Tivique LX15 15.6 Inch Laptop Review – 2026 model with Ryzen 3 4300U: A Closer Look at the Latest Technology

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For a budget laptop in 2026, the Tivique LX15 remains a sensible choice with adequate sharpness for everyday tasks. The IPS panel offers 180-degree viewing angles, allowing for easy screen sharing without color shift or contrast issues. The display is suitable for office work, web browsing, and streaming from platforms like Netflix or YouTube.

Brightness levels are decent for indoor use, estimated at around 250 nits. While sufficient for most scenarios, direct sunlight or bright environments may pose a challenge. The anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections compared to glossy displays, but it’s not foolproof. If using the laptop outdoors frequently, finding shade is recommended.

Color reproduction is acceptable for media consumption and document work, although not ideal for professional photo editing. The display lacks the vibrancy and accuracy of more expensive laptops, but it meets the needs of students and office workers without major compromises.

In terms of ports, the Tivique LX15 features a DC barrel port, USB-C port, USB-A port, HDMI port, two additional USB-A ports, a TF card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. While the port selection is adequate, the inability to charge via USB-C is a drawback, especially in a time when USB-C charging is standard across laptops. The positioning of ports on the sides may lead to cable clutter when using multiple peripherals.

The keyboard provides decent key travel and tactile feedback, suitable for extended typing sessions. The US layout with a silicone overlay for a UK layout may not be to everyone’s liking, but the keys are spaced well and generally accurate. The trackpad is responsive and supports standard Windows gestures, although the dual-button design may feel outdated to some users.

Overall, the Tivique LX15 offers a good display and adequate connectivity for its price point, making it a practical choice for those on a budget in 2026. One convenient feature is the ability to completely disable the trackpad using a function key combination, which is handy when using an external mouse to prevent accidental cursor movements while typing.

**Windows**

I was initially concerned about the compatibility of the old CPU with Windows 11, but Windows actually supports CPUs dating back to the Ryzen 2700 and all Ryzen 3000 CPUs onwards, so the Ryzen 3 4300U is fully compatible.

The out-of-the-box experience is not standard, as Windows prompts you to set up a local account instead of the usual online-only account. This may be preferred by those who prioritize privacy and don’t want their data constantly syncing to Microsoft’s servers. However, it indicates that Tivique has made modifications to the base OS. I would recommend a fresh Windows installation regardless, as this is true for all mini PCs and affordable laptops from smaller brands. A clean install ensures you start with an unmodified version of Windows, without potential bloatware or customizations that could impact performance or security.

Reinstalling Windows is straightforward if you have a USB drive and access to another computer to create installation media. For most users looking to start quickly, the pre-installed Windows 11 will suffice, but be aware that it may not be completely stock.

**Day-to-day Performance**

The Ryzen 3 4300U justifies its price increase over the Acemagic TX15 in terms of general performance. It outperforms its N150-equipped predecessor significantly, handling everyday tasks with ease. Using it for work over several days, running applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, Chrome with multiple tabs, Spotify, and Netflix felt noticeably smoother compared to the Acemagic model.

The 16GB of RAM helps keep things running smoothly, but some resource management is still necessary. I was able to comfortably run Outlook with multiple Chrome windows containing 10-15 tabs each, along with Spotify in the background, without experiencing major slowdowns. However, pushing the limits of the Ryzen 3 4300U’s processing power with dozens of browser tabs will eventually lead to consequences.

The laptop handles office productivity tasks competently, with Microsoft Office applications running smoothly. Web browsing is generally fluid, although very heavy websites may cause brief loading moments. Video streaming at 1080p is smooth, with 4K playback also possible, albeit with a slightly louder fan.

The laptop’s limitations become apparent when pushing beyond basic productivity tasks. Photo and video editing can feel sluggish when working with larger files or applying multiple filters. The laptop remains relatively cool during typical use, with the fan remaining quiet most of the time.

**Audio and Webcam**

The audio quality of the Tivique LX15 is functional but not exceptional, typical for budget laptops. The built-in speakers lack depth and bass, resulting in a somewhat tinny sound quality. For casual use, the speakers are sufficient, but headphones or external speakers are recommended for better audio quality.

The 1MP webcam offers 720p resolution, suitable for basic video calls but struggles in low light conditions. For more demanding video conferencing, an external webcam with better image quality is recommended. The integrated microphone captures voice adequately for calls, but not for high-quality recordings or streaming.

**Gaming Performance**

Gaming is not the main focus of the Tivique LX15, with entry-level graphics performance from the Radeon Vega 5 integrated graphics. Modern AAA titles may not be playable unless settings are significantly reduced. Emulation of older console systems shows more promise due to the improved CPU performance of the Ryzen 3 4300U compared to the N150. I tested PCSX2 emulation with titles like Burnout Revenge on the Tivique LX15, which ran at a solid 60 frames per second with appropriate settings. This makes the laptop viable for retro gaming enthusiasts who want to revisit older titles.

For casual gaming with less demanding titles or browser-based games, the laptop handles things adequately. Games available through cloud gaming services also work well, as they rely more on your internet connection than local processing power. If gaming is a primary concern, you’d be better served by a laptop with dedicated graphics, but for occasional casual gaming, the Tivique LX15 can manage.

The benchmark results clearly demonstrate the performance advantage of the Ryzen 3 4300U over the Intel N150. In 3DMark Time Spy, the Tivique LX15 scores 631 compared to 450 for the Acemagic, representing a 40% improvement in overall score. The graphics score increases from 395 to 554, while the CPU score jumps from 2149 to 3097 – a substantial 44% improvement.

Looking at the 3DMark CPU Profile results, we see consistent gains across all thread counts. Single-threaded performance improves from 397 to 634, while multi-threaded performance nearly doubles from 1270 to 2484. This translates to noticeably better responsiveness in everyday tasks and improved performance in applications that can take advantage of multiple cores.

Cinebench R23 results tell a similar story, with single-core performance improving from 605 to 1059 and multi-core performance more than doubling from 1707 to 4037. These gains are reflected in real-world usage, where applications launch faster and multitasking feels more fluid.

The PCMark 10 scores are particularly interesting, as they measure real-world productivity performance. The overall score improves from 2818 to 3775, but what’s most notable is the Productivity score, which nearly doubles from 4015 to 7962. This directly correlates with my experience using the laptop for office work, where the Tivique LX15 felt noticeably more responsive than the Acemagic TX15.

PassMark results show the CPU Mark improving dramatically from 4442 to 8085, while 3D graphics performance increases from 1044 to 1135. Interestingly, the disk and memory scores are slightly lower on the Tivique, which may be due to differences in the specific SSD and RAM configuration used, though both laptops theoretically have identical specifications in these areas.

For Crystal Disk Mark, the speeds aligned with typical SATA SSD speeds: 545MB/s read and 500MB/s write. These are respectable figures for a budget laptop, providing noticeably faster storage performance than older mechanical hard drives or eMMC storage found in some ultra-budget options.

Battery life is adequate rather than exceptional on the Tivique LX15, lasting around 5 to 6 hours with typical productivity tasks. The higher TDP of the Ryzen 3 4300U does have an impact on battery life compared to the Acemagic TX15, but the performance improvements make this trade-off worthwhile for most users.

Charging times are reasonable, though not particularly fast, taking approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. The Tivique LX15 is listed on Amazon with an RRP of £550, discounted to £330. Overall, the Tivique LX15 offers solid value for money, particularly for students, office workers, or casual users who primarily use their laptop for everyday tasks. In today’s market, the rising costs of components have made pre-built budget laptops with decent specifications more attractive compared to building or upgrading your own device. This shift in the market dynamics sheds light on the value of the Tivique LX15, priced at £330.

The Tivique LX15 stands out for its impressive 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD storage, solid build quality, and enhanced performance when compared to ultra-budget options. However, it does have some drawbacks, including an outdated charging solution, basic webcam and audio features, and the use of an older processor that lacks the efficiency of newer models.

For those seeking an affordable laptop that can overlook these limitations, the Tivique LX15 is a viable option. It offers excellent everyday performance and a compelling price-to-performance ratio in today’s market. While it may not excel in demanding tasks like gaming or content creation, it delivers smooth performance for office work, web browsing, and media consumption.

The Tivique LX15 review highlights its strengths, such as the Ryzen 3 4300U processor and 16GB of RAM, which provide a noticeable improvement in performance over cheaper alternatives. Despite its dated hardware and design, the laptop offers a responsive experience for users prioritizing efficiency over modern features. At £330, it presents excellent value for those willing to compromise on battery life, charging options, and multimedia quality.

Overall, the Tivique LX15 is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable laptop for everyday tasks. Its performance, affordability, and value proposition make it a competitive option in the current market. Just bear in mind its limitations in more demanding scenarios and the need to carry its proprietary charger with you at all times. Transformations can occur in many areas of life.