Lenovo LOQ 15 Review: The Ryzen 7 7435HS Budget Gaming Laptop

The gaming laptop market is always buzzing with new releases, but it’s rare to find a budget option that promises both performance and affordability. Enter the Lenovo LOQ 15, equipped with AMD’s Ryzen 7 7435HS processor and Nvidia’s RTX 4060 graphics card. This combination promises solid gaming performance at a lower cost, but there’s a significant trade-off: the 7435HS lacks integrated graphics, which impacts battery life. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the details of this laptop to determine if it’s worth your investment.

Unpacking the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS

Overview

• Architecture: Zen 3+
• Core/Threads: Same as 7735HS and 6800H
• Cache: Identical to 7735HS and 6800H
• Clock Speeds: Slightly lower base and boost speeds than 7735HS
• Integrated Graphics: None

The Ryzen 7 7435HS is essentially a rebranded 6800H from early 2022, sharing many of its specifications with the 7735HS. The key difference lies in its slightly lower clock speeds and the complete absence of integrated graphics. This design decision is intriguing, especially given that integrated graphics can significantly impact battery life and overall portability.

Historical Context

The Zen 3+ architecture of the 7435HS is not new, and with Zen 5 on the horizon, it’s two generations old. However, AMD has only recently started using this chip in budget gaming laptops like the Lenovo LOQ 15. This move appears to be a way to repurpose chips with defective GPUs, avoiding waste and lowering costs.

Performance Without Integrated Graphics

Battery Life

The absence of integrated graphics means the laptop relies entirely on the discrete Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card. This design choice impacts battery life significantly. In our YouTube video playback test, the Lenovo LOQ 15 lasted only 3 hours and 24 minutes. While other LOQ models with integrated graphics lasted slightly longer (about 48 minutes more on average), the difference isn’t substantial.

Processor Performance

Despite its lack of integrated graphics, the Ryzen 7 7435HS performs comparably to the 7735HS and 6800H. Here’s a breakdown of its performance in various scenarios:

• Multi-core Performance: On par with the 7735HS and 6800H.
• Gaming Performance: Matches newer models with RTX 4060 graphics and Intel processors.
• Unplugged Performance: Minimal drop in performance when running on battery.

Benchmark Comparisons

Gaming Tests

We tested the Lenovo LOQ 15 in three popular games to assess its real-world performance:

Cyberpunk 2077

• Settings: Custom test run at 1080p and 1440p
• Results: Comparable to 2023 LOQs with RTX 4060 graphics, minor differences at 1440p where GPU becomes more critical.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Settings: Game’s benchmark tool at 1080p and 1440p
• Results: Close performance to 2023 models with the same GPU, slight edge to newer Zen 4 processors.

Control

• Settings: 1080p with high settings
• Results: One of the highest RTX 4060 results, smoother gameplay with Zen 4 processors at higher 1% lows.

Lenovo LOQ 15 Display and Latency

Display Quality

• Resolution: 1080p with G-Sync
• Brightness: 282 nits, below the 300 nit baseline
• Color Gamut: Sufficient for gaming

The display is one of the dimmer panels tested, which might affect visibility in bright environments. However, it performs adequately indoors with reduced ambient lighting.

Screen Response Time

• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Response Time: Slower than the ideal 6.94ms refresh window

While not the fastest, it’s faster than many budget gaming laptops. Most users won’t notice significant blurriness in fast-paced games.

System Latency

• Total System Latency: Moderate, not the best but acceptable for gaming.

The total system latency measures the delay between a mouse click and the corresponding action on screen. While it’s not the fastest, it’s within acceptable ranges for most gamers.

Lenovo LOQ 15 Thermals and Battery Drain

Thermal Performance

The Lenovo LOQ 15 runs cool under most conditions, even during combined CPU and GPU stress tests. It features four performance modes:

• Quiet Mode
• Balance Mode
• Performance Mode
• Custom Mode: Allows extensive fan and temperature control.

Thermal Management

• Idle Temperatures: Low with quiet fans
• Stress Test Temperatures: Remain cool, even under full load
• Custom Mode: Slightly warmer but manageable

Battery Drain During Intensive Use

During heavy use in custom mode, the 170W charger struggles to keep up, causing minor battery drain (1% dip every 10-15 minutes). However, most games won’t fully max out both the CPU and GPU simultaneously.

Lenovo LOQ 15 Wi-Fi and Build Quality

Wi-Fi Performance

• Speed: Lower than some competitors but close to gigabit speeds

The Wi-Fi performance is sufficient for most users, though not the fastest measured.

