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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize a large screen and longer battery life for tasks like video editing or multitasking, the LG Gram 17 is suitable due to its larger 17-inch display and extended battery performance. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is more portable and offers a higher resolution touch screen, making it a better option for users frequently on the go and for those who benefit from a touch interface, like artists or presenters. While both use similar processors and are equipped for general use and productivity, the LG Gram 17's additional RAM may handle intensive engineering tasks or multitasking slightly better. 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 LG Gram 17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.5
7.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
353.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The LG Gram 17 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The LG Gram 17's larger screen and high-resolution display, combined with substantial RAM and a powerful CPU, make it excellent for multitasking and productivity in general use, benefiting from a long battery life and lightweight design for portability. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a higher-density touchscreen with robust build quality and excellent portability, but has a smaller screen and less RAM and storage, making it good for general use with a focus on mobility and touch interaction.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.1
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The LG Gram 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The LG Gram 17 is equipped with a strong CPU, plentiful RAM, and a decent integrated GPU, complemented by a large, high-resolution IPS display, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", while slightly less powerful in CPU and half the RAM, offers a high-quality, smaller touchscreen with a good GPU and portability, making it a versatile choice for engineering and design professionals who also prioritize mobility.
Content Creation
8.4
7.4
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Gram 17 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
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
8.2
7.2
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The LG Gram 17 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
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.
Screen Quality
7.4
7.2
17.0in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
353.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The LG Gram 17 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The LG Gram 17 offers a large, high-resolution display that is bright and clear, making it ideal for general use and detailed engineering tasks, but its lower refresh rate is less suitable for the fast-paced visuals needed in gaming and 3D work. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" provides a smaller, high-resolution screen with excellent color accuracy, well-suited for professionals in design and engineering, yet it also lacks the high refresh rate gamers look for in a smooth gaming experience. Both laptops have displays that prioritize clear, accurate visuals and great color representation for productivity and creativity, rather than the high-speed requirements of gaming.
Battery
11.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The LG Gram 17 has 11 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
Excellent
17.0in
SIZE
13.5in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the LG Gram 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Gram 17 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,100
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The LG Gram 17 has a price of $2,100 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.1
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Gram 17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The LG Gram 17 is considered good for gaming and 3D because it has a larger screen with high resolution and color accuracy, and a more powerful GPU, making it better suited for these purposes. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a smaller, higher pixel density touchscreen but a less capable GPU and poorer heat management, rendering it only fair for the same tasks.
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How the LG Gram 17 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG Gram 17 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,100 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.9'' x 10.2'' x 0.7'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.98 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.91" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.19" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1260P | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 2048 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 353 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
LG Gram 17
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | August 2022
"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."
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the LG Gram 17 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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