The LG Gram Pro 17 represents an engineering achievement in laptop design, packing a 17-inch display into a chassis weighing just 1.3 kilograms. Available with Intel Core Ultra processors and optional discrete NVIDIA graphics, this ultraportable targets professionals who need screen real estate without the weight penalty. The 2023 and 2024 models feature 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processors and GeForce RTX 3050 GPUs, while 2024 variants offer Core Ultra 7 chips. Critics praise its exceptional portability and 12-hour battery life, but note concerns about chassis flexibility and performance trade-offs compared to heavier competitors. Consumer feedback highlights the laptop's practicality for mobile professionals, though some users report keyboard feel issues and speaker limitations.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Design and Build Quality

The LG Gram Pro 17 achieves a remarkable engineering feat by housing a 17-inch display in a chassis weighing between 1.29 and 1.38 kilograms depending on configuration. The magnesium alloy construction features a matte black finish that delivers understated elegance, though the surface readily attracts fingerprints. At 12.6 to 14.6mm thick, the laptop maintains an ultraportable profile that makes it thinner than many 15-inch competitors.^[3][5][4]

The chassis design prioritizes weight reduction, resulting in noticeable flexibility when pressure is applied to the keyboard deck or lid. Critics consistently note this flex as the primary compromise in the pursuit of extreme portability. Despite these concerns, long-term testing over two years demonstrates that the flexible chassis holds up well under regular use, with no structural failures reported. The laptop meets military durability standards, withstanding exposure to extreme temperatures, vibration, and shock.^{[11][10][6][2]}

The keyboard offers a full layout including a number pad, though users report that keys require heavier presses than typical laptop keyboards. This characteristic leads to occasional missed keystrokes during rapid typing until users adjust to the required pressure. The touchpad measures generously large and provides reliable tracking, positioned slightly further back from the keyboard edge than some users expect. Backlighting illuminates the keys adequately, though some light bleed occurs through the key bases.^[7][1]

Performance in Real Use

The LG Gram Pro 17 delivers adequate performance for productivity workloads, web browsing, and light content creation. Models equipped with the 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU scored 9,945 in Geekbench 5.4 multi-core testing. This performance proves sufficient for running multiple browser tabs, streaming media, and working in office applications simultaneously.^[6][4]

Content creators working in Adobe Creative Suite and DaVinci Resolve report smooth operation for moderate workloads, though the system struggles with intensive tasks. Video transcoding tests show the laptop completing a 4K-to-1080p conversion in 9 minutes and 55 seconds via Handbrake, which trails competitors like the Dell XPS 17 (6:40) and MacBook Pro 16-inch (4:03). File transfer speeds peak at 1,393 MBps, adequate for most users but slower than expected for this price segment.^[7][4]

Gaming performance reaches playable levels in less demanding titles, with the discrete GPU enabling light gaming sessions. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive runs at 55-60 fps with maximum settings at native resolution, and adjusting settings yields framerates exceeding 100 fps. The Civilization VI benchmark produces 50.5 fps, demonstrating capability for strategy games and older titles. The 144Hz display refresh rate provides benefit for high-framerate gaming when settings are optimized.^[3][4]

Ease of Use

The 17-inch WQXGA display delivers 2560x1600 resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio, providing substantial screen real estate for multitasking. The IPS panel achieves 400 nits brightness with 99% DCI-P3 color coverage, making it suitable for color-critical work. Testing confirms the display maintains accurate color reproduction with a Delta-E value of 0.26 out of the box and 1.34 after calibration. The matte finish minimizes glare in bright environments.^[3][8][4][6]

Port selection proves comprehensive, eliminating the need for dongles in most scenarios. The laptop provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Both USB-C ports support charging, though the included power cable measures only 6 feet, requiring users to remain close to power outlets.^[5][7][4]

The 1080p webcam with IR camera delivers acceptable image quality for video conferencing, capturing sufficient detail in well-lit environments. The IR camera enables Windows Hello facial recognition and supports LG's security features, including webcam monitoring when away from the device. The LG Glance software suite tracks eye movement to blur the screen when users look away and monitor posture, though many users disable these features due to privacy concerns.^[4]

Reliability

Long-term testing spanning two years confirms the LG Gram 17 maintains structural integrity despite initial flexibility concerns. The lightweight construction proves durable for daily commuting and regular travel use. The magnesium alloy chassis resists damage from normal handling, and military-standard testing validates resilience to environmental stressors.^[11][10]

Battery performance stands as a reliability highlight, with web browsing tests yielding 12 hours and 2 minutes of runtime. Real-world usage by consumers confirms 10-hour video playback sessions. The battery maintains charge across full workdays for typical productivity tasks. Charging speed proves moderate, with 35% charge achieved in 30 minutes from empty.^[7][4]

Thermal management keeps the laptop cool during typical usage, with heat only becoming noticeable during gaming sessions. Surface temperatures reach a maximum of 95.2 degrees Fahrenheit after sustained video streaming, remaining comfortable for lap use. However, some users report fan noise during demanding workloads.^[9][4]

Use Cases

The LG Gram Pro 17 excels for mobile professionals requiring maximum screen space without sacrificing portability. Consultants, business travelers, and field workers benefit from the ability to carry a large-screen laptop without shoulder strain. The display size accommodates side-by-side document comparison and complex spreadsheet work.^[2][6][4]

Content creators performing moderate photo editing, video work, and graphic design find adequate performance for their workflows. The DCI-P3 color coverage supports color-grading tasks, and the discrete GPU enables faster rendering than integrated graphics alternatives. However, professionals requiring maximum rendering speed should consider more powerful alternatives.^[6][7][4]

Students and academics appreciate the combination of large screen real estate for research and writing with the portability needed for campus mobility. The battery life supports full-day operation without access to power outlets. The understated business aesthetic fits professional environments better than gaming-focused designs.^[14][4]

Long-Term Ownership Feedback

Two-year ownership reports indicate the laptop maintains performance and structural integrity over extended use. Battery capacity retention proves acceptable, though specific degradation percentages vary by usage patterns. The flexible chassis, while concerning to new users, does not result in actual failures or damage over time.^[10]

Speaker quality remains a consistent complaint across both short-term and long-term users. The dual 3W speakers lack bass response and produce thin audio output for multimedia consumption. Most users resort to headphones or external speakers for music and video content. The audio system proves adequate only for video conferencing and system sounds.^[1][2]

Users report that keyboard feel requires adjustment but becomes manageable with familiarity. The heavier keystroke requirement never fully disappears but causes fewer missed keystrokes after an adaptation period. The touchpad positioning likewise requires initial adjustment but functions reliably once users acclimate to its placement.^[7][1]

The lightweight construction delivers daily benefits that outweigh build quality concerns for users prioritizing mobility. Owners consistently express satisfaction with the portability-performance trade-off, noting that no competing 17-inch laptop matches the weight-to-screen-size ratio. The laptop fulfills its primary mission of providing desktop replacement capability in an ultraportable form factor.^{[14][1][2][4]}