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Why I’m in Love With a Windows Laptop

My devotion to Apple is lagging after using the LG Gram 17

By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 8, 2021 01:35PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Computers Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

After spending three months using the LG Gram 17, I can say it’s the best all-around Windows laptop I’ve ever used.The sub-3-pound Gram 17 makes my MacBook Pro feel heavy. The Gram 17 offers a gorgeous screen, and the magnesium alloy frame is a delight. Lifewire / Sascha Brodsky I’ve tried dozens of laptops over the years, but I’ve found only one that tempts me to give up my 16-inch MacBook Pro. The LG Gram 17 is the best Windows machine I’ve used for overall productivity. Its ridiculously light design makes it a pleasure to tote around. I’ve been testing out the Gram 17 for three months, and its giant, bright screen gives Apple a run for the money. I have to admit that I had my doubts about the Gram 17 when I first started using it. The keyboard is slightly quirky, even though it’s large and generously spread out. And the colors on the display are markedly more cartoonish than those on the MacBook Pro. It doesn’t seem possible that such a slight frame could contain the computing power and great screen that the Gram offers.

Better Than a MacBook Pro

I’ve been mostly happy with my MacBook Pro over the years, but there are certain things that Windows just does better. Take the email and calendar app Outlook, for example. The Windows version is far more capable than the one that’s available for the Mac. The LG Gram 17 flies through every program I need. Admittedly, the list of apps I use doesn’t include any games or photo or video editing software that might really tax its i7 processor and integrated graphics card. But for web browsing, Slack, and word processing, there is essentially no difference in speed between the Gram and my MacBook Pro. Working with a dozen tabs open in both Chrome and Microsoft’s Edge browser didn’t cause the Gram 17 to stutter. The build quality on the Gram 17 is also a delight. I’ve gotten so used to the elegant but harsh Apple aluminum frames that I had forgotten that the magnesium alloy on the Gram could be enjoyable. The Gram certainly doesn’t weigh me down. It’s only 0.7 inches thick and weighs a hair under 3 pounds. It doesn’t seem possible that such a slight frame could contain the computing power and great screen that the Gram offers.

It s All About the Screen

The crowning glory of the Gram 17 is its vast screen. It’s less than an inch bigger than the display on my MacBook Pro, but somehow seems much more extensive. As someone who uses my laptop for hours at a time and is often on the go, having a great screen is critical. With the Gram 17’s real estate, I was able to have multiple windows open and view large spreadsheets. The one area where the Gram 17 let me down is that its shiny display reflects way too much light. This can make it hard to view the screen in anything but the most subdued lighting conditions. As a result, I found myself constantly adjusting the angle of the screen to try to reduce reflections. On the other hand, the glossy screen makes the colors pop. I found myself turning to the Gram 17 instead of my MacBook when I wanted to watch movies on Netflix. Lifewire / Sascha Brodsky While videos often eat up power, the battery life on the Gram 17 is surprisingly decent. LG claims that the 80-watt battery inside the Gram can last up to 17 hours. That estimate is a stretch, but I could easily get through an entire workday on a single charge with juice left over to watch a TV show after hours. Are all the great features on the Gram 17 enough to make me switch to Windows? After spending three months working on the LG, I’m not sure that it matters anymore unless you are a gamer. I spend most of my time working on Chrome or other apps that work for both Mac and Windows. The Gram proves that Windows laptop manufacturers have caught up with Apple’s superb build quality. At $1,849, the Gram 17 isn’t cheap, but it's less expensive than Apple’s flagship model. You can’t beat the convenience of having a laptop this light and with such a great display. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 6 Best 17-Inch and Larger Laptops of 2022 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Review: A Lightweight Laptop Option Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M1, 2021) Review: Apple's Best Laptop LG Gram 17 Review: A Featherweight Laptop Offering Impressive Performance Asus VivoBook Pro 17 Review: Great Performance For The Price LG Gram 15 Review: Thin and Light With Great Battery Life LG Gram 15.6-inch (2018) Review: A Big, Incredibly Light Laptop that Lasts and Lasts Lenovo 130S Review: Limited Power But Surprising Usability HP Stream 14 Review: A Budget Windows Laptop With Compromises iPad Pro (2021, M1) Review: Desktop Performance in a Tablet Apple iPad 10.2-inch (7th Generation) Review: iPadOS Changes the Game for Productivity The 8 Best Gaming Laptops of 2022 Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) Review: A New CPU Changes the Game HAVIT 5 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad Review: Keeping Your Laptop Cool With Five Adjustable Fans HP Chromebook 11 Review: A Well-Rounded Laptop Suited for Study, Work, and Play Expert Tested: The 8 Best Windows Laptops in 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies