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  • Review count
    34
  • Helpfulness votes
    102
  • First review
    October 31, 2018
  • Last review
    March 15, 2025
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  • Average rating
    4.8
 
  • Review comment count
    13
  • Helpfulness votes
    29
  • First review comment
    December 11, 2018
  • Last review comment
    November 18, 2024
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  • Answer count
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  • First answer
    March 29, 2023
  • Last answer
    March 29, 2023
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ryanmcv's Reviews
<< 1 2 3 4 >>
 
This Epson 127 T127120-BCS 4-pack of ink cartridges includes a high-capacity black and 3 standard-capacity color cartridges. The smudge- and water-resistant DURABrite Ultra ink formula ensures clean, bold results.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good ink; questionable value
on April 19, 2020
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
The cartridges work perfectly in my Epson printer. However, only the black cartridge is an "extra high capacity" cartridge, which is disappointing. The color cartridges all have less ink compared to the black. I looked everywhere for a package with all colors in "extra high capacity" cartridges, but I don't think it exists. You'd have to buy the black and colors separately, which is much more expensive. If you don't do much color printing, you may be better just buying the black cartridge by itself.
Length of ownership: 26
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
3 out of 5
3
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Store edited photos, videos, and games on this 3.5-inch Western Digital hard drive. It has dynamic cache for optimizing allocation between reads and writes, and there's plenty of space to store files with its 4TB capacity.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Massive storage; no noise
on April 19, 2020
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
I installed this 4TB drive in my Alienware Aurora R7 and it has been working flawlessly for over 2 months. No clicking or spinning noises, just a reliable, high-capacity drive. This is certainly not the fastest drive available, but I'm using it for media storage and game back-ups. For those purposes, this is a great value.
Length of ownership: 60
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Maintain the high-quality output of your monochrome laser printer with this Brother high-yield toner cartridge. It lets you produce up to 3,000 pages of consistently sharp, crisp prints, providing lasting supply for bulk printing. This Brother high-yield toner cartridge is compatible with select compact, multifunction and all-in-one laser printer models.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great toner; fast delivery!
on April 19, 2020
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
Best Buy is always extremely quick to deliver this toner which I use every day in my home office. It works perfectly in my Brother MFC-L2750DW printer. Best Buy's price on this toner always matches the other major retailers, so buy with confidence.
Length of ownership: 8
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Improve boot times with this PNY XLR8 M.2 NVMe SSD. Sequential read speeds up to 3500MB/sec. and sequential write speeds up to 3000 MB/sec. ensure quick file storage and access, while the 2TB capacity offers ample storage space. This PNY XLR8 M.2 NVMe SSD features no moving parts for quiet performance and reliability.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent Speed and Unmatched Value
on January 16, 2020
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was looking for a 2TB NVME SSD to add to my Alienware m17 R2 gaming laptop which only came with 512MB of storage. Some 2TB NVME drives from other brands cost almost double the price, so I was skeptical of the speed and quality of this PNY drive. I'm happy to report that there was really nothing to worry about -- this drive is excellent and nearly as fast as the most popular retail NVME drives from Samsung. CrystalDiskMark reports sequential read speeds of nearly 3,500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of almost 3,000 MB/s. Random 4K read/write speeds are slightly slower than Samsung drives, but it's absolutely not noticeable in day-to-day use.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a high-capacity NVME drive to expand the storage of your laptop or desktop computer, this should be at the top of your list. The value is nearly unmatched at this storage capacity/price point.
Tip for Alienware m17 R2 users: You will have to tweak some settings to get your system to recognize this as a secondary drive. Once you install it in the second NVME slot, you will need to change your system's SATA operation mode from RAID to AHCI. This requires changing the setting in the BIOS as well as running a command via Command Prompt in Windows 10. Search Google for the following phrase and follow the instructions in the first article that appears: "SOLUTION: Switch Windows 10 from RAID/IDE to AHCI operation"
Length of ownership: 28
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
+14points
14of 14voted this as helpful.
 
