The quest for the perfect laptop often involves a delicate balance between power and portability. Enter the LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024), a contender that immediately grabs attention with its remarkably slender form factor. This laptop promises a wealth of features packed into an "unfeasibly slender" design, aiming to cater to users who demand both performance and the freedom to work or play on the go. Let's delve into what makes this laptop tick, drawing insights.
Design and Build: Lightness Redefined
The most striking aspect of the LG Gram Pro 16 OLED is undoubtedly its lightweight build. In fact, it has seemingly achieved Guinness World Record status as the world's lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop, although the exact number of competitors in this category is unclear. Even the thickest part of the device measures a mere 12.4 mm. This incredible lightness makes it exceptionally easy to carry around, a significant advantage for those constantly on the move.
The construction utilizes a magnesium alloy chassis, which contributes to the low weight. While magnesium can sometimes feel less premium than aluminum, reviewers note that the Gram Pro feels sturdy enough and more refined than previous Gram models. The design is described as smart, straightforward, and no-frills, especially in its full-on black inside and out aesthetic. The laptop has also passed various military standard 810H tests, suggesting a level of toughness despite its thinness.
The 360-degree hinge is another key design element, allowing the Gram Pro 16 OLED to function as a large tablet or be propped up in tent mode. This versatility is particularly useful for touchscreen applications, sketching, doodling, or simply enjoying videos with limited table space. The bezels surrounding the 16-inch display are described as pleasingly dinky, maximizing the screen real estate.
Despite its thin profile, LG has managed to incorporate a decent selection of ports. On the left edge, you'll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting external GPUs, 4K monitors, and other high-bandwidth peripherals. The opposite edge houses two USB-A ports for legacy devices, along with a headphone jack and an HDMI 2.1 port for external displays. The inclusion of these ports means users may not always need to rely on docking stations. However, a notable omission is an SD card reader.
One consistent observation across reviews is a degree of screen wobble, a recurring trait in LG Gram laptops. While the hinge itself is functional and allows for one-handed opening, the glossy screen's movement can be noticeable.
Display: Vibrant OLED Visuals
The 16-inch display is a standout feature, boasting an OLED panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2880 by 1800 pixels. This combination delivers nice poppy, punchy colours and beautifully crisp contrast. The OLED technology ensures incredible inky blacks and a generally gorgeous viewing experience ideal for multimedia consumption and creative tasks.
The display also features a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, contributing to smooth scrolling and a more fluid user experience. While some sources initially mentioned a 144Hz refresh rate, it appears the actual implementation is 120Hz. The display supports touch functionality and is compatible with the bundled Nifty stylus pen. The pen is described as a decent size and attaches magnetically to the side. It utilizes Microsoft Pen Protocol and is suitable for note-taking, doodling, and basic creative work, though perhaps not ideal for professional-level digital art due to potential diagonal line smoothness issues. The stylus also features an eraser button.
Colour reproduction on the OLED display is reported to be stunningly accurate, covering 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts and 93% of Adobe RGB. The peak brightness hits just over 400 nits in some tests, with sustained SDR brightness potentially reaching 500 nits. This brightness level allows for comfortable outdoor use in moderate conditions. However, the screen is glossy and reflective, which can be a drawback in brightly lit environments. Notably, there seems to be no proper HDR support or DisplayHDR certification.
Performance: Balancing Power and Efficiency
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024) is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, with options ranging up to the Core Ultra 7 155H. These processors feature a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), enabling various AI-powered features even when offline. The integrated graphics are Intel Arc Graphics, which represent a significant step up from previous integrated solutions.
Some configurations also include an optional discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU with a maximum graphics power of 45W. This provides a notable boost in graphics performance compared to integrated graphics, making the laptop capable of handling photo and video editing and even some light to moderate gaming. While it won't run AAA titles at maximum settings, playable frame rates can be achieved by lowering some settings. The RTX 3050 also brings benefits for content creators through NVIDIA Studio drivers, CUDA cores, and AV1 encoding.
It is noted that while the performance is generally good for everyday multimedia work and business tasks, the Gram Pro might not lead the pack in terms of raw power compared to some competitors with the same processors. LG seems to prioritize a balance between performance, thinness, and quiet operation, opting for a dual-fan cooling system within the slim frame. Under heavy load, the fans can become noticeable, reaching around 50-51 dB, but during normal use, the laptop remains relatively quiet. Thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads appears to be minimal, with stress tests showing good stability. Surface temperatures also remain manageable, even under load.
