When LG announced the Gram Book, it sounded like a smart idea on paper. The iconic Gram series has built a reputation for ultra-light, premium-feeling Windows laptops that prioritize portability without sacrificing too much performance. But those machines have always carried premium price tags — often well above $1,000.
The new LG Gram Book aimed to change that. Positioned as a more affordable “everyman” version of the Gram lineup, it promised solid everyday performance for students and office workers at a more sensible price point. With a 15.6-inch Full HD display, Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a starting price around $799, it looked like it could finally bring the Gram name to a wider audience without the usual weight obsession or sky-high cost.
I was genuinely excited to test it. As someone who regularly reviews laptops for students, remote workers, and budget-conscious professionals, I hoped the Gram Book would deliver a no-nonsense machine that could handle daily tasks reliably without breaking the bank. After all, not everyone needs a high-end ultrabook with fancy OLED screens or dedicated GPUs. Sometimes you just want something simple, sturdy, and affordable that gets the job done.
Unfortunately, after two full weeks of using the LG Gram Book as my daily driver — for writing, browsing, light photo editing, video calls, and general productivity — I came away deeply disappointed. The laptop isn’t terrible, but it fails to live up to the expectations set by its name and price. Performance feels underwhelming, battery life is surprisingly poor, and several build quality choices feel cheap for the money.
In many ways, the Gram Book highlights exactly why Apple’s new MacBook Neo has become such a compelling alternative in 2026. At just $599, the MacBook Neo offers better performance, superior build quality, longer battery life, and a more refined experience — all while undercutting the Gram Book on price.
This in-depth review breaks down every aspect of the LG Gram Book: design, performance, battery, display, keyboard, ports, Copilot integration, and real-world usability. I’ll compare it directly to the MacBook Neo and other strong competitors in the budget-to-midrange Windows laptop space. By the end, you’ll understand why I can no longer recommend the Gram Book — and why most buyers would be far better off choosing the MacBook Neo or other stronger alternatives in 2026.
Design and Build Quality — Retro Vibes, But Cheap Touches
At first glance, the LG Gram Book tries to channel a clean, minimalist aesthetic that nods to classic business laptops. The matte gray chassis is understated, with a subtle “Gram” logo on the lid. Open it up and you’re greeted by a full-sized keyboard complete with a numeric keypad — a welcome feature for anyone who works with spreadsheets or needs to enter numbers frequently.
The standout design element is the bright red power button, which immediately evokes the old-school “laptop nipple” pointing stick found on classic ThinkPads. It gives the machine a bit of retro character that some users might find charming. The overall look is professional and unassuming — exactly what you’d expect from a laptop aimed at students and office workers who prioritize function over flashy aesthetics.
However, the devil is in the details, and several choices reveal cost-cutting measures that hurt the experience. At 1.65kg (3.64 lbs), the Gram Book is noticeably heavier than traditional Gram models, which usually hover around the 1kg mark. LG seems to have abandoned its famous weight obsession here, but the name “Gram” still feels misleading. Many competing laptops in this price range feel lighter and more premium.
The chassis is made of matte plastic rather than the aluminum or magnesium alloys found on higher-end Grams or the MacBook Neo. While it feels reasonably sturdy for everyday use, it lacks the solid, cold-to-the-touch premium feel of metal bodies. The touchpad is particularly disappointing — it has noticeable flex when pressed firmly and feels plasticky compared to the glass trackpads on modern MacBooks or premium Windows ultrabooks.
Keyboard travel is adequate but not excellent. Keys feel a little spongy on deeper presses, and while the layout is spacious, there’s no backlighting, which can be frustrating in low-light environments. The display is a standard 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel. It gets reasonably bright and performs okay outdoors, but colors are muted, contrast is average, and viewing angles are only passable. It’s functional for documents and web browsing, but not inspiring for media consumption or creative work.
On the positive side, port selection is generous: two USB-C 3.2 ports, one USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The inclusion of a physical webcam privacy shutter is a thoughtful touch that many more expensive laptops still skip. Overall, the design is safe and practical, but several elements — especially the touchpad and plastic build — make it feel cheaper than its $799 starting price suggests.
Design Score: 3/5
Performance — Adequate for Basics, But Underwhelming Overall
The LG Gram Book is powered by a 13th-generation Intel Core i5-1334U processor with 16GB DDR4 RAM and integrated Intel UHD Graphics. In theory, this combination should handle everyday productivity tasks comfortably.
In real-world use, the laptop is responsive enough for web browsing with dozens of Chrome tabs open, writing documents, participating in video calls, and light multitasking. Email, Microsoft Office apps, Google Workspace, and streaming services all run smoothly. For students taking notes, writing essays, or attending online classes, it gets the job done without frustration.
However, the moment you push beyond basic tasks, limitations appear quickly. Light photo editing in GIMP works, but heavier creative software or video editing feels sluggish. Gaming is essentially off the table — even older titles like Civilization VI struggled to maintain playable frame rates at medium settings, and modern games delivered single-digit FPS.
