LG Gram 17″ 17Z90TL-G Review

Remarkably light 17-Inch laptop that defies physics

Seventeen-inch laptops have become an endangered species. Walk into any Australian retailer and you’ll struggle to find them – the market has largely abandoned this size category. In fact, the laptop market has consolidated dramatically around just two primary screen sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch. Even the once-ubiquitous 15-inch laptop is being phased out, replaced by 16-inch models that manufacturers find offer a better balance of screen space and portability.

Visit JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, or Harvey Norman and you’ll see shelves dominated by 14-inch portables, 15 inch home user, and 16-inch productivity/gaming laptops. The 17-inch laptop? It’s essentially extinct outside of gaming machines weighing 2.5-3.5kg designed to sit on desks and rarely move. The traditional 17-inch productivity laptop has been completely phased out of most manufacturers’ lineups.

Why? Because the market decided you either want portability (14-inch) or larger screens for productivity/gaming (16-inch). The idea of a genuinely portable 17-inch laptop was considered impossible – the physics just didn’t work. More screen meant more weight, more bulk, more battery, more everything. If you wanted 17 inches, you accepted it would be a desk-bound workstation, or more likely, you simply couldn’t find one at all.

LG’s Gram series has spent years challenging this assumption. Through aggressive use of magnesium alloy and careful engineering, LG has managed to create genuinely portable large-screen laptops that weigh far less than seems physically possible. The 17-inch Gram is genuinely unique in the Australian market – there simply isn’t another ultralight, portable 17-inch laptop available anywhere. The entire size category has been abandoned by the industry.

The LG Gram 17″ 17Z90TL-G represents the latest generation, packing Intel’s new Core Ultra 5 226V processor (Lunar Lake generation), 16GB of ultra-fast LPDDR5X memory, and a 77Wh battery into a chassis that weighs just 1.39kg (3.06 lbs). To put that in context, that’s lighter than many 14-inch laptops and less than half the weight of typical gaming laptops – or what used to exist before the 17-inch productivity category virtually disappeared.

At $1,499 during Landmark Computers’ Black Friday sale (or $2,199 at Centrecom, Scorptec, and Computer Alliance), the Gram 17 targets mobile professionals, content creators, and anyone who needs maximum screen space without sacrificing portability. But achieving this weight requires significant compromises. Let’s dig in.

Key Specifications

• Display: 17″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, 350 nits, 16:10 aspect ratio, 60Hz, anti-glare, 1200:1 contrast
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (Lunar Lake, 8 cores: 4P + 4LPE, P-cores up to 4.5 GHz, E-cores up to 3.5 GHz, 8MB cache, 40 TOPS NPU)
• Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5X-8533 (in-package with processor, not upgradable)
• Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (dual M.2 slots available)
• Graphics: Intel Arc graphics (integrated)
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Wireless: Intel Wireless-BE201 (Wi-Fi 6, will support Wi-Fi 7 when updated), Bluetooth 5.3
• Battery: 77 Wh Li-Ion
• Ports: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 2x USB-C (USB 4, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery, DisplayPort), HDMI 2.1 (4K/60Hz), 4-pole headset jack, optional USB-C to RJ45 adapter
• Keyboard: Full-size backlit with numeric keypad
• Touchpad: Precision touchpad
• Camera: FHD 1080p with dual microphones (no IR/facial recognition)
• Audio: Stereo speakers (2W x2, max 5W) with Dolby Atmos, Smart Amp
• Weight: 1.39 kg – remarkably light for 17″
• Dimensions: 378.8 x 258.8 x 16.0-17.8 mm
• Build: Magnesium alloy (top, bottom, keyboard deck), PC-ABS (middle section)
• Power: 65W USB-C adapter (compact wall-mount design)
• Security: Fingerprint reader (integrated in power button)
• Thermal: Mega dual cooling system
• Year: 2025 model
• Price: Landmark Computers $1,499 (Black Friday), Centrecom/Scorptec/Computer Alliance $2,199

The Vanishing 17-inch Market

Before going into the review, it’s important to understand just how rare this laptop is. The 17-inch laptop category has virtually disappeared from the Australian market. Visit JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, or any independent retailer, and you’ll struggle to find any 17-inch laptops on display. The few that exist are gaming machines weighing 2.5-3kg+ or old stock being cleared out.

