I never thought a gaming laptop could replace my work PC – until I used this Lenovo

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In my opinion, the biggest issue with gaming laptops is their high barrier to entry. They’re expensive, with many costing several thousand dollars. It makes sense, though, since you’re (usually) packing top-tier hardware, a high-quality display, and a robust cooling system into a compact machine. 

Fortunately, there are midrange options that don’t break the bank, and Lenovo’s latest LOQ 15AH10 is such a device, providing an affordable way to enjoy modern PC gaming.

Also: The best Lenovo laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

To keep costs down, Lenovo made some compromises. It is not a high-end powerhouse. It lacks many of the bells and whistles of models like the Lenovo Legion 9i. Still, even with more modest hardware, it remains a solid, enjoyable laptop for most.

A modest look

Compared to your typical gaming laptop, the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 has a surprisingly subdued design. It’s not a bulky, all-black machine with RGB lighting across its chassis and a massive rear cooling shelf. Instead, the LOQ model is slim, sporting an all-silver finish and no RGB lighting on the keyboard. It only has bright white backlit keys, with the only touch of color being the red on the power button.

It’s also more compact than most high-end gaming laptops, measuring 0.94 x 14.17 x 10.19 inches and weighing just over five pounds. A form factor like this allows the device to fit comfortably inside most bags. At five pounds, it’s easy enough to carry around, although the included power adapter adds an extra two pounds.

Like most gaming laptops, Lenovo’s machine has limited battery life. Even with its setting optimized for longevity, it only lasted about six hours on a single charge during testing. It can barely make a full day with the right usage behaviors. However, the laptop supports Rapid Charge Pro, which significantly speeds up charging. Lenovo claims that a 30-minute charge is sufficient to fully charge the battery to 50%. In my tests, the laptop hit 77% in that time while turned off.

Port selection is fairly minimal, with Lenovo opting to provide the essentials. On the right, you’ll find the ports you’re most likely to use: a single USB-C port, a USB-A, and a headphone jack. The rear houses secondary ports, which include HDMI 2.1 for connecting to external monitors and an Ethernet port for wired connections. The life side is completely bare. I wish Lenovo had made better use of the space allotted to the LOQ.

Also: This budget Lenovo laptop I tested has no business being this good for the price

The array on the right is enough for a controller, a pair of headphones, and an external drive. Still, the setup feels limited. Another USB-C port would’ve been nice for additional accessories. I would have also appreciated support for Thunderbolt 4 for faster data transfers, but I suppose that’s what docking stations are for. These accessories can compensate for the limited selection.

Lenovo did a great job with the keyboard. The full-size layout occupies nearly the entire space allotted to it, providing each key with ample room. Neither the arrow keys nor the number pad has been shrunk down. Nothing feels cramped, and I love it. Typing feels pretty good. The keys sit slightly above the metal of the laptop, sporting a soft rubber keycap. It gives each button a nice, bouncy feel to ensure comfortable typing.

Also: This Lenovo laptop is one of my favorite work devices from last year

Another drawback of the Lenovo LOQ is the display. It measures 15 inches with a 16:9 aspect ratio. I found the size and shape of the panel to be somewhat awkward. It doesn’t fully fill the lid, resulting in thick bezels across the glass that give the laptop a slightly rugged look. That said, there is an upside: the larger bezels combined with the silver chassis help the device blend in more naturally into professional environments.

Solid performance

My review unit of the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 came equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 2500 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, and 32GB of RAM. That’s a solid midrange configuration. Below is a table comparing the model to other laptops I’ve recently tested, including both gaming and non-gaming models. At first glance, the numbers might make the LOQ seem underwhelming, falling behind more powerful gaming machines, such as the Razer Blade 14.

Looking at the numbers alone, you might assume the laptop performs poorly. Actually, that wasn’t my experience at all. In real-world testing, Lenovo’s model handled every AAA game I threw at it (Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Arc Raiders, and more) with ease. I didn’t encounter any major slowdowns. Particle effects popped with color. The intense battles, like those found on Arc Raiders, were engrossing thanks to the hardware, which ensured fluid combat and detailed combatant models.

Contrary to my earlier criticisms, I believe the display plays a big role in the device’s top-notch performance. The panel on the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 supports 1080p resolution. Image resolution isn’t as sharp as on higher-end machines with 2.8K or 4K screens. However, the upshot, in my opinion, is that the 1080p display is less demanding on the hardware, allowing games to run more smoothly. It also helps that the panel runs at a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth motion and responsive gameplay.

Also: Is Lenovo’s new SteamOS handheld worth the hype? I tested it, here’s my verdict

Outside of gaming, the gaming computer performs admirably as an everyday work machine. As you can image, it handles common workflows like document editing, creating spreadsheets, and multitasking with dozens of tabs without breaking a sweat. The system holds up well for light programming work, making it a suitable option for both students and professionals.

That said, because of the 1080p screen, I wouldn’t recommend using the LOQ for creative work. The color output is fine, and it’s perfectly usable in a pinch; however, the resolution becomes a limitation when working with 4K footage.

ZDNET’s buying advice

At the time of this writing, the Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10 is currently on sale at the company’s website with prices starting at $800. The entry-level configuration features an AMD Ryzen 5 2200 G CPU and 16GB of RAM. Lenovo gives shoppers the opportunity to customize the hardware. You can purchase my review unit for $1,195.

I highly recommend this LOQ model if you’re looking for a gaming laptop that also serves as a reliable everyday productivity machine. MSI’s Katana 15 HX is a solid alternative of similar size, although it leans more toward a traditional gaming aesthetic. It’s bulky, all-black, and comes with RGB lighting.