Benchmark results confirm this middling performance:
- Geekbench 6 multicore around 4,745
- Cinebench multi-core scores in the low 400s
- Graphics performance is particularly weak, with 3DMark scores showing limited capability for anything beyond casual use.
The inclusion of a dedicated Copilot button is a nice marketing touch, but because the processor lacks a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the laptop is not a true Copilot+ PC. Many advanced AI features (such as certain local processing tools) require an internet connection, which raises privacy considerations for some users.
Compared to the Apple MacBook Neo with its A18 Pro chip, the difference is stark. The MacBook Neo handles the same tasks with more headroom, better efficiency, and noticeably snappier performance, even with less RAM in some configurations. The Gram Book feels like it belongs to an earlier generation of hardware.
For pure office or school use, the performance is acceptable. For anyone who occasionally does more demanding work or wants future-proofing, it falls short.
Performance Score: 2.5/5
Battery Life — One of the Biggest Disappointments
Battery life is where the LG Gram Book struggles most. In our standardized video playback test (brightness at 50%, efficiency mode, volume off), the laptop managed just under 7 hours. In real-world mixed use — writing, browsing, occasional video calls — it typically lasted 5.5 to 6 hours before needing a charge.
That’s simply not good enough in 2026, especially at this price point. Many competing Windows laptops and especially the MacBook Neo deliver 12–15+ hours of mixed use. Students and professionals who need all-day battery without constantly hunting for outlets will find the Gram Book frustrating.
Charging is also average. Using the included USB-C charger, a full charge from near-empty took about 2 hours. The lack of Thunderbolt 4 support limits faster charging options.
Battery Score: 2/5
Should You Buy the LG Gram Book? Verdict and Alternatives
Final Score: 2.375/5
The LG Gram Book is not a bad laptop — it’s just not a good one for the money. It offers decent everyday performance and a practical design for basic office and school work, along with some nice touches like the privacy shutter and good port selection. However, the combination of underwhelming performance, poor battery life, cheap-feeling components, and a price that feels too high makes it hard to recommend.
Buy it if:
- You love the retro aesthetic and full keyboard with numpad
- You need a straightforward machine for very light productivity
- You prefer Windows and want something simple
Don’t buy it if:
- You want strong value for money
- Battery life matters to you
- You do any creative work or multitasking beyond basics
Stronger Alternatives in 2026:
- Apple MacBook Neo ($599) — Better performance, stunning build quality, exceptional battery life, and a refined experience. It’s the clear winner here.
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (2025) — More premium feel and better overall balance.
- Acer Aspire series or similar budget Windows options — Often deliver better specs for similar or lower prices.
The LG Gram Book had the potential to be a sensible, affordable addition to the Gram family. Instead, it feels like a compromised product that doesn’t deliver enough performance, battery life, or premium feel to justify its price. In 2026, with excellent options like the MacBook Neo available at a lower cost, there’s little reason to choose the Gram Book.
If you’re shopping for a laptop for work or school on a budget, skip the Gram Book and seriously consider the MacBook Neo or other stronger Windows alternatives. Sometimes the “sensible” choice on paper turns out to be the wrong one in practice.
LG Gram Book – FAQ
1. What is the LG Gram Book?
The LG Gram Book is a budget-friendly Windows laptop from LG, designed for students and office users who need a simple, lightweight machine for everyday productivity tasks.
2. Is the LG Gram Book good for students?
Yes, but only for basic tasks like browsing, writing, and video calls. It is not ideal for heavy multitasking, gaming, or creative work.
3. How is the performance of the LG Gram Book?
It performs adequately for everyday tasks thanks to the Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB RAM, but it struggles with demanding workloads like video editing or gaming.
4. How long does the battery last?
Battery life is one of its weakest points, lasting around 5.5 to 7 hours in real-world use, which is below average for 2026 standards.
5. Is the LG Gram Book good for gaming?
No. The integrated graphics are very limited, making it unsuitable for modern gaming.
6. What display does the LG Gram Book have?
It features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display. It is bright enough for daily use but has average color accuracy and contrast.
7. Does the LG Gram Book support Copilot AI features?
Yes, it includes a Copilot button, but it is not a full Copilot+ PC since it lacks a dedicated NPU for advanced local AI processing.
8. How does the LG Gram Book compare to the MacBook Neo?
The MacBook Neo ($599) offers better performance, longer battery life, and a more premium build, making it a stronger alternative in 2026.
9. Is the LG Gram Book worth buying?
It depends. It is suitable for very light productivity users, but many alternatives offer better performance and battery life for the same or lower price.
10. What are the main drawbacks of the LG Gram Book?
- Weak battery life
- Average performance under load
- Plastic build quality
- No keyboard backlighting
- Underwhelming display quality
11. Who should buy the LG Gram Book?
It is best for:
- Students with basic needs
- Office workers doing light tasks
- Users who want a simple Windows laptop
12. What are better alternatives in 2026?
Better options include the MacBook Neo, Surface Laptop 13-inch, and other budget Windows laptops with stronger performance and battery life.