Our editorial team, independent of our parent company, selects all products Engadget recommends. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This week we reviewed gadgets that surprised us and a few that disappointed us. First, Devindra Hardawar had to change his stance on minivans after driving the 2021 Toyota Sienna. Next, Cherlynn Low tested the HP Elite Folio laptop, which left much desired in the software department. Cherlynn also tried out the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, w bargain if you don’t care about performance lag and low-end camera features. And finally, James Trew played with the second-gen iZotope Spire portable studio that received some upgrades but still lacked one key element.
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Though they often provide more safety, features, and space than other vehicles, minivans have some stigma attached Devindra Hardawar has been staunchly anti-minivan for a long time. Still, the 2021 Sienna has changed his mind. It has a sportier style with sharp lines, a large grill, and an 11.6-inch infotainment screen for second and third-row passengers, and because it’s a hybrid, it offers at least 35 MPG of combined mileage with all-wheel drive. It’s also competitively priced.
He was starting at $34,460 (though the Limited model Devindra tested starts at $50,085). After driving his parents and his daughter around, DDevendrawas surprised to find the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and dual electric motors smooth and responsive even when passing on the highway. And he was consistently impressed by how much more room he had. The last row of seats can be easily laid flat with the tug of a string, providing additional cargo space and making grocery runs less stressful. He also liked the included Safety Sense 2.0 technology, which helps identify pedestrians, adjust steering if the vehicle drifts, and uses radar-assisted cruise control to keep a safe distance from other cars.
Cherlynn Low/Engadget
Cherlynn Low says the new HP Elite Folio laptop aligns with the company’s reputation for producing eye-catching laptops. The new machine features a classy leather build, reliable LTE connectivity, and a stylus with Wacom technology — all of which help justify its $1,889 price tag. It also features a pull-forward touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a solid 15+ hour battery life, and loud and clear speakers. Cherlynn said she also liked the keyboard because of its adjustable backlighting and well-spaced layout.
Despite all these promising features, Cherlynn found the overall user experience tessy. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, 16GB of RAM, and Windows on ARM software lagged when she switched between Word documents and Slack. She also said the laptop could use a lock to set the screen in place after sliding it forward because the panel would occasionally pop out of the lid, which is a less-than-ideal thing to happen when you’re in the middle of working.
James Trew/Engadget
James Trew was impressed by iZotope’s Spire Studio. The portable, mobile-connected recording device has an unusual and playful design. It lets musicians carry a “studio” via the built-in mic, storage, and two combi-XLR ports. He called it a “curious but compelling proposition,” so he looked forward to checking out the refreshed model that adds more onboard storage (up to eight hours of recording), revised pre-amps with improved interference rejection, and higher volume plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
James says it’s easy to see why amateurs and professionals might favor the Spire because it’s straightforward yet competent. He found the companion software accurate when reducing the external noise and says the app is very user-friendly. He says the improvements made to the second-gen Spire made the already solid device even better, but he’s still longing for the day when he can connect the device to a computer via USB. The upgrades come at a cost — precisely $150 more than the first-gen, which brings the whole unit up to $499.
