Alienware 15 Beats Lenovo LOQ Essential 15 at $999, Edging a $1,299 Rival

Q: Does a slightly lower frame rate even matter if games look drastically better on a superior screen?

Not necessarily. In this comparison, the frame-rate gap is small enough that many players would care more about the screen. The Alienware 15’s advantage was real but modest: about 8 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 4 FPS in Baldur’s Gate 3. Both machines were already running in a playable range, and both have high-refresh displays. For many people, the jump from 66 to 74 FPS is noticeable but not transformative, especially in slower-paced or cinematic games. By contrast, the Lenovo LOQ Essential 15’s display benefit is easier to appreciate all the time. Its 100% sRGB panel should produce richer, more accurate color than the Alienware’s screen, which matters not only in games but also for movies, browsing and everyday use. If you value visual richness, that can outweigh a single-digit FPS loss. Where lower frame rate matters more is in fast competitive games, where smoother motion and lower latency can be more important than color quality. In those cases, Alienware’s slightly better gaming performance and 165Hz panel make more sense. Alienware also adds practical value with more useful USB-C connectivity, a lower starting price, and stronger overall value. So the answer depends on how you play. If you mostly enjoy story-driven games and care about image quality every time you open the laptop, the LOQ’s better screen can matter more than a small FPS deficit. If you want the best all-around budget gaming buy, the Alienware still has the stronger case.

3 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Aug 1

ZDNET gave the Alienware 15 the overall edge in a close budget-gaming matchup, citing stronger value, slightly better gaming results and a sturdier-feeling build.
In testing, the Alienware averaged 74 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 versus 66 FPS for the LOQ, and 76 FPS versus 72 FPS in Baldur's Gate, while also offering two USB-C ports and DisplayPort support.
Lenovo's LOQ Essential 15 still won on display quality, with 100% sRGB coverage versus the Alienware's 62.5%, making games, video and everyday use look more vivid despite the lower 144Hz refresh rate.
Price was the decisive factor: Alienware starts at $999, while the LOQ Essential 15 starts at $1,299, even as Lenovo's own non-Essential LOQ models can offer better hardware around the same price.