Research-based guide. Prices and specs are sourced and dated, not tested by us.

What the LOQ line is

LOQ is Lenovo’s budget-friendly gaming range. Notebookcheck describes it as a slightly less premium take on the Legion series, with decent hardware at lower prices. In practice you get practical designs rather than thin, light machines: a 15-inch LOQ weighs about 2.4 kg (5.4 lb) according to Notebookcheck’s coverage of the 2025 model, and a 17-inch version with an RTX 5050 is listed at 2.9 kg.

This guide explains the models you are likely to see in 2026 and what to check before you buy. It is not a review. If GPU power limits and video memory are new to you, start with our gaming laptop buying guide.

The LOQ models you will see in 2026

Notebookcheck notes that the Ryzen 7 250 is essentially a renamed Ryzen 7 8840U, an older-generation chip. A Best Buy listing for the 15.3-inch model shows a 165Hz screen with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which differs from Lenovo’s headline 180Hz spec, so check the exact version.

What LOQ laptops have cost

• December 2025 (US, Best Buy): the LOQ 15 Gen 10 with an RTX 5060, Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5 and 512GB SSD fell to $849.99, a record low according to Notebookcheck.
• 3 August 2026 (US, Best Buy): Tech Times reported a one-day price of $1,199 on a similar 15.6-inch LOQ (Core i7-13650HX, RTX 5060, 16GB, 512GB). The $1,849.99 comparison price in that deal was called inflated by HotHardware, as cited by Tech Times, because the laptop had earlier sold for $1,299.99.
• 9 October 2026 (US, Best Buy): Notebookcheck reported the RTX 5060 LOQ Essential at about $1,200 after a discount of roughly $650 to $700.
• 26 October 2026 (US, Best Buy): a 15.3-inch LOQ with Ryzen 7 250, RTX 5060, 16GB and 512GB showed $1,249.99 in the listing we found. The page did not show a date for that price.

These are different configurations, so this is not a clean price history. It does show that RTX 5060 LOQ laptops cost more now than at the December 2025 low. Memory costs are one factor behind higher hardware prices this year; see why PC parts cost so much in 2026.

Five checks before you buy

• RAM layout. A German listing covered by Notebookcheck shows a LOQ 15IRX10 with one 16GB stick and a free second slot. A single stick runs in single-channel mode, which is usually slower for games than two matching sticks. Adding a stick fixes that, but memory is expensive right now; see how much RAM you need for gaming. Check whether the listing says 1x16GB or 2x8GB.
• The exact screen. Notebookcheck’s review index scores different LOQ 15IRX10 configurations very differently on display quality, from 92% for one to 40% for another. Check resolution, brightness and color coverage for your exact model number. Lenovo lists 400 nits and 100% sRGB for the 15.3-inch model.
• GPU power and memory. The RTX 5060 in the 15IRX10 has 8GB of GDDR7 and a 100W power limit (Notebookcheck). That suits 1080p. Our editorial view is that 8GB gets tight in newer games at higher settings.
• CPU generation. Several LOQs pair a 2026 GPU with older 13th and 14th-generation Intel HX chips or the Ryzen 7 250. A French review of an RTX 5070 version scored it 60%, with the headline saying an old CPU holds it back. A faster GPU only pays off if the CPU keeps up.
• Weight and battery. Expect about 2.4 kg for the 15-inch and 2.9 kg for the 17-inch. An Italian review says the battery is not built for long sessions away from a socket. Treat it as a desk laptop.

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

A LOQ suits a buyer who wants to play at 1080p without paying for a premium chassis. Notebookcheck’s German review of an RTX 5060 and Core i5 version scored it 88% and called it well suited to Full HD gaming, with limits in demanding games and at higher resolutions.

Look elsewhere if you want a thin laptop, long battery life, an OLED screen or 1440p at high settings. Those needs usually point to pricier lines, such as Lenovo’s own Legion range. We have not compared them here.

When to buy

Black Friday is 27 November. Our Black Friday guide explains how to check a deal before you buy, and Build, Buy a Laptop or Wait? covers whether to wait at all. Whatever the discount, compare the exact model number with the specs above.

Last checked 26 October 2026. We update this guide when new LOQ models launch, prices move a lot, and after Black Friday (27 November). No affiliate links. How we source our guides is explained on the About page.

Sources

• Notebookcheck: New affordable Lenovo LOQ gaming laptop debuts with up to Nvidia RTX 5060 and AMD CPU (7 January 2026, updated 5 October 2026)
• Notebookcheck: Lenovo introduces first 17-inch LOQ gaming laptop (CES 2025)
• Notebookcheck: Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10 is now 34% cheaper than list price (December 2025)
• Notebookcheck: RTX 5060-powered Lenovo LOQ 15 price drop (October 2025, weight)
• Notebookcheck: Affordable Lenovo gaming laptop with 16 GB DDR5 RAM, RTX 5060 sees $650 price cut (9 October 2026)
• Notebookcheck (German): LOQ 15IRX10 with RTX 5060 and Core i5 (July 2025, RAM and GPU specs)
• Notebookcheck: LOQ 15IRX10 review index (German review score)
• Notebookcheck: LOQ 15IRX10 review index, English (review scores by configuration)
• Notebookcheck: LOQ 15IRX10 with RTX 5070 review index (June 2026 review score)
• Tech Times: Lenovo LOQ RTX 5060 drops to $1,199 at Best Buy (3 August 2026)
• Best Buy: Lenovo LOQ 15.3-inch (Ryzen 7 250, RTX 5060)