TheTruQ
Top 1000 Contributor
TheTruQ's Stats
- Review Count142
- Helpfulness Votes304
- First ReviewNovember 8, 2011
- Last ReviewMay 21, 2024
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.6
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count1
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentAugust 27, 2015
- Last Review CommentAugust 27, 2015
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count14
- Helpfulness Votes18
- First AnswerMay 1, 2014
- Last AnswerNovember 5, 2021
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers2
Microsoft - Surface with Black Touch Cover - 32GB
Surface with Black Touch Cover - 32GB - Black
Simply the most useful tablet for productivity
Customer Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Features
5.0
What's great about it: Touch/Type covers, Office 2013, Windows desktop utilities, build quality, fresh approach
What's not so great: Needs better email client, lack of a handful of the most popular apps
If you are looking for a productive tablet with a fresh operating system, the Surface is an excellent choice. I have used an iPad for over 2 years, and it is a very good device, but since purchasing my Surface, I have not touched my iPad. I essentially discovered my iPad was very limited as a device. I would browse, read, and check emails on it, for the most part. I always played around with new apps and had a few apps that I used daily. The problem, which I didn't realize as a problem until I got the Surface, was the lack of efficiency experienced when using my iPad in ANY productivity situation.
The Surface is easily the most efficient tablet for handling productivity tasks I have used to date. Microsoft, actually did a respectable job of building a device that is beautiful, solid, and different. It has that "worth" feel to it that few tablets possess #iPad, ASUS Transformer Prime#, and it is designed specifically to assist the user in being productive. The kickstand is wonderful for desktop typing and content consumption. It's not very lap friendly; it's tolerable, but not as comfortable as one would like. The Touch Cover, I must say is one of the most innovative peripherals I have ever used #and that's saying a lot#. I literally sat down in front of the Surface with the mindset this thing would be another gimmick and total fail. I typed four words and snatched back my hands in disbelief. I say this without pause: If Apple had created this thing for the iPad, it would be considered the most innovative thing since the wheel. It is truly amazing that this thing can tell the difference between touch and type, while having an excellent full trackpad with both mouse keys. What makes it really work is Microsoft's decision to design the device with the wide aspect ratio. When I first saw this, I had my reservations because I didn't know what the device would be like to use in portrait orientation, but this turned out to be an excellent decision just because of the attachable covers alone. This aspect ratio seems to spread the keyboard out, making it extremely comfortable. I have even had good Bluetooth keyboard attachments on my iPad and absolutely none of the feel as comfortable as my Touch Cover. They all feel cramped and awkward when compared to this. I tried the Type Cover and it is like having a 13" ultrabook. Truly, a great experience in this area.
The Surface does a very good job at consuming media as well. The screen resolution could have been better, for sure, but the screen quality is top notch. No, it does not look as sharp as an iPad with Retina, but the screen is sharp, vibrant, and much less reflective than Apple's device. It also has one huge advantage over the iPad: aspect ratio. Netflix? Hulu? HBO Go #via IE I might add - no app needed#? Digital library? I can watch all of these with no black bars in most cases #there are some movies shot in the wider angle which have black bars, but nothing like the iPad#. My wife and I can lay in the bed and watch shows. and she glances over to my Surface all the time and gets jealous of the beautiful FULL screen picture. And the picture quality is great. Don't believe the people that say the iPad displays video better than the Surface. Retina does not improve video quality unless the source matches that of the device #not even close#, and the Retina display only takes advantage of it's extra pixels to display more crisp detail, not better resolution. Like I said before, my wife envies my screen. Text, on the other hand, advantage iPad with Retina. It just has text popping out of the screen with superior clarity. The Surface is not difficult to read by any stretch. Looking at it, I thought the resolution was better than advertised, but it's not an iPad in terms of text detail.
When it comes to apps, the Surface has enough apps to keep the average user very satisfied. If you are an app junkie, this is not the tablet for you. Sure, there are plenty of apps - nearly 300,000 at the moment, I think, but because of the popularity of the iPad/iPhone and Android, the extremely popular apps only exist on those devices. There are workaround apps in some cases. For example, there are no official Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram apps in Windows 8, but there are several apps that allow you to manipulate all the aforementioned, and some apps that have all of these combined. Also, IE10 is very good at handling the respective sites for all these accounts. You get to use the full version and not a mobile or washed down representation of the site. Also, IE10 supports Flash. It does so on a limited basis, though. There is a authorized list of sorts which controls this #and yes, you can alter it, with a little research - you can also alter the registry and add entries to view Flash enabled sites using the version IE located in the desktop view#. I found there were several apps that I didn't need due to the flexibility of IE10. Sadly, there are applications that are really missing in Windows 8/RT. The one of biggest not for me is FlipBoard. There are some good alternatives, but the development house behind that app has created an experience like no other. Apps like Draw Something and Words With Friends are also missing. But, there are also apps on the Surface that aren't found elsewhere - that are very good. OS tradeoff in some cases, and newness in others.
