LG has been known for their lightweight Gram lineup, that provides good performance while not being quite bulky. But do they hold up in the 2 in 1 market of laptops? Well, the answer is a bit complicated.
Build & Design
The LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is a marvel of engineering, blending lightweight portability with a robust build. The chassis, crafted from magnesium alloy, and an aluminum lid, immediately stands out.
What keeps distracting me from the LG Gram 16 2 in1 is its weighs around 1.4kg (3.25 lbs), which is heavier than the Gram 16’s non 2 in 1 variant. Honestly it bothers me considering when I am using the laptop in tablet mode, I would like it to be lighter like the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, but it’s not a dealbreaker either, at least not for me.
Holding the LG Gram 16 2 in 1, you’ll notice a slight flex in the chassis and the keyboard deck. This bending, while noticeable, doesn’t detract from the overall solid feel of the device, but it flexes in such a way that the touchpad starts to registers inputs. And this issue also existed in the 2022 version of the Gram 16 2 in 1.
I feel like LG can’t do much about it considering that magnesium bodies always tend to have some flex, but regardless, it’s still annoying.
Its dimensions, 14.4″ x 9.78″ x 0.67″, make it impressively thin and easy to carry around, a significant advantage for those constantly on the move.
Visually, the design is conservative yet elegant. The “Obsidian Black” color scheme exudes a sophisticated vibe, though it’s a bit of a fingerprint magnet. The minimalist approach LG has taken with the LG Gram 16 2 in1 will appeal to professionals and students alike who prefer their devices to look minimal and simple.
Keyboard & Touchpad
Keyboard
Typing on the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is a mixed experience and remains unchanged from the 2022 model. The keys are large and well-spaced, including a numpad with slightly smaller keys, which doesn’t feel cramped.
However, the switch mechanism leaves something to be desired. The shallow depth and harsh bottoming action make it less than ideal for prolonged typing sessions. This aspect might be a letdown for users who spend a significant amount of time typing.
The keyboard’s aesthetic is clean, with black keys and white lettering, contributing to the overall minimalistic design of the laptop. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of RGB backlighting, which might be a downside for those who work in low-light conditions.
Touchpad
The touchpad on the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is decently sized, smooth, and responsive. It supports Microsoft Precision touchpad gestures, enhancing the overall user experience. The entire surface is clickable, with a response that is both snappy and quiet. While it’s rated as very good, a slightly larger size could have elevated it to excellent, especially for users who rely heavily on touchpad navigation.
But like I mentioned earlier, the flex in the chassis can cause accidental inputs on this trackpad
Speakers and Webcam
Speakers
The speakers on the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 are, frankly, underwhelming. While the mids and highs are clear, they lack in the bass department. This shortfall is particularly noticeable given the size of the laptop. For casual listening, they’re passable, but don’t expect them to perform well when you are playing music.
I suggest just using the speakers to watch Youtube videos or listening to podcasts.
Webcam
The 1080p resolution webcam is a standout feature, offering added clarity and detail for video chats. It supports Windows Hello and comes with a physical privacy shutter, a thoughtful addition for those concerned about security. The higher resolution is a significant upgrade over many laptops that still sport 720p cameras.
I/O and Ports
I was expecting LG to add some extra ports such as an full size HDMI port, an extra full size USB Type A port, and a card reader. But unfortunately, they are absent from this year Gram 16 2 in 1.
Just like last year’s model, the LG Gram 16 has dual Thunderbolt ports, an audio jack, and USB 3.2 Type A port and a microSD card reader. Including a full size card reader shouldn’t be impossible, considering that Dell managed to fit one inside the Inspiron 2 in 1.
And same can be said about the full size HDMI port that is present on the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, HP Spectre x360 and the Dell Inspiron 2 in 1.
You can definitely finds better ports on other laptops, though the Asus Expertbook B5 is from last year, it has the most packed ports while also having the most ports.
If you don’t really care about have more I/O ports or if you already carry a USB C dongle, the I/O ports shouldn’t really bother you. But if you are not about that dongle life, the Gram 16 isn;t for you.
Display
The 16-inch 16:10 display, with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz, is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it covers 100% sRGB and 99% Adobe RGB, making it excellent for tasks that require color accuracy, like photo editing or design work. The 16:10 aspect ratio is also great for productivity, offering more vertical space for spreadsheets and text documents.
However,that’s all the good things I had to say. The display’s brightness is a letdown at around 310 nits which is an improvement over the 2022 year’s model, but despite that there will be an issue in brightly lit environments. And this feel inexcusable considering the likes of Asus ExpertBook B5 Flip and the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 easily approach 400 nits.
And when it comes to the color accuracy, it’s good like I discussed earlier, but nothing out of the ordinary. Samsung and Asus again takes the lead here.
The 60Hz refresh rate is also what I would consider to be a dealbreaker for the LG Gram 2 in 1, considering Samsung offers a much brighter and smoother 120Hz AMOLED display in the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360.
If you plan to do a lot of creative work or plan to watch content on your laptop, the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is hard for me to justify, but if you just plan to work on Spreadsheet and write word documents, the display on the Gram 16 2 in 1 would suffice.
Performance
In day to day use, the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 will serve you fine. The Core i7 1360p is plenty powerful to help you crunch numbers on excel and write lengthy word documents. And the 32 GB RAM is more than enough for me to open up 50+ chrome tabs.
And when we compare the Gram 16 2 in 1 to the competition it doesn’t disappoint us either. It scores high in Geekbench 5 multi core at 10390 and even in single core, it doesn’t disappoint getting a score of 1830.
The Cinebench R23 tells a similar result. In single core it gets 1770 and in a multi core of 11100. Its quite clear that the LG Gram 16 2 in1 is no slouch, and easily stands its ground when compared to the competition. And there’s an appreciable increase in performance when compared to the 2022 LG Gram 16 2 in 1.
The LG Gram 16 2 in1 is powerful enough to do demanding tasks such as code compiling and using Photoshop. You could also get away with moderate video editing workload, though I wouldn’t recommend it due to the lack of a discrete GPU.
However if you want top tier performance, at a similar price point, you can’t go wrong with the Dell Inspiron 16 2 in 1.
Battery
If you want the best battery backup from a Windows laptop, then the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is something I can happily recommend. The 80Wh battery in the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 allows it to comfortably lasts around 12 hours on a single charge with moderate use, leaving the rest of the competition in the dust. The laptop that came close to the Gram 16 2 in 1 is the Spectre x360, lasting around 9 hours on moderate usage.
But besides that, the longevity of the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 makes it an ideal choice for those who need a reliable laptop for all-day use without constant access to a power outlet.
Expansion and Upgradability
In terms of expansion and upgradability, the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 offers limited options. The RAM is soldered, which means you’re stuck with the 32GB it comes with – not that it’s a small amount, to begin with. However, the SSD is upgradable, providing some flexibility for users who might need more storage in the future.
Conclusion
The LG Gram 16 2 in 1 is a compelling option for those seeking a lightweight, yet powerful laptop. Its minimal design, good performance, and great battery life are its standout features.
However, there’s no doubt that the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 has a lot of room for improvement. Considering that LG didn’t bother to fix known faults such as accidental inputs on the touchpad. I have little confidence in what they will do with the 2024 version.
And the lackluster display, flimsy chassis along with the underwhelming speakers makes it tough for me to recommend. But if you are willing to overlook this annoyances, then the LG Gram 16 2 in 1 won’t disappoint you in your daily workflow.
