LG isn’t the largest identify in laptops, however the firm is quietly amassing a superb ultraportable lineup, and following my evaluation of the LG Gram 16, I discovered myself considering that Apple’s MacBook Air M2 comes up quick in a number of key areas in opposition to the upstart.
After a hit-or-miss observe report in earlier years, LG is firing on all cylinders recently with the LG Gram 17 (2023) delivering a equally masterful efficiency to its 16-inch counterpart that earned it 4.5 stars and an Editor’s Selection award. The one cause it isn’t within the 16’s place is that it’s 3 kilos and about $1,800, making it heavier and pricier than the M2 Air — however don’t sleep on that superior ultraportable both.
Now let’s be clear — this isn’t a clear sweep for the Gram 16. The MacBook Air M2 can be a superb laptop computer, however in case you are out there for a thin-and-light laptop computer and don’t love the thought of macOS nor a smaller display screen, the LG Gram 16 is a compelling various to Apple’s ultraportable. Or, you’ll be able to look ahead to the rumored 15-inch MacBook Air.
Right here’s a better have a look at each laptops that will help you resolve if the LG Gram 16’s victories over the MacBook Air M2 make it the higher alternative for you.
Which MacBook Air M2 am I evaluating to the LG Gram 16?
We’re pitting the higher mid-tier fashions that we reviewed for each laptops. Right here’s a full breakdown of the specs for every laptop computer.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | LG Gram 16 | MacBook Air M2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1260P | M2 8-core chip |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | 10-Core built-in GPU |
| Storage | 1TB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Show | 16-inch, 2560 x1600 IPS | 13.6-inch Retina XDR show (2560 x 1664) |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.2, a headphone jack, and a MicroSD card slot | 2 Thunderbolt 3 and a headphone jack |
| Weight | 2.5 kilos | 2.7 kilos |
| Dimensions | 14 x 9.5 x 0.66 inches | 12 x 8.5 x 0.44 inches |
On the time of writing, this LG Gram 16 is offered for $1,236 on Amazon (opens in new tab), whereas the MacBook Air M2 configuration is $1,699 on Amazon (opens in new tab). At full retail, the distinction isn’t as pronounced; our Gram 16 configuration is $1,699 and the Air M2 is $1,899. Nevertheless, don’t pay that a lot for both — there are all the time laptop computer offers to be discovered.
Now that we’ve bought that out of the best way, let’s dive into 3 ways the LG Gram 16 is healthier than the MacBook Air M2.
The LG Gram 16 is lighter than Air (M2)
Steve Jobs pulling the unique MacBook Air out of an envelope is an iconic second in laptop computer historical past. And whereas the Air stays one of many thinnest laptops round at 0.44 inches, it’s removed from the lightest. The LG Gram 16 at simply 2.5 kilos weighs 0.2 kilos lower than the MacBook Air M2.
Now positive, 0.2 kilos isn’t a lot, however the gulf between the 2 feels considerably bigger while you consider that the LG Gram 16’s show is 2.4 inches bigger than the Air M2 and it includes a full keyboard with a quantity pad. This comes all the way down to a query of priorities. You most likely gained’t actually discover the 0.2 kilos in your laptop computer bag both manner. however you’ll undoubtedly discover how far more luxurious a 16-inch show feels whether or not you’re watching content material or working.
LG Gram 16 can hold you dongle-free in 2023
Whereas Apple lastly introduced again a legit assortment of ports on the MacBook Professional lineup, the MacBook Air M2 stays a spartan port expertise with only a pair of Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack. You should buy a docking station or a USB-C hub to rectify the issue, however that’s yet another factor in your bag to recollect (and extra weight).
Merely benefit from the freedom of the dongleless existence made potential by the Gram 16. Want an HDMI 2.0 port for a presentation or to output video to a TV? The Gram 16 has you coated. Legacy gadgets with USB Kind-A? Gram 16 has two USB 3.2 Kind-A ports. No want for a microSD card reader — the Gram 16 has that constructed proper in. As a cherry on prime, the Gram 16 provides a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack to match the Air M2’s choices.
The LG Gram 16’s show is extra vivid and colourful than the MacBook Air’s panel
Going by the advertising and marketing, you’d assume that nearly each laptop computer show covers 100% of the DCI-P3 shade gamut, however we do the testing and that merely isn’t true. There’s a fairly wide selection of outcomes even inside premium laptops and whereas Apple does a strong job with shade accuracy, it doesn’t come near exposing you to the complete vary of hues.
The LG Gram 16, however, might as nicely be a Skittles industrial as a result of you’ll be able to nearly style the rainbow of colours coming off this factor. In case your laptop computer does even occasional double-duty as your TV, you will love the expertise of watching content material on the Gram 16. Whereas I might lavish additional reward on it, listed below are the chilly arduous numbers to indicate you simply how completely the Gram 16 owns the Air on this class. <sturdy> sRGB</sturdy>
| Header Cell – Column 0 | LG Gram 16 | MacBook Air (M2) |
|---|---|---|
| sRGB | 167% | 107% |
| DCI-P3 | 118% | 76% |
A 60% benefit in sRGB and 42% in DCI-P3 is huge any manner you slice it. The MacBook Air M2 might as nicely be in black and white, OK too far, however protected to say that nobody might have a look at these two shows side-by-side and never be extra drawn to the Gram 16’s vibrant panel.
Nevertheless, it’s price noting that in case you are doing artistic work in your laptop computer, the Air M2 does have a bonus in its shade accuracy. The Air delivers a 0.2 Delta-E rating (decrease is healthier) whereas the Gram 16 is available in at 0.29. Apple additionally wins the brightness battle, too, at 489 nits to 332 nits. In case you are continuously working in sunny environments that’s sufficient of a distinction to fret about, however the anti-glare coating on the Gram 16 does a strong job, so something wanting direct daylight isn’t a problem.
Backside line
I didn’t even get into among the actual shockers as two classes that do tip within the Air M2’s favor are a lot nearer than you may count on. The Gram 16 hit 13 hours and eight minutes in our battery life testing, which is behind the Air M2 (14:06), however an excellent consequence that makes this principally a non-factor.
Efficiency was comparable with the Air M2 delivering a superb 8,919 in our Geekbench 5.4 testing in comparison with 8,431 for the Gram 16. It’s a win for Apple, however not by a margin that will make a significant distinction in typical every day duties. In case you are searching for a laptop computer that may do part-time obligation for content material creation, then by all means, the Air M2 is the precise alternative. It’s our decide for the greatest video modifying laptop computer for entry-level content material creators, however something shy of that, and the Gram 16 is greater than highly effective sufficient.
In order for you an ultraportable laptop computer that doesn’t sacrifice show dimension, battery life, nor efficiency, the LG Gram 16 is without doubt one of the greatest available on the market, and for a lot of customers, a better option than the MacBook Air M2.
