Alienware 15 vs. LOQ Essential 15: I compared both budget gaming laptops - it was close

I compared both budget gaming laptops - it was close">

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Alienware 15 (left) vs. Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 (right)

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In the throes of the RAMpocalypse , checking prices on new gaming laptops is enough to make you ragequit. Luckily, there are some good budget gaming laptops out there, and it's never been a better time to give them serious consideration.

I compared two of the best bang-for-buck gaming laptops on the market right now: the Alienware 15 (2026) and the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 . Both of these laptops hover around the $1,200 mark, opt for lower-end (but still competitive) hardware, and forego bells and whistles like RGB lighting to keep prices down.

Also: I tested Alienware's new budget gaming laptop, but these 3 might be smarter buys

All things considered, they're very similar laptops with similar strengths and weaknesses. They're both around five pounds and have limited battery performance compared to consumer laptops. But each have solid performance where it counts. Either is a good option for gamers on a budget -- here's how they stack up.

15.3-inch IPS, WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 300 nits, 16:10, 62.5% sRGB, 165Hz refresh