SBMfromLA
SBMfromLA's Stats
- Review Count11
- Helpfulness Votes61
- First ReviewAugust 17, 2010
- Last ReviewNovember 11, 2015
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating3.9
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count4
- Helpfulness Votes1
- First Review CommentJune 5, 2014
- Last Review CommentMay 17, 2015
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count4
- Helpfulness Votes1
- First AnswerJanuary 5, 2014
- Last AnswerNovember 11, 2015
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers1
Fallout 4 - Windows
The epic storylines, adrenaline-pumping action and explosive thrills are back. The Fallout franchise returns with Fallout 4. Grab your controller and get ready to dive back into the enveloping storyline of this legendary series.Get ready to return to the epic, award-winning franchise with Fallout 4. This newest chapter brings an all-new open-world environment to life, and has been created by Bethesda Game Studios, creators of Game-of-the-Year-award winners Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Will you be prepared for the next Fallout installment?
Slightly Different than Fallout 3 but still Fun
Customer Rating
3.0
I attended Best Buys's Midnight Release for this game and didn't have to wait too long. Game installs quickly... but did require some updates from Steam. As far as Game Play is concerned, it feels and plays like Fallout 3 and you can acquire the Power Armor by the second quest.. but there are a few quirks with this game. First, the armor now requires "power cells" that drain as you use it and once that happens you have to abandon the armor until you can find or buy a replacement. Another minor issue is you have to go through extra steps to find out the weigh of an item after picking it up. One thing that's a "Hit or Miss" is the CRAFTING part of the game. You pretty much have to do everything in this game. Generators.. lights... power switches... a wire to connect them up.. create beds/chairs/turrents for people.. At first it's very confusing... took me a few hours to get used to it... I don't like it that much.... but after paying $60+ for this game I'm FORCING MYSELF to love doing that.. hahahaha
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0573988842
0points
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Samsung - 32" Class (31-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - HDTV
Samsung UN32EH5000FXZA LED HDTV: This Samsung LED HDTV boasts a 1080p resolution and cost-efficient brightness controls for energy conservation. The Wide Color Enhancer Plus and Clear Motion Rate 120 help ensure sharp visuals.
Bought This For My Computer
Customer Rating
4.0
This Samsung LED TV replaced my previous 27" LCD monitor and I have to say it takes some getting used too. The LED lighting is slightly different and gives off an "almost bluish" tint but that's just the way LEDs are... I suppose in about a week or two I'll get used to this different type of light. Since I specifically bought it to use as a computer monitor I can give you some insight on what to expect. First, this TV does NOT have a tilt feature so it stands straight and rigid. Also, it's very low so if you place it on top of a desk you will definitely need a monitor stand.. otherwise it will sit too low on your desk. The one thing I was anxious to find out was whether or not it entered into sleep/standby mode with your computer. The answer is NO, it doesn't. If your computer sends the command for your monitor to sleep and cuts the signal, you will have... not one, but two big boxes floating around the screen telling you, "No Signal". I was disappointed to find that out. It seems that almost every TV on the market will do that same thing, which doesn't make any sense since the tech is virtually the same as in PC Monitors. My theory is manufactures don't want to cannibalize their revenues from monitor sales, which are usually twice as much for the same screen size. One of the things that caught my attention to this TV was the advertised "Game Mode". I thought I'd turn that on but it only works when the Input/Source isn't from a PC.. which brings me to the most important point I bring up. When you first connect this TV to your computer the text and visuals are terrible. It turns out that this TV has 16 pre-programmed PROFILES that you select. There are two for the computer: PC & DVI PC. I don't really see any difference between those too... but once you select that (from Source List... then scroll to Edit Name) the display become computer friendly and all the fonts/text look sharp and crisp. Also, I should point out that the TV arrived on exactly the date promised.. the UPS guy was very, very friendly and cool.. and the box was undamaged and looked new. The TV also was in mint condition and there were no dead pixels at all. One final thing, the placement of the HDMI and power port is weird on this TV. With you facing the TV, the power plugs in behind the TV to the far left but the two HDMI ports and USB port are located on the side at the right of the TV. Oh, and it has one of those weird power buttons on the TV. Depressing it does NOT turn off the TV. If it's on, the first press brings up a menu with four selections then you have to move the power button (forward, back, or left or right) to highlight the action you want... then press it again to make the selection. That turns something that should be simple into a complicated 3-step process that shouldn't be necessary. I took away One Star in my review for not having PC Standby Mode and not being able to tilt.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 573988842
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Dell - Venue 8 Android Tablet - 32GB - Black
This Dell Venue 8 VEN83333BLK tablet's 8" multitouch display makes it easy to navigate Web content, media and other features, so you can remain entertained on the go. The 32GB storage capacity provides plenty of room for important files.
