As I lifted the LG Gram out of the box, one of the first things that grabbed my attention was just how slim it is, at just 1.6cm. Not only that, 970 grammes for a laptop is amazing. So carting it around, even for the whole day, is not a problem. It is a boon for globetrotters; being able to breeze through immigration security without juggling gear and luggage awkwardly.
Furthermore, LG has managed to squeeze in a 14-inch screen with an extremely slim 0.26-inch bezel – definitely a huge screen for a laptop of this size. Having merely 1920×1080 resolution may seem dated, but it is still adequate, and the IPS (In-Plane Switching) screen provides wide viewing angles and good colour reproduction. LG also introduces two optimised viewing modes: Reading Mode removes all blue light from the screen, so reading is less fatiguing on the eyes, while Movie Mode adds more vibrant colours for a better cinematic experience.
The laptop is powered by the 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor with 8GB RAM and a relatively high capacity 512GB SSD, and it feels speedy for most everyday tasks. It promises up to 17.5 hours of battery life, and we usually found ourselves plugging around the fifteenth hour. You certainly have some leeway for a day’s work.
Furthermore, LG Gram also has a slew of ports packed inside a slim package: two USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C port, along with a micro-SD card slot and a full-size HDMI port – no need for extra adaptors. The tactile feel of the keyboard is also rather punchy though personally, I wished the feedback was a tad softer.
Still, to be able to pack everything into such a slim package is no easy feat. LG used magnesium alloy to construct this laptop’s body, so while it feels flimsy at times, it can definitely take a couple of knocks.
Rating: 4/5
LG has set a high benchmark for portable laptops that its competitors will find necessary to challenge. It’s compact, less than 1kg and has performance and battery life to match. While there may be some areas that can be improved, the LG Gram provides a satisfactory user experience overall.
S$2,499
www.lg.com/sg
