Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) vs Lenovo LOQ Essential 15
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 has the edge: it is faster and has more storage. The Lenovo LOQ still is faster in games and has a backlit keyboard, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Speed Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 wins
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 is quicker. Its Intel Core i5-13450HX has the power for photo and video editing, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 in the Lenovo LOQ stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
- Gaming Lenovo LOQ wins
Both have an RTX 5050, but the Lenovo LOQ lets it run at 100 W against 65 W, so it's faster in games.
- Storage Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 wins
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Extras Lenovo LOQ wins
Only the Lenovo LOQ has a backlit keyboard.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo LOQ if…
- You want the most from the RTX 5050: it runs at 100 W, so games run faster.
- You want a backlit keyboard, handy for typing in dim rooms.
- You're on a lot of video calls: its 5MP webcam is sharper.
Choose the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Intel Core i5-13450HX is the more powerful processor.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 2.3 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Lenovo LOQ leads on extras, while the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 leads on performance. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Lenovo LOQ is faster in games, while the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 is faster and has more storage.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | Intel Core i5-13450HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 100 W | 65 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
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 (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 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 |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | — |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | 100% sRGB |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Lenovo LOQ doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10.4 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 60 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Charger | 170 W | 135 W |
| Charges via | Slim tip (rectangle) power connector; USB-C also charges (USB PD 65-100W) | Slim tip (rectangle) power connector; also USB-C PD input |
| Fast charging | Rapid Charge Pro: up to 50% in 30 min | — |
| Weight | 2.4 kg | 2.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 359.86 x 258.7 x 21.9-23.9 mm | 361.26 x 255.6 x 22.9-24.8 mm |
| Materials | PC-ABS top, PC-ABS bottom | PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom) |
| Colour | Luna Grey | Luna Grey |
| Colours available | Luna Grey | — |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (USB 10Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 2, charging with USB PD 65-100W, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo | 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 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo LOQ is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard and has a sharper webcam, and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 5MP | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | E-shutter (electronic); Icecat also lists a privacy shutter | electronic shutter (e-shutter) |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | 6-row, numeric keypad, Copilot key, multimedia Fn keys, 1.5 mm travel, white backlight | Non-backlit, English (UK), numpad |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, Precision Touchpad, 75 x 120 mm | Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch, Precision TouchPad, 69 x 104 mm |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W stereo, Nahimic Audio | 2x 2 W stereo, Nahimic Audio |
| Microphones | dual-microphone array | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Firmware TPM 2.0 (in SoC), E-shutter webcam privacy, BIOS passwords (admin/user/power-on/HDD), Self-healing BIOS | Firmware TPM 2.0, E-shutter |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Lenovo LOQ (Gen 10) | Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Update promise | None | — |
| Model number | 83JG0008UK | 83SC000HUK |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |