LG Gram 17 (2024) laptop review - Small improvements and a new Core Ultra 7

As is so often the case in our reviews of the LG Gram, it is very difficult to find fitting comparison devices—as the lightweight laptop practically has no direct competitors. When it comes to its size-to-weight ratio, the laptop is totally unique. Aside from the Gram, our database of 17-inch laptops only includes gaming laptops. Nevertheless, we have still managed to select an exciting range of comparison devices. Last year, we even tested an LG Gram 17 with an Nvidia RTX 2050. Due to the Arc iGPU's high performance, you cannot help but ask the question of whether entry-level dGPUs are even worth acquiring nowadays. The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra features a dGPU, too—however, its RTX 4050 is the latest generation from Nvidia. The HP Spectre x360 16-aa0074ng and the MSI Prestige 16 B1MG-001US, on the other hand, show where performance can go on Intel's newest processors if you give them more power to work with.

LG has stayed true to itself, with the lightweight 17-inch laptop hardly showing any visual differences. Aside from its color compared to the previously tested Gram 17, the only change we noticed is that this model's webcam no longer sits within a notch above the display. Next to the 17-inch model, LG also offers a 16-inch version of the Gram. The laptop can be had in black, white and gray. Our test device features a pleasant gray shade. Its paint finish is durable and in combination with the case's magnesium alloy, it makes for a nice surface. 

As usual, the LG Gram feels a little fragile, but the lightweight laptop can sure take a beating. If you press the middle of the keyboard, it yields slightly. The laptop is a lot more flexible along the frame surrounding the display. The display itself can be twisted slightly as well. We previously haven't noted this to cause any limitations or damage in everyday use, however. When storing the laptop, you might want to make sure to pay special attention to keeping its screen and keyboard cleaner than you perhaps would on other laptops. We noticed that grease stains left on the keyboard can also be transferred onto the screen. This leads us to worry that dust and dirt may damage or scratch the display surface if the keyboard presses on it when the laptop is stored away in your backpack.

LG has now gone so far as to subject the laptop to several tests in accordance with MIL-STD-810H. The laptop has passed seven more or less meaningful tests. The Gram 17 can withstand exposure to low pressure, high and low temperatures, salt spray and dust. It can withstand strong vibrations, shocks and high drops—at least in its shipping box. After completing all the tests which were carried out by a renowned laboratory, the laptop still worked.

The LG Gram 17 isn't even two centimetres thick. At 17 mm, only the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is thinner. In turn, none of the 16-inch devices in our comparison are lighter than our test sample. Only the Acer Swift Go 14 can keep up with the lightness, also weighing 1.3 kg—but with a much smaller screen and case. However, since LG is discontinuing the smaller model variants of the Gram, the Swift Go 14 could prove to be an alternative for all those who prefer a smaller laptop.

We also didn't note any changes concerning the large LG laptop's connectivity. Physically, nothing has changed about the connectivity options in years. Its webcam and WLAN continue to live up to the predecessor models' good standards.

One of the LG Gram 17's small improvements can be found in its card reader. As a result, microSD cards such as the Angelbird AV Pro V60 in our test are read slightly faster compared to the previous two models.

The Gram's Full HD webcam creates a decent picture. In turn, as the camera is also used for facial recognition, it doesn't feature an infrared filter. The software does everything in its power to combat the resulting purple tint—but it isn't successful in every scenario. We sporadically noted a slight purple cast when using the webcam outside in particular.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H comes with a TPM 2.0 as standard. This guarantees security for data on the laptop. A Kensington lock slot enables physical theft protection.

We didn't note any proper accessories within the LG Gram's shipping box. Aside from the laptop itself, you only get a 65-watt power supply and a USB-C cable.

The LG Gram's RAM is soldered on but if you remove the bottom plate, you gain access to a free NVMe slot. As a result, you can expand the LG Gram 17's storage. However, the screws which hold the base cover in place are hidden beneath coverings and the laptop's front feet. In addition to a screwdriver, you will also need a strong suction cup and the appropriate tools to remove the plastic covers in order to open up the lightweight laptop.

In the United States, the Gram series is covered by a standard 12-month warranty.

At first glance, the laptop's backlit keyboard doesn't look any different to its predecessors. However, LG has improved its haptics. The new LG Gram 17's keyboard features a clearer pressure point. This means our only remaining point of criticism is its low key lift of 0.8 mm—although this is justified when you consider the build height of the laptop.

In 2024, everyone will be talking about Meteor Lake. Intel's 14th processor generation has also made its way into the LG Gram 17. For private users, the Gram 17 is initially only available with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. Users can choose between 16 or 32 GB of RAM in combination with up to one TB of SSD storage. A version with the Core Ultra 5 125H is also available for corporate customers. Dedicated graphics chips are only available in the LG Gram Pro. However, they also have a case that is more reminiscent of the Gram SuperSlim. The 16-inch versions of the LG Gram Pro also come with OLED displays.

The LG Gram 17 is equipped with one of the latest processors from Intel. However, compared to the chips from the older generations, not much has changed about the Meteor Lake processor cores. The most important changes are regarding the new Arc iGPU and the NPU. The pure processor performance of the 6 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores within the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H remains practically unchanged. Adding to this, however, are two new low-power efficiency cores that ensure much lower power consumption values when the laptop is idling.

LG usually configures its Gram-series processors with rather low TDP values. This also became clear in our test sample. It only delivered below-average performance values with the few watts which the processor has been given. Even so, a below-average Intel Core Ultra 7 is still more than enough for everyday tasks. Unfortunately, however, the new laptop wasn't able to differentiate itself from the 2022 and 2023 LG Gram 17 models when it came to its processor performance benchmarks. Amongst the competitors, the MSI Prestige 16 boasts particularly powerful processor performance. In this case, the Intel Core Ultra 7 can really show what it is capable of.