Lenovo’s LOQ is a budget-friendly gaming product line positioned below the company’s premium Legion brand. Launched to provide capable gaming performance at more accessible price points, the series includes both laptops and desktop PCs designed for gamers who want solid specs without Legion-level costs.
The LOQ lineup includes numerous models and configurations, making it difficult to identify which option delivers the best value. Different processors, graphics cards, and feature sets across various price points create confusion for buyers trying to make an informed decision.
The LOQ 15IRX9 stands out as one of the strongest contenders in Lenovo’s budget gaming category. In this article, we’ll break down the Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9’s specifications, examine real-world benchmarks, and determine if this laptop justifies its price tag for budget-conscious gamers.
Overview
- The LOQ 15IRX9 is one of the best budget gaming laptops available right now, delivering solid performance without the premium price tag.
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX processor with 14 cores and 20 threads
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB graphics card
- 24GB DDR5 RAM (expandable to 32GB max)
- 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display with 100% sRGB color accuracy and 300 nits brightness
- G-Sync compatible display for smooth gameplay
- Weighs 2.38 kg (5.25 lbs)
- Fully upgradeable RAM and storage (two M.2 SSD slots)
- Starting price around $1,000-$1,350 depending on configuration
Specifications
The LOQ 15IRX9 comes in multiple configurations with different CPU, GPU, and RAM combinations. For this review, we tested the Intel-based model equipped with 24 GB of DDR5 RAM.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6 GB |
| RAM | 24 GB DDR5 (2x 12 GB) |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Display | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, 100% sRGB, 300 nits, 144Hz |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Camera | 720P HD |
The 24 GB RAM configuration offers the best value among available options. This setup provides enough memory for gaming and multitasking without significant price increases compared to lower-spec models. If your budget allows, consider purchasing the 16 GB version and upgrading it yourself with an additional 16 GB stick.
Benchmarks
We tested the LOQ 15IRX9 across eight popular games at maximum settings in 1080p resolution. DLSS was enabled on supported titles to maximize performance. All tests were conducted with the laptop running in performance mode.
| Game | Settings | FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Ultra High | 61 |
| Watch Dogs Legion | Ultra – RTX: High – DLSS Balanced | 58 |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | Ultimate Quality – DLSS Balanced | 118 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Highest Settings – DLSS Balanced | 133 |
| World War Z | Ultra | 165 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Ultra | 63 |
| Rainbow Six Siege | Ultra | 260 |
| Metro Exodus | Ultra – RTX: High – DLSS: On | 57 |
The RTX 4050 handles AAA titles comfortably at 1080p with high settings. Competitive shooters like Rainbow Six Siege run at extremely high frame rates, taking full advantage of the 144Hz display. More demanding titles with ray tracing enabled still deliver playable frame rates above 55 FPS.
Before You Buy
Before investing in the LOQ 15IRX9, you need to know a few things to make sure this laptop fits your needs.
The speakers are the laptop’s weakest point. Audio quality sits below average, and we found better speakers on cheaper laptops. If you rely heavily on sound for gaming or media consumption, plan to invest in a good headset. The built-in speakers work for basic tasks but fall short during gaming sessions.
The keyboard is full-size with a numpad and provides decent tactile feedback. It features white backlighting with two brightness levels, activated by pressing FN + Space. For those who prefer RGB lighting, this laptop only offers white backlighting. The layout feels comfortable for both gaming and typing.
Battery life is limited with the 60Wh battery delivering around 2 to 2.5 hours of web browsing. Gaming drains it faster. However, the rapid charge feature compensates for this drawback by charging the laptop from 0 to 100% in approximately 45 to 60 minutes when enabled.
Build quality shows a mixed bag. The laptop looks premium at first glance, but the bottom panel feels cheap and plasticky when handled. The palm rest area and keyboard deck feel acceptable for this price range, though not exceptional. This is standard for budget gaming laptops.
The display covers 100% sRGB, 80% AdobeRGB, and 82% P3 color spaces. This makes it suitable for casual content creation and gaming, though professional color work requires a more accurate panel.
Price
The LOQ 15IRX9 sits firmly in the budget gaming laptop category with a starting price around $1,000 USD for the base configuration. The specific model we reviewed with the Intel Core i7-13650HX, RTX 4050, and 24GB RAM typically sells for $1,200 to $1,350 depending on sales and retailer.
This price point delivers strong value considering the hardware inside. The LOQ 15IRX9 offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the budget gaming segment. For gamers who want solid 1080p gaming without spending $1,500 or more, this laptop hits the sweet spot between capability and affordability.
Final Words
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 delivers solid gaming performance at a budget-friendly price. The RTX 4050 handles modern games at 1080p with respectable frame rates, and the 144Hz display provides smooth visuals for competitive gaming. The build quality and speakers fall short of expectations, but these compromises are acceptable given the $1,000 to $1,350 price range.