LG’s new gram Book 15 gives Windows buyers more hardware, but Apple’s MacBook Neo still feels more polished

LG’s 2026 gram Book 15 is trying to win over budget laptop buyers with a simple pitch: more screen, more ports, more upgrade options, and a low price. The laptop starts at $699, but it was listed at $599 during the comparison, which puts it directly against Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo.

The two laptops take very different approaches. LG gives you a larger 15.6 inch Windows 11 laptop with more practical hardware flexibility. Apple gives you a smaller 13 inch macOS laptop with better build quality, better display quality, and stronger efficiency.

LG wins on ports, storage, and memory options

The gram Book 15 has one clear advantage: it is easier to live with if you need traditional laptop flexibility. It includes USB A, USB C, HDMI, and a headphone jack. The MacBook Neo only has two USB C ports and a headphone jack.

LG also gives you more storage from the start. The base gram Book 15 includes 512GB storage, while the base MacBook Neo starts at 256GB. More importantly, LG includes two M.2 SSD slots, so storage can be upgraded later. Apple’s storage is locked down.

The RAM situation also favors LG. The gram Book 15 can be configured with up to 32GB DDR5, while the MacBook Neo is capped at 8GB. That makes the LG more appealing if you keep many browser tabs open, use heavier apps, or simply want more headroom for the next few years.

Apple wins on build, display, camera, and efficiency

The MacBook Neo feels like the higher quality machine. It has an aluminum chassis, while LG uses a plastic body with a metallic finish. Apple’s laptop is also much lighter at 2.7 pounds, though that is partly because it has a smaller 13 inch screen.

The display is one of the biggest differences. LG uses a 15.6 inch 1080p 60Hz touch panel with 300 nits brightness. Apple’s display is sharper at 2408 x 1506, brighter at 500 nits, and supports Dolby Vision. The LG has touch support, but Apple’s screen is better for everyday viewing.

The MacBook Neo also has a better 1080p webcam, while the gram Book 15 uses a 720p camera. LG does include a privacy shutter, which is useful.

Performance and efficiency also lean toward Apple. The MacBook Neo uses Apple’s A18 Pro chip, which offers stronger CPU, GPU, and efficiency than the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U in LG’s laptop. The LG has a larger 51Wh battery, but Apple’s chip should still help the Neo deliver a very efficient daily experience.

The better choice depends on what you refuse to compromise on

The LG gram Book 15 makes sense if you want Windows 11, a larger touch display, more ports, more RAM, and upgradeable storage. It is a practical student or home laptop for browsing, writing, streaming, office work, and light multitasking.

The MacBook Neo makes sense if you are comfortable with macOS and want a better built, lighter, more efficient laptop with a much better screen. The 8GB RAM limit and weak port selection are frustrating, but the overall experience is more polished.

For most people who do not care whether they use Windows or macOS, the MacBook Neo is the stronger quality pick. But if you need Windows, HDMI, upgradeable storage, or more than 8GB RAM, the LG gram Book 15 is the more flexible buy.