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For years, the MacBook Air has dominated the ultraportable laptop market, leaving Windows users craving a true competitor that balances power, battery life, and featherlight design. Enter the LG Gram 17 (2025), now available for $1,699. Powered by Intel's cutting-edge Lunar Lake architecture, this 17-inch behemoth defies physics at a mere 3.2 pounds and 0.74 inches thick—lighter than many 14-inch rivals. But does it transcend its gimmicky roots to become a genuine tool for developers and on-the-go engineers? After a week of rigorous testing, the answer is a resounding 'almost.'

Engineering Overhaul Meets Lunar Lake Efficiency

At its core, the Gram 17's leap forward hinges on Intel's Core Ultra 7 Series 2 (Lunar Lake) processor. Unlike last year's model, which prioritized form over function, this iteration delivers tangible gains:
- Battery Life: Lunar Lake's efficiency cores enable up to 10 hours of mixed usage, a 25% improvement over predecessors, despite driving a 2560x1600 IPS display. Even under load, cooling is remarkably effective—no more lap-scorching temperatures that plagued earlier Gram models.
- Performance: With 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, it handles development workloads (e.g., Docker containers, VS Code) smoothly. The integrated Intel Arc GPU even manages light gaming, though expect graphical glitches in demanding titles.
- Real-World Impact: For cloud engineers or data scientists commuting between offices, the Gram's 77Wh battery means fewer charger hunts. Lunar Lake's idle power draw is so minimal it enables multi-day standby—a game-changer for travel.

Design Triumphs and Tribulations

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The Gram's carbon-magnesium alloy chassis achieves unprecedented lightness but compromises linger:
- The Screen Dilemma: The 17-inch touchscreen is vibrant and anti-glare, inviting interaction, but its thinness causes noticeable wobble during use—a frustration for coders referencing documentation while typing.
- Aesthetic Trade-offs: The matte black finish is a fingerprint magnet, demanding constant wiping. While the full-sized keyboard is serviceable, the lack of a haptic trackpad feels archaic next to premium rivals like HP's EliteBook.
- I/O Surprise: Port selection impresses with dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, HDMI, USB-A, and a Kensington lock—essential for professionals juggling peripherals.

Lunar Lake vs. the Competition

Compared to the $400-pricier Gram Pro 17 (with a 16-core Ultra 7 and 90Wh battery), the base model's value shines. It forgoes the Pro's 144Hz refresh rate but offers identical I/O and design at a lower cost. Crucially, it outmaneuvers Apple's M3 MacBook Air in screen real estate and upgradability while matching its portability—though macOS optimization remains superior for developer ecosystems.

The AI Letdown

LG's on-device "Gram Chat" assistant epitomizes the industry's rushed AI integrations. It fails basic conversational queries and offers little beyond file searches—a missed opportunity for automating developer tasks like code snippet generation.

Verdict: A New Benchmark for Mobile Workstations

For developers prioritizing screen space and mobility, the Gram 17 is a revelation. Lunar Lake transforms it from a novelty into a viable daily driver, with battery and thermal gains that finally justify the 'ultrabook' label. While the wobbly display and absent haptics remind us that lightness has limits, this laptop proves Windows machines can rival Apple's hegemony—without breaking your back. As Intel's architecture trickles down, expect Lunar Lake to catalyze a wave of truly portable powerhouses.

Source: ZDNET