Professional’s Score
Professionals
- Extremely light-weight
- Glorious battery life
- Nice port choice
- Stable on a regular basis efficiency
Cons
- Low-cost-feeling construct
- Show solely 60Hz LCD
- No discrete GPU
Our Verdict
The LG Gram 17 packs loads into an extremely light-weight chassis, however you’ll need to make do with out a few of the premium options you’d count on at this worth. Except you’re set on a 17-inch laptop computer, there are higher choices elsewhere.
Worth When Reviewed
From $1,399 | Mannequin reviewed $2,099.99
Finest Costs Right this moment: LG Gram 17 (2023)
$1099.99
$1349.99
There are a great deal of laptops to select from in 2023, however the overwhelming majority have a show between 13- and 15-inches. If you happen to want one thing a bit greater, your choices are much more restricted.
One of many principal units on this class is the Gram 17, LG’s largest laptop computer. Its key promoting level is an extremely light-weight design – it weighs an unbelievable 1.35kg, making it extra transportable than many 14-inch laptops.
However are the compromises in different areas value it, given its excessive price ticket? The brief reply is sure, however just for a really particular kind of consumer. Listed here are my ideas after testing it for a number of weeks.
Design & Construct
- Weighs simply 1.35kg
- Chassis doesn’t really feel premium
- Nice port choice
Let’s get the apparent out of the best way first: the Gram 17 is a really large laptop computer. LG has tried to make the bezels across the 17-inch show as slim as doable, however the chassis nonetheless measures 14.91 x 10.19 x 0.7 inches.
Nevertheless, that is to be anticipated while you need such an enormous display. There are 14-, 15- or 16-inch LG Gram laptops accessible in the event you’d desire them.
However one space the Gram 17 excels is its complete weight, or lack thereof. It’s simply 1.35kg, which is extra in keeping with what you’d count on from a 14-inch laptop computer. Evaluate that to the two.53kg Dell XPS 17, and I do know which one I’d slightly carry round with me.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It means the Gram 17 is way extra transportable than you’d ever count on, with the principle limitation being the scale of your bag. Many laptop computer backpacks solely assist units as much as 16 inches.
There’s nothing improper with the supplies used to make the Gram 17. However you might simply mistake the carbon-magnesium alloy for plastic, and vital flex within the show makes me involved for long-term sturdiness. It doesn’t really feel almost as premium as many high-end laptops.
The Gram 17 is way extra transportable than you’d ever count on
Aesthetically, although, the Gram 17 nonetheless appears the half. It’s solely accessible in black, however the modern, minimalist design is well-suited for enterprise use.
That’s very true when you think about ports. Each USB-C ports assist Thunderbolt 4 (for quick information switch) and USB PD (for quick charging), and so they’re joined by two USB-A, full-size HDMI, microSD and a 3.5mm audio jack.
The one actual factor lacking is ethernet, but it surely’s top-of-the-line port alternatives on any non-gaming laptop computer.
Display & Audio system
- Stable 17-inch LCD show
- No excessive refresh price or contact assist
- Respectable twin stereo audio system
If you happen to’re shopping for such an enormous laptop computer, the show must be good. And whereas not fairly top-tier, I completely loved utilizing the one on the Gram 17.
You’re getting a 17-inch, 2560×1600 LCD panel, giving it the 16:10 facet ratio we’ve come to count on in fashionable laptops. It’s a disgrace to not see OLED on the Gram 17, however you’ll be able to nonetheless count on a fantastic viewing expertise.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Color accuracy is an actual energy, one thing borne out within the information. In response to the SpyderXPro calibration device, it covers the complete sRGB color gamut, plus 99% of DCI-P3 and 91% of AdobeRGB.
Because of this, most content material appears impressively true to life. The bogus oversaturated look you get from some OLEDs is prevented, although you additionally miss out on these wealthy, deep blacks.
Brightness isn’t a difficulty, although. I recorded a most of 439 nits, so you will get away with some out of doors utilization, offered it’s not in direct daylight.
However the refresh price remains to be caught at 60Hz, regardless of many premium laptops having moved to 120Hz or greater. You gained’t discover it as a lot right here as on a smartphone, but it surely’s nonetheless a disgrace.
It’s a disgrace to not see OLED on the Gram 17, however you’ll be able to nonetheless count on a fantastic viewing expertise
There’s additionally no touchscreen assist, although that is much less of a difficulty. I wouldn’t need to jab at such a big display anyway, and the trackpad is loads good in its place.
The Gram 17 options twin stereo audio system, and so they carry out fairly effectively. There’s a depth and heat to the sound that you just don’t at all times get on laptops, and so they keep away from any audible distortion.
However don’t count on room-filling sound, and bass is severely missing, in order that they’re higher suited to voice content material than music or motion pictures. For the latter, I’d advocate connecting headphones.
Keyboard, Trackpad & Webcam
- Satisfying keyboard and trackpad
- Stable 1080p webcam
- No fingerprint sensor
The sheer dimension of the Gram 17 means there’s loads of room for a full-size keyboard and separate quantity pad. If you happen to’re coming from a laptop computer with out one, you’ll want to regulate your grip barely, however there’s nothing improper with the typing expertise.
Every key’s clicky and responsive, providing a pleasant stage of suggestions. Inside a couple of minutes, I used to be again typing at my traditional pace.
Every key’s clicky and responsive, providing a pleasant stage of suggestions
One factor some folks gained’t get pleasure from is the restricted key journey. However that is nearly inevitable in such a skinny and light-weight machine, and seems like a sensible trade-off for LG to make.
Every key’s backlit, and there are two totally different brightness settings to select from. Nevertheless, there doesn’t seem like a strategy to maintain the backlighting turned on completely – it solely prompts while you begin typing and for a number of seconds after.
LG gives fast entry to some additional settings through the row of operate keys on the high. These embrace LG’s Sensible Assistant app, an airplane mode toggle and reader mode, which shifts the show in direction of hotter tones.
Under the keyboard is a big trackpad. The scale of the Gram 17 means there’s nonetheless loads of area to relaxation your palms both facet. And it’s impressively exact, permitting to you simply choose massive parts of textual content or click on one thing very particular.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nevertheless, there’s one large characteristic lacking from the keyboard: a fingerprint reader. The ability button it’s usually constructed into is correct there within the top-right nook, so I can’t perceive why LG didn’t embrace it.
As an alternative, you’ll be counting on Home windows Hiya face unlock. It makes use of a mixture of the webcam and separate IR sensor, and is usually quick and dependable. Nevertheless, you’ll need to place your face so it’s immediately in line for it to unlock.
The Full HD webcam itself is without doubt one of the higher built-in laptop computer cameras. Element and hues are typically correct, and it handles publicity effectively in some tough lighting circumstances. Alongside twin microphones, it means the Gram 17 is an effective possibility for video calls.
Specs & Efficiency
- Intel Raptor Lake P-series CPUs
- Nice on a regular basis efficiency
- No discrete GPU
As a 2023 laptop computer, it’s no shock to see the Gram 17 powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake processors, the most recent on the time of launch.
Particularly, you’re getting a selection between the i5-1340P and i7-1360P, each from the P-series class. These are particularly designed for skinny and light-weight units, however I’m nonetheless upset there’s no possibility for the extra highly effective H-series.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nonetheless, efficiency remains to be strong. The mannequin I examined combines the i7-1360P with a bumper 32GB of RAM, guaranteeing it breezes by means of all on a regular basis duties.
My workflow consists of a number of net searching, electronic mail, Slack and occasional video calls, all of which the Gram 17 dealt with with ease. That features whereas a number of apps have been operating concurrently.
My workflow consists of a number of net searching, electronic mail, Slack and occasional video calls, all of which the Gram 17 dealt with with ease
Mixed with the massive display, it’s a fantastic possibility for multitasking. It additionally by no means bought greater than barely heat to the contact, and the followers have been barely audible.
After all, that can change throughout demanding duties reminiscent of video enhancing or gaming, however the Iris Xe built-in graphics limits what’s doable right here. If you happen to’re severe about both, I’d advocate a laptop computer with a discrete GPU as a substitute.
LG Gram 17 (2023) benchmarks
Benchmarks counsel the Gram 17 is in keeping with different big-screen laptops, though the 2023 Dell XPS 17 isn’t included right here.
By way of storage, you’ll be able to select between 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. The previous is loads for most individuals, particularly in the event you use a cloud storage supplier.
And whereas Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 aren’t absolutely the newest requirements, each ship quick and dependable connections.
Battery Life & Charging
- 80Wh battery
- All-day battery life
- Respectable 65W charging
Whatever the mannequin you select, the LG Gram 17 is provided with an 80Wh capability.
That’s one of many bigger capacities round, and it performs effectively, regardless of such an enormous show. In our 720p video loop battery take a look at, it lasted a formidable 15 hours and 43 minutes.
Most individuals can be in a position get a full working day on a single cost
Nevertheless, that’s with brightness set to a comparatively low 120 nits, and no web entry. A extra life like determine is round eight or 9 hours of standard utilization, which means most individuals can be in a position get a full working day on a single cost. It could be doable to increase this with battery saver mode turned on.
The Gram 17 helps 65W charging, and LG consists of the required charger within the field. I recorded 32% in half-hour and 57% in an hour, with a full cost taking slightly below 2.5 hours. That’s in keeping with what I used to be anticipating.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Software program
- Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Annoying additional pre-installed apps
The Gram 17 runs Home windows 11 Dwelling out of the field. Microsoft’s working system is essentially unchanged right here, and its multitasking options are at their greatest on such a big show.
Nevertheless, there’s an excessive amount of additional pre-installed software program for my liking. I counted no fewer than seven LG apps, plus probably the most annoying of the lot: McAfee. It’s antivirus app, however not when it’s continually bugging you to pay for a subscription.
All these additional apps may be uninstalled, however it is best to have the choice to not set up them within the first place.
All these additional apps may be uninstalled, however it is best to have the choice to not set up them within the first place
Microsoft hasn’t revealed when it’ll cease supporting Home windows 11, but it surely’ll seemingly be for a lot of extra years. Supplied you often replace your machine, it’ll proceed being protected.
Worth & Availability
As you would possibly count on, the LG Gram 17 doesn’t come low-cost. It begins at £1,721.24/$1,549 for an Intel Core i5 mannequin with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
However the top-spec mannequin I examined, which mixes the Core i7 with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, prices $2,099. It isn’t accessible within the UK.
Except for LG, you can too purchase them from Currys within the UK and Adorama within the US.
Nevertheless, that’s nonetheless extra reasonably priced than the 2023 Dell XPS 17, which begins at £2,698.99/$2,499. However there are many different nice laptops which can be barely smaller however loads cheaper, even if you need one thing for enterprise.
Do you have to purchase the LG Gram 17 (2023)?
The LG Gram 17 is a formidable laptop computer, but it surely’s solely proper for a really particular kind of particular person. If you actually need a 17-inch show however nonetheless need to have the ability to take your laptop computer in all places with you, it’s your best option on the market.
However in the event you’re in search of a efficiency powerhouse, this isn’t it. The Gram 17 remains to be loads quick throughout on a regular basis duties, however the lack of a discrete GPU limits what it’s able to.
And pretty much as good because the show is, the dearth of OLED, a excessive refresh price and contact assist means it falls wanting one of the best laptop computer screens round. Alongside a flimsy construct and that top price ticket, most individuals can be higher off with one thing smaller and cheaper.
Nevertheless, battery life and ports are each nice, and I nonetheless can’t recover from how mild this factor is. That alone means it’s value contemplating.
Specs
- Show: 17-inch, 2560×1600 IPS non-touch, 60Hz
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1340P, i7-1360P
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- Reminiscence: 16/32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Storage: 1/2TB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-A (3.2), 2x USB-C (4), HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD
- Digital camera: 1080p front-facing with Home windows Hiya assist
- Wi-fi: WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1
- Battery: 80Wh with 65W charging
- Working system: Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Colors: Black
- Weight: 1.35kg
