The gorgeous IPS display is WQXGA
(2,560x1,600) resolution, which is a
16:10 screen ratio. The bezels around
the side measure only a few
millimetres, providing (close to) edge-
to-edge viewing. Furthermore, the
17-inch screen has been squeezed into
a 15.6-inch body thanks to this
reduction in bezel size. It isn’t 4K, but is
great for accurate graphics work with
96 per cent sRGB coverage. The
screen has a glossy finish with a plastic
film on it, so don’t expect to be able to
use the gram 17 in strong sunlight, but
otherwise it looks particularly good,
with high brightness and decent
contrast. And its beautiful screen
means that photo and video editing
will be a fantastic experience.
One glaring omission from the
specification is any kind of discrete
graphics card from AMD or Nvidia.
This is understandable: a graphics card
would add weight and require more
cooling, making it impossible for LG to
create such a thin laptop. Instead, youPorts on the LG gram 17
include three USB C and
a MicroSD card reader.The LG gram 17’s beautiful screen
means that photo and video editing
will be a fantastic experience
have to make do with the integrated
Intel UHD 620 graphics chip. In
creative software terms, that means
you won’t be able to use Nvidia’s Cuda
acceleration, and while OpenCL will
work it’s not as good as using a
discrete graphics card.
That’s not to say the integrated Intel
UHD graphics chip is hamstrung. You
can still run 3D programs, but the LG
gram is a system for 2D design, rather
than high-end 3D. There are a few
quirks with the gram 17’s design, too.
Although the base and hinge are solid,
the screen wobbles in use, and the
SATA SSD isn’t as fast as the nVME
SSDs that are supplied in other
manufacturer’s high-end laptops.A WELL-ENGINEERED DEVICE
Looking beyond these limitations, and
the gram 17 is still one seriously
impressive piece of engineering. When
the CPU is being put to good use with
the right software, it can deliver
excellent performance. Basic Windows
tasks, from web browsing to filmIf the gram 17’s screen isn’t
big enough for you, there’s
an HDMI port to connect it
to a larger monitor.Art tools Hardware