Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3024 x 1964. It crushes the LG gram 17" Laptop's 17" WQXGA display in terms of brightness, offering 1,600 nits peak versus just 350 nits. This means if you're into photography or design, the MacBook's display delivers colors that pop much more vibrantly. However, the LG gram 17" is incredibly lightweight at 3.12 lbs, making it a strong fit for travelers. Even with a larger 17" screen, it packs a powerful 2TB of storage, which is ideal for anyone needing plenty of space for large files. In real-world use, this means you can carry all your projects without the hassle of external drives, while the MacBook's storage options are confined to 512GB or 1TB SSD configurations, which may feel limiting for some users. Key specs: Display: 14.2" vs 17" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (premium flagship) and LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) (high-end) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple MacBook | LG gram |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.9★ (3,372 reviews) | 4.5★ (6 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness | Incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop |
| Main Drawback | Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD | RAM is soldered and limited to 16GB (cannot be upgraded) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Premium |
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Single fan with heat pipe)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★4.5(6)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Air (Single fan with heat pipe) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5X (7467 MHz) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (Configured as 2x 1TB drives) |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 slots; both occupied in this configuration) |
Display Size | 14.2" | 17" |
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 (Native) | 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:10 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) | IPS (Touchscreen; Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 350 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3); True Tone | 99% DCI-P3 |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | IR Face Recognition (Windows Hello) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD IR webcam with dual microphones |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; Power Delivery; DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 77 Wh (Li-Ion) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 65 W USB-C adapter |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 1,415 g (3.12 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Magnesium Alloy |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Pros
- Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
Cons
- Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Single fan with heat pipe)
16 GB LPDDR5X (7467 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop
- Massive 2TB storage pre-installed (split across two 1TB drives)
Cons
- RAM is soldered and limited to 16GB (cannot be upgraded)
- Storage slots are both populated out of the box (must replace a drive to upgrade)
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its display at 1,600 nits peak brightness crushes the LG gram 17"'s 350 nits. That said, grab the LG gram 17" if you need a lighter laptop with massive storage - it has 2TB compared to the MacBook's maximum of 1TB.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need exceptional display quality for photography, you require top-tier performance for video editing, or you want a machine that lasts up to 18 hours on a charge.
Choose the LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) if: you value a larger screen for multitasking, you need more storage with its 2TB capacity, or you want a lightweight option for travel.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,372 reviews vs 6
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose LG gram
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch edges ahead with a 4.9★ rating compared to 4.5★. However, LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch or LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better choice if you prioritize class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) wins if you value incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop. Both are rated highly (4.9★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch offers class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness, while LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) stands out with incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop. Consider that Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for ram and ssd. Meanwhile, LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) ram is soldered and limited to 16gb (cannot be upgraded). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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