I can't blame you if you've been spending more time outside lately instead of reading gadget reviews.Spring has sprung, at least for us at Engadget HQ in the US, and there's a lot of touching grass going on amongst our staff.Still, if you've missed any of our reviews over the last two weeks, this condensed list has everything you need to catch up quickly.Quick OverviewSurface Pro 12-inch$800 at MicrosoftThe rugged EV SUV choiceRivian R1S Gen 2Starts at $75,900, $105,900 as tested at RivianCanon PowerShot V1$899 at AmazonAlienware AW2725Q$830 at AmazonRoku Streaming Stick$40 at AmazonFramework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300)$899 at FrameworkLight Phone III$599 at LightSee 2 moreSurface Pro (12-inch)Microsoft82100Expert ScoreSurface Pro 12-inchThe Surface Pro is light, thin and can handle basic work just fine.
It's also as cute as a button, so you probably won't mind that it has sub-par performance and a lesser screen than the 13-inch model.ProsLightweight and thin designRelatively low starting price16GB of RAM standardConsSlow processorKeyboard is an extra $150Screen could be betterNo Surface Connect port$800 at MicrosoftFor basic computing in a highly portable device, the 12-inch Surface Pro does just fine.Senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar argued that you won't want this device for it's power anyway, and you'll probably be able to overlook its lower-spec display too.
"You're not buying a tiny laptop for speed, you're buying it because it's cute and super portable," he said."And in that respect, the 12-inch Surface Pro succeeds."Rivian R1S Gen 2Engadget88100Expert ScoreThe rugged EV SUV choiceRivian R1S Gen 2For those looking for an outdoorsy EV with three rows and room for your entire family, Rivian's R1S Gen 2 is unquestionably a top contender. ProsSerious top-end range and performanceSlick interiorContemporary rugged designFrequent OTA updatesNew hands-free highway assistConsExpensive, particularly for tri- or upcoming quad-motor modelsCurrently no way to mirror texts on infotainmentPhysical key fob costs extraStarts at $75,900, $105,900 as tested at RivianRivian has become a popular option for EV shoppers looking for either a truck or a three-row SUV.Senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford recently spent some time behind the wheel of the company's second-generation R1S and came away impressed.
"Its size may be imposing, but it certainly delivers on the look and feel of a car that's just as happy on asphalt as it is on unpaved trails," he wrote."The only thing that might give me pause is that for people who aren't interested in off-roading, alternatives like the Kia EV9 offer similar passenger capacity for a much lower starting price."Canon Powershot V1Canon87100Expert ScoreCanon PowerShot V1Canon’s PowerShot V1 is a versatile hybrid camera with excellent video and image quality thanks to the unusually large sensor.ProsFast shooting speedsGreat image quality even in low light10-bit log 4K videoOptical stabilizationBuilt-in fan to stop overheatingConsRolling shutterDisplay is a bit dimPlain looksNo built-in flash$899 at AmazonCompact cameras are making a comeback.
Canon's Powershot V1 may be designed for vlogging, but reporter Steve Dent discovered its also great for stills."The problem is that it’s still primarily a vlogging camera and a lot of content creators have abandoned this type of compact model in favor of the Osmo Pocket 3," he explained."At the end of the day, the PowerShot V1 is bound to be a hit because it delivers when it comes to video and photo quality."Alienware AW2725QAlienware / Engadget90100Expert ScoreAlienware AW2725QAt $900, the Alienware AW2725Q is one of the best OLED gaming monitors you can buy right now.
It offers tremendous image quality and motion clarity, alongside excellent HDR performance.ProsExceptional image qualityUnderstated designGlossy coatingConsNo DisplayPort 2.1 connectionLimited to 15W USB-C chargingCoating prone to harsh reflections$830 at AmazonIf you're looking for a new gaming display that can pull double duty as an everyday monitor, Alienware's AW2725Q may be worth a look.Senior reporter Igor Bonifacic particularly noted the display's overall image quality and motion clarity, but there's a lot to like here.
"The best thing I can say about the Alienware AW2725Q is that I'm not looking forward to sending it back," he said."It is an amazing display that has made one of my favorite hobbies more enjoyable."Roku Streaming Stick PlusRoku/Engadget85100Expert ScoreRoku Streaming StickRoku’s new Streaming Stick Plus requires no wall outlet, making it ideal for unpredictable hotel TV situations and homes where plugs are scarce.ProsUses your TV’s USB port for power instead of a wall adapterDecent speed for a $40 deviceConsNo extended Wi-Fi rangeNot as fast as most smart TVs or pricier streaming devices$40 at AmazonCheap TV streaming devices are typically easy to recommend, and the fact that Roku's new Streaming Stick Plus draws power from the TV is icing on the cake.
"This is also the stick I want to take with me on my next trip," senior buying advice reporter Amy Skorheim wrote."I can plug it in at the Airbnb and, instead of logging in to whatever random apps the TV happens to have, I can watch more Doctor Who.I won’t have to worry about where the nearest outlet is and I’ll be spared the effort of typing in my stupidly long Disney+ password."Framework Laptop 13 (2025)Framework/Engadget84100Expert ScoreFramework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300)The upgraded AMD mainboard is faster than its predecessor but not enough to be earth-shattering.
ProsBuying one component is cheaper than a whole laptopEasy to installConsFan is still pretty noisyPrice is starting to climb$899 at FrameworkFramework offers a way for you to easily upgrade your laptop as needed, which means you can swap out the mainboard for a new one when the company makes them available.However, the upgrade might not always be worth it, even if it is easy, but Framework's overall premise still shows promise."But while it may not have the razzle or dazzle, it does have the staying power, and that’s going to be a bigger asset in the next few years," senior editor Daniel Cooper argued.
"If you’re the sort of person who would buy a Lenovo Thinkpad and run it until it falls apart, then this is a better option."Light Phone IIILight75100Expert ScoreLight Phone IIIThe Light Phone III is a well-designed device that can help you break your smartphone addiction, but it makes some major compromises.ProsA truly distraction-free experienceGreat call qualityTouchscreen is clear and responsiveIncludes a useful set of built-in toolsConsNo autocorrect makes texting a choreMusic player is extremely limitedThere’s a lot of friction switching to a minimalist phoneExpensive$599 at LightThe Light Phone III seeks to offer a distraction-free smartphone existence, but as deputy news editor Nathan Ingraham found, the lack of polish in the company's bare-bones UI is a hindrance."I can blame the music player or lack of autocorrect, but ultimately I was not ready for how radically different the Light Phone III experience is," he admitted.
"But, for a few weeks, I left my iPhone at home when I left the house as much as possible and there was something freeing about the complete lack of notifications and general siren-call for attention that I usually deal with."Doom: The Dark Ages, Despelote and Suborbital SalvageFor all the gamers, we've published reviews of several titles over the last two weeks.Most recently, senior editor Jessica Conditt spent some time with where she noted the "blood-soaked and beautiful" game offered "a well-rounded romp through the bowels of hell." She also opined on a game that explores memories, magic moments and being a kid.And for the Playdate fans, weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald found out what it's like to have a cat serve as your very opinionated supervisor in
