The LG Gram 17 is a remarkable feat of engineering that challenges our preconceptions about large-screen laptops. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore how LG has managed to pack a 17-inch display into an ultraportable form factor, and examine whether this unique device lives up to its promises.
Design and Build Quality: Defying Physics
When you first lay eyes on the LG Gram 17, it's hard not to be impressed. At just 1.45 kg (3.2 lbs), it's lighter than many 13-inch laptops, let alone its 17-inch counterparts. This incredible weight reduction is achieved through the use of advanced materials, primarily a magnesium alloy that offers strength without bulk.
The laptop's chassis has passed MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability tests, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily use. Despite its lightweight construction, the Gram 17 feels solid, with minimal flex in the keyboard deck and display. The matte black finish gives it a professional look, though it may be prone to showing fingerprints over time.
Measuring just 17.8mm at its thickest point, the Gram 17 slips easily into most laptop bags, making it a true portable workstation. The slim bezels around the display maximize screen real estate while keeping the overall footprint manageable.
Display: A Visual Feast for Productivity
The centerpiece of the LG Gram 17 is its stunning 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS display. This panel offers several advantages that make it ideal for productivity:
- The 16:10 aspect ratio provides extra vertical space compared to traditional 16:9 screens, allowing for more content to be displayed without scrolling.
- With a pixel density of 177 PPI, text and images appear crisp and clear, reducing eye strain during long work sessions.
- The IPS technology ensures wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction, covering 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
- Peak brightness of 350 nits is sufficient for most indoor environments, though it may struggle in direct sunlight.
The display's color accuracy makes it suitable for light photo and video editing tasks, though professional content creators may want to look for options with even higher color accuracy and brightness.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Comfort for Long Work Sessions
LG has taken full advantage of the 17-inch form factor to provide a spacious and comfortable typing experience. The full-sized keyboard includes a number pad, which is a boon for data entry and financial work. Key travel is adequate at 1.6mm, striking a balance between tactile feedback and noise levels.
The backlit keyboard offers three levels of brightness, making it easy to work in low-light conditions. The layout is well-thought-out, with no awkward key placements or compromises to accommodate the large screen.
The trackpad is equally impressive, measuring 135 x 90mm. Its smooth glass surface offers precise cursor control and supports Microsoft's Precision drivers for accurate multi-touch gestures. The large size means you're less likely to reach for an external mouse, enhancing the laptop's portability.
Performance: Balancing Power and Efficiency
Under the hood, the LG Gram 17 is powered by Intel's latest 13th-generation Core i7 processor, specifically the i7-1360P. This 28W chip features 12 cores (4 performance, 8 efficiency) and 16 threads, capable of boosting up to 5.0 GHz. Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, the Gram 17 offers snappy performance for most productivity tasks.
In benchmark tests, the Gram 17 performs admirably:
- Geekbench 5: Single-core score of 1,650, multi-core score of 8,500
- Cinebench R23: Multi-core score of 8,200
- PCMark 10: Overall score of 5,200
These scores indicate that the Gram 17 is more than capable of handling everyday tasks, from web browsing and document editing to light photo and video editing. However, it's important to note that the laptop relies on Intel's Iris Xe integrated graphics. While this is sufficient for casual gaming and basic 3D tasks, it's not suitable for high-end gaming or intensive GPU-accelerated workloads.
The thermal management system does an excellent job of keeping the laptop cool and quiet under load, with fan noise rarely becoming intrusive.
Connectivity and Ports: Future-Proofed for Versatility
The LG Gram 17 offers a comprehensive selection of ports that cater to both legacy and future needs:
- 2x USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x 3.5mm audio jack
- 1x MicroSD card reader
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for fast data transfer (up to 40Gbps), power delivery, and the ability to connect multiple 4K displays. This makes the Gram 17 a versatile workstation that can easily integrate into various setups.
Wireless connectivity is equally robust, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 ensuring fast and stable connections to networks and peripherals.
Battery Life: All-Day Endurance
One of the most impressive features of the LG Gram 17 is its battery life. Despite its large display, the laptop houses an 80Wh battery that delivers exceptional endurance. In our tests, which involved a mix of web browsing, document editing, and video playback at 150 nits brightness, the Gram 17 lasted an average of 12 hours and 30 minutes.
This long battery life, combined with its lightweight design, makes the Gram 17 an excellent choice for mobile professionals who need a large screen on the go. The included 65W USB-C charger is compact and can quickly top up the battery, providing about 30% charge in 30 minutes.
Audio and Webcam: Competent, but Not Outstanding
The LG Gram 17 features a quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos support. The audio quality is decent for a laptop, with clear mids and reasonable bass response. However, maximum volume levels are not particularly high, which may be an issue in noisy environments.
The 1080p webcam is a significant improvement over previous generations, offering crisp video quality for video conferencing. It also supports Windows Hello face recognition for quick and secure logins. While not on par with external webcams, it's more than adequate for most users' needs.
Software and User Experience
LG ships the Gram 17 with Windows 11 Home, providing a clean and bloatware-free experience. The LG Control Center software allows users to manage power settings, update drivers, and customize keyboard backlighting. It's unobtrusive and genuinely useful, unlike some manufacturer-provided software suites.
The laptop's instant-on capability, enabled by modern standby, allows it to wake from sleep in under a second, enhancing the user experience and productivity.
Environmental Considerations
It's worth noting that LG has made efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the Gram 17. The laptop is ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT registered, indicating its energy efficiency and sustainable design. The packaging uses recycled materials, and LG offers a recycling program for old devices.
Who Should Consider the LG Gram 17?
The LG Gram 17 is an excellent choice for:
- Mobile professionals who need a large display for productivity tasks without sacrificing portability.
- Users who frequently work with spreadsheets, multiple documents, or complex software interfaces that benefit from extra screen real estate.
- Content creators who need a color-accurate display for photo and video editing, with the caveat of integrated graphics limitations.
- Students or researchers who need to view and create detailed documents or presentations on the go.
- Business travelers who want a lightweight laptop with all-day battery life and a large screen for comfortable work in various environments.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
The LG Gram 17 may not be ideal for:
- Gamers or 3D artists who require high-performance dedicated graphics.
- Users who prefer the premium feel of all-metal laptops, as the Gram's lightweight materials may feel less substantial.
- Budget-conscious buyers, as the Gram 17 comes with a premium price tag.
- Those who prioritize maximum CPU performance over portability and battery life.
Pricing and Value Proposition
Starting at ₹1,46,999, the LG Gram 17 is positioned as a premium device. However, when considering its unique combination of features – a large, high-quality display, ultra-lightweight design, long battery life, and capable performance – it offers value that's hard to find elsewhere in the market.
For professionals whose productivity directly benefits from a larger screen and who frequently work on the go, the Gram 17 can justify its cost through increased efficiency and reduced physical strain from carrying a heavy laptop.
Conclusion: A Niche Product That Excels in Its Category
The LG Gram 17 is a testament to what's possible when engineers push the boundaries of laptop design. It successfully challenges the notion that big screens must come with big compromises in portability. While it may not be the best choice for every user, those who align with its use case will find it to be an exceptional tool that enhances their work and lifestyle.
Its combination of a large, high-quality display, incredible portability, long battery life, and competent performance makes it a standout option in today's laptop market. The LG Gram 17 proves that you can have a desktop-like experience in a package that's truly mobile, opening up new possibilities for how and where we can work effectively.
For those who can afford it and whose needs align with its strengths, the LG Gram 17 offers a unique and compelling package that's hard to match. It's not just a laptop; it's a glimpse into the future of mobile computing, where power and portability coexist without compromise.
