’s sluggish USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps). This is a game-changer if you plan to use an external SSD or a high-resolution monitor.
Furthermore, one of the three Type-A ports has been upgraded to USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds. The other two remain USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), but having a mix of fast legacy ports is a win for connectivity.
The Sacrifice: Battery Life Takes a Hit
Unfortunately, we can’t talk about the upgrades without addressing the elephant in the room: the battery.
Lenovo has quietly ditched the optional 80 Wh battery pack that was available in the Gen 10 edition. That larger battery was a lifesaver for students or travelers who needed to go unplugged for a few hours. For the Gen 11 model, your only option is the smaller 60 Wh battery.
This is a bummer. While the new 16:10 displays (more on those in a second) are lovely, the reduced capacity combined with a powerful dGPU means you will want to keep that power adapter close by for any serious gaming session. It feels like a step backward for an otherwise forward-looking refresh.
Display and Design: 16:10 is Finally Here
On a brighter note, Lenovo has finally dragged the LOQ line into the 16:10 aspect ratio era. The new chassis accommodates a taller screen, which is great for productivity and web browsing.
Currently, the only panel available is a 15.3-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) IPS display with 300 nits of brightness and a 165 Hz refresh rate. It covers 100% of sRGB, so colors will look vibrant. However, if you were hoping for the sharper 1600p option, you’ll have to wait. Lenovo’s PSREF page confirms a 1600p, 400-nit, 180 Hz IPS panel is "planned" for future configurations.
Regional Specs: Know Before You Buy
One final note before you rush to the checkout. Lenovo is running a strange regional play with the storage and GPU bundles.
- In Canada & Australia: You can get RTX 5050 or 5060 models. The RTX 5060 upgrade includes a bump to 1TB of storage.
- In the US: Only the RTX 5050 appears to be live at launch.
- UK & Europe: Pricing lands at £1,369 and €1,589 respectively.
The Verdict
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (15APH11) is a classic case of "two steps forward, one step back." The boost to 115W TGP, the inclusion of USB4, and the move to 16:10 displays make it a much more competitive gaming rig than its predecessor. The Ryzen 7 250 and RTX 5060 combo should deliver excellent 1080p/1200p performance.
However, the removal of the 80 Wh battery option is a genuine loss of versatility. If you are almost always plugged in, you won’t notice. But if you need a laptop that can handle a full day of classes and a raid at night, the 60 Wh limitation stings.
For the latest pricing, user reviews, and to check if the RTX 5060 model is in stock near you, click here to view the Lenovo LOQ 15 on Amazon.
Sources: Lenovo US, Lenovo Canada, Lenovo Australia, LaptopsCheck
