💻 LENOVO LOQ 15IRX9 Review: A Mid-Range Contender with a Surprise Memory Boost
The budget to mid-range gaming laptop market is arguably the most competitive, offering a sweet spot between affordability and performance. Lenovo's LOQ series is a key player in this segment, succeeding the popular IdeaPad Gaming line. The specific model under review, the LENOVO LOQ 15IRX9 (83DV016NID), boasts a compelling configuration: an Intel Core i5-13450HX processor, a surprising 28GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. Let's dive into what makes this machine tick and whether it's a worthy investment for modern gamers and power users.
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| LENOVO LOQ 15IRX9 |
🚀 Design and Build Quality: Subtle and Solid
Lenovo has opted for a relatively clean and understated aesthetic for the LOQ 15IRX9, departing from the more aggressive, flashy designs of some competitors.
Chassis: The laptop features an all-plastic chassis, which is typical for this price point. However, it feels sturdy with minimal flex on the keyboard deck. The design is predominantly black (or Storm Grey, depending on the region), with a subtle "LOQ" logo on the lid.
Portability: Weighing in at around 2.4 kg and with a thickness of roughly 22-24mm, it's not the thinnest or lightest machine, but it is manageable for occasional travel.
Ports: Connectivity is sufficient, featuring multiple USB-A ports, a dedicated HDMI output, an Ethernet jack, and a USB-C port (check for specific DisplayPort/Power Delivery support, as it varies by model). Most essential ports are conveniently located on the rear, helping to manage cable clutter.
🖥️ Display: The Visual Experience
The visual hub of the LOQ 15IRX9 is a 15.6-inch display, often configured with an FHD (1920x1080) resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate.
Refresh Rate: The 144Hz panel is a standard and welcome feature for gaming, providing a noticeably smoother experience than a basic 60Hz display, crucial for fast-paced competitive titles.
Quality: While providing good speed, the color accuracy and brightness are generally standard for a budget panel. Expect decent viewing angles, but professionals might find the color gamut coverage (typically around 45-60% NTSC) a bit lacking for serious photo or video editing. For gaming and general use, it is perfectly adequate.
⚙️ Performance: A Mid-Range Powerhouse
This is where the LOQ 15IRX9 truly distinguishes itself, thanks to its unique component configuration.
Processor: Intel Core i5-13450HX
The 'HX' designation signifies a higher-performance chip, often featuring more cores and threads than standard 'H' series CPUs. The i5-13450HX is a 10-core (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores), 16-thread processor.
Note: This chip is exceptionally strong for an i5, often rivaling or even surpassing previous-generation Core i7s in multi-core performance. It handles heavy multitasking, rendering, and demanding CPU-intensive games with ease.
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (6GB VRAM)
The RTX 3050 is a popular entry-level GPU for gaming laptops. Crucially, the newest LOQ models often come with the 6GB VRAM variant, which is a significant improvement over the older 4GB version.
Gaming: It is a capable card for playing modern AAA games at 1080p on Medium to High settings. Competitive games like Valorant and CS2 will easily push high frame rates (taking advantage of the 144Hz screen), while graphically intense titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Hogwarts Legacy will require some settings optimization to hit 40-60+ FPS.
Ray Tracing/DLSS: It supports NVIDIA's DLSS technology, which can significantly boost frame rates by rendering at a lower resolution and upscaling. This makes Ray Tracing a viable option in some titles, though typically at lower settings.
Memory: The 28GB RAM Advantage
The 28GB RAM configuration is highly unusual and suggests an aftermarket or vendor-specific upgrade from the standard 16GB.
Impact: This substantial amount of RAM is the system's biggest unexpected strength. While 16GB is usually enough for gaming, 28GB provides vast headroom for heavy multitasking (gaming while streaming, keeping multiple Chrome tabs open, running virtual machines, or large data analysis). This transforms the LOQ 15IRX9 from a pure gaming machine into a highly capable all-around workhorse.
Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
The 512GB NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and rapid game loading. While speedy, 512GB can quickly fill up with modern game sizes. Fortunately, the LOQ chassis typically allows for an additional M.2 slot for easy storage expansion.
🌡️ Cooling and Acoustics: Lenovo's LOQ System
Thermal management is crucial for 'HX' processors and dedicated GPUs. The LOQ 15IRX9 utilizes Lenovo’s dedicated cooling solution, featuring dual fans and heat pipes.
Thermals: Under heavy load, the cooling system performs well, keeping the i5-13450HX and RTX 3050 within acceptable thermal limits. Expect the CPU to run warmer than the GPU during demanding sessions.
Noise: Fan noise is noticeable under full load (running in 'Performance Mode'), but it’s a consistent whoosh rather than an irritating whine. Lenovo's Lenovo Vantage software allows users to switch between Quiet, Balanced, and Performance modes to manage the trade-off between performance and noise.
🔋 Battery Life and Keyboard/Touchpad
Keyboard: The keyboard is comfortable for both typing and gaming. It usually features a white or 4-Zone RGB backlight. It has a full-size layout with a numpad, though the key travel is standard.
Touchpad: The touchpad is large and responsive, suitable for non-gaming tasks.
Battery: Battery life is not the LOQ's strong suit, which is typical for a high-performance gaming laptop with an HX processor. Expect around 3-5 hours of light usage (web browsing, document work) and significantly less when gaming (always plug in for gaming performance).
🏆 Verdict: The Value Proposition
The LENOVO LOQ 15IRX9 (83DV016NID) is an extremely compelling mid-range offering, particularly with the upgraded 28GB of RAM.
Pros:
Exceptional CPU Performance: The i5-13450HX is a multi-core beast that punches above its weight class.
28GB RAM: Unprecedented memory capacity for this segment, making it superb for multitasking and demanding applications beyond gaming.
Fast 144Hz Display: Provides the competitive edge and smooth visuals essential for a modern gaming experience.
Understated Design: A look that is acceptable in both a gaming den and a corporate meeting.
Cons:
Standard Display Quality: Color accuracy is typical of a budget panel, not ideal for professional creators.
Limited Storage Out-of-the-Box: 512GB SSD will require quick expansion for a large game library.
Battery Life: Unsurprisingly short for a laptop in this class.
Who is this for?
The LOQ 15IRX9 is perfect for the budget-conscious gamer and multitasking power user who wants the absolute best CPU and memory performance for the price. If your primary use involves simultaneously running heavy productivity apps and competitive gaming, this specific configuration offers an unmatched level of future-proofing and capability in the sub-$1000 or mid-range tier.