ITJim
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ITJim's Stats
- Review Count145
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- First ReviewNovember 23, 2013
- Last ReviewJune 29, 2025
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- Average Rating4.3
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- Answer Count18
- Helpfulness Votes30
- First AnswerNovember 23, 2013
- Last AnswerMay 22, 2021
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- Best Answers3
Now you can game faster and more accurately, with G502 LIGHTSPEED featuring superfast 1 ms wireless connectivity. A next-gen HERO sensor delivers 25k DPI class-leading performance and energy efficiency—get up to 60 hours of uninterrupted gaming. 11 programmable buttons help you optimize gameplay with custom keybinds and macros. Primary buttons feature metal spring tensioning for fast and crisp actuation. Six adjustable weights let you find the right mouse feel. LIGHTSYNC RGB gives you ~16.8 million colors to create an exciting and immersive gaming environment. The hyper-fast scroll wheel lets you speed through long menus and documents.
G502 Lightspeed w/PowerPlay Gaming Pad
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
Highlights:
This mouse is fast, precise, comfortable, and has great aesthetics. Powerful software. Great hardware! Compact, portable design. Wireless or wired operation. Wireless charging with the addition of the PowerPlay gaming mouse pad. Lighting is simple but aesthetically pleasing. Aggressive looking. The downside includes confusing G Hub software interface and difficult to find documentation. I chose to get the matching PowerPlay mouse pad due to the wireless charging and the swappable fabric and hard surface mouse pad options. Please read on for my full review.
Setup:
I first setup the PowerPlay mouse pad. The transmitter is built into the mouse pad. The transmitter connects to the computer via a single USB cable. The G502 has a 1 3/8 Inch diameter cover on the bottom of the mouse that is interchangeable with the optional wireless charging puck that comes with the PowerPlay mouse pad. This puck also hides a compartment keeps the usb wireless transmitter safe when you are not using it. You will not need the USB adapter when connected to the PowerPlay. It is a great place to store the USB wireless adapter when not in use. The puck is held in place with magnets. This keeps the USB adapter nice and safe. It also holds the cover firmly in place. Swapping out the covers is very easy.
The PowerPlay instantly turned on when I turned on the computer. I turned on the G502 using the on/off switch located on the bottom of the mouse. The PowerPlay and G502 instantly connected. However, this convince did come with an interesting challenge.
I found that I was unable to use the USB wireless adapter with any of my laptops. After some experimentation, I found that the G502 and PowerPlay maintained connection regardless of distance and power status of my gaming computer. I had to turn cut off all power to my computer before I could use the G502 wirelessly with another computer. My computer continues to power USB devices while in soft power down mode. This is so I can charge my cell phone or wireless equipment when not using the computer. I was shocked by the transmission range of both products. I was over 20 feet away from the device and on another floor and still had a connection. I am glad I found a work around. It would have been nice if there was a KB article about this.
This will not be an issue for you if you purchase the G502 Lightspeed by itself. This proved to be a minor issue easily overcome by modifying my behavior. Go green and turn off your PC! The good news is that you now know the work around if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Documentation:
The included documentation for the G502 Lightspeed is laughably slim. There is a small foldout pictorial showing how to setup the G502 for the first time. There is also a pictorial showing the placement for the weights inside the mouse’s two compartments. I was surprised that there were no instructions to download the Logitech G Hub from Logitech’s website. Maybe I missed it?
The PowerPlay suffered a similar documentation drought. I can forgive this oversite with the PowerPlay. It is ridiculously easy to setup. Pictorials is really all you need.
The Logitech G Hub is another matter entirely. Logitech really makes you search for the G Hub Manual. I did find it. The Logitech G Hub is very powerful. I have been looking through the software for three days and still feel overwhelmed with the customization options. I can do anything I want with any button except for the scroll wheel lock button. Every other button seems fair game. And then, Logitech dropped the ball by hiding the user’s guide deep in the G Hub’s interface. Why Logitech? Please tell me why!? The manual looks well written and thought out. It is also written in multiple Languages. This is the meat and potatoes of your unifying API for your gaming products! It should be front and center in huge blinking red font on the home page of G Hub! Logitech should be proud of this.
