Alienware 15 vs Lenovo LOQ Essential 15
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 has the edge: it has more storage and has more accurate colour. The Alienware 15 still has a backlit keyboard, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Storage Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 wins
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Colour Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 wins
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15's screen shows a wider range of colour (100% sRGB against 62.5% sRGB), so photos and films look richer and truer.
- Extras Alienware 15 wins
Only the Alienware 15 has a backlit keyboard.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Alienware 15 if…
- You want a backlit keyboard, handy for typing in dim rooms.
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (70 Wh).
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 2.2 kg.
Choose the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You edit photos or care about colour: its screen covers 100% sRGB.
- You want fewer chargers: it charges over USB-C, like most phones.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Alienware 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 7 240H | Intel Core i5-13450HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | — | 65 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | — | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | — | 2 |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Alienware 15 has a smoother screen, while the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 has more accurate colour.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 165 Hz | 144 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 62.5% sRGB | 100% sRGB |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | — | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Alienware 15 has a bigger battery and is a little lighter, while the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 charges over USB-C.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 70 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Charger | 180 W | 135 W |
| Charges via | 7.4 mm barrel | Slim tip (rectangle) power connector; also USB-C PD input |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 2.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 349.5 x 250.3 x 22.95 mm | 361.26 x 255.6 x 22.9-24.8 mm |
| Materials | — | PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom) |
| Colour | Nova Black | Luna Grey |
| Colours available | Nova Black | — |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a; charging), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet (1GbE), 1x 3.5 mm universal audio | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps, 4.5W output), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps, USB PD 65-100W input, 15W output, charging), 1x HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K/60Hz), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo, 1x Ethernet RJ-45 (1 GbE) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7920 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Alienware 15 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | — | electronic shutter (e-shutter) |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | white-backlit UK keyboard with numeric keypad | Non-backlit, English (UK), numpad |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | — | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, Precision TouchPad, 69 x 104 mm |
| Speakers | — | 2x 2 W stereo, Nahimic Audio |
| Microphones | dual-array microphones | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | — | Firmware TPM 2.0, E-shutter |
Software and model
The Alienware 15 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | AWDA15260-7288BLK-PGB | 83SC000HUK |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |