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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Night Owl - 10 Channel Bluetooth Wi-Fi NVR with 4 Wi-Fi IP 4K HD 2-Way Audio Cameras and 1TB Hard Drive - White
Night Owl is excited to offer our U.S. designed and engineered 4K Wi-Fi Bluetooth Network Video Recorder with Wi-Fi IP 4K Spotlight Cameras and Pre-Installed Hard Drive. With secure app-based Bluetooth setup, there is no need to connect a TV or monitor for setup or viewing (optional). You can easily configure your system right from the app on your smartphone or tablet with the Bluetooth connection. While a TV or monitor is not required, with Google Assistant you can use simple voice commands to stream camera footage directly to your TV or monitor, all while remaining hands free. Each camera has 2-Way audio (talk and listen) as well as a built-in siren and preset voice alerts. From within the app, you can easily activate the built-in siren, startling intruders and sending them packing. Have a guest but can’t get to them? Use a preset voice alert to let them know! Smart detection technology including human detection, facial capture, and vehicle alerts reduce the risk of false alarms, keeping you safe and well protected. Facial capture lets you see who is on your property by snapping a photo and sending the image to your Smart Device. Motion-activated dual spotlights flood your yard with bright lights when human motion is detected, instantly warding off trespassers. Proudly designed and engineered in the USA, our security system uses a built-in wireless connection for uninterrupted viewing with no delays. Our app gives you control of your system and easy access to your recordings, regardless of where you are. Night Owl never charges fees for storage or access to your videos. All recordings are securely stored on a pre-installed hard drive for convenience. You can view and download the recordings as you need them. This system provides the latest technology to give you the ultimate security experience. NOTE: Your Wi-Fi recorder is compatible with our BWNIP2 (Wire Free), WNIP2 (Wi-Fi IP) and WNIP8 (Wi-Fi IP) Series devices and is not backward compatible with other Night Owl products.
Can I add more cameras
Yes. This is a 10-channel system. There are 6 additional channels allowing addition cameras to be added.
2 years, 7 months ago
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TheTruQ
HP - 27" IPS LED FHD FreeSync Monitor (2 x HDMI, VGA) - Silver and Black
The New Definition of High Definition: This FHD monitor feels as good as it looks, packing IPS technology for 178 degrees ultra-wide viewing angles, 99% sRGB color gamut for color accuracy, and AMD FreeSync to keep your eyes up to speed with your imagination.
how do you connect the monitor to the laptop
Depends on the laptop. My preference for my device is a USB-C to HDMI adapter. You can also use the same type of adapter with USB-A instead of C. An older laptop may have an HDMI port or VGA port. You can use these as well.
3 years, 1 month ago
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TheTruQ
Microsoft - Surface Laptop 4 - 15” Touch-Screen – AMD Ryzen 7 Surface Edition – 8GB Memory - 512GB Solid State Drive - Matte Black
Stand out on HD video calls backed by Studio Mics. Capture ideas on the vibrant PixelSense touchscreen. Surround yourself with immersive, theater-like Dolby Atmos audio⁶. Do it all with a perfect balance of sleek, ultra-thin design, and more speed, now up to 70% faster – with significantly longer battery life than before¹. Two sizes. Two keyboard finishes. Plus, choice of 11th Gen Intel Core or exclusive AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors².
Is the ram upgradable?
No, you can not. The RAM comes in fixed sizes and is soldered in without additional bays.
3 years, 1 month ago
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Posted by:
TheTruQ
Microsoft - Surface Laptop 4 - 15” Touch-Screen – AMD Ryzen 7 Surface Edition – 8GB Memory - 512GB Solid State Drive - Matte Black
Stand out on HD video calls backed by Studio Mics. Capture ideas on the vibrant PixelSense touchscreen. Surround yourself with immersive, theater-like Dolby Atmos audio⁶. Do it all with a perfect balance of sleek, ultra-thin design, and more speed, now up to 70% faster – with significantly longer battery life than before¹. Two sizes. Two keyboard finishes. Plus, choice of 11th Gen Intel Core or exclusive AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors².
any usb ports?
Get immersed in high-fidelity audio with this Sonance 8-inch in-ceiling speaker. A 1-inch silk dome tweeter delivers crisp high-end frequencies, while the 8-inch glass fiber cone woofer fills the air with deep, resounding bass. This Sonance 8-inch in-ceiling speaker is easy to install and includes a paintable grille that blends into surrounding decor.
Are these paintable?
Adobe - Photoshop Elements 2019 & Premiere Elements 2019
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 73 step-by-step guided edits. Easily make movies in the redesigned Quick Edit mode. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and animated GIFs to printed artwork and full-length movies.
Can I edit videos with it? Says I can edit video slideshows is that the same thing. Put one on old computer three years ago. With that one I could edit videos. Is that transferable?
Dell - S2319NX 23" IPS LED FHD Monitor (HDMI, VGA) - Black/Silver
Optimize your viewing experience on this 23-inch Dell LCD monitor. Its Full HD IPS screen lets you see content from almost any angle. Easily connect a laptop or a PC to the VGA and HDMI ports on this Dell LCD monitor.
I tried hooking up my macbook pro (which only has a usb-c port) to the monitor via hdmi and a hdmi adapter. However, the monitor keeps telling me there is no hdmi signal from my device. How do I fix this? The adapter works on other monitors (also Dells).
Have you tried installing the latest driver from Dell? This is a tricky one if it works on other monitors.
5 years, 8 months ago
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TheTruQ
Sony - WF-SP700N Sport True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbud Headphones - Black
Listen to your favorite playlists with these Sony wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They're equipped with the Google Assistant for instant help with a range of tasks, and their silicon support fittings keep the headphones in place while you're active. Use these Sony wireless noise-cancelling headphones' Ambient Sound Mode when you need to stay aware of your environment.
How do these compare to the Sony WF1000X--sound wise...and comfort wise?
More comfortable with comparable, if not better sound. The comfort and better seal contribute to a better listening experience, in my opinion.
6 years ago
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Posted by:
TheTruQ
Remove pet hair from carpets and hard floors with this BISSELL floor cleaning machine. Its motorized brush lifts and removes stubborn hair and dirt, and helps to clean hard-to-reach areas. This BISSELL floor cleaning machine dispenses detergent with the pull of a trigger for hassle-free shampooing of carpets and upholstery.
I’m trying to understand if this machine is a good replacement for cleaning carpets also! I love the idea of this product... I have a 21 year old cat that has oopsies!!! Thank you, Karen Akers
It really depends on the length of the carpet. This device is geared toward flooring and area rugs, but it does perform pretty well on low carpet. I wouldn't use in on anything that has any length beyond short.
6 years ago
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TheTruQ
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.
I bought these to use on an airplane and with my Kindle. There is no work around to use on an Airplane??
Not sure I understand the issue... You should be able to achieve a Bluetooth connection even on the airplane.
6 years, 2 months ago
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TheTruQ