As far as similarities go, the LG Gram 17 and the Dell XPS 17 both have a sizable 17-inch display with the resolution to match for sharpness and clarity. Other than that, each one is distinct from the other to the point that they’re clearly targeted at different audiences.
Long story short, the Gram 17 is among the lightest laptops around for its screen size, and it stands out from its ilk with uncompromised performance. On the other hand, the XPS 17 is part of the company’s top-of-the-line models, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that it features a premium build and packs a lot of power.
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LG Gram 17 vs Dell XPS 17 Comparison Chart
| Model | LG Gram 17 | Dell XPS 17 |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at LG.com | Check Price at Dell.com |
| Display | 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600), anti-glare | 17-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), anti-glare 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400), anti-glare, touchscreen |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1240P, Intel Core i7-1260P | Intel Core i5-12500H, Intel Core i7-12700H, Intel Core i9-12900HK |
| Graphics Card | Intel Iris Xe, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 | Intel UHD, Intel Iris Xe, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16GB, 32GB (LPDDR5) | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB (DDR5) |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB (SSD) | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB (SSD) |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Audio | Stereo, dual microphones | Quad speakers (2 x woofer, 2 x tweeter), digital array microphones |
| Webcam | FHD (1080p) | HD (720p) |
| Biometric Security | Windows Hello, fingerprint reader | Windows Hello, fingerprint reader |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD card slot | 4 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x eDP, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack, SD card slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 14.91″ x 0.7″ x 10.19″ | 14.74″ x 0.77″ x 9.76″ |
| Weight | 2.98 lbs, 3.16 lbs (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 model) | 4.87 lbs, 5.34 lbs (touchscreen model) |
Dimensions and Weight
The LG Gram 17 may weigh more than a kilogram, but it’s still relatively light by laptop standards.
The main selling point of the Gram series is a super lightweight design, and models of yesteryear stayed true to the lineup’s nature of weighing below one kilogram—hence the “Gram” moniker. While that may not be the case with the Gram 17, which starts at 2.98 lbs or 1.35 kg, it’s still relatively lighter than most counterparts. Case in point, the XPS 17 comes in at 4.87 lbs or 5.34 lbs for the touchscreen model.
Despite the difference in weight, these 17-inch laptops have a similar form factor. First off, the Gram 17 measures 14.91 inches in width, 0.7 inches in height and 10.19 inches in depth. Next, the XPS 17 is 14.74 inches in width, 0.77 inches in height and 9.76 inches in depth. In this regard, they’re more or less the same portability-wise, and neither one really stands out from the other.
Display and Audio
Compared to the LG Gram 17, the Dell XPS 17 can be configured with a sharper UHD+ display, and it has four speakers as opposed to two.
When it comes to configurations, the Gram 17 is more streamlined in that it only has one screen option: 17 inches with a WQXGA (2560 x 1600) resolution. In contrast, the XPS 17 offers a 17-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display or a 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touchscreen. If nothing else, the latter variant adds a bit more functionality.
As for audio, the XPS 17 comes out on top with its quad-speaker setup that consists of two woofers and two tweeters. The Gram 17 only has stereo sound, working with two speakers on the bottom of its chassis. While that’s par for the course, it doesn’t make for an immersive experience.
Performance and Storage
The Dell XPS 17 blows the LG Gram 17 out of the water in performance.
In terms of performance, there’s no competition. The Gram 17 is pretty fast with its Intel Core i5-1240P or Core i7-1260P, but it pales in comparison with the XPS 17 that can be configured with a Core i5-12500H, Core i7-12700H or Core i9-12900HK.
It’s the same story with their graphics cards too. The Gram 17 is limited to either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 or Iris Xe. Meanwhile, the XPS 17 can be set up with a GeForce RTX 3060 or GeForce RTX 3050. Needless to say, there are also cheaper variants that use Iris Xe or UHD integrated graphics available.
In what is becoming a running theme here, the Gram 17 provides fewer options in the memory department, as it’s available only with 16GB or 32GB RAM. The XPS 17 can go all the way up to 64GB RAM, or all the way down to a humble 8GB offering. As for storage, both laptops start at 512GB SSD and are available with 1TB and 2TB options, but only the XPS 17 can come with 4TB from the get-go.
Connectivity and Other Features
Both the LG Gram 17 and the Dell XPS 17 have Windows Hello, a fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard.
The Gram 17 uses Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, while the XPS 17 uses Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. In everyday usage, the differences shouldn’t be noticeable. However, technically speaking, the former has a better network response, and the latter basically has a slightly more robust Bluetooth connection for file transfers and audio.
Regarding ports, the Gram 17 features two Thunderbolt 4, two USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI 2.0 and a microSD card slot. In comparison, the XPS 17 has four Thunderbolt 4, one eDP and an SD card slot. For the record, both have a 3.5mm audio jack.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that these laptops have Windows Hello facial login and a fingerprint reader for biometric security. The two sport a backlit keyboard as well.
Verdict
It’s easy to pick which one of these laptops is best for you: the LG Gram 17 for portability or the Dell XPS 17 for performance.
Choosing between the LG Gram 17 and the Dell XPS 17 essentially boils down to portability vs. performance. In other words, the former is your best bet if you want something easy to carry around, whereas the latter is better if you’re after power.
Another important factor to consider is the XPS 17 can deliver a better viewing experience with its sharper screen (if you go for the UHD+ option, that is) and four speakers. However, the Gram 17 is more affordable in general, as configuring the XPS 17 beyond its base specs drives its total cost up fast.
FAQs
The Dell XPS 17 can be configured with an Intel Core i7-12700H or Core i9-12900HK paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or GeForce RTX 3060, making it suitable for gaming.
It depends on what you’re going to use a laptop for. To keep things short, the LG Gram 17 is better if you need portability with decent performance, while the Dell XPS 17 is better if power is more important.
Yes, the LG Gram 17 can handle some games, particularly the model with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 under the hood.
Arguably, the LG Gram 17 is among the best laptops for college students because of how light and portable it is. Plus, it can be used for some gaming on the side when configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050.