The laptop market has consolidated around two primary screen sizes:

• 14-inch for ultraportables and business laptops (1.0-1.5kg)
• 16-inch for larger productivity laptops, gaming, and creative work (1.8-2.5kg)

Even the once-common 15-inch category is slowly being phased out – manufacturers have largely moved to 16-inch for their larger models, finding it offers a better balance of screen space and portability. Walk into any store and you’ll see predominantly 14″ and 16″ laptops, with 13″ still hanging around in the ultraportable segment and 15″ becoming increasingly rare. The 17-inch laptop? It’s essentially extinct outside of gaming machines.

Manufacturers (thanks to Apple) decided that consumers either want:

• 14 inch ultraportables for maximum mobility
• 16-inch laptops for productivity/gaming/creative work

The idea of a portable 17-inch laptop was considered impossible. More screen meant more weight, more battery, more chassis, more everything. The physics simply didn’t support creating a genuinely portable 17-inch machine, and the market abandoned the size entirely except for heavy gaming rigs that rarely leave desks.

This makes the LG Gram 17 genuinely unique – it’s essentially the only ultralight, portable 17-inch laptop you can buy in Australia. If you want 17 inches of screen space, your options are:

1. LG Gram 17 (1.39kg, portable)
2. Gaming laptops (2.5-3kg, not portable)
3. Nothing else (the size has pretty much been phased out)

That’s it. The Gram 17 has no competitors in the portable 17-inch category because the category essentially doesn’t exist anymore. Even finding a non-portable 17-inch productivity laptop is nearly impossible – the market has moved to 14″ and 16″ as the standard sizes, abandoning everything else.

The Weight Achievement – Physics-Defying Engineering

Let’s start with what makes this laptop special: at just 1.39kg (3.06 lbs), the LG Gram 17″ weighs less than most 14-inch laptops. To put this in perspective:

• Typical 17-inch gaming laptops: 2.5-3.5kg
• This LG Gram 17: 1.39kg
• Weight savings: 45-60% lighter than any competitor
• Comparison: Lighter than many 14-inch ultrabooks

This isn’t just “light for a 17-inch laptop” – this is genuinely light by any standard. You can carry this in a bag all day without noticing the weight. You can hold it in one hand while standing. You can use it on your lap without feeling like it’s crushing your legs.

LG achieves this through aggressive use of magnesium alloy construction throughout the chassis – top cover, bottom panel, and keyboard deck all use magnesium rather than heavier aluminium or plastic. The middle section uses PC-ABS plastic to save additional weight.

The 16.0-17.8mm thickness is impressively slim for a 17-inch laptop as well, making it genuinely portable in ways large laptops simply aren’t anymore – or can’t be, since they’ve essentially disappeared from the market.

This weight achievement fundamentally changes what a 17-inch laptop can be – instead of being extinct or relegated to desk-bound gaming workstations, the 17-inch form factor becomes a genuinely mobile productivity machine with maximum screen space. It’s the only laptop delivering this combination in the Australian market because it’s the only portable 17-inch laptop that exists.

Design and Build Quality – The Trade-offs

However, achieving this weight requires compromises, and the build quality reflects those trade-offs. The magnesium alloy construction feels less premium than aluminum. It has a slightly hollow, plasticky feel when you tap on it, despite being metal. The material flexes slightly under pressure, reminding you this chassis is engineered for lightness rather than rigidity.

The material attracts fingerprints extremely visibly – the magnesium finish shows every touch, requiring constant cleaning to look presentable. This is particularly noticeable on the darker Charcoal Grey and Obsidian Black colours.

The PC-ABS middle section further emphasizes the budget-feeling materials despite the premium price. While this construction is necessary to achieve the weight, it doesn’t feel as quality as you’d expect from a $2,000+ laptop.

