LG gram Pro 17 Review: Ultra-Lightweight King
August 5, 2025
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LG gram Pro 17
Summary
The LG gram Pro 17 is a lightweight, engineering marvel, but the trade-offs and pricing keep it from being an all-round winner at MSRP.
Table of contents:
Performance: Portable, But Power-Limited
Our test model included Intel’s Core Ultra 9 H-series processor paired with an RTX 5050 GPU. In everyday creative workloads like 4K video editing, the Gram Pro breezed through timelines with minimal stutter—especially in Adobe Premiere Pro, where it scored close to laptops running higher-tier GPUs. In DaVinci Resolve, it trailed gaming laptops with RTX 5060s and above but still outperformed ultra-portables like the MacBook Air.
In raw CPU benchmarks, the Gram lags behind heavier performance laptops like ASUS’s Zephyrus G16 and HP’s Omen Transcend 14. The reason is clear: LG limits CPU wattage to keep temperatures and noise in check. The same holds true for GPU performance, where the 5050 is capped at 65W versus the 80–100W you might see in thicker machines.
For gaming, expect playable performance in older AAA titles at medium settings with DLSS enabled, and smooth esports gaming at high refresh rates. This isn’t a gaming-first laptop, but it can certainly game in a pinch.
Battery Life: About What You’d Expect
With a large 17-inch display and a dedicated GPU, battery life is reasonable for its class but unremarkable. In our lighter video playback test, it falls just short of top gaming laptops like the Zephyrus G16. Under more realistic loads, expect around 5–6 hours.
Design & Build: Featherweight, but Flexy
At just over 3 lbs, the Gram 17 Pro is in a class of its own for portability. Carrying it feels more like a 14-inch ultrabook than a desktop-replacement laptop. The magnesium alloy chassis looks understated in charcoal gray and resists fingerprints well.
That light weight does come at a cost: the lid exhibits noticeable flex, and the overall rigidity isn’t on par with heavier premium laptops. Cooling capacity is also constrained by the slim build, explaining the lower sustained performance.
Display: Room to Work, But Resolution is a Stretch
The 17-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) matte panel refreshes at 144Hz and covers a wide color gamut. It’s bright enough for indoor use at ~417 nits, and the matte finish handles reflections well. The biggest drawback is pixel density: stretched over 17 inches, text and fine details don’t look as crisp as on higher-resolution displays. A 2880×1800 option would make the most of this form factor.
Input Devices & Ports
The keyboard is a weak point. Key travel is shallow, similar to Apple’s old butterfly switches, and the typing experience feels cramped for a 17-inch chassis. The trackpad is serviceable but lacks the premium feel of modern haptic designs. It's honestly kind of crazy that we didn't get haptic with its price tag.
Port selection is solid:
- Left: 2× Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1
- Right: 2× USB-A, 3.5mm audio jack
An SD card reader is notably absent for a laptop aimed at creators.
Price & Value
Here’s the biggest problem: at $3,200 (for the RTX 5050 model tested), the LG gram Pro 17 is priced like a high-end workstation. That’s difficult to justify given its modest GPU, limited cooling, and mid-tier display resolution.
At around $2,200 or on a steep sale, it becomes a far more compelling option—especially for those who need a big-screen laptop that won’t weigh them down. If you don’t need the dedicated GPU, the non-Pro Gram 17 offers a similar experience at a more reasonable price.
Verdict
The LG gram Pro 17 is a truly unique machine. No other 17-inch laptop offers this combination of size, performance, and portability. For creators and professionals who value a large display in a go-anywhere package, it’s an appealing choice—just not at full MSRP. Wait for a sale, or consider the non-Pro version if GPU power isn’t essential.
Pros:
- Exceptionally lightweight for a 17-inch laptop
- Good creative performance for its class
- Large matte display with 144Hz refresh
- Strong port selection
Cons:
- Overpriced at MSRP
- Limited sustained CPU/GPU performance
- Keyboard and trackpad are below average
- No SD card reader, mid-tier resolution
Best For: Frequent travelers, creators, and professionals who need a large-screen laptop that’s light enough to carry daily—and are willing to buy at the right price.