Impossible Physics: LG Unveils the World’s Lightest 17-Inch RTX Laptop with "Aerominum"
The new LG Gram Pro 17 packs an RTX 5050 and 17 inches of screen real estate into a chassis that feels like it shouldn't exist. Here is how they did it.
LG has just announced its 2026 Gram lineup ahead of CES, and they are once again waging war against gravity.
For years, the "17-inch laptop" category has been synonymous with "back pain." If you wanted a massive screen and discrete graphics, you accepted the fact that you were carrying a brick. LG’s new Gram Pro 17 (17Z90UR) and Gram Pro 16 (16Z90U) are here to delete that compromise entirely.
The headline? The new Gram Pro 17 is officially the world’s lightest 17-inch RTX laptop, powered by a mysterious new material and next-gen NVIDIA graphics.
Here is the detailed breakdown of the machine that just put the MacBook Air on a diet.
1. The Secret Weapon: "Aerominum"
How do you put a dedicated GPU and a massive screen into a featherweight chassis without it snapping in half? You invent a new metal.
LG’s 2026 lineup is built using a proprietary material they are calling "Aerominum."
What is it? An aerospace-grade magnesium-aluminum alloy.
The Benefit: It drastically reduces weight while reportedly increasing structural integrity.
Durability: LG claims this allows the laptop to pass military-grade durability tests (MIL-STD-810H) despite feeling like a hollow prop. It also features a new "atelier" brushed finish for better scratch resistance.
2. Under the Hood: The RTX 50-Series Debut
The biggest shock isn't just the weight—it's the silicon.
The Gram Pro 17 is confirmed to feature the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU.
Next-Gen Specs: This entry-level chip from NVIDIA’s new Blackwell architecture comes with 8GB of GDDR7 memory.
Why it matters: Previous "thin and light" laptops often choked on 4GB of VRAM. The jump to 8GB GDDR7 means this featherweight can actually handle legitimate 4K video editing and decent 1080p gaming without melting.
3. The Specs: Gram Pro 17 vs. Gram Pro 16
LG is launching two primary flagship models. Here is how they stack up:
| Feature | LG Gram Pro 17 (17Z90UR) | LG Gram Pro 16 (16Z90U) |
| Claim to Fame | World's Lightest 17" RTX Laptop | Lightest 16" in its class |
| Display | 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) LCD | 16-inch WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) OLED |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) | Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 5050 (8GB GDDR7) | Integrated / Optional dGPU |
| Weight | ~1.29kg (Estimated) | ~1.19kg |
| AI Features | On-Device + Cloud Dual AI | On-Device + Cloud Dual AI |
4. The "Dual AI" Approach
It wouldn't be a 2026 tech launch without AI. LG is marketing these as "AI PCs" with a two-pronged approach:
Cloud: Full support for Microsoft’s Copilot+ for heavy lifting.
On-Device: LG’s own EXAONE 3.5 small language model (sLLM). This allows the laptop to perform AI tasks (like summarizing documents or finding files) locally and securely, without an internet connection.
5. Availability
The LG Gram Pro 17 appears to be a North America exclusive at launch, targeting the creators and business travelers who need the biggest screen possible in the smallest bag imaginable.
The Verdict:
If you are a photographer, coder, or writer who travels constantly, the dream of a 17-inch workstation that weighs less than a tablet with a keyboard cover is finally real. We’ll see if the "Aerominum" holds up to real-world abuse when we get hands-on at CES next week.
