LG gram 14" 14Z90S-V.APB5U1 Obsidian Black 2024

At 1.12kg, this is one of the most portable laptops on the market, period. The Core Ultra 7 CPU is a strong performer, but the integrated graphics deliver a dismal 18.3/100 gaming score, so it's strictly for work. The biggest red flag is a reliability score in the 10th percentile, which makes that lightweight magnesium alloy feel a little more fragile.

The Core Ultra 7 155H is the real star here. With 16 cores, it chews through browser tabs, Office apps, and even light photo editing without much fuss. In our benchmarks, it's a strong performer for an ultraportable, outpacing many older i7 chips and keeping the system feeling snappy. The 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM is soldered, so you can't upgrade it later, but it's enough for the target audience of students and professionals. The integrated Intel Arc Graphics are a step up from the old UHD graphics, giving you enough power for smooth 4K video playback and some very light creative work. Just don't expect to play modern AAA titles at anything beyond low settings, if they run at all. The 512GB SSD is a PCIe 4.0 drive, so it's fast, but the capacity is underwhelming. You'll likely be leaning on cloud storage or an external drive before long.

The LG gram's main rival is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which is heavier but packs a dedicated GPU that absolutely destroys the gram in any graphical task. The Zephyrus is the clear pick if you want to game or render on the go. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro is in a different league for raw CPU and GPU power and build quality, but it's also heavier and more expensive. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is another strong competitor that offers a high-refresh OLED screen and a dedicated GPU in a still-portable chassis, making the gram's 60Hz IPS panel feel dated. The gram only wins if your number one, non-negotiable priority is having the absolute lightest laptop in the coffee shop. For everyone else, the competition offers a lot more performance for a small weight penalty.

Pricing on this model is all over the map, with a spread of over $377,000 across vendors, which is clearly a data error on the high end. The realistic price seems to hover around $1,350, which is competitive for a sub-2.5-pound laptop with a Core Ultra 7 and a color-accurate screen. At that price, you're paying a premium for the gram's signature lightweight build. The value proposition crumbles if you need more storage or any gaming ability, as you'd have to spend more on external drives or a completely different machine. For the road warrior who just needs a brilliant, light Windows machine, the price is fair, but make sure you're buying from a vendor with a sane listing.

The LG gram 14Z90S-V is a featherweight champion, tipping the scales at just 1.12kg. That puts it in the 88th percentile for compactness in our database, making it one of the most portable 14-inch laptops you can buy. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H inside is no slouch either, landing in the 77th percentile for CPU performance, which means it handles everyday multitasking and office work without breaking a sweat. The 72Wh battery paired with that efficient chip promises all-day endurance, and the 99% DCI-P3 display is a nice bonus for color work on the go. But the spec sheet reveals some clear compromises to hit that weight. The 512GB SSD is a bit tight, ranking in the 40th percentile, and the integrated Arc Graphics, while decent for media, mean this is absolutely not a gaming machine. Our gaming score for this config is a rough 18.3 out of 100, so keep your expectations firmly in the productivity realm. It's a laser-focused tool for travelers who value a light bag above all else.

Gamers and content creators should look elsewhere immediately. The integrated Arc Graphics produce a gaming score of just 18.3 out of 100, which is one of the worst we've seen for any modern task beyond video playback. You should also skip this if reliability is a top concern, as its 10th percentile score is a major red flag. Anyone who needs more than 512GB of internal storage without carrying an external drive will find the small SSD frustrating. If you don't absolutely need the lightest possible laptop, a machine like the HP OMEN Transcend 14 will give you a vastly better screen and GPU for a bit more weight.

The LG gram 14Z90S-V is a purpose-built machine that executes its mission perfectly: it's one of the lightest laptops we've ever seen with a full-power Core Ultra processor. The portability is best-in-class, and the battery life should be excellent. But you have to accept the trade-offs. The reliability score in the 10th percentile is a serious concern, and the lack of storage and gaming ability will be a dealbreaker for many. If your workflow lives entirely in a web browser and Microsoft Office, and you travel constantly, this is a fantastic choice. If you need anything more, you should look at slightly heavier but far more capable competitors.