Memory and Storage: Adequate and Expandable
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024) comes with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, running at high speeds. However, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard and is not user-upgradeable. For storage, the laptop offers up to 2TB via two M.2 2280 SSD slots, which are user-upgradeable. This is a significant advantage for users who anticipate needing more storage in the future.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Comfortable Typing with a Numpad
The keyboard on the LG Gram Pro 16 OLED is described as having a nice firm action and a wee bit of travel considering its slimness. It offers a choice of low or high backlighting. A spacious wrist rest contributes to comfortable typing. The inclusion of a full numeric keypad on a 16-inch laptop is a notable feature, although its proximity to the main keyboard might require some adjustment to avoid accidental key presses. Some reviewers found the keyboard typing experience to be quite comfortable, while others noted the shallow key travel might not be ideal for everyone.
The laptop features an absolutely bloody massive touchpad, utilizing Microsoft Precision drivers. It is a mechanical touchpad, meaning it physically moves when clicked, rather than being a haptic touchpad. While functional and responsive, some users might prefer the feel of a haptic trackpad. The placement of the touchpad slightly to the left due to the numeric keypad might also take some getting used to.
Battery Life and Charging: Impressive Endurance
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024) packs a 77Wh or 90Wh battery, depending on the configuration (RTX 3050 models tend to have the larger battery). Despite the large, high-resolution OLED display, battery life is generally reported as pretty good. In real-world mixed usage scenarios (including web browsing, office work, and some multimedia), reviewers have achieved around 9 hours and even 7-8 hours. Video playback tests have shown even longer endurance, exceeding 10 hours in some cases and reaching up to 17 hours in others. This level of battery life makes the Gram Pro 16 OLED a capable companion for full workdays and long journeys.
The laptop comes with a compact 65W or 90W USB-C charger, offering fast charging capabilities. The LG Smart Assistant software also provides various power settings, including the ability to extend battery life by maxing out the charge at 80% and an AI battery usage detection feature that regulates background app usage.
Webcam, Speakers, and AI Features: Enhanced User Experience
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED features a 1080p webcam with an IR sensor for Windows Hello face recognition. The webcam also supports Studio Effects powered by the NPU, including background blur, auto-framing, and eye contact correction. While the webcam is generally adequate for video calls, some reviews note that image quality can be a bit noisy and blurry in less than ideal lighting.
The stereo speakers are described as pretty good, with Dolby Atmos software for enhanced spatial audio. Each speaker typically has a 3W output, totaling 6W. While they offer good volume and decent mids, they might lack deep bass and overall richness.
A key highlight is the suite of AI-powered features. LG Glance by Mirametrix enhances privacy and security with gaze detection, automatically dimming the screen or blurring it when the user looks away, and even hibernating the laptop if left unattended. It can also detect if someone is looking over your shoulder and display a warning. Another notable feature is LG Gram Link, which allows seamless pairing with iPhone or Android devices to share files, apps, and mirror screens. You can even use your smartphone as a secondary display and connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. The AI-powered Gallery can sort photos based on location, date, and subject matter, with keyword search functionality.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros:
- Incredibly thin and lightweight design
- Stunning 16-inch OLED display with vibrant colours and high resolution
- Smooth 120Hz variable refresh rate
- Decent selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A
- Good overall performance for everyday tasks and content creation (especially with RTX 3050)
- User-upgradeable SSD storage
- Comfortable keyboard with backlighting and numeric keypad
- Large and responsive touchpad
- Impressive battery life for its size and display
- Windows Hello face recognition via IR webcam
- AI-powered features like LG Glance and LG Gram Link enhance security and connectivity
Cons:
- Screen wobble can be noticeable
- Glossy display is reflective
- RAM is not user-upgradeable
- Speakers might lack bass and richness
- Keyboard key travel might be too shallow for some users
- No built-in SD card reader
- Can be expensive, especially higher-end configurations
- Performance under heavy sustained loads might not match some thicker competitors
Who is the LG Gram Pro 16 OLED For?
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024) is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize portability and a large, vibrant display. Its lightweight design makes it ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a capable laptop that won't weigh them down. The stunning OLED screen is perfect for multimedia consumption, creative work, and general productivity. The inclusion of a good selection of ports reduces the need for dongles. Configurations with the RTX 3050 cater to those who need a bit more graphical oomph for light gaming or more demanding creative tasks.
However, users who require maximum performance for intensive tasks like heavy video editing or AAA gaming at high settings might want to consider slightly thicker and more powerful alternatives. Similarly, those who prefer keyboards with deep travel or need an integrated SD card reader might find some compromises with the Gram Pro 16 OLED. The premium price point also warrants consideration, as more budget-conscious users might find similar performance in heavier, less feature-rich laptops.
Final Thoughts: A Compelling Blend of Lightness and Capability
The LG Gram Pro 16 OLED (2024) represents a significant step forward in balancing ultra-lightweight design with impressive features and performance. While it has a few minor drawbacks, its strengths, particularly its portability and stunning display, make it a compelling option in the premium laptop market. If you value a large, beautiful screen and the freedom to take your work and entertainment anywhere without feeling weighed down, the LG Gram Pro 16 OLED is definitely worth considering.