The green beast? Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop review

In a sea of black and grey gaming laptops that all look like they were designed by the same committee, the Lenovo LOQ 15 in Surge Green dares to be different. This 15-inch gaming machine isn't just another anonymous slab of metal and plastic—it's a statement piece. But does it have the performance to back up its bold personality? After spending considerable time with this vibrant machine, I'm ready to share my thoughts on whether this gaming laptop is worth your attention and hard-earned cash.

First Impressions: Love It or Hate It

Let's address the elephant in the room immediately—the color. Lenovo's "Surge Green" finish is polarizing in the best possible way. You won't lose this laptop in a coffee shop, and you certainly won't mistake it for anything else on the market. It's refreshing to see a manufacturer embrace personality rather than playing it safe. Lenovo even includes a matching green wireless gaming mouse, which is a thoughtful touch that completes the package.

The plastic chassis is surprisingly rigid, with excellent build quality throughout. The hinges deserve special mention, offering a full 180° opening angle that's rare in this price range. At 2.2 kg, it's not the lightest gaming laptop around, but it's certainly portable enough for LAN parties or taking to a friend's place. For those interested, you can find the latest pricing and availability here.

Display: Solid sRGB Coverage for Gamers

The 15.3-inch IPS display features a 1920x1200 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 165Hz refresh rate. While it won't win any awards for brightness at 277 cd/m², the screen delivers where it matters most for gaming. The full sRGB coverage (99.8%) ensures colors look natural and vibrant, though creative professionals might miss AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 support.

The display response times are impressive:

6.5 ms black-to-white response
10.7 ms grey-to-grey response

These numbers place it above many competitors in its class, making it well-suited for fast-paced gaming sessions. The 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, and with adaptive sync support, screen tearing becomes a thing of the past.

Performance: RTX 5060 Packs a Punch

CPU Performance

Under the hood, the LOQ 15 houses the AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor, an 8-core, 16-thread chip based on the Zen 4 architecture. In CPU benchmarks, the performance is solid if not spectacular. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,999 points puts it in the mid-range category, which is exactly where this laptop is positioned.

The processor maintains consistent performance in our stress tests, with the cooling system allowing it to sustain its boost clocks effectively. The 53W PL2 and 43W PL1 power limits strike a reasonable balance between performance and thermal management.

Gaming Performance

Here's where things get interesting. The GeForce RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM performs exceptionally well in this chassis, thanks to a generous 105W TGP. In our 3DMark tests, the LOQ 15 actually took first place among comparable RTX 5060 laptops, proving that Lenovo's cooling solution allows the GPU to stretch its legs fully.

Real-world gaming performance is equally impressive:

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Ultra): 88.5 fps - impressively smooth without DLSS
Dota 2 Reborn: 115 fps - buttery smooth for competitive play
Resident Evil Requiem: 90.4 fps on high settings

The performance mode (activated via Fn+Q) delivers the best results, with the GPU drawing its full 105W. For more demanding titles, you can find this laptop on Amazon to check current configurations and prices.

Storage and Memory: Room to Grow

The review unit came with 16GB of DDR5-5600 RAM in a dual-channel configuration (with one slot available for future upgrades) and a 512GB Micron 2450 NVMe SSD. The 512GB storage is admittedly modest for a gaming laptop, as many modern games exceed 100GB each. However, the presence of two M.2-2280 slots (with one empty) means you can easily add more storage down the line.

The SSD performance is decent, though not class-leading. One notable concern is the occasional throttling under sustained load, which affected read speeds from 6,653 MB/s to around 1,400 MB/s after prolonged use. This is something to be aware of if you're planning extended gaming sessions.

Keyboard and Input Devices

Lenovo's reputation for excellent keyboards is well-earned, and the LOQ 15 doesn't disappoint. The chiclet-style keyboard offers:

Good travel and tactile feedback
Excellent key layout with generously sized arrow keys
Comfortable typing experience for both gaming and productivity
Backlighting (white) for those late-night sessions

The touchpad is responsive and accurate, though most gamers will likely use an external mouse. The included green wireless gaming mouse is a nice bonus that matches the laptop's aesthetic perfectly.

Ports and Connectivity

Connectivity is generous with the LOQ 15:

4 USB ports total (including USB4 with DisplayPort 1.4 and 100W Power Delivery support)
HDMI 2.1 output for external displays
RJ45 Ethernet port for stable wired connections

Audio combo jack

The lack of a card reader might disappoint some photographers, but it's a minor omission. The Wi-Fi 6 module from Realtek delivers only mediocre performance, so those with fast internet connections might want to consider using the Ethernet port for the best experience.

Cooling and Noise: The Trade-Off

The dual-fan cooling system does an admirable job keeping the hardware within acceptable temperature ranges. Under full load:

CPU temperatures hover around 77°C
GPU temperatures reach approximately 87°C

However, there's a trade-off. The fans get loud under load, reaching up to 50 dB(A) in performance mode. The chassis also gets quite warm, with the upper side reaching 53°C in some spots during intense gaming sessions. It's nothing dangerous, but it might be uncomfortable if placed directly on your lap.

Battery Life: Average at Best

With a 60Wh battery, the LOQ 15 offers decent runtime for a gaming laptop, but it's not going to win any endurance awards. For light tasks, you'll get through a few hours, but gaming sessions will drain the battery quickly. This is par for the course in the gaming laptop segment, so it's not a dealbreaker.

Audio and Speakers

The built-in 2x2W speakers produce sound quality that's firmly in the "average" category. The bass is noticeably lacking, which is typical for laptop speakers. While they're fine for casual use or watching YouTube videos, serious gamers will want to use headphones for the best experience.

Should You Buy the Lenovo LOQ 15?

Pros
Excellent RTX 5060 performance - beats many competitors in its class
Bold, distinctive design - stands out from the crowd
Great upgrade potential with two RAM slots and two M.2 slots
Good keyboard and build quality - Lenovo's reputation shines through
Solid 165Hz display with full sRGB coverage
Matching green mouse included

Cons

Average battery life - don't expect all-day use
Mediocre speakers - lacks bass and depth
Occasional SSD throttling under sustained load
Wi-Fi performance could be better
Gets hot and loud under heavy gaming loads

Verdict

The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a good gaming laptop that earns its 81% rating. It's not perfect, but it offers where it matters most: solid gaming performance, decent display quality, and excellent upgrade potential. The Surge Green finish might be divisive, but it's undeniably eye-catching and a refreshing change from the usual gaming laptop aesthetic.

If you're looking for the absolute best performance per dollar, the LOQ 15 delivers strong value, especially with the RTX 5060 performing slightly above expectations. The upgradability means you can grow with it over time, adding more RAM and storage as your needs evolve.

For those who prioritize a distinctive look and good gaming performance over battery life and noise levels, this is an excellent choice. The matching green mouse is a thoughtful touch that makes the package feel complete.

Where to Buy

The Lenovo LOQ 15 is available from various retailers. You can check current prices and availability on Amazon. Prices typically range around €1,500, equivalent to roughly £1,300 or US$1,750, though pricing varies by region and configuration.

Disclaimer: This review is based on the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP11 review unit. Performance metrics and user experiences may vary based on configuration and usage conditions. Product links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission through these links at no extra cost to you.