LG Gram 14: A Refreshingly Uncomplicated Machine

Striving for Simplicity in a Complex World

In the realm of laptops, we often witness an endless pursuit of features and innovations, resulting in systems that can become overly complex and cluttered. However, LG has taken a different approach with its Gram 14, prioritizing simplicity and functionality over flashy gimmicks. This review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of the LG Gram 14, exploring why its minimalist design and solid performance make it a compelling choice for those seeking a no-nonsense laptop.

Striking a Balance Between Lightness and Durability

The LG Gram 14 is remarkably lightweight, tipping the scales at just 2.14 pounds. This makes it an ideal companion for professionals and students who need to carry their laptop around frequently. Despite its featherweight construction, the Gram 14 feels sturdy and well-built, thanks to its blend of carbon and magnesium materials. While some components, such as the lid and keyboard deck, may exhibit slight flex, they always snap back into place reassuringly.

Strong Specs and Commendable Battery Life

Under the hood, the LG Gram 14 packs a punch with its 7th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This configuration provides smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks and even some light multitasking. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 handles basic graphics needs adequately, but it's not suitable for demanding gaming or video editing. Battery life is another strong point of the Gram 14. It consistently lasted through a typical 9-to-5 workday, and in our battery rundown test, it clocked in at 9 hours and 44 minutes. This is significantly better than some of its competitors, such as the Razer Stealth and last year's XPS 13. However, if longevity is your top priority, the MacBook Pro 13 and Surface Laptop offer slightly longer battery life.

A Plethora of Ports and Practical Features

The LG Gram 14 comes equipped with a generous selection of ports, including both types of USB connections, a full HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. This connectivity suite allows users to easily connect external peripherals and storage devices without the need for dongles. Additionally, the USB-C port supports both charging and data transfer, providing added convenience and reducing cable clutter. One notable omission is the lack of Thunderbolt 3 support, which would have been a welcome addition for faster data transfer speeds and compatibility with external graphics cards. However, the Gram 14's ability to carry less cords without compromising functionality is still a commendable effort towards efficiency.

Keyboard and Webcam: Room for Improvement

The Gram 14's keyboard and touchpad are functional but not exceptional. The backlit keys are a nice touch, but the overall typing experience is just average. The side-mounted stereo speakers are also unimpressive, producing sound quality that is typical of ultraportable laptops. The most glaring flaw of the Gram 14 is its built-in webcam. The 1280 x 720 resolution is subpar, resulting in grainy and pixelated images. To make matters worse, LG inexplicably placed the webcam in the middle of the laptop's hinge, instead of above the display. This awkward positioning makes it difficult to find a flattering angle for video calls.

A Solid Choice for Simplicity Seekers

Despite its shortcomings, the LG Gram 14 is a solid choice for those who value simplicity and functionality. Its lightweight design, strong specs, solid battery life, and ample ports make it a versatile and reliable companion for everyday computing needs. While the webcam and keyboard could be better, these flaws are not dealbreakers for users who prioritize other aspects of a laptop. Overall, the LG Gram 14 is a refreshing reminder that sometimes, less is more.

READMES:

Super light and super simple design that borders on feeling cheap, but isn't.The 1280 x 720 webcam is in an awful location and takes pretty grainy pics.Costs $100 to $500 less than a similarly equipped XPS 13 or MacBook Pro 13.Has a healthy amount of ports, including both types of USB and a microSD card reader.Solid specs and battery life.

SPEC DUMP:

14-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS LCD touch displayIntel Core i5 or i7-7500 CPU8GB of RAM512GB SSDIntegrated Intel HD Graphics 620Dual band 802.11ac Wi-FiBluetooth 4.11 x Type-C USB 3.02 x Type-A USB 3.0HDMImicroSD3.5mm audio12.7 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches2.14 pounds1 year parts and labor warranty