That said, the chassis doesn’t feel fragile – LG has engineered this carefully, and the Gram series has a reputation for reasonable durability despite the lightweight construction. The magnesium alloy provides good strength-to-weight ratio, and the laptop should survive daily use without falling apart.

Display

The 17-inch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution (WQXGA) in a 16:10 aspect ratio is genuinely excellent for productivity. The extra vertical space compared to 16:9 displays helps immensely with document work, spreadsheets, web browsing, and multitasking.

The 2560 x 1600 resolution provides sharp, detailed visuals – text appears crisp, and you have plenty of screen real estate for multiple windows side-by-side. For professionals working with complex documents or spreadsheets, the combination of 17-inch size and high resolution is genuinely transformative.

The IPS panel delivers decent viewing angles and reasonable colour reproduction. The 350 nits brightness is adequate for indoor use, though outdoor visibility will be challenging. The anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections during everyday use.

The 1200:1 contrast ratio is decent for an IPS panel, providing acceptable black levels and colour depth for productivity work and media consumption.

However, the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated in 2025. Many laptops now offer 90Hz, 120Hz, or even higher refresh rates that make everyday computing feel noticeably smoother. For a premium laptop at this price, 60Hz is disappointing – scrolling web pages, moving windows, and general UI animations all feel less smooth than they should.

The display also lacks touch functionality, which some users might miss for certain workflows.

Overall, this display excels at what matters most for productivity: size, resolution, and aspect ratio. The 60Hz limitation is frustrating but doesn’t fundamentally undermine the productivity focus.

Performance

The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V represents Intel’s new Lunar Lake generation, featuring 8 cores (4 performance + 4 low-power efficiency cores) with an integrated 40 TOPS NPU for AI workloads. This is cutting-edge hardware designed for efficiency and AI capabilities.

For productivity tasks – Microsoft Office, web browsing, email, video calls, document editing, and moderate multitasking – the Core Ultra 5 226V handles everything smoothly. The processor is designed for thin-and-light laptops, prioritizing efficiency over raw performance.

The 16GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory is in-package with the processor (soldered together), providing extremely fast memory bandwidth. However, it’s not upgradable – you’re stuck with 16GB permanently. For most productivity users, 16GB should suffice, but power users wanting 32GB or more are out of luck.

The 512GB SSD provides adequate storage, and having dual M.2 slots means you can add a second SSD if needed for expansion.

The Intel Arc integrated graphics handle basic tasks – video playback, light photo editing, and simple graphics work. Don’t expect gaming beyond very casual titles or older games on low settings. For productivity-focused users, the graphics are adequate.

For typical business and productivity workloads, the Core Ultra 5 226V delivers smooth, responsive performance. Just don’t expect it to handle intensive creative work, heavy multitasking, or gaming.

Thermal Performance – The Heat Challenge

Here’s where the lightweight construction creates issues: the laptop can get hot under load. Packing performance hardware into such a thin, light chassis means thermal management becomes challenging.

During sustained workloads – video calls, multitasking, or any moderately intensive tasks – the laptop gets noticeably warm, particularly on the bottom panel and around the keyboard area. The “Mega dual cooling system” works to dissipate heat, but there’s only so much it can do in such a confined space.

Fan noise becomes audible under load as the cooling system works overtime to manage temperatures. It’s not as loud as gaming laptops, but it’s noticeable in quiet environments.

For light productivity work, thermals are fine. For sustained intensive tasks, you’ll feel the heat and hear the fans working.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The full-size backlit keyboard with numeric keypad is well-suited for productivity. The key layout is spacious, and the backlighting provides visibility in low-light conditions.

Key travel and tactile feedback should be reasonable for extended typing sessions, though the magnesium keyboard deck might flex slightly under heavy typing.

The precision touchpad supports multi-touch gestures and should provide smooth, accurate tracking for everyday navigation.

The fingerprint reader integrated into the power button provides convenient biometric login via Windows Hello, which adds security and convenience.

Ports and Connectivity

The port selection is comprehensive for a thin-and-light laptop:

• 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps)
• 2x USB-C (USB 4, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery, DisplayPort)
• HDMI 2.1 (4K/60Hz)
• 4-pole headset jack
• Optional USB-C to RJ45 adapter (included, varies by region)

Having Thunderbolt 4 enables ultra-fast data transfer, high-resolution external displays, and compatibility with Thunderbolt docking stations. The HDMI 2.1 port supports modern displays and projectors.

The optional USB-C to RJ45 adapter provides Ethernet connectivity when needed, though having it as an external dongle rather than built-in port is a compromise for the thin design.

The Intel Wireless-BE201 supports Wi-Fi 6 currently, with Wi-Fi 7 support coming via firmware update. Bluetooth 5.3 handles wireless peripherals.

Audio and Webcam

The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Smart Amp deliver decent audio for a thin laptop. The 2W speakers can boost to 5W maximum, providing reasonable volume and clarity. They’re adequate for video calls and casual media consumption, though serious listening benefits from headphones.

The FHD 1080p webcam with dual microphones provides decent video call quality, though it lacks IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition. You’ll rely on the fingerprint reader for biometric login.

Battery Life

The 77Wh battery is impressively large for such a lightweight laptop. Combined with Intel’s efficient Lunar Lake processor, battery life should be excellent:

Expected battery life:

• Light productivity use: 10-12 hours
• Mixed usage: 8-12 hours
• Video streaming: 8-12 hours

For a 17-inch laptop, this battery endurance is genuinely impressive. The combination of large battery and efficient processor means you can realistically work unplugged for a full day.

The 65W USB-C adapter is compact (wall-mount design) and provides reasonably quick charging. USB-C charging means compatibility with third-party chargers and power banks.

Pricing and Availability

The pricing situation is dramatic:

• Landmark Computers (Black Friday): $1,499
• Centrecom/Scorptec/Computer Alliance: $2,199
• Price difference: $700 (32% savings)

At $1,499, the Gram 17 represents exceptional value – you’re getting a unique 17-inch ultraportable for less than many 14-inch premium laptops. At $2,199, the value proposition weakens significantly, though it’s still reasonable for what you’re getting considering there are no competitors in this category.

However, limited stock availability in Australia means finding units can be challenging. The 17-inch laptop market has been phased out by virtually all manufacturers, and even LG’s Gram 17 can be hard to source. If you see the Black Friday deal at $1,499, grab it quickly – these don’t sit around long given how rare 17-inch laptops have become.

Who Is This Laptop For?

The LG Gram 17″ excels for specific use cases where no alternative exists:

Perfect for:

• Mobile professionals needing maximum screen space while traveling (no other portable 17″ options exist)
• Consultants/field workers who need portability with large display
• Writers/researchers wanting generous workspace in cafes/libraries
• Students carrying laptop daily between lectures but needing 17″ screen
• Business travelers wanting productivity on planes/hotels
• Anyone who specifically needs 17 inches (this is basically your only portable option)

Not ideal for:

• Gamers (integrated graphics, 60Hz display – get a 16″ gaming laptop instead)
• Creative professionals (60Hz, no touch, thermal limitations)
• Users wanting premium build quality feel
• Anyone needing 32GB+ RAM (stuck with 16GB)
• Users who can compromise with 14″ or 16″ screens (where more options exist)

Pros:

• Incredibly light at 1.39kg for 17-inch screen – genuinely remarkable
• Only portable 17″ laptop available in Australian market
• The 17″ category has been phased out – even 15″ is rare now (14″ and 16″ dominate)
• 77Wh battery delivers excellent endurance (10-14 hours)
• 2560×1600 high-resolution display perfect for productivity
• 16:10 aspect ratio provides extra vertical space
• Thunderbolt 4 ports for modern connectivity
• Backlit keyboard with numeric keypad
• Fingerprint reader integrated into power button
• Dual M.2 slots for storage expansion
• Exceptional Black Friday pricing at $1,499 (save $700)
• Wi-Fi 7 support coming via update
• 350 nits brightness adequate for indoor use
• Dolby Atmos audio enhancement
• USB-C charging with compact 65W adapter
• FHD 1080p webcam better than 720p