Convert almost any electronic device into a smart appliance with the Wemo Mini Wi-Fi smart plug. It plugs into any outlet and lets you control attached appliances via mobile devices.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Awful set-up experience, but works well
on November 22, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Wemo Mini is an absolute pain to set up -- the Wemo app constantly crashes and the Apple Home app often fails to recognize the QR code for HomeKit integration. If your router puts out 2 signals (one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz), make sure you connect your phone to the 2.4 GHz band or you're going to have a bad time.
Once the plug is set up, it works great -- seamless integration with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Length of ownership: 19
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
4 out of 5
4
Value
4 out of 5
4
Ease of Use
3 out of 5
3
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The new 11-inch iPad Pro features an advanced Liquid Retina display that goes edge to edge.~ Face ID, so you can securely unlock iPad Pro, log in to apps, and pay with just a glance. The A12X Bionic chip is faster than many PC laptops and easily runs pro apps. All-day battery life.~ Wi-Fi. Over a million apps available on the App Store, including augmented reality experiences. And the new Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio help you be even more creative and productive.~ It will make you rethink what iPad is capable of - and what a computer is capable of.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
The Perfect Tablet
on September 25, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your old iPad or tablet, it may finally be time to take a look at Apple’s latest iPad Pro models. With a stunning new design and incredible performance, these are the best iPads yet - and it will only get better with the launch of iPadOS.
PROS:
- Beautiful, industrial design. The squared-off edges allow for an extremely thin profile and minimal bezels around the screen.
- The 11-inch model offers a great mix of screen real estate and portability. The edge-to-edge screen is incredibly immersive with vivid colors.
- Face ID has been implemented very nicely — it’a fast and works in any orientation.
- The A12X chip is a powerhouse. It even outperforms some high-end laptops. This extra power is crucial for creative professionals and those looking to use the iPad as a laptop replacement.
- The redesigned Apple Pencil is very comfortable to hold and attaches magnetically to the edge of the iPad. No more awkward charging through the lightning port.
- All-day battery life - I easily get 10 hours of use per day.
- The launch of iPadOS brings some very useful “Pro” features to these models, like the ability to work with various types of files on a flash drive via the iPads USB-C port.
CONS:
- I find myself covering the Face ID sensor with my hand a little too often. Just something that takes getting used to.
Overall, the latest iPad Pro models are excellent choices for creative professionals or those who desire a powerful, portable tablet to replace a hefty laptop. Students and casual users may find better value in the basic iPad models, but heavy tablet users will appreciate everything these Pro models have to offer. I’m hopeful that Apple will continue to add even more Pro-oriented features to iPadOS going forward. Also, kudos to Best Buy for offering a great price and excellent customer service during the purchase in-store. Highly recommended!
Length of ownership: 38
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
 
Equip your gaming rig with this EVGA NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card. It's powered by NVIDIA's Turing architecture that provides increased gaming realism and speed, and it has advanced overclocking capabilities that let you crank game settings up to the highest levels for more detail. This EVGA GeForce RTX graphics card has a built-in cooling system that keeps components from overheating.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best 2080 Ti Available
on July 23, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
Before switching to the EVGA XC Ultra, I went through three 2080 Ti Founders Edition cards. All of the FE cards had noticeable coil whine and extremely loud fans. I was worried that the XC Ultra would be too large for my Alienware Aurora R7 case, but it fits perfectly and runs quite cool in such a small case (mid 60s to mid 70s under load). EVGA’s Precision X1 software is excellent and allows full control over the fan and lighting. If you can spare an extra $50 and your case is large enough, the XC Ultra is a great improvement over the FE.
Length of ownership: 101
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
4 out of 5
4
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
 
