Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10
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 
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.
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