Review: Lg Gram 17 For 2D Animation & Creative Work Under $1500

The LG Gram 17 has gained popularity among creative professionals and students alike, thanks to its impressive balance of performance, portability, and affordability. Priced under $1500, this ultralight laptop offers features that cater specifically to 2D animation and digital art workflows.

Design and Build Quality

The LG Gram 17 boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a magnesium alloy chassis that makes it remarkably lightweight—just around 2.98 pounds. Its slim profile and durable build make it ideal for artists on the go who need to carry their workstation everywhere.

Display and Graphics

Equipped with a 17-inch IPS display, the LG Gram 17 offers a crisp resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, providing ample screen real estate for detailed 2D animation work. The display covers a significant portion of the sRGB color spectrum, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors essential for digital art.

While it does not feature dedicated graphics, the integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU provides sufficient power for most 2D animation software like Adobe Animate, Krita, and Clip Studio Paint. This makes it a cost-effective choice without sacrificing performance for 2D tasks.

Performance and Hardware

The LG Gram 17 is powered by Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5 or i7 processors, coupled with up to 16GB of RAM. This configuration ensures smooth multitasking and efficient rendering of 2D animations. The fast SSD storage (up to 1TB) reduces load times and helps manage large project files effectively.

Battery Life and Portability

One of the standout features of the LG Gram 17 is its exceptional battery life, often exceeding 12 hours on a single charge. This longevity, combined with its lightweight design, makes it perfect for artists working in various locations without constantly needing to find power outlets.

Connectivity and Ports

The laptop includes a range of ports such as Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. These options facilitate easy connection to drawing tablets, external monitors, and other peripherals, enhancing the creative workflow.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Lightweight, long battery life, high-resolution display, solid performance for 2D animation, multiple connectivity options.
  • Cons: No dedicated GPU, limited to integrated graphics, which may restrict 3D or intensive rendering tasks.

Conclusion

The LG Gram 17 offers an excellent combination of portability, performance, and display quality for 2D animators and digital artists on a budget. While it may not handle heavy 3D workloads, its features are well-suited for most 2D creative workflows under $1500. For students and professionals seeking a reliable, portable device for animation and design, the LG Gram 17 is a compelling choice.