Lenovo LOQ 15APH8: A Budget Gaming Laptop with Surprising Performance

Lenovo's budget-friendly model may not be flashy, but it boasts impressive performance and is one of the most affordable RTX 4050 options (especially during sales).

Lenovo LOQ 15 is a budget gaming laptop with decent speed – check out our review!

Lenovo LOQ 15APH8

Introduction

Many budget gaming laptops often sacrifice performance and features to keep costs low. However, the Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 defies expectations by offering competitive performance without breaking the bank. This capable gaming laptop, priced at $1,100, can frequently be found for even less on sale at Best Buy. Its impressive value makes it one of the cheapest RTX 4050 laptops available.

While the LOQ 15APH8 may not win any design awards, its performance compensates for its uninspired looks. Let’s take a closer look at its pros and cons, as well as its specifications.

Pros

  • Competitive performance for the price
  • Sufficiently bright display

Cons

  • Uninspired design and no RGB lighting
  • 15.6-inch display not as tall and has a smaller color gamut than more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels
  • Only 8GB of RAM
  • Weak audio output
  • Slow USB ports

Performance and Value

The Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 offers impressive performance for its price point. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, 8GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, and a 512GB SSD. Testing has shown that it performs similarly to other RTX 4050-based budget gaming laptops. It delivers playable frame rates on 3D gaming tests at 1080p with quality settings dialed up.

One of the noteworthy components of the LOQ 15APH8 is its Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU, which outperforms the midrange Ryzen 5 and Intel Core i5 processors found in other budget gaming models. However, the laptop’s performance is hindered by its meager 8GB of RAM. It’s a shame that Lenovo didn’t include more memory to fully leverage the potential of the CPU.

Design and Display

The LOQ 15APH8’s aesthetics leave much to be desired. It looks more like a laptop issued by a corporate IT department rather than a gaming laptop. It comes in a monochrome design with a dark gray top panel, dark gray bottom panel, and dark gray keyboard deck. While even budget gaming laptops usually have multizone RGB keyboard backlighting, the LOQ 15APH8 only offers basic white backlighting.

The 15.6-inch display, although adequate, feels undersized and outdated compared to more modern 16-inch, 16:10 panels. Its brightness, measuring 343 nits, is in line with its 350-nit rating, but its color gamut only covers 68% of the sRGB spectrum, which is subpar for gaming. Newer 16-inch screens, such as those found in the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and Acer Nitro 16, offer brighter displays and better color reproduction.

Additional Features and Connectivity

The LOQ 15APH8 includes a 1080p webcam that produces sharper images than the 720p counterparts found on some competitors. However, its speakers are underwhelming, delivering underpowered and tinny sound with little bass.

In terms of connectivity, the laptop falls short. The USB ports are slow, with the USB-C port only supporting USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with a transfer speed of 10Gbps. This is far from the 40Gbps speed offered by Thunderbolt 4 or USB4. Most of the ports are located on the back panel, including two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 connection, and an Ethernet port. While there is a USB-A 2.0 port on the right side for connecting a mouse, it lacks high-speed USB.

Q&A: What Readers Might Ask

1. Can the Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 handle demanding games?

While the LOQ 15APH8 can handle most games at 1080p with good frame rates, it may struggle with more demanding titles that require higher graphics settings. It’s best suited for mid-range gaming.

2. Can the RAM be upgraded?

Unfortunately, the LOQ 15APH8 does not have user-upgradable RAM. The 8GB of RAM it comes with is soldered to the motherboard.

3. How does the LOQ 15APH8 compare to other budget gaming laptops?

The LOQ 15APH8 offers competitive performance for its price range. However, if design and display quality are essential to you, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or Acer Nitro 16 might be better options.

Conclusion: Impressive Performance on a Budget

The Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 may not have the flashiest design, but it provides excellent value and competitive performance for its price. With its capable AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, it delivers solid gaming performance without costing a fortune. However, the laptop’s limitations, such as its underwhelming design and slower USB ports, should be taken into consideration.

It’s worth noting that other budget gaming laptops, like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or Acer Nitro 16, offer snappier designs, larger displays, and superior performance. These laptops frequently go on sale and can be purchased at a discount for less than $1,000. If design and performance are both important to you, it might be worth considering these alternatives.

How We Test Computers

At ENBLE, we thoroughly test and evaluate computers, laptops, and other electronic devices to provide you with comprehensive insights. Our review process involves both objective performance testing in controlled conditions in the ENBLE Labs, as well as extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers.

Some of the benchmarking software we use includes Primate Labs Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. These tests help us assess the overall performance of the devices we review.

For a more detailed understanding of our testing methods and benchmarking software, you can visit our How We Test Computers page.

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