Build Quality

• Chassis: Solid and durable
• Keyboard and Touchpad: Responsive and comfortable
• Ports: Adequate for most gaming and productivity needs

Lenovo LOQ 15 Price and Value

Current Pricing

As of late July, the Lenovo LOQ 15 with RTX 4060 is priced at $800 USD. While this is competitive, there are better deals available, such as Dell’s G15 with a newer Zen 4 processor and higher refresh rate screen for $35 less. Ideally, the LOQ with the 7435HS should be priced around $750 to justify its battery life compromise.

Comparison with Competitors

In-Depth Look at Features

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Lenovo LOQ 15 is designed with gamers in mind. It features:

• Backlighting: Multiple brightness levels and colors
• Key Travel: Sufficient for gaming and typing
• N-Key Rollover: Supports multiple simultaneous key presses
• Touchpad: Responsive with multi-touch gestures

Usability

The keyboard is comfortable for long gaming sessions and extended typing tasks. The backlighting ensures visibility in low-light conditions, which is a crucial feature for gamers who prefer to play in dark environments.

Audio Quality

• Speakers: Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support
• Sound Profile: Clear highs and mids, decent bass
• Volume: Adequate for personal use

The audio quality is sufficient for gaming and media consumption. While it may not replace a dedicated speaker system or high-end headphones, it provides a good experience for casual use.

Port Selection

The Lenovo LOQ 15 includes a variety of ports to accommodate different peripherals:

• USB Type-A: Multiple ports for accessories
• USB Type-C: Supports data transfer and charging
• HDMI: Connects to external monitors or TVs
• Ethernet: Stable wired internet connection
• Audio Jack: Standard 3.5mm for headphones and microphones

The port selection is comprehensive, ensuring compatibility with various devices and accessories. This flexibility is beneficial for gamers and professionals who use multiple peripherals.

Detailed Thermal Management

Cooling System

The cooling system in the Lenovo LOQ 15 is designed to handle the heat generated by intensive gaming sessions. It features:

• Dual Fans: Efficiently expel hot air
• Heat Pipes: Directly connect to critical components
• Vents: Strategically placed to maximize airflow

Performance Modes

Each performance mode adjusts the cooling system’s behavior:

• Quiet Mode: Prioritizes silence over cooling, suitable for light tasks
• Balance Mode: Balances performance and cooling for everyday use
• Performance Mode: Maximizes cooling for intensive tasks
• Custom Mode: Allows users to fine-tune fan speeds and temperature thresholds

These modes provide flexibility, allowing users to choose the appropriate balance between noise and cooling based on their current activity.

Additional Features

Software and Customization

The Lenovo LOQ 15 comes with pre-installed software that enhances the user experience:

• Lenovo Vantage: A utility for system optimization and hardware monitoring
• Lenovo Nerve Center: Provides gaming-specific features and controls
• Pre-installed Applications: Minimal bloatware, mostly useful utilities

Customization Options

Users can customize various aspects of the laptop’s performance and appearance:

• Fan Speeds: Adjustable through software
• RGB Lighting: Customizable patterns and colors
• Power Settings: Optimize for performance or battery life

Warranty and Support

Lenovo offers robust support and warranty options for the LOQ:

• Standard Warranty: Covers defects and malfunctions for one year
• Extended Warranty: Available for purchase, extends coverage period
• Customer Support: 24/7 availability, knowledgeable representatives

Conclusion

Pros

• Good Performance: Matches mid-tier gaming laptops in most scenarios.
• Affordable: Lower price point due to lack of integrated graphics.
• Cool and Quiet: Excellent thermal management under load.
• Customizable: Extensive options for performance and aesthetics.

Cons

• Poor Battery Life: Only 3 hours and 24 minutes in video playback.
• Dim Display: Brightness below 300 nits.
• Minor Battery Drain During Intensive Use: Custom mode can drain battery even when plugged in.

Final Verdict

The Lenovo LOQ 15 with the Ryzen 7 7435HS offers a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers who primarily use their laptops plugged in. Its performance is solid across the board, but the lack of integrated graphics significantly impacts battery life. If you find this model at a discounted price and primarily game while connected to a charger, it could be a worthwhile purchase. However, for those who value portability and longer battery life, exploring alternatives with integrated graphics might be a better option.

For a more detailed look at Lenovo’s LOQ 15 series, including build quality, keyboard, touchpad, and ports, check out our original review.