The LG gram-14Z950 ($1,399.99 as tested) is a 14-inch ultraportable laptop with a sleek design and a high-quality display. But that's where most of the positives end, as poor build quality and average performance make this system a disappointment, particularly at this price. The latest Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch, our Editors' Choice high-end ultraportable, offers a superior screen, better performance, and a sturdier case, and does so at a list price that's $100 less.

Design and Features

With a lightweight design, the gram-14Z950 measures 0.5 by 12.8 by 8.9 inches (HWD) and weighs just 2.08 pounds. Its metal exterior comprises carbon magnesium on the lid and lithium magnesium on the base. These materials should feel premium, but instead feel somewhat cheap. The bottom of the system feels like flimsy plastic, which I immediately noticed when I first picked up the laptop. It flexes when you apply standard pressure. LG used these materials in an effort to make the system as light as possible, and while it succeeds in that regard, the end result feels like too much of a compromise. The Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 is also made to be ultralight (it weighs just 1.87 pounds), and while it does exhibit some flex, the case feels more substantial.

The area surrounding the keyboard and the lid seem a little sturdier, but there's still noticeable flex on both when you push down. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is a bit thicker and heavier at 0.71 by 12.35 by 8.62 inches (HWD) and 3.41 pounds, but feels much more like a solid system with its aluminum body. The Acer Aspire S7-393-7451 (2.87 pounds) and the Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 P25W-C2300-4K (2.9 pounds) are other ultraportable systems with sturdier cases.

A gorgeous 14-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) display is the gram-14Z950's standout feature. It looks sharper than its 1,920-by-1,080 resolution. The viewing angles are wide, and the bezel is very narrow, which makes the screen look bigger. Other premium systems tend to offer higher-resolution screens, such as the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2,560 by 1,600), the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro (3,200 by 1,800), the Dell XPS 13 Touch (3,200 by 1,800), and the Microsoft Surface Book (3,000 by 2,000), but the display quality here is so good that the difference only becomes visible when you compare systems side by side. 

There's no backlighting on the keyboard, unlike just about every other high-end ultraportable (and some less-expensive systems), including the Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 and the Acer S7-393-7451. The keys feel comfortable and sturdy, though the key travel feels a bit short. The touchpad is responsive and tracks smoothly.