All in all, the Surface is a very good tablet, and I use it a ton more than my iPad. I think the iPad is a wonderful device as well, but if I had both sitting in the room, I would pick the Surface up 9 times out of 10 - that one time for the apps I previously mentioned. There is just too much capability in this device, and I didn't even mention Xbox integration, Xbox Music #unlimited streaming and downloads for $99 per year#, Xbox Movies #rent and purchase all the latest movies and tv shows#, 7GB of free SkyDrive storage, Online collaboration with Office, full USB with support and drivers for over 400 million devices #plug it up, and it recognizes it#, printer support without air print gimmick, HDMI out #plug up a drive, external monitor, and your power cord at the same time#, Dual window support #two apps at once - 3 if you split the desktop window in one of the open app windows#, and MicroSD expansion of up to 64GB.
Yes, it's a great tablet!
This product is... responsive touch screen, easy to set up, Perfect for Business, Variety of apps available, Sharp graphics, Easy to navigate, Great screen size, Comfortable to hold, efficiently productive
About me... Parent with kids, Technology guru, Gamer, Business Professional
I would recommend this to a friend!
+54points
58out of 62found this review helpful.
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Sol Republic - Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones - Black
We introduced the world's first completely interchangeable headphones. Now, we're putting you in charge of customizing them.Mix up the colors of the Sound Track headbands and cable to match your style. Choose your level of sound quality between our V8 and V10 Sound Engines. Mix them, match them, make them your own.Virtually indestructible Sound Track headband in 8 colors, including red, white, black, Progressive Purple, Glitch Grey, Electro Blue, Dub Orange and House PinkV8 Sound Engines delivering deep bass and high clarity or V10 Sound Engines delivering deeper bass, higher clarity and crisp vocalsSingle-button cables with omni-directional microphone are also available in red, white, black, Progressive Purple, Glitch Grey, Electro Blue, Dub Orange and House Pink
Excellent Beats alternative
Customer Rating
5.0
What's great about it: Tremendous sound quality, quality construction, stylish
What's not so great: Better carrying case would be nice (maybe a harder case)
I have been shopping for headphones for about a year now, and without a doubt, these do not disappoint. I was really captivated by the Beats line because of the style and sound, but I was reluctant because the music precision and clarity suffered due to a deep resonating bass (and I like bass). I have owned both buds (etymotics hf2) and over the ear phones (bose oe2) that have extremely good true sound quality, as well as bass heavy phones. These seem to come somewhere in between. The Tracks HD have excellent sound quality and clarity with a rich, vibrant warmth. They achieve what I consider balance of sound. I listen to music on almost every end of the spectrum, and these do not disappoint in any genre. Whether hip-hop, classical, pop, r&b, or just a simple ballad; they are hard to beat. The lower priced model, the Tracks, is more like the Beats on ear phones in my opinion. The Tracks HD, more of a perfect blend of accurate, warm bass with audiophile quality. Very good phones; I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+13points
13out of 13found this review helpful.
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TheTruQ's Questions
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Sony - WF 1000X True Wireless In-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones - Black
Tune out the world and lose yourself in music with these Sony 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Equipped with SENSE ENGINE technology, these earbuds make it easy to adjust sound modes with a single touch, so you control what you hear. Compact and intuitive, these Sony 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones stay comfortable for hours.
Can the left earbud be used without the right earbud?
Yes, and actually, the left earbud is the default for phone calls.
6 years, 2 months ago
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Posted by:
TheTruQ
Hoover - REACT Whole Home Cordless Stick Vacuum - Gray
Clean fur, dust and dander quickly with this Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum. Integrated sensors automatically adjust the level of suction and the brush roll speed to handle different floor types. This Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum uses a long-lasting lithium battery, so you can clean the whole room without a recharge.
What is purpose/function of App?
The app connects to the vacuum via Bluetooth. It provides information about the vacuum - mode and battery level. It also allows you to change the mode. It also provides support information (references) for the vacuum. You can also register the vacuum using the app.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
TheTruQ
Hoover - Power Path Pro Advanced Cleaner - Gray
Power Path Pro Advanced Carpet Cleaner: This versatile floor cleaner scrubs, washes and rinses your carpet for a deeper clean than a standard vacuum cleaner can provide. It also includes a Heated Cleaning mode to apply heat to tough stains, and a squeegee tool for use on hard surfaces.
Can you empty the dirty water using one arm?
I do think it's possible to remove the tank with one arm, but I wouldn't recommend it when it is full. The biggest thing is the fact it doesn't have a handle (maybe like some of the Bissel cleaners). The good thing is that it has a lid, and there are handle-like grooves on the side for you to hold on to.
9 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
TheTruQ
from
Birmingham, AL
NETGEAR - Push2TV Wireless Display Adapter
View visuals from your Intel® WiDi- or Miracast-capable laptop, tablet or mobile phone on your HDTV at up to 1080p resolution using this NETGEAR Push2TV adapter. Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi provides a reliable, high-speed wireless connection.
How do I get my 1080p resolution even after the firmwere update?
I took some figuring out how to install the firmwere update and then I could finally veiw the stream from amazon prime but the picture is not in 1080p?
It's possible your device doesn't stream in 1080p. All Maracas devices don't output to full HD (1080p).
My suggestion would be to refer to the device specifications.
My suggestion would be to refer to the device specifications.
10 years, 1 month ago
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Posted by:
TheTruQ
from
Birmingham, AL