Upgrade your computer without assistance or confusion. Mounts your 2.5" solid state drive into a 3.5" drive bay desktop computer using screwdriver. This adapter bracket made of aluminium and fits almost any 2.5 inch SSD.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Just what I needed for old computer
on June 19, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
Verified Purchase:Yes
I used this mount to install a 2.5" SSD into an old HP computer that only has a traditional 3.5" drive bay. Works perfectly and includes all the screws you need for mounting a 2.5" SSD. A little pricey in my opinion, but does the job perfectly.
Length of ownership: 26
Mobile Submission: false
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5 out of 5
5
Value
5 out of 5
5
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Incredible 3D; Excellent Value
on April 10, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
Verified Purchase:Yes
Thank you to Warner Bros. and Best Buy for continuing to release 3D Blu-rays. Aquaman is a must-see in 3D, and this package is an excellent value with 3D, 2D, DVD, and Digital. Other retailers are charging almost twice as much for JUST the 3D disc! Looking forward to more of these Best Buy exclusive 3D releases. Just be sure to pre-order as they tend to sell out quickly!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Replenish your phone's battery life without unsightly cords by using this mophie Charge Stream Pad +. It provides 10W of power on contact as smartphones are placed on the surface, and it's optimized for Apple and Samsung Fast Charge functions. The top of this mophie Charge Stream Pad + is made of rubberized TPU for a nonslip surface.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great Charger, but Beware of Coil Whine
on January 31, 2019
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
Verified Purchase:Yes
I gave this to my mother as a Christmas gift and I helped her set it up on her nightstand. It works just fine, but I was able to hear a high-pitched coil whine coming from the power brick as soon as I plugged it in. The noise goes away as soon as you place a phone on the pad to charge. Once you remove the phone from the pad, the noise comes back. My mother said she couldn't hear the noise, so I didn't bother returning or exchanging. But if your ears are sensitive to high-pitched noises, you might want to look at other options.
Otherwise, the charger works just fine and charges iPhones at their fastest possible wireless charging speeds. The power brick is small and won't cover multiple wall outlets.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
6of 9voted this as helpful.
 
<< 1 2 3 4 >>
 
ryanmcv's Review Comments
<< 1 2
 
The Dyson Outsize+ is Dyson's largest intelligent cordless vacuum with laser illumination. It is engineered with the suction power, additional run time, larger format, and tools designed to deep clean your whole home. A laser on the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head reveals invisible dust on hard floors. In auto mode, the machine optimizes power and run time based on floor type. Dyson's de-tangling Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head deep cleans carpets and hard floors. The 25% wider cleaner head, 150% larger bin, and twice the run time compared to the Dyson V15 Detect covers more floor with each pass and allows for more cleaning between bin emptying and charges. Its versatile cordless format transforms into a handled vacuum with one click so you can clean up high, down low, and everywhere in-between. Comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime Dyson support.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Big Time Clean - No More Upright Needed
By ryanmcv
I own a couple of different Dyson cordless vacuums, including the V7 Fluffy and V15 Detect. One vacuum usually doesn't have enough battery life or dust bin capacity to cover my entire house, so I've placed each one at different areas around the house. This new Outsize+ model finally has the bin capacity, battery life, and features I need to make it my one and only vacuum for the entire 3,000 square foot house. It takes some of the best features of the V15 Detect model and adds extra bin capacity and battery life for those who need to clean large areas.
=== UNBOXING AND OVERVIEW ===
- Like every Dyson cordless model, the Outsize+ is extremely easy to unbox and set up, though be prepared to sift through a lot of cardboard and protective packaging to find everything in the box.
- The Outsize+ features a matte red stainless steel-looking color on the wand. It doesn't show any fingerprints, but the red color certainly stands out amongst my neutral-colored home décor.
- The Outsize+ comes with two cleaner heads (the Laser Slim Fluffy and the Digital Motorbar XL) and five attachments (hair screw tool; soft dusting brush; crevice tool; combination tool; and stubborn dirt brush).
- Two click-in batteries are included, and the battery is very easy to swap out when one runs out of charge. Two wall chargers are also included, so you can charge both batteries at once and make sure you always have a back-up. With both batteries fully charged, Dyson claims you can get up to 2 hours of run time (1 hour per battery).
- This model is missing some of the intelligent features of the V15 Detect, such as the measurements of dust particles and sizes shown on the screen after each use. But I suspect this won't be a deal-breaker for most people.
- Compared to the 0.2 gallon bin on the V15 Detect, the 0.5 gallon bin on the Outsize+ is 150% larger. This is great for vacuuming the entire house, but the Outsize+ is noticeably heavier than any other Dyson cordless vacuum I've used. Definitely something to keep in mind.
=== LASER SLIM FLUFFY HEAD PERFORMANCE ===
- The laser Fluffy head is Dyson's best innovation in years. I've used it for over a year on the V15 Detect, and I'm so glad it's included with the Outsize+. My house is almost 90% hard floors, and they have never felt so clean. Gone are the days of wondering if you've actually picked up all of the dust and crumbs on your hard floor. As you can see in the attached photo, there is a green laser on the right side of the Fluffy head that projects at a 90-degree angle.
- The laser works great, though it is a bit dim on the left side of the head. Regardless, I have found dust and crumbs in places on my floor that I never thought were there. The laser reveals even the smallest amount of dust and hair so you can be sure you don't miss anything.
- The laser does not work very well in a bright room. For the best performance, I have to turn off most of my lights and close my blinds. Not a huge deal to me as that is a small price to pay for a clean floor.
- The laser can be turned off via a small switch on the head itself, though it's unclear what impact this has on battery life (probably little or none).
=== DIGITAL MOTORBAR XL HEAD ===
- This XL cleaner head is 25% larger than the one included with the V15 Detect and is mainly for use on rugs and carpet, though it can also be used on hard floors. The cleaner head has "hair removal vanes" that prevent hair from wrapping around the bar as you vacuum.
- Once again, it works as advertised. I have vacuumed the carpets in my bedrooms extensively with this cleaner head and have not noticed any hair wrapped around the bristles -- it all makes its way into the bin.
- Like the Fluffy head, the Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head will adjust the vacuum's suction based on floor type and carpet thickness to maximize battery life and cleaning performance. On both cleaner heads, you can choose Eco, Auto, or Boost modes via a button below the LCD screen. Boost mode obviously provides the best performance but there is a big hit to battery life.
- You can also adjust the suction of this cleaner head using the red adjustment slider on the front. Sliding it towards the plus (+) side increases suction for heavily soiled carpets, while the minus (-) side is best for deep pile carpets or if you need to capture larger debris.
=== OTHER FEATURES AND THOUGHTS ===
- Like other Dyson cordless models, the Outsize+ is very easy to clean and maintain. The point-and-shoot design of the canister makes it very easy to empty debris directly into a trash can, though the added weight of the larger bin can make this a bit of a challenge when it's full. The filter keeps dust out of the air and is easy to clean by just running it under a faucet.
- I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Outsize+ fits perfectly in my Floor Dok that was originally designed for the V11 (see photo). To get it to charge in the Dok, I had to add a bit of padding in the charging cradle underneath the plug/barrel to raise it up higher. The charging port on the Outsize+ is a bit more recessed than that of the V11, so you have to make the barrel protrude a bit further up from the Dok. I believe the newest variant of the Floor Dok is fully compatible with the Outsize+ with no adjustments needed.
- I appreciate the variety of smaller tools/attachments that are included, but it is certainly a bit hard/awkward to use those tools given the increased weight of the Outsize+.
=== OVERALL ===
The Dyson Outsize+ is the new go-to cordless vacuum for those who want to vacuum their larger homes in one go without having to worry about battery life or dust bin size. Forget the old, clunky upright vacuum – this is your new one-stop shop. It has everything you need for hard floors and carpets, with the laser Fluffy head being essential to my cleaning routine. The versatility and expandability of this vacuum is unmatched by any other brand. Highly recommended!
Customer Avatar
ryanmcv
Phoenix, AZ
YES, I would recommend this to a friend!
July 27, 2022
I don't know why it says that I would not recommend this -- I clicked YES! Apologies for the confusion!
0points
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Meet, stream, master with the Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD 4K Webcam for Collaboration and Streaming. Experience sharp, ultra HD 4k resolution video with AI image enhancement, our in-house designed lens, and our most advanced webcam sensor yet with 70% bigger pixels for 2X better face visibility and 2x finer image details in difficult lighting conditions.. Fine controls on this HD webcam let you precisely adjust lighting and white balance with ISO, Shutter Speed, Temperature, Tint, and Vibrance. Dual omnidirectional microphones reduce background sound so you can be heard clearly with noise-reducing technology. Show Mode lets you share your physical work and notes on video calls by tilting the web camera down.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Two Steps Forward, One BIG Step Backwards
By ryanmcv
I've been using Logitech's C920 webcam as my "work from home" webcam for the past few years and had been considering an upgrade to the previous 4K Brio webcam since I sit in on quite a few video calls each week. I was about to order the previous 4K Brio camera when I saw that Logitech had launched this new MX Brio model. The MX Brio is a great webcam and is superior in many ways, but it is missing one major feature that I think many people would have valued.
=== PROS ===
- Like any webcam, the MX Brio is incredibly easy to set up. The included cable is USB-C and is about 5 feet long, which is longer than the cables for other webcams that I've used. The cable is detachable from the back of the webcam.
- As expected, the camera works perfectly with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, and every other Windows application that I've used. There is an LED to the right of the lens that changes colors to alert you when the camera is on: white means audio and video are on; yellow means only audio is on.
- I'm a big fan of the included privacy shutter, which is very easy to open or close by gently turning the ring surrounding the lens. It's a much more elegant solution than the plastic flip-down covers that come with cheaper webcams.
- The webcam mount is highly adjustable and very sturdy. It includes a suction pad on the back which adheres to the back of your monitor. Once mounted, you can easily adjust the webcam either side-to-side or up and down.
- Since I have some gaming accessories connected to my computer, I manage all of my Logitech devices via the G HUB app. I was happy to see the MX Brio instantly recognized in G HUB when I connected it. You can also manage the MX Brio via the Logi Options+ app. Available adjustments include crop, exposure, white balance, brightness, contrast, saturation, focus, and more.
- Compared to 1080p webcams, the 4K resolution of the MX Brio provides a noticeable uptick in fine details and sharpness. Logitech claims that the MX Brio also uses "AI-enhanced image quality" which results in "2x better face visibility" in difficult lighting conditions. I can't verify the numbers, but I can verify that the image quality is far and away the best I've seen on any webcam, even when I turn off my overhead office lights.
- The microphone is also excellent. Logitech claims that it uses omnidirectional microphones to suppress background noises, and it seems to work very well.
- The MX Brio feels very premium with an all-aluminum body and fingerprint-resistant design.
===CONS===
- Here's my biggest gripe: for some inexplicable reason, Logitech decided to remove Windows Hello support from the MX Brio. Even though its previous high-end webcam supported the feature, Logitech does not support it with the MX Brio. This is a major loss and was one of the main reasons I was considering upgrading to the previous 4K Brio camera. When I ordered the MX Brio, I made the mistake of assuming that Windows Hello support would have carried over to this new, updated model. But that is NOT the case. The MX Brio does not include the infrared hardware required for Windows Hello. I'm not sure what Logitech was thinking here, but it certainly makes the webcam much less desirable for Windows users.
- The USB-C cable is very stiff - so much so that it puts a bit of downward pressure on the back of the webcam, causing some unintended movements when swiveling the camera side-to-side or up and down.
===OVERALL===
Strictly from a camera quality perspective, the MX Brio excels at almost every level. It is highly customizable via the G HUB or Logi Options+ apps and has a premium design with a very functional privacy shutter. But the lack of Windows Hello support is a major drawback in my book, and enough for me to deduct one star.
Customer Avatar
ryanmcv
Phoenix, AZ
November 17, 2024
No - it does NOT support Windows Hello. Any comment from Logitech indicating otherwise is incorrect. If you want Windows Hello support, you need to purchase the non-MX version of the Brio 4K webcam.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Experience the height of gaming innovation with the ROG Zephyrus G16. Featuring an all-new premium aluminum chassis with customizable lighting, this laptop merges style and durability. Its ultra-slim 0.59~ profile and lightweight 4.30lbs 16~ chassis redefines portability without compromising performance. Powered by Windows 11, an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, the Zephyrus G16 seamlessly aligns with your lifestyle, meeting all your gaming and creative demands. ROG Intelligent Cooling features liquid metal for reduced CPU temperatures and upgraded Arc Flow Fans for improved airflow to sustain peak performance on the Zephyrus G16 no matter the task. Immerse yourself in the OLED ROG Nebula Display and enjoy rapid 0.2ms response times, vivid 2K resolution, and a smooth 240Hz refresh rate.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Beautiful Gaming/Creator Laptop but Big Tradeoffs
By ryanmcv
I've been looking forward to the new Zephyrus G16 since it was announced at CES earlier this year. At first glance, it appears to be the equivalent of a MacBook Pro in the form of a Windows laptop. I also own a 16" MacBook Pro (M1 Pro model), so for the past week, I've been able to use them both side-by-side and see the good and bad of both machines. Bottom line: the Zephyrus G16 is a beautiful and powerful machine that will satisfy both creators and gamers, but it comes with some very notable tradeoffs including heat, fan noise, performance, and some areas of questionable build quality.
=== DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY (4 Stars) ===
- This G16 model is the "Eclipse Gray" color which I personally prefer over the other "Platinum White" color. The color is a bit darker than a Space Gray MacBook Pro. It does attract a few fingerprints, but they wipe away very easily.
- Unlike every other ROG laptop I've used, this body of this new G16 is almost entirely aluminum, which gives it a very premium feeling. There is hardly any plastic to be found outside of the keyboard. Notably, the edge of the laptop near the trackpad is rounded, so there are no sharp edges that will cut into wrists while typing.
- The laptop measures 13.9" wide by 9.7" deep, and just over a half inch thick. This model weighs about 4.3 pounds. If you've ever held or used a modern 16" MacBook Pro, you will know what to expect -- the dimensions of the G16 are almost identical.
- There are a decent number of ports available. On the left, there's the new "ASUS Slim" power port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, a USB-A 3.2 port, and 3.5mm jack. On the right, there's a full size UHS II SD card reader, another USB-A 3.2 port, and a USB-C 3.2 port. There is no Ethernet port on this laptop.
- For its 2024 models, ASUS introduced its new, proprietary "ASUS Slim" power port. I like that the plug is reversible similar to USB-C, but I was hoping that ASUS would also be able to reduce the size of the actual power brick. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. The included 240W power brick is still pretty bulky, and you'll need to find room for it in your bag if you want to get the most power out of this laptop while traveling. You can also power and charge the laptop via USB-C, but the laptop can only draw up to 100W of power via USB-C, which will limit performance.
- The new “Slash Lighting” array on the cover is neat, but I’m indifferent towards it. You can select tons of different flashing patterns, but when you’re using the laptop, you can’t actually see the lights. But if you’re a fan of minimalist decorative lighting, you’ll like the new Slash light.
- There are a couple of things about the G16's build quality that concern me. First, the hinge of the display does not feel very tight. As such, the display is a bit wobbly when it is touched. If you pick up the laptop while it is open, there is a very good chance that the display will fall further backwards due to the looseness of the hinge. Secondly, there are significant "creaking" and "popping" noises that come from the machine's bottom cover whenever there is any amount of pressure applied to the bottom of the laptop. In day-to-day use, the issue is most noticeable when using the laptop on my lap or picking it up to move it. The simple movements of my lap or changes in pressure to the bottom cover when moving the laptop are enough to cause very audible creaking/popping/flexing noises. I've tried tightening the screws on the bottom cover and I've made sure that the bottom cover is properly seated. But the noises persist, and it can definitely be annoying. I attempted to contact ASUS about these build quality issues before I posted this review, but I did not receive a response.
=== DISPLAY, KEYBOARD, TRACKPAD, & AUDIO (5 Stars) ===
- The star of this laptop is unquestionably the beautiful 16:10 2560x1600 OLED display. I thought the 16” MacBook Pro had reached the pinnacle of laptop displays, but I was wrong. The OLED panel in the G16 is a sight to behold with perfect black levels and rich, deep colors. Viewing angles are perfect from every direction. While only rated for 500 nits, the display gets eye-searingly bright. The 240Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC support mean that games look incredibly smooth with no tearing or choppiness. Creators and gamers alike will love this OLED panel, I’m sure.
- The keyboard seems similar to past ROG Zephyrus laptops that I’ve used. Keys have 1.7mm of travel and the key caps are very large and nicely spaced. The keyboard is RGB-lit, though the entire keyboard can only display one color at a time (there are not multiple RGB zones to control).
- The trackpad is among the best I’ve ever used on a Windows laptop. It is very large and made of smooth glass. It appears to be a 16:10 aspect ratio to match the laptop’s display. Gestures work perfectly. My only complaint is that the trackpad is not haptic like the one on a MacBook Pro. Rather, the G16 trackpad is a traditional “diving board” mechanism that is easily pressed at the bottom but can’t be pressed at the top. It would be nice if the entire surface was clickable like a MacBook.
- Likewise, the speakers are probably the best I’ve used in any Windows laptop. They are just a small step below the quality of the 16” MacBook Pro speakers. Bass is rich and deep and there is practically no distortion at higher volumes.
=== PERFORMANCE, COOLING, & UPGRADES (4 Stars) ===
- The Intel Core Ultra 9 processor is powerful, but it’s a significant step down from the Core i9 processors offered in other ROG laptops. Intel’s Ultra processors are designed for thin and light laptops to minimize heat and maximize battery life. As such, there are some performance compromises. In TimeSpy, the highest CPU score I was able to achieve was 11,939, which is about 15% lower than a Core i9-13900H.
- The following benchmarks were conducted with the “Turbo” setting selected in ASUS Armoury Crate: Time Spy benchmark: 16,424 (graphics score 17,874). The Last of Us Part1 (High preset, DLSS set to Quality): 70 fps average. God of War (Ultra preset; DLSS Quality): 87 fps average. Cyberpunk 2077 (Ray Tracing ultra, DLSS Quality & frame gen): 90 fps average. Dead Space (Ultra preset, DLSS Quality): 88 fps average. So yes, you run practically any game at high or ultra settings.
- Compared to other laptops with the same specs, these benchmarks are a bit lower. This is mainly due to the lower-powered RTX 4090 in the G16, which can only draw a maximum of 115W. Other, thicker laptops with a 4080 or 4090 can draw more power and deliver better performance. I didn’t get a chance to test a 4080 model of the G16, but I have to imagine the performance difference between the 4080 and 4090 in these G16 models is minimal.
