LG Gram 17 (2024) vs MSI Raider GE78 HX
The Verdict
LG Gram 17 and MSI Raider GE78 HX serve fundamentally different laptop purposes. Gram 17 excels as an ultraportable workhorse with exceptional 1.35kg weight, 17-hour battery life, and solid 16-core Intel Core Ultra 7 processing paired with 16GB RAM—ideal for professionals prioritizing mobility and all-day unplugged work. MSI Raider GE78 HX is a desktop replacement gaming powerhouse featuring a 24-core Intel Core i9-14900HX, 64GB DDR5 RAM, stunning 4K 120Hz Mini-LED display with 1000-nit brightness, and 2TB storage—but it weighs 3.1kg with merely 5-hour battery life, requiring constant AC power. At $1599 versus $2999, Gram 17 delivers superior value for productivity and travel, while Raider GE78 justifies its premium for content creators and gamers demanding maximum performance. Choose Gram 17 for everyday versatility; pick Raider GE78 only if performance trumps portability.
Who Should Buy
Buy the LG Gram 17 (2024) if…
- →Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop at just 1.35 kg
- →Up to 17-hour battery life is class-leading at this size
- →MIL-STD-810H certified for everyday durability
Buy the MSI Raider GE78 HX if…
- →RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with full 175W TDP for maximum gaming performance
- →4K Mini-LED display with 1000-nit HDR is stunning for content creation
- →64 GB DDR5 RAM handles any workload out of the box
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
LG Gram 17 (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop at just 1.35 kg
- Up to 17-hour battery life is class-leading at this size
- MIL-STD-810H certified for everyday durability
- Generous port selection including USB-A and full-size SD card
- Large 2560x1600 display ideal for productivity
Cons
- 350-nit display brightness is modest in bright environments
- IPS display lacks the vibrancy of OLED alternatives
- No discrete GPU option
- 60Hz refresh rate feels dated compared to 90–120Hz peers
- Thin chassis can flex under pressure
MSI Raider GE78 HX
Pros
- RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with full 175W TDP for maximum gaming performance
- 4K Mini-LED display with 1000-nit HDR is stunning for content creation
- 64 GB DDR5 RAM handles any workload out of the box
- 2 TB storage with room for additional NVMe drives
- Comprehensive port selection including Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- Nearly 7 lbs — this is a desktop replacement, not a portable
- 5-hour battery life — always tethered to power
- Very expensive at $2,999
- Fan noise is substantial under gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | LG Gram 17 (2024) | MSI Raider GE78 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.35 kg | 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| Material | Magnesium alloy (Nano skin finish) | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 381.3 x 261.5 x 13.0 mm | 15.63 x 11.73 x 1.0 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours mixed use | Up to 5 hours |
| Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.99 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 17.0 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Type | WQXGA IPS anti-glare | Mini-LED IPS |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 350 | 1000 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 64 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 24 cores (8P + 16E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all LG products or all MSI products. View full details for the LG Gram 17 (2024) or the MSI Raider GE78 HX.