Best Android Tablet Under $200
Customer Rating
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Features
2.0
What's great about it: Solid Build, No Lag, Larger 8" Screen
What's not so great: Terrible WiFi Adapter
I have mixed feelings about this tablet. I will admit it's a nice tablet and a respectable attempt by Dell... From all my research, I learned this was about the best "budget" tablet you could buy. I gave it a shot and found it to be nice. There is hardly no bloatware installed and after you connect it to WiFi, you are informed of the update to Android OS 4.3. There aren't many icons or widgets on any of the homescreens, which for some people is great.
Please understand that this tablet is over a year old, so compared to newer models... it's a bit bulky and heavy.. Although the screen is nice... it isn't as bright as the ones found on Samsung units. I like the fact that it comes with 32GB of storage with the option to install a MicroSD card. Believe it or not, the speaker was better than I was expecting...and it's located on the bottom side instead of the back... so volume levels are a little better.
Now comes the the bad part. I really wanted to love this tablet but there are a few flaws with it. It's advertised as having Wireless N connectivity. However, Wireless N is around 150MBps... and this tablet would only connect to my Wireless G signal (I have dual band router) at 54MBps. I did some tweaks and was able to increase the speed to 65MBps... and that's it. That's the fastest this will connect.
Another flaw with the tablet is.. Dell put both the usb port and volume buttons on the LEFT Side of the tablet. That was a mistake. The reason being is.. any case you buy for this tablet opens up like a book... with the middle being on the LEFT SIDE... so the tablet would have to remain open when you charged it. Furthermore, if you use the stand built into the case to in landscape mode, the tablet will have the charging port on the BOTTOM.. what that means is... you plug in the charger while the tablet is on a stand... That was an oversight by the Dell's designers.
Other than those design flaws, it's a solid case...
This product is... Good sound quality, lightning fast, Great screen size
About me... Technology guru, Gamer, pc specialist
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 573988842
+13points
14out of 15found this review helpful.
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Samsung - Galaxy Tab 4 - 8" - 16GB - Black
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 - 8" - 16GB: Jump right into using your tablet with the familiar Galaxy interface and wireless integration for syncing your contacts, music, apps and more. The super-clear screen sharpens your multimedia experience; plus, all the members of your family can personalize their interaction with the tablet.
Decent Tablet But A Bit Overpriced
Customer Rating
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Features
5.0
What's great about it: Very Thin & Light with Bright Screen
What's not so great: Low Specs (16GB & 1.5GB Ram) & Screen is Smear Magnet
I was looking for a tablet mainly for streaming movies & Cable TV... but I originally bought a different brand... but I wasn't satisfied with the slow 65MBps WiFi Speed... so I decided to buy the Tab 4 here at Best Buy.
After using it for a while, I'm overall satisfied. The WiFi speed on the Galaxy Tab 8 is 150MBps.. One problem I did encounter was a tendency to hit the "recent apps" button. As far as speed goes, it's snappy. However, to achieve optimal speed, you should go into settings and disable the apps you don't need or won't use. Oh, there was a little bit of lag on a couple of games I played... but not too bad.
On a final note, you do receive a $10 Google Play credit... as well as 50GB of extra space on Dropbox (either new or added to current) for two years. Also, you will receive the Hancom Office Suite Apps for free after you connect your Samsung account.
This product is... easy to set up, Variety of apps available, A nice compact size, Sharp graphics, Easy to navigate, Great screen size, Comfortable to hold
About me... Technology guru, Gamer
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 0573988842
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
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Brother - MFC-J875DW Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer - Black
Brother MFC-J875DW Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer: Use this versatile all-in-one printer in your home or small business to complete a variety of tasks, including printing, copying, scanning and faxing. You can even print an image on a CD, DVD or Blu-Ray Disc to personalize it. Just connect your computer or mobile device using built-in Wi-Fi or the Ethernet LAN to get started.
Exactly What I was Looking For
Customer Rating
5.0
Features
5.0
Speed
5.0
Images for this Review
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What's great about it: Network Connection via Ethernet Cable
What's not so great: No USB cable included
I just visited a Best Buy today looking for a printer cable and happened to see this Brother Printer on display. I really liked the designed and debated about buying it.. then I left the store.. drove home... and came right back to the store to buy it.
Appearance Wise... I liked the smooth matte surface on this unit.. and it won't show a lot of dust. One of the things that impressed me the most was the LCD panel that you can tilt. I keep my printers on top of my desk hutch that's almost eye level...so with this model I can see the display without any problems.
Setup... installing the cartridges was easy and each one has an indicator light. Connecting the Ethernet cable was a little tricky. You have to lift the top half and plug it in and the cable comes out the right side of the printer. The software was straight forward and surprisingly, does NOT contain a lot of bloatware or useless programs like some other printers I've used in the past.
Printing... the speed was decent and unlike the last printer I had... there isn't any delay nor do I have to worry about pressing a button to start the printer before using it.
Scanning... Once I set up my preferable saving locations... the printer scanned very quickly. I think this must be the fastest scanner I've never used.. I scanned an 8x10 photo in like 2-3 seconds, instead of minutes.
I really like this printer and recommend it to anyone looking for a solidly built unit.
About me... Frequent user, Photo enthusiast
I would recommend this to a friend!
I use it for:Document printing
My Best Buy number: 573988842
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Insignia™ - 19" Class (18-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 720p - 60Hz - HDTV - Multi
Insignia™ NS-19E310A13 LED HDTV: This small but capable Insignia HDTV comes with 720p resolution and LED backlighting for a crisp, high-definition picture. It is a good addition to a small bedroom or dorm room.
Pleasant Surprise and had QAM Tuner
Customer Rating
4.0
Picture Quality
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Features
4.0
What's great about it: Easy Setup, Nice Remote
What's not so great: 720p
I was quite surprised with this television. Usually inexpensive models have terrible (cheap) remotes but the one that came with this TV felt sturdy and the buttons could be easily seen (not tiny).
The setup was easy and straight-forward and the built in QAM tuner allowed me to just attach a spare antenna that was sitting in my garage.
If anyone is looking for a small, inexpensive TV to put in a guest bedroom.. this give this model a look
This product has... Easy to set up, Great value and features for the price, Right number of connections, Easy to use remote control
About me... Technically savvy viewer, Gamer
I would recommend this to a friend!
Internet Connectable?No
My Best Buy number: 573988842
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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LG - 24" Class (23-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 720p - 60Hz - HDTV
This LG 24LN451B HDTV delivers up to 720p resolution and features LED backlight technology for lush, stunning images. The VESA-compliant 100mm x 100mm pattern facilitates wall mounting for flexible placement options.
Great TV for Small Bedroom & Has QAM Tuner
Customer Rating
4.0
Picture Quality
4.0
Sound Quality
3.0
Features
3.0
What's great about it: Vibrant Colors
What's not so great: Low Resolution (720p); Shiny Base Dust Magnet
I was looking for an inexpensive TV to put inside a spare bedroom here and found this model. I wasn't sure if this model had a QAM tuner built in (to receive OTA Digital Broadcasts) since It wasn't going to be connected to the house cable... no sites selling this indicated it or not... Well, it turns out that this DOES have a built in QAM Tuner, which is good.. so all I had to do was connect an old Antenna to it and run the setup to detect the channels (takes about 10 min) and it was good to go.
This product has... Easy to set up, Easy to use remote control
About me... Technically savvy viewer, Gamer
I would recommend this to a friend!
