Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 Gaming Laptop Review: A Solid Choice for Budget Gamers?
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Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 Gaming Laptop Review: A Solid Choice for Budget Gamers?
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 is a mid-range gaming laptop that aims to provide a solid gaming experience at an attractive price point. It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, coupled with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, and boasts a 144Hz refresh rate display. With these specs, it promises smooth gameplay and a visually immersive experience. But is the LOQ 15APH8 a true contender in the competitive gaming laptop market? Let’s delve into our in-depth review to find out.
Key Features
The LOQ 15APH8 packs a punch in terms of features:
* **AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Processor:** This powerful processor offers excellent performance for both gaming and everyday tasks.
* **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Graphics:** The dedicated graphics card handles demanding games with ease, providing smooth visuals and high frame rates.
* **15.6″ FHD IPS 144Hz Display:** The fast refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay and a responsive experience, reducing screen tearing and stuttering.
* **8GB DDR5 RAM:** The 8GB DDR5 RAM is sufficient for most games and multitasking, but you might want to consider upgrading to 16GB or 32GB for future-proofing.
* **512GB SSD:** The fast NVMe SSD provides quick boot times and fast loading times for games and applications.
* **Backlit Keyboard:** The backlit keyboard is convenient for gaming in low-light conditions and adds a touch of style.
Performance
We put the LOQ 15APH8 through its paces with a variety of games, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Forza Horizon 5. Overall, the laptop performed well, delivering smooth gameplay at high settings. The Ryzen 7 7840HS processor handled the CPU-intensive tasks with aplomb, while the RTX 4050 graphics card provided the necessary horsepower for delivering crisp visuals.
The 144Hz display was a delight to use, offering a smooth and responsive gaming experience. The keyboard was comfortable to type on and the backlit keys were a welcome addition. The audio quality was decent, delivering clear and crisp sound, though it lacked the punch of some higher-end gaming laptops.
Pros & Cons
**Pros:**
* Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor delivers excellent performance.
* Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card enables smooth gameplay at high settings.
* 144Hz display offers a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
* Backlit keyboard is comfortable and practical.
* Affordable price point compared to other gaming laptops with similar specs.
**Cons:**
* 8GB RAM might be insufficient for some gamers.
* Battery life is average, not ideal for on-the-go gaming.
* Speakers lack the power and richness of some higher-end laptops.
* Limited storage space with 512GB SSD, may require an external hard drive for large game libraries.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo LOQ 15APH8 is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers looking for a decent gaming experience. It offers a powerful processor, capable graphics card, and a fast refresh rate display, all at a reasonable price. While the 8GB RAM and limited storage space might be a concern for some, the overall performance and value proposition make it a compelling option. If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle demanding games without breaking the bank, the LOQ 15APH8 is worth considering.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Processor | AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840HS (8C / 16T, 3.8 / 5.1GHz, 8MB L2 / 16MB L3) |
Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 6GB GDDR6, Boost Clock 2370MHz, TGP 95W |
Chipset | AMD SoC Platform |
Memory | 1x 8GB SO-DIMM DDR5-5600 |
Memory Slots | Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, dual-channel capable |
Max Memory | Up to 32GB DDR5-5600 |
Storage | 512GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe® |
Storage Support | Up to two drives, 2x M.2 SSD |
Storage Slot | Two M.2 slots |
Card Reader | None |
Optical | None |
Audio Chip | High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC3287 codec |
Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, optimized with Nahimic Gaming Audio |
Camera | FHD 1080p with E-shutter |
Microphone | 2x, Array |
Battery | Integrated 60Wh |
Power Adapter | 170W Slim Tip (3-pin) |
Display | 15.6″ FHD (1920×1080) IPS 350nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC, 144Hz, G-SYNC®, FreeSync™ |
Touchscreen | None |
Color Calibration | None |
Keyboard | White Backlit, English (US) |
Case Color | Storm Grey |
Surface Treatment | Painting |
Case Material | PC-ABS (Top), PC-ABS (Bottom) |
Dimensions (WxDxH) | 359.6 x 264.8 x 22.1-25.2 mm (14.16 x 10.43 x 0.87-0.99 inches) |
Weight | Starting at 2.4 kg (5.29 lbs) |
Operating System | Windows® 11 Home, English |
Bundled Software | Office Trial |
Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
WLAN + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi® 6, 11ax 2×2 + BT5.1 |
Standard Ports | 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x HDMI® 2.1, 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm), 1x Power connector, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C® 3.2 Gen 2 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 140W and DisplayPort™ 1.4), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Docking | Various docking solutions supported via USB-C® |
Security Chip | Firmware TPM 2.0 Enabled |
Fingerprint Reader | None |
Other Security | E-shutter |
Green Certifications | ErP Lot 6, ErP Lot 26, RoHS compliant |