LG Gram Pro 16 Review

The Featherweight Champion Hits the Gym: LG Gram Pro 16 Review

For years, the LG Gram has been the undisputed champion of the ultralight laptop world. It has consistently defied physics, packing large screens into chassis so light they felt almost hollow. But with this supremacy came a question: could a laptop this light ever be truly powerful? With the LG Gram Pro 16, LG isn’t just answering that question—it’s shouting the answer from the rooftops. This isn’t just a Gram with a new sticker; it’s a re-engineered machine that injects serious muscle into its featherweight frame, aiming squarely at creators and professionals who refuse to choose between portability and power.

Design: Impossibly Light, Reassuringly Solid

Picking up the Gram Pro 16 is still a surreal experience. At just 1.2 kg (2.64 lbs), it feels lighter than some 14-inch notebooks, making you second-guess if the battery was accidentally left out. The minimalist design, coated in a sleek matte black finish, is professional and understated. LG uses a magnesium alloy for the chassis, which is key to its low weight and helps it achieve MIL-STD-810H durability certification.

However, the laws of physics can only be bent so far. While the build feels much more rigid than previous Gram generations, there is still a discernible amount of flex in the keyboard deck and lid if you intentionally apply pressure. It’s not alarming and doesn’t creak or groan, but users accustomed to the unyielding solidity of a unibody aluminum chassis will notice it. For a device this light, it’s an acceptable trade-off, but a trade-off nonetheless.

Performance: The ‘Pro’ Moniker Earned

This is where the Gram Pro 16 truly separates itself from its predecessors. Our review unit packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and, crucially, an optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU. This combination transforms the device from a document-pusher into a legitimate mobile creative workstation.

The Core Ultra chip, with its integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), is optimized for the coming wave of AI-powered applications, but its real-world benefit today is efficient power management. For the heavy lifting, the RTX 3050 steps in. Compiling code, scrubbing through 4K video timelines in Adobe Premiere Pro, and performing complex edits in Photoshop are all handled with surprising ease. The dual-fan cooling system, a new addition for the Pro line, does an admirable job keeping thermals in check under sustained load, though the fans are certainly audible when the machine is pushed hard. This isn’t a high-end gaming laptop, but it can comfortably handle modern titles at 1080p with medium settings, making it a versatile travel companion.

Display: A Creator’s Dream Canvas

The screen on the Gram Pro 16 is, in a word, spectacular. LG has equipped it with a 16-inch, 2.8K (2880×1800) OLED panel that is a feast for the eyes. It boasts a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, which makes everything from scrolling web pages to gaming feel incredibly fluid. Colors are punchy and accurate, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, the contrast is effectively infinite.

For photo and video editors, this display is a game-changer in the ultralight category. The only potential downside is its glossy finish. While this enhances the vibrancy of the colors, it can also pick up distracting reflections when used in brightly lit rooms or outdoors.

Features and Frustrations

LG continues to excel where others cut corners. The port selection is outstanding for a thin-and-light, featuring two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, and a microSD card reader. This generosity means most users can leave their dongles at home. The keyboard is comfortable with decent travel, and the inclusion of a full numpad is a welcome bonus for productivity.

Unfortunately, the audio experience doesn’t match the visual excellence. The downward-firing speakers are adequate for system sounds and video calls, but they lack the bass and overall richness needed for an immersive media experience. Similarly, while the 1080p webcam is a step up from older 720p sensors, its quality is merely sufficient, not exceptional. In a “Pro” machine at this price point, these are noticeable compromises.

The Verdict: Portability Without Performance Compromise

The LG Gram Pro 16 successfully achieves its ambitious goal. It delivers genuine workstation-class performance in a chassis that remains the gold standard for portability. It’s not a perfect machine—the chassis has some flex and the audio is underwhelming—but its core strengths are so compelling that these flaws are easy to forgive.

This laptop is built for a specific user: the mobile professional, the traveling creative, or the executive who needs a machine that can handle a demanding workload without weighing down their carry-on. If you value low weight above all else but are tired of compromising on processing power and display quality, the LG Gram Pro 16 isn’t just a good option; it’s arguably in a class of its own.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon