A roundup of recent reviews published by Engadget. Hot Reviews Summer is in full swing, and we're back with another round of devices that we've recently put through their paces. If you're into gaming handhelds, smart glasses, smart speakers and both pro-grade and vlogging cameras, this week's roundup is for you. Keep scrolling to catch up on some of the reviews you might've missed before the next batch arrives. New gaming handhelds are popping up all of the time, and MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ made a lasting impression during our tests.

PCWorld examines MSI's $1,800 Claw 8 EX AI+ gaming handheld alongside Valve's $1,049 Steam Machine, highlighting escalating costs in PC gaming hardware. Rising component prices and console increases like Xbox Series X jumping to $799 signal affordability concerns for gaming enthusiasts. Testing shows DIY alternatives can save nearly $200 while matching performance, though high storage and memory costs remain challenging. I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time it was so expensive to surf the cutting edge of PC hardware. I've been thinking about the ongoing pricepocalypse engulfing the computing industry all week, because here at PCWorld we've been testing the remarkably fast (and remarkably expensive) MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ in order to see how it stacks up against other handheld gaming PCs.

The first time you make anything, it probably won't come out perfect, so it wasn't a huge surprise when MSI's debut gaming handheld struggled out of the gate. And that's before you consider the unorthodox choice to go with an Intel chip instead of one from AMD like practically all of its rivals. However, MSI didn't give up, and now it's back with not one but two versions of its second-gen handheld, headlined by the Claw 8 AI . Not only is it bigger than before, it has twice as many Thunderbolt 4 ports, a way bigger battery and some of the best performance we've seen from any device in this category. But more importantly, as the follow-up to a device plagued by lackluster software and unfinished drivers, it feels like the Claw got its bite back. With its 8-inch screen, the Claw 8 AI is bigger than its predecessor and a number of its rivals like the ROG Ally X, though it's still smaller than Lenovo's chunky 8.8-inch Legion Go.

I've made a big deal about how much I love the "Civilization" games to anyone who will listen. I made a big deal about it earlier this week to anyone reading about the awesome new MSI laptops for 2025. But sometimes an 18-inch laptop might not be the most convenient way to enjoy some on-the-go gaming (shocking, right), so I'm also making a big deal about the MSI Claw 8 AI handheld. Equipped with a bright eight-inch FHD (1920 1200) 120Hz 500 nit 100% sRGB IPS-level touchscreen (hence the Claw 8 name), the new model is even more immersive than the Claw 7 AI . At the same time, it's also more comfortable--with ergonomic grips based on extensive hand-mapping research measuring digits of varying lengths from multiple angles.