- When under full load, this is probably the hottest laptop I’ve ever used. If you touch the bottom of the laptop or the area right above the keyboard while gaming, you might regret it. No joke: it’s like touching a hot stove top. I saw the CPU get as hot as 93 degrees Celsius, while the GPU seems to top out at a more reasonable 80 degrees. But the thin form factor and aluminum design of the G16 make for a VERY hot laptop.
- Similarly, if you get annoyed by fan noise, this is NOT the laptop for you. The fans aren’t very noticeable when doing simple tasks such as web browsing or light photo editing. But once you set the laptop to “Turbo” mode and start gaming or doing more intense creative tasks, you’d better grab a pair of headphones: the fans get as loud as 49 to 50 dB, and the fan noise is relatively high-pitched. I am still playing around with the fan curves in the Armoury Crate “manual” mode to find a good balance of performance and fan noise.
- Battery life is decent for such a thin and powerful machine, but it’s going to be LARGELY dependent on how you use this laptop. I was able to get about 6 hours of use with standard web browsing and day-to-day tasks (screen at half brightness). I decided to really test the battery’s limits by playing The Last of Us on Performance mode – and the battery was dead within 1 hour. So if you want to game while traveling, don’t forget the power adapter.
- The included 2 TB SSD offers tons of space and is very fast, with read speeds upwards of 7,000 MB/s and write speeds of 6,500 MB/s. There is one extra M.2 slot if you want to add more storage.
- 32GB of DDR5 RAM are soldered onto the board. As such, you can’t add or upgrade the RAM, so I’m glad ASUS decided to include 32GB rather than 16GB. The RAM clock speed is 7500 MHz.
=== SOFTWARE AND OTHER THOUGHTS ===
- There is a decent 1080p webcam (Windows Hello-capable) on the bezel above the screen. It’s not the best quality but gets the job done. This is a big improvement compared to the unreliable fingerprint readers in older ASUS models.
- The included Wi-Fi card is capable of Wi-Fi 6E. I was hoping ASUS would include a Wi-Fi 7 card as that technology is is rolling out very rapidly.
- The ASUS Armoury Crate and MyASUS apps are essential for tweaking the performance and cooling of this laptop and performing updates, but they just seem bloated and confusing, with basic options hidden behind layers of menus.
=== OVERALL ===
The Zephyrus G16 aims to please both creators and gamers with its sleek design, stunning OLED display, and powerful performance. However, it also has some major drawbacks, such as excessive heat, loud fan noise, and lower performance compared to other laptops with similar specs. Additionally, some aspects of the build quality, such as excessive heat, loud fan noise, and lower performance compared to other laptops with similar specs. Additionally, some aspects of the build quality, such as the loose hinge and the creaky bottom cover, may annoy some users and detract from the premium feeling of the laptop. Overall, the Zephyrus G16 is a beautiful and capable machine, but it comes with some tradeoffs that may not be worth it for everyone.
Customer Avatar
ryanmcv
Phoenix, AZ
November 18, 2024
The fact remains that the default power draw of the GPU is 115W. ASUS even advertises it as such in all of its documentation. Overpowering it will just create more heat, which is the last thing this laptop needs. At these power levels, there is very little difference between the 4080 and 4090, and I’m not sure it’s worth the price difference for most people.
+2points
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The Nintendo Switch ~ OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
 

What is the game that comes with it?

No game is included.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
ryanmcv
 
The Nintendo Switch ~ OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
 

Does this include a copy of Tears of the Kingdom game for Nintendo switch? Or is the game sold separately?

The game is not included.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
ryanmcv
 
The Nintendo Switch ~ OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
 

I am going to assume this does not come with the game? as it says its released before game release. will these only be available for preorder?

The game is not included.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
ryanmcv
 
The Nintendo Switch ~ OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
 

Does this come with a copy of the new Zelda game?

No.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
ryanmcv
 
The Nintendo Switch ~ OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
 

It says it comes with the game but the game will be released on 5/12 but this console already on 4/28. How does that goes together? Thank you

The game is NOT included. It says so on the front of the box.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
ryanmcv