The LG Gram 16 (16Z90Q): Featherweight Champion or Performance Compromise?
The LG Gram series has carved a niche for itself by prioritizing portability without sacrificing screen real estate. The 16-inch LG Gram 16 (16Z90Q) continues this tradition, aiming to be the ultimate travel companion for professionals and students alike. But can such a lightweight machine truly deliver on performance expectations in today’s demanding landscape? We put it through its paces to find out.
The defining characteristic of the LG Gram 16 is undeniably its weight – or lack thereof. Tipping the scales at just around 2.6 pounds, it’s genuinely remarkable for a laptop with a 16-inch display. This featherweight design makes it incredibly easy to carry around all day, a significant boon for anyone constantly on the move. The magnesium alloy chassis contributes to this lightness while still feeling relatively sturdy, though some flex is noticeable, particularly in the center of the keyboard.
Under the hood, the 16Z90Q packs an Intel 12th Gen Core i7 processor, which provides ample power for everyday productivity tasks like web browsing, document editing, and running multiple applications simultaneously. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse or a video editing monster, it handles these tasks with ease. The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics is sufficient for light photo editing and casual gaming, but demanding graphical workloads will quickly push it to its limits. We did observe some throttling during sustained heavy loads, which is understandable given the emphasis on thermal management in such a thin and light design.
The 16-inch IPS display is a real highlight. The 2560 x 1600 resolution provides a sharp and detailed image, while the wide viewing angles and vibrant colors make it a pleasure to use for both work and entertainment. The anti-glare coating is effective at reducing reflections, making it suitable for use in bright environments. The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with decent key travel, although some users might find it slightly shallow. The trackpad is generously sized and responsive, supporting multi-finger gestures smoothly.
Battery life is another area where the LG Gram 16 shines. With its large battery, it can easily last through a full workday on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage. This longevity further enhances its appeal as a portable workstation. The included Thunderbolt 4 ports offer fast data transfer speeds and the ability to connect to external displays and other peripherals.
Ultimately, the LG Gram 16 is a laptop built for a specific purpose: providing a large screen experience in an incredibly portable package. It excels at this, but that focus comes with some tradeoffs in terms of raw performance and chassis rigidity.
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LG Gram 16 (16Z90Q) Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 92%
- Design: 95%
- Performance: 94%
- Quality: 94%
- Popularity: 96%
Top Pros
- ✅ The remarkably lightweight design makes it exceptionally portable for on-the-go productivity.
- ✅ The vibrant 16-inch display offers sharp visuals and comfortable viewing angles.
- ✅ Its long-lasting battery ensures all-day usability on a single charge.
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Key Cons
- ❌ The magnesium alloy chassis exhibits some flex, particularly around the keyboard.
- ❌ The integrated graphics limit its ability to handle demanding tasks.
- ❌ Throttling is observed when faced with sustained heavy processing loads.
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