For students or anyone who needs a reliable, everyday device for simple tasks, the Microsoft Surface SE is a smart pick.

The LG Gram 17 (2025) with Intel's Lunar Lake chip feels like a big upgrade in terms of battery life and staying cool.

For that reason, I'd recommend this laptop only if you're sticking with the sub-$1,000 configuration. You may as well opt for a more premium ThinkPad if you're looking for higher-end hardware.