Internet Connectable?No
My Best Buy number: 573988842
+11points
12out of 13found this review helpful.
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Seagate - 3TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops
This Seagate STBD3000100 internal hard drive for desktops features a 3TB capacity to store important documents, photos, videos, music and more. Native Command Queuing prioritizes important commands for enhanced efficiency.
Win7 64-bit Detected w/o Any Problems
Customer Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Performance
5.0
What's great about it: Comes with SATA & Power Cables
I installed this on my computer to replace a 1.5TB Seagate drive I previously had in my computer... so this doubles the space I had and I'm primarily using it as a Storage/Media/Backup Drive in my computer. After Installing it, Windows 7 detected the drive and everything went smoothly. After a couple of months I haven't had any problems or issues.
This product has... Fast, Quiet, Large capacity/good size
I would recommend this to a friend!
Compatible with...:PC
Verified Purchaser:Yes
My Best Buy number: 0573988842
My Best Buy number: 0573988842
0points
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Logitech - G930 Wireless Gaming Headset - Black
This headset features gaming-grade wireless range up to 40'. The 7.1-channel surround sound with advanced Dolby technology lets you hear opponents before they see you.
My Honest Opinion: Logitech G930
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: SBMfromLA
from South Bay Area
on December 26, 2012
Sound Quality
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Durability
2.0
What's great about it: Designed to fit over larger than average heads and ears
What's not so great: Power On & Audio Device Switching
The G930 is my first USB Headset. I've been using an older set of wired Sony Headphones that connects to a 3.5mm jack (used the port on my Logitech Z-5500 Control Pod).
Since this is a USB Headset, it bypasses your Sound Card and uses the built in sound inside the headset. The connection is pretty straight forward. The charging disk has a USB port on top that you plug the USB Transmitter into so you don't have to use up two USB ports on your computer (although you can do that too if you want). Before I bought this, I tested out the Turtle Beach Headsets that many people gave great reviews on... but every single one of those were too small for my head.. they were about an inch too short at maximum length. The Logitech G930 not only fit... the length could be extended another couple of inches. So even if you're a giant, it will still fit very comfortable with your ears fitting INSIDE the cups.
There are two versions of the software you can install. The one that comes with the disk is very basic with drivers that aren't that great, I think. If you go to Logitech's Website, search for this headset and download the updated software. If you already own other logitech products like a keyboard.. it will integrate/consolidate all into one single master suite that controls all your Logitech Hardware, which is nice.
One problem I detected is switching between the headset and desktop speakers. As I stated, I already have the Z-5500 Digital 5.1 speakers. I had a hard time figuring out how to switch between my audio devices. The only way to do it in Windows is to go to control panel and select either your Speakers or Headset as your default device. Then the audio will switch. That seemed like an awful lot of trouble. I checked the internet and found that you could just UNPLUG the USB transmitter from the base and the audio will automatically default back to your speakers. However, I don't think that's a good idea because it can cause wear and tear on the port and the transmitter itself. Fortunately, I found a free "third party" program that will easily switch your audio devices with two quick click. It's called SOUNDSWITCH just search for it on Google and you'll find it.. it seems to be the best program for switching between USB Headsets and Speakers.
Finally, a few people commented on the build quality... saying it's all plastic... easily breakable... or needs a charging stand/dock. Well.. these are $100 speakers! If you want an all metal Headset or a Docking Stand, you're going to have to pay extra. There are lots of expensive headsets out there... you can't buy something inexpensive and expect it to come with all the "bells and whistles".
As far as sound.. with the software that came with the headset on the CD, it didn't seem very loud. I pretty much had to raise the volume up all the way on both the headset AND in Windows. However, when I downloaded the newer software from the Logitech Website... it seemed to give it a richer audio sound. I also switched from the Bass/Treble controls and turned on the Advanced EQ and set it match the EQ setting I use with my Sound Blaster X-Fi Card (I use the POP setting, which gives music, games and movies the best sound I think). Well, the sound is much louder and richer.
Oh, before I forget... don't forget to go into your control panel and set up the headset in audio properties. Windows will list this as a 7.1 system, but you have to UNCHECK rear and center speakers in the configuration so the sound will come out correctly. It will still work and will still give you 7.1 simulated sound... I had to play around with it to get this working with Starcraft 2 since I originally didn't have any sound when I started up the game.
Well, for the price... it's about the best wireless headset you can buy. Don't forget to install an Audio Switching program if you like to switch between the headset and speakers....
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
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Creative - Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Card
Take your gaming to the next level with this sound card that delivers lifelike audio via X-Fi CMSS-3D technology for amazing surround sound. Xtreme Fidelity audio playback restores detail and clarity to compressed music files, such as MP3s.
Great Mid-Range Card with Low Price
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: SBMfromLA
from South Bay Area
on September 24, 2011
Features
5.0
What's great about it: Low Price... Sounds Good.. Better than other cards price range..
What's not so great: Optical connection is pretty much worthless...
This is my second SoundBlaster X-FI card. I previously had the X-FI ExtremeGamer (PCI), which I bought 2 years ago from Best Buy, that worked great on my Vista 64 system. Then a few months ago, I upgraded to Windows 7 and had nothing but problems. That other card just didn't like Windows 7 too much. So I looked for another comparable card that would fit into my unused PCI-Express x1 slot and found this one on sale at Best Buy.
To those of you wondering, based on my previous experience using the ExtremeGamer edition and the new Titanium version, they are both pretty much the same... and have the same features. But this one uses the newer slot instead of the older PCI.
As for sound quality, hooked up to my 5.1 Logitech Z-5500 speakers, they sound great. I tested to see if I had any distortion, like when browsing... and so far I haven't had any... nor have I had any sound crashes...
There is one bump I must say, though. This card has optical inputs/outputs. I originally was going to connect the card to my digital speakers using my optical cable. That was a huge mistake because when I did it that way and installed the drivers/software, I had nothing but problems... none of the apps would detect the card... and the sound only worked half the time... so I had to uninstall everything... then connect using the analog cables and no problems. I then tried to connect the optical cable after that... the software worked but not everything would play.. some times I had music.. sometimes no sound in movies... so I gave with the optical part and just have it connected the regular way. I have a 5.1 speaker setup.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+8points
10out of 12found this review helpful.
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SBMfromLA's Answers
Logitech - G930 Wireless Gaming Headset - Black
This headset features gaming-grade wireless range up to 40'. The 7.1-channel surround sound with advanced Dolby technology lets you hear opponents before they see you.
it works well for Skype?
Of course... The G930 is perfect for Skype calls.
8 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
SBMfromLA
from
South Bay Area
Logitech - G930 Wireless Gaming Headset - Black
This headset features gaming-grade wireless range up to 40'. The 7.1-channel surround sound with advanced Dolby technology lets you hear opponents before they see you.
Can I use my warranty at the store?
Can I got to the store to get my headset fixed/repaired. My headset USB fell off my desk at broke but i managed to get it somewhat working but then my headset stopped charging and also it would disconnect like every minute when its not plugged in.
You can go to the retail store for warranty repair if (and only if) you purchased the extended warranty at checkout. Otherwise, you MUST contact Logitech.
8 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
SBMfromLA
from
South Bay Area
Samsung - 32" Class (31-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - HDTV
Samsung UN32EH5000FXZA LED HDTV: This Samsung LED HDTV boasts a 1080p resolution and cost-efficient brightness controls for energy conservation. The Wide Color Enhancer Plus and Clear Motion Rate 120 help ensure sharp visuals.
Does this TV have the Amazon Video steaming app?
No it does not. This is just the standard version. What you need is the Smart Version that uses apps, which is more expensive.
9 years, 3 months ago
by
Posted by:
SBMfromLA
from
South Bay Area
Insignia™ - 19" Class (18-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 720p - 60Hz - HDTV - Multi
Insignia™ NS-19E310A13 LED HDTV: This small but capable Insignia HDTV comes with 720p resolution and LED backlighting for a crisp, high-definition picture. It is a good addition to a small bedroom or dorm room.
does it have a Qam tuner
Yes... just connect any antenna and run the setup to scan and add channels and you're good to go.
10 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
SBMfromLA
from
South Bay Area