As the tech world gears up for CES 2026, LG has fired the opening salvo with a preview of its next-generation Gram Pro laptops. The company is promising a significant leap forward, combining its signature ultra-lightweight design with new AI capabilities and more powerful graphics. The announcement teases two flagship models: a 17-inch laptop that LG claims is the world's lightest of its kind with RTX graphics, and a 16-inch model featuring a stunning OLED display and on-device AI processing. This move signals LG's ambition to push the Gram series beyond mere portability into the realms of creative work and intelligent computing.
The LG Gram Pro 17 Aims to Redefine Large-Screen Portability
The centerpiece of LG's announcement is the Gram Pro 17 (model 17Z90UR), which the company boldly claims is the "world’s lightest 17-inch RTX laptop." While the exact weight remains a mystery to be revealed at CES, the achievement is attributed to a new proprietary material called "Aerominum." Developed by LG, this material is engineered to reduce weight while simultaneously enhancing the chassis's structural strength and scratch resistance, reportedly meeting military-grade durability standards. This addresses a common trade-off in ultraportables, where lightness often comes at the expense of robustness. The laptop will be powered by NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5050 laptop GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM, paired with a 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) LCD display. LG suggests this configuration provides "ample performance for graphics-intensive tasks, content creation, and gaming," though it cautiously notes that it shouldn't be considered a dedicated gaming laptop for maxed-out settings on the latest titles.
Announced New Technologies:
- Aerominum Material: Proprietary LG material for reducing weight while increasing strength and scratch resistance. Claims military-grade durability.
- Dual AI System: Combines Microsoft Copilot+ (cloud) with LG's "gram chat On-Device AI" powered by EXAONE 3.5 sLLM.
- Enhanced gram Link: Allows file sharing and screen mirroring across Android, iOS, and webOS (LG TVs/monitors) devices.
The Gram Pro 16 Combines OLED Brilliance with On-Device AI
For users prioritizing visual fidelity and intelligent features, the Gram Pro 16 (model 16Z90U) appears to be the standout choice. It features a 16-inch WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) OLED display, promising exceptional contrast and color accuracy ideal for media consumption and creative work. Under the hood, it will utilize Intel's latest Core Ultra processors. More intriguingly, LG states this will be "the lightest 16-inch laptop in its class to feature both on-device and cloud-based AI." This dual AI approach integrates Microsoft's Copilot+ platform with LG's own "gram chat On-Device AI," powered by the EXAONE 3.5 sLLM. This hybrid model aims to offer the responsiveness and privacy of local AI processing for certain tasks, complemented by the expansive knowledge and capabilities of cloud-based AI when connected.
Enhanced Ecosystem Connectivity and Market Strategy
Beyond raw specs, LG is enhancing the software ecosystem with an upgraded "gram Link" feature. This functionality is designed to facilitate seamless file sharing, screen mirroring, and content transfer across a wide range of devices, including Android smartphones, iPhones, and LG's own webOS-based products like TVs, monitors, and projectors. It positions itself as a platform-agnostic alternative to proprietary systems like Apple's AirPlay. On the commercial front, LG has revealed that the Gram Pro 17 will have an exclusive initial launch in the United States. Critical details such as pricing, exact weights, specific CPU configurations, and global release dates for both models are being held back for the official CES unveiling next week, building anticipation for the full reveal.