Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 vs MSI Cyborg 15
The MSI Cyborg 15 is the better laptop on paper: it is better for gaming, has a backlit keyboard and is a little lighter. The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Gaming MSI Cyborg 15 wins
The MSI Cyborg 15 is the one for gaming: its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings, while the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 with its RTX 5050 plays modern games at 1080p.
- Extras MSI Cyborg 15 wins
Only the MSI Cyborg 15 has a backlit keyboard.
- Weight MSI Cyborg 15 wins
The MSI Cyborg 15 is a little lighter: 2.1 kg against 2.3 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 if…
- You do demanding work: its Intel Core i5-13450HX has the power for photo and video editing.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: it has 16 GB of memory.
- You keep big files on the laptop: it has 1 TB of storage.
Choose the MSI Cyborg 15 if…
- You play games: its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings.
- You want a backlit keyboard, handy for typing in dim rooms.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 2.1 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe MSI Cyborg 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 MSI Cyborg 15 is ahead on performance.
It is better for gaming, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-13450HX | Intel Core 7 240H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 65 W | 55 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-4800 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz | 144 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | — |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | — |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Matte | — |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The MSI Cyborg 15 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 60 Wh | 55.2 Wh |
| Charger | 135 W | 120 W |
| Charges via | Slim tip (rectangle) power connector; also USB-C PD input | DC barrel; USB-C PD also charges |
| Weight | 2.3 kg | 2.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 361.26 x 255.6 x 22.9-24.8 mm | 359.3 x 245.25 x 22.15-23.15 mm |
| Materials | PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom) | — |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810H/G |
| Colour | Luna Grey | Translucent Black |
| Colours available | — | Translucent Black |
Ports and wireless
The MSI Cyborg 15 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 6E, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 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) | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0, charging), 1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz), 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5 mm combo headphone/mic, 1x DC-in, 1x Kensington lock |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The MSI Cyborg 15 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | electronic shutter (e-shutter) | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | Non-backlit, English (UK), numpad | 4-zone RGB backlight, Copilot key, numpad |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, Precision TouchPad, 69 x 104 mm | — |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Nahimic Audio | 2x 2 W, DTS Audio Processing, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | dual-array | array microphone |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Firmware TPM 2.0, E-shutter | fTPM 2.0, Webcam shutter, Kensington lock |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | 83SC000HUK | 9S7-15Q342-840 |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |