The LG gram laptop , released in 2020 , ranks as one of the best laptops available. And this year's LG gram 17 is just as good as the previous model.
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LG has upgraded to Intel Core P-series processors, which provide even greater performance. Other upgrades include a 1080p camera and a Quad HD+ display. Even with the upgrades, the gram’s core philosophy hasn’t changed – it’s still an incredibly lightweight laptop. In fact, that’s one of the reasons it continues to be one of the most portable laptops out there.
The only potential downside to this machine is the battery life. While it's not bad, it could definitely be better. The upgrade to Intel can be a bit of a power drain. And the increased power is significant for a laptop of this size.
But let's take a closer look at its most basic features:
Design and doors
The LG gram series has always been about weight, as its name suggests. The gram 17 laptop weighs just 1.34 kg, lighter than many others of the same size.
Many people don't like the fact that LG uses magnesium for the majority of its laptop construction. Because magnesium is thinner than aluminum but just as durable, it's often used to make laptops that are very lightweight.
LG offers the gram 17 laptop in two stylish finishes: classic black or modern gray. These colors are ideal for an office or any other professional environment.
Even though LG's primary goal is to create lightweight devices, it's not afraid to add a little more bulk to include all the ports its customers might need.
On the left side of the device are two Thunderbolt 4 ports , an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the right, you'll find two USB Type-A ports, a microSD card reader, and the Kensington lock slot. This set of ports is excellent, and you'll likely be able to connect any peripheral you have.
Keyboard and touchpad
The gram 17 has a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad, so if you need to do math for work, this will make it a lot easier.
The labels for all the keys are at the top, which can be confusing when some of them have secondary actions, but it's easy to get used to after a little practice.
The power button, which also has a fingerprint reader built into it, is located at the top corner of the keyboard. The touchpad is located below the keyboard and is extremely easy to use. It's soft to the touch and fingers glide over it easily.
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Screen and sound
The display is top-notch and one of the best things about this laptop.
The LG gram 17 2022 is one of the first laptops to feature Quad HD+ resolution and continues to feature this upgrade. It’s a large display, but it’s still very sharp. It has plenty of room for multitasking and watching videos, making it ideal for a variety of purposes. The color display is ideal for creators and multimedia editing.
This year's LG model also features a much-improved camera, located above the display. LG has updated its technology to have 1080p resolution, which is good enough for video calls and meetings.
The biggest upgrade of this new camera, however, is the addition of an IR camera for Windows Hello. With this, logging in is easier than ever, simply by looking directly into your computer's webcam.
The sound quality of the LG gram 17 is unfortunately one of its most frequently cited drawbacks. Its two speakers are rated at 1.5W each and aren't the best quality. While they're great for watching videos and movies, the lack of volume is disappointing given the size of the laptop.
Performance
The LG gram 17 gets a significant performance upgrade this year, thanks to Intel's new processors . The new processors have a TDP of 28W, which is higher than the previous models ' 15W. This means they'll drain the battery faster, but they'll also have better performance.
This computer also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, meaning it can handle a variety of tasks effortlessly.
One problem with these types of processors is that they often run inefficiently because they are used in designs that were originally intended for 15W processors. As a result, results and performance often vary. The LG gram 17 did much better in CrossMark than it did in Cinebench and 3DMark.
The trade-off for using an Intel P-series processor is usually shorter battery life. However, the LG gram 17 is a laptop where it makes sense to have those more powerful processors because of other benefits. While the battery already there means longevity may not be as great as we hoped, it's still a solid choice.
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The LG gram 17 is ideal for those who:
- They need a large screen for work and entertainment
- If they travel frequently with the laptop.
- They want to connect multiple peripherals to the computer without the need for adapters.
- They make the most of the camera by using it regularly and taking advantage of Windows Hello facial recognition support.
The LG gram 17 is not the best buy if:
- If you hope to create a lot of content, plan to work hard.
- If you are looking for a set of speakers that will provide clear and comprehensive sound.
- You want a device that will stay active throughout the day without needing to be charged.
