LG has officially launched its 2026 Gram laptop series, introducing six new models that range from budget-friendly workhorses to premium ultralight powerhouses. The launch is notable not just for the hardware refresh, but for a limited-time promotional offer: a one-year LG Premium Care extended warranty available for just $1. This deal is valid until May 10 for select configurations, offering a rare glimpse into how manufacturers are incentivizing early adoption in a volatile tech market.
The Flagship: Gram Pro and New Materials
The headline act of this release is the LG Gram Pro, which introduces a proprietary material called Aerominum. This alloy allows the laptops to maintain a featherweight profile of just 3 pounds while significantly improving durability and scratch resistance—a common pain point for ultralight devices.
The lineup features two distinct configurations for the Pro series, catering to different processor preferences:
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16-inch Gram Pro (AMD)
- Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 450
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch IPS (2,560 x 1,600)
- Price: $2,400
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17-inch Gram Pro (Intel)
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 355
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 17-inch IPS (2,560 x 1,600)
- Price: $1,650
Note: Neither of these pre-order configurations includes discrete NVIDIA RTX 5050 graphics, which are available in other, likely more expensive, SKUs.
Versatility and Value: The Rest of the Lineup
Beyond the Pro series, LG has refreshed its convertible and standard clamshell offerings, providing options for creatives and budget-conscious buyers.
1. LG Gram Pro 2-in-1 (16-inch)
Targeted at artists and note-takers, this convertible features a vibrant OLED display (2,880 x 1,800) with touch and stylus support. While it sacrifices some raw performance in tablet mode compared to the clamshell Pro, its specs are robust for creative work:
* Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
* Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
* Storage: 1TB SSD
* Price: $2,200
2. LG Gram Book (15.6-inch and 16-inch)
The Gram Book series offers a more affordable entry point, but the specs reveal a significant performance gap between the two sizes.
- 15.6-inch Model (Intel): Priced at $1,150, this model features an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U processor and 1TB of storage. However, it is limited to 16GB of DDR5 RAM, making it less suitable for heavy AI workloads or intensive multitasking.
- 16-inch Model (AMD): Priced at $1,500, this version is the stronger buy. It pairs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 CPU with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of storage. For an additional $350, users get substantially more memory and a more capable processor, placing it in a much more competitive tier for productivity.
3. LG Gram 15 (Standard Clamshell)
The refreshed standard Gram 15 brings high-end specs to a traditional form factor. It is a Copilot+ PC powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB of storage.
* Price: $1,600
The $1 Warranty: Smart Incentive or Marketing Gimmick?
The most immediate draw for pre-orders is the $1 LG Premium Care warranty. Typically, this one-year extended protection ranges from $130 to $175 depending on the model.
In the current tech landscape, characterized by rising component costs, tariffs, and supply chain fluctuations (often dubbed “RAMageddon”), hardware prices are trending upward. In this context, securing a steep discount on protection can be a rational financial move for early adopters.
However, potential buyers should weigh the urgency carefully. While the warranty discount is significant, laptop prices often drop in the months following a launch. A buyer might save more on the device itself later than they would by locking in the warranty deal today.
The Bottom Line: If you are actively in the market for a new ultralight laptop and value peace of mind, preordering now to capture the $1 warranty is a savvy move. If you are not in immediate need of a new device, it is likely worth waiting; the laptop itself may see price reductions that outweigh the cost of the standard warranty later in the year.
