 |
| The LOQ Essential 15IPH11 has reached Europe a month earlier than anticipated. |
Lenovo has quietly launched its LOQ Essential 15IPH11 gaming laptop ahead of schedule across Europe, but early buyers might be in for a surprise when they check the price tag.
Just yesterday, we reported that Lenovo had released the LOQ Essential 15IRH11 a month early in Europe, arriving at least €100 cheaper than expected. Now, the tech giant has done the same with its Intel-powered sibling, the LOQ Essential 15IPH11, which is already available in Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.
However, there's a catch. While Lenovo originally suggested the laptop would launch at €1,599, early listings tell a different story. The 15.3-inch gaming machine is currently priced between €1,649 and €1,679 (~$1,915-$1,950) in the Eurozone. UK buyers face a similar situation, with the laptop debuting at £1,399 (~$1,895), though removing the Windows license and single-zone RGB backlighting can drop the price to as low as €1,539.
If you're considering this laptop, you can find more details directly on Lenovo's official product page for the full specifications.
What's Under the Hood?
The LOQ Essential 15IPH11 packs some interesting hardware choices. At its core sits an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, paired with either 16GB of LPDDR5X-8533 or LPDDR5X-9600 RAM. Storage options include 512GB or 1TB of M.2 2242 storage.
But here's where things get tricky for gamers: Lenovo has opted for just the Arc B390 iGPU, meaning this model will trail behind its more powerful sibling, the LOQ Essential 15IRX11, in gaming performance. That's a significant consideration if you're planning to use this primarily for gaming rather than productivity.
Display and Battery Life
The laptop features a 1200p IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate, 300 nits peak brightness, an anti-glare coating, and 100% sRGB colour space coverage – respectable specs for a gaming laptop at this price point.
Battery life appears to be a strong point, with the 60Wh battery rated to last up to 19 hours when streaming locally-stored 1080p videos at 150 nits. That's impressive for a gaming laptop, though real-world usage with gaming will naturally drain it much faster.
For a deeper look at how this laptop compares to its competitors, check out this detailed review on LaptopsCheck that breaks down the performance metrics.
Should You Buy It?
The early launch gives eager buyers a chance to get their hands on Lenovo's latest budget gaming laptop sooner than expected, but the higher-than-anticipated pricing raises questions about value for money. With the LOQ Essential 15IRX11 currently available on Amazon for $1,349, potential buyers might want to weigh their options carefully before committing to this Intel Ultra-powered version.
Lenovo's budget gaming lineup continues to expand, but this early release strategy seems to have brought with it some pricing confusion. If you're in the market for a 15-inch gaming laptop with solid battery life and a decent display, the LOQ Essential 15IPH11 deserves consideration – just make sure you're comfortable with the integrated graphics compromise and the premium you might be paying for early access.
Want to see how this model stacks up against other budget gaming laptops? This comparison article on LaptopsCheck offers a great side-by-side look at the entire LOQ series.
As always, it pays to shop around – the current pricing on Amazon might reveal better deals on alternative configurations that better suit your gaming needs and budget.
