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| The LOQ 15APH11 starts at $1,299. Pictured: a promo picture of the gaming laptop. |
LAS VEGAS — The gaming laptop arena is fiercely competitive, but Lenovo is making a compelling play for the budget-conscious gamer with its latest reveal. At CES 2026, the tech giant unveiled the Lenovo LOQ 15APH11, a machine that promises serious performance without the astronomical price tag. We got a close look at the specs, and on paper, this could be the sweet-spot laptop many have been waiting for.
At Its Heart: A Rebadged AMD Powerhouse
The star of the show is the processor. Lenovo has equipped the LOQ 15APH11 with the AMD Ryzen 7 250 APU. Tech enthusiasts will recognize this as a rebadged version of the capable Ryzen 7 8840U from the Hawk Point lineup. This isn't a bad thing—it means you're getting proven technology: eight efficient Zen 4 cores and 16 threads, ready to handle modern games and multitasking with ease.
Lenovo isn't skimping on memory or storage either. The configuration shown pairs that AMD APU with a generous 32 GB of DDR5 RAM (running at a swift 5,600 MT/s) and a spacious 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. This combination should ensure lightning-fast load times and smooth system responsiveness.
Graphics and Cooling: The Gamer's Essentials
Where the rubber meets the road is graphics, and here the LOQ offers flexibility. It can be configured with up to an Nvidia RTX 5060 Laptop GPU. This pairing with the Ryzen 7 250 suggests Lenovo is targeting excellent 1080p and solid 1440p gaming performance. To keep that combo running cool under pressure, Lenovo is leveraging its Hyperchamber Cooling technology. The system is designed to optimize airflow and strategically channel heat away from the CPU, GPU, and other critical components, which is crucial for sustaining performance during long gaming sessions.
A Display Built for Smooth Gameplay
Gamers will appreciate the display specs. The LOQ 15APH11 features a 15.3-inch IPS panel with a blistering 180 Hz refresh rate and support for Nvidia G-Sync. This means buttery-smooth visuals with minimal tearing. Add in a bright 400 nits rating and 100% sRGB color coverage, and you have a screen that’s great for both gaming and content consumption.
Ports, Battery, and the Extras
Connectivity is robust for a laptop in this class. The port selection includes:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x USB4 with 140W PD support (perfect for fast charging)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x Ethernet port
- 1 x 3.5 mm audio combo jack
For those looking to maximize that USB4 port's potential, a high-wattage GaN charger like the 160W Anker Prime is a great companion for minimal travel bulk. Wireless duty is handled by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Other notable features include a dual-speaker setup, a QHD webcam with a physical E-Shutter for privacy, and a 60 WHr battery.
Pricing, Availability, and First Impressions
The most enticing part? The starting price is set at $1,299. For a configuration with the specs highlighted, that represents significant value in the gaming laptop market. Lenovo states the LOQ 15APH11 will be available for purchase starting April 2026.
Based on the announced specifications, the Lenovo LOQ 15APH11 shapes up to be a calculated strike at the heart of the mid-range gaming segment. It combines last generation's proven, efficient flagship APU with current-gen graphics and a high-refresh-rate display. If the cooling system performs as promised and the build quality holds up, Lenovo may have a winner on its hands for gamers seeking performance per dollar.
Interested in gearing up for this laptop's release? You can check out recommended accessories, like high-performance chargers and gaming peripherals, over on Amazon.
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| Design of the laptop |