If you prioritize a lighter and more portable laptop with a longer battery life, the LG Gram 17 would be suitable for your needs, especially if general use is your main concern. On the other hand, if you require superior performance for tasks like engineering, 3D modeling, or gaming, and are willing to invest more, the Framework Laptop 16 is tailored for higher-end tasks despite being less portable and having a shorter battery life. Consider your primary activities and whether performance or convenience is your deciding factor. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the LG Gram 17
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
353.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The LG Gram 17 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for general use, though the LG Gram 17 is somewhat better.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its modular design, provides customizable CPU and RAM options allowing for tailored performance and screen quality, with a focus on repairability and upgradability, suited for a range of general tasks; however, its heft and potentially shorter battery life compared to lighter options might affect portability. The LG Gram 17, on the other hand, offers a larger, high-quality screen and longer battery life in an exceptionally lightweight form, making it ideal for users who prioritize a big display and easy mobility, though its thinner build may come with trade-offs in speaker and heat management performance.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
7.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
353.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the LG Gram 17 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the LG Gram 17 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Framework Laptop 16 stands out with its high-resolution display and impressive brightness, making text sharp and media vibrant, while the LG Gram 17 offers a similar but slightly less vibrant experience. When it comes to engineering and design, the Framework's screen covers a wide range of colors, essential for accurate visuals, whereas the LG Gram supports ample color space but may not be as precise. However, for gaming and 3D work which demands smooth motion, the lower refresh rates of both laptops make them less suitable, as they can't render fast-paced scenes as fluidly as specialized gaming laptops.
Battery
9.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The LG Gram 17 has 11 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
17.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The LG Gram 17 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) both have good portability, though the LG Gram 17 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the LG Gram 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and LG Gram 17 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 16, with a dedicated GPU, offers a better experience for gaming and 3D applications compared to the LG Gram 17 that typically comes with integrated graphics; however, neither is top-tier for these uses due to moderate screen refresh rates. While the LG Gram 17 boasts high screen quality and a strong CPU for general tasks, its focus on extreme portability and battery life makes it less ideal for the high demands of gaming and 3D rendering.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
8.0/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and LG Gram 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) excels with its modular design, allowing you to upgrade parts like the CPU, RAM, and GPU, ensuring it meets the demanding tasks of engineering and design, coupled with a high-quality screen. On the other hand, the LG Gram 17, while also providing a great screen and sufficient performance for engineering tasks, stands out for its light weight and thus better portability, but may fall slightly behind in graphics-intensive scenarios due to a less powerful GPU.
Content Creation
8.1/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Gram 17 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.0/10
8.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Gram 17 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Cost
$1,699
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the LG Gram 17 costs $1,699.
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How the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and the LG Gram 17 compare to other laptops
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"The LG Gram 17 is a light office laptop with a large display and great battery life. The newest incarnation of the Gram 17 can be classified as a model update. LG uses the predecessor's compact, light magnesium case along with an identical port configuration (including 2x Thunderbolt 4) and keyboard. Changes can be found in the hardware. With the Gram 17 (2022), LG offers a light (approx. 1,350 g), mobile work device - and finally with a matte display."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the LG Gram 17
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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