LG Gram 16 review
The LG LG Gram 16 ranks as the #70 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 81. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #255-ranked performance among 628 laptops. Consider the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 or Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 5, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The LG Gram 16 is a mixed bag. On one hand, its lightweight design, comfortable keyboard, and trackpad make it ideal for casual users. The battery life is also impressive, lasting around 10 hours in standard use. However, the laptop's performance is subpar, especially when running demanding tasks. The Intel P series processor struggles to keep up with heat-intensive activities, leading to throttling and reduced performance. Given its price tag, this is a major letdown. Unless you're looking for a budget-friendly option for basic tasks, there are better choices available. Even at the sale price of $1,300, it's hard to recommend this laptop without considering its underwhelming performance.
Build
The LG Gram 16 boasts an impressive build quality. The lightweight laptop weighs just 3.32 pounds, making it incredibly portable. The magnesium alloy body provides strength and durability without adding bulk. The keyboard deck is comfortable to type on, with a nice tactile feel, while the trackpad is smooth and responsive. Despite being a slim laptop, it doesn't sacrifice build quality for the sake of compactness. The exterior design is sleek and minimalist, featuring a sturdy hinge that holds the screen in place securely. Overall, the build quality of the LG Gram 16 is exceptional. If you're after top-notch build, consider LG gram Pro 16.
Display
The LG Gram 16's display is a mixed bag. On the plus side, it offers a large 16-inch canvas that's great for multitasking and productivity. However, the screen's brightness falls short, making it difficult to see content in bright environments. The matte finish helps reduce glare, but it's not enough to overcome the lack of lumens. Colors are decent, but not particularly vibrant. Overall, the display is serviceable, but not impressive considering the laptop's premium price point. It's a good option for users who primarily work indoors or in dimly lit spaces, but may not be ideal for those who need to use their laptop outdoors. It’s worth checking out LG gram Pro 16 2-in-1, delivering remarkable display.
Performance
The LG Gram 16's performance is a mixed bag. In casual use, such as browsing the web and working on office documents, the laptop performed adequately, but its processor struggled in demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. On balance mode, the fan noise was noticeable, while running on low calling mode resulted in throttled performance. When pushed to its limits, the CPU core temperatures did not exceed 90°C, which may be a deliberate limitation by LG to prevent overheating. This means that users who need intense processing power should look elsewhere. However, for everyday tasks, the Gram 16's performance is sufficient. Give Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled performance.
Battery and Charging
The LG Gram 16's battery life is impressive, lasting around 10 hours in a typical usage scenario. In my testing, I recorded 60% battery remaining after 4 hours of Netflix streaming over Wi-Fi with the screen brightness set to 200 nits. The laptop's charging capabilities are also noteworthy, allowing for a full charge in under 2 hours. The battery life and charging speed make it an excellent choice for those who need a reliable companion for work or leisure activities.
Connectivity
The LG Gram 16's connectivity is solid but unremarkable. It features multiple USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack, which should satisfy most users' needs. However, the absence of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports may be a drawback for those who rely on these connections. The laptop also boasts Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity with other devices. Overall, while not revolutionary, the Gram 16's connectivity is sufficient for everyday use. Consider discovering the power of LG gram Style, featuring the latest advancements in connectivity.
Features
The LG Gram 16 boasts a lightweight design, comfortable keyboard, and trackpad. Its 16-inch display is well-suited for casual use, with things looking larger on screen. The laptop features a portable external monitor option, the LG Grand Plus View, which can improve productivity. Battery life is respectable, lasting around 10 hours in normal use cases. You might prefer LG gram Style, designed with an upgraded features for a better experience.
Support and Maintenance
The LG Gram 16 is a lightweight laptop with a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, but its performance falls short, especially in demanding tasks. Despite this, it's suitable for casual use, such as browsing and office work. Battery life is decent at around 10 hours, but the lack of screen brightness makes it hard to utilize the large display.
Pros
1. The laptop is super lightweight and has a comfortable keyboard and trackpad.
2. It doesn't get warm to the touch while using it, making it ideal for casual use like browsing the web or working on office documents.
3. Battery life is really good, with 60% remaining after 4 hours of Netflix video playback over Wi-Fi.
4. The laptop's performance is fine for casual tasks like browsing and office work, even if it's not great for intensive tasks.
5. The external 16-in monitor (LG Grand plus view) matches perfectly with the laptop's display, making it a great addition to give more usable screen space.
6. Priced at $1,300 for the model with 1 TB of storage, it's a strong option for a certain type of user who values portability and comfort.
Cons
1. The laptop doesn't perform well enough for its price range, especially in intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
2. The screen lacks brightness, making it hard to take advantage of the large 16-in display to see more content on the screen.
3. Fan noise is noticeable even in normal fan mode, and can be distracting in quiet environments.
4. Running the laptop on 'no noise' mode heavily throttles its performance, making it unusable for most tasks.
5. The CPU core temperatures don't hit 100°C during intensive tasks, which might limit its performance potential.
6. If you plan to do anything intensive with this laptop, it's not a good choice, as it will throttle its performance to stay cool.
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