Cons:

• Only 60Hz refresh rate feels very dated for 2025
• Magnesium alloy material feels less premium than aluminum
• Fingerprints extremely visible on chassis
• Gets hot under sustained load – thermal challenges
• Limited stock availability in Australia
• No touch screen option
• Only FHD webcam without IR/Windows Hello facial recognition
• 16GB RAM not upgradable (soldered in-package)
• Build quality feels hollow/plasticky despite being metal
• Some chassis flex due to lightweight construction
• $2,199 regular price expensive compared to $1,499 sale

Final Verdict

The LG Gram 17″ 17Z90TL-G is a genuinely unique laptop that delivers something virtually no competitor can match: a portable 17-inch display. This isn’t just “unique within the 17-inch category” – the entire 17-inch productivity laptop category has essentially been phased out of the Australian market. The laptop industry has consolidated around 14-inch and 16-inch as the standard sizes, abandoning not just 17-inch but even the once-common 15-inch category. If you want a portable 17-inch laptop, this is literally your only option.

This engineering achievement fundamentally changes what a large-screen laptop can be – instead of being extinct or relegated to desk-bound gaming workstations, the 17-inch form factor becomes a genuinely portable productivity powerhouse. At 1.39kg, you can actually carry this around, which was considered impossible before LG’s Gram series proved otherwise.

At $1,499 during Landmark Computers’ Black Friday sale, this represents exceptional value. You’re getting unprecedented portability, excellent battery life, a high-resolution display, and modern connectivity for less than many 14-inch premium laptops. The compromises – 60Hz display, plasticky-feeling magnesium construction, thermal challenges, and fingerprint visibility – are acceptable trade-offs at this price, especially considering there are no alternatives in this category anywhere in the market.

At $2,199 regular pricing, the value proposition is harder to justify. The compromises become more difficult to accept at that price, though you’re still paying for something that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere – a portable 17-inch laptop in a market that’s abandoned the entire size category.

Should you buy it?

Yes, absolutely at $1,499 if:

• You need maximum screen space with genuine portability
• You’re a mobile professional constantly traveling
• You specifically want 17 inches (this is your only portable option)
• You prioritize weight and battery life over premium materials
• The Black Friday deal is available

Maybe at $2,199 if:

• The unique 17″ portable combo solves a specific problem for you
• No other laptop offers what you need (spoiler: none do in 17″)
• You can’t wait for sales
• You’ve searched everywhere and found no portable 17″ alternatives (you won’t – the size has been phased out)

No if:

• You want premium build quality feel
• You need 120Hz+ display for smooth experience
• Gaming or creative work are priorities
• You rarely move your laptop from your desk
• You can compromise with 14″ or 16″ screens (where virtually all options exist now)

For the right user – mobile professionals needing maximum screen space in a portable package – the LG Gram 17 is literally the only option. The laptop market has consolidated around 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, phasing out not just 17-inch but even 15-inch laptops. If you specifically need 17 inches and genuine portability, you’re buying this or you’re not getting what you need.

The compromises are real, but for users who value the unique combination of 17-inch screen and 1.39kg weight, they’re acceptable because there’s simply no alternative. LG has kept the 17-inch ultraportable category alive single-handedly while the rest of the industry abandoned it.

At $1,499, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who needs what it offers. At $2,199, it’s a harder sell but still represents your only option in this very unique category. Either way, the engineering achievement deserves recognition – LG has created something genuinely unique that defies what the market thought possible and kept alive a laptop category that everyone else abandoned.

If you see the Black Friday deal at $1,499 and need a portable 17-inch laptop, don’t hesitate. This combination of portability and screen size simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the Australian market – or really, anywhere in the global market. The 17-inch ultraportable is an endangered species in a market dominated by 14″ and 16″ laptops, and the LG Gram 17 is the only one left.