G Hub Manual: https://www.logitech.com/assets/65550/ghub.pdf
G502 Mouse Manual: https://www.logitech.com/assets/65648/g502-lightspeed.pdf
G502 Mouse Manual: https://www.logitech.com/assets/65648/g502-lightspeed.pdf
Comfort:
The mouse feels good in my hand. Each button has a short travel distance between pressed and depressed. It takes very little effort to activate every button. I like that the two buttons to the left of the left mouse button are sensitive enough that I can rock my finger over them to adjust the mouse sensitivity up and down. This way I do not have to lift my finger to make a DPI sensitivity adjustment. Small movements are best while in the heat of pixel armageddon. The scroll wheel has two modes, free and restrictive. As you can guess, free means the mouse wheel freely spins with nothing but friction to slow it down. There is a button behind the wheel that will engage a limiter of sorts. Engaging the limiter prevents the mouse from freely gliding and adds a nice audible and tactile click. I like this mode because it gives me better precision with the games I play. It is also my preferred mode for normal computing sessions such as work and web browsing.
The mouse wheel also has a left and right button function. The left and right click are very sensitive. I mapped the mini-map function to the right-side wheel button and spent a game fighting with the in-game map constantly popping up. I then discovered that I clench my hand when in stressful situations. Time to unlearn some bad moussing habits.
I also like the way the mouse glides along the fabric PowerPlay mousing surface. I did not like the hard surface cover that came with the PowerPlay. I find the fabric pad to be more comfortable for my play and work style. I think Logitech made a good choice by including both moussing covers.
There is a button with a crosshairs symbol on it. This button instantly, and temporarily, sets the mouse to the lowest DPI you set for your profile. This is very helpful when sniping or other situations where precision is needed. I did not realize how useful this feature was until I had. I love it!
The mouse wheel also has a left and right button function. The left and right click are very sensitive. I mapped the mini-map function to the right-side wheel button and spent a game fighting with the in-game map constantly popping up. I then discovered that I clench my hand when in stressful situations. Time to unlearn some bad moussing habits.
I also like the way the mouse glides along the fabric PowerPlay mousing surface. I did not like the hard surface cover that came with the PowerPlay. I find the fabric pad to be more comfortable for my play and work style. I think Logitech made a good choice by including both moussing covers.
There is a button with a crosshairs symbol on it. This button instantly, and temporarily, sets the mouse to the lowest DPI you set for your profile. This is very helpful when sniping or other situations where precision is needed. I did not realize how useful this feature was until I had. I love it!
Lighting:
The G502 and the PowerPlay both have the iconic Logitech “G”. Both light up. I really do believe the lighting option is icing on the cake for an already attractive device. I do believe Logitech should have added more lighting. Maybe add an LED to the mouse wheel housing. The mouse does look great in a dark room. It also fits right in with my other lighted gaming gear. You can map lighting effects to each game you play and each application you use. Unfortunately, the learning curve to building profiles is unnecessarily steep.
There is one unique lighting feature that I really like. The mouse has three battery LED indicators. These double as DPI indicators. The furthest forward position is the maximum DPI defined in your profile. The furthest rear position is for the lowest profile defined DPI. The lights in between represent the in-between DPI settings. All I need is a quick glance during a gaming session to tell me which DPI I am on. I have also been using it during my daily computer sessions. Super helpful feature. The battery LEDS also sync with the G Hub lighting. You do not have the ability to individually control each battery indicator LED.
Software:
The software is a mixed bag. I run into this with every manufacturer’s “unique” software suite. From 40,000 feet, this software is not intuitive at all. However, spend a little time with it, and you will see that this is a very power, feature rich software suite; almost overwhelming. The drag and drop feature for each mouse button is cool. I was able to quickly setup my most common keyboard commands in seconds. Best part, I can setup button commands for every game and application I use. Logitech has many popular windows commands pre-defined. So, if you want one button to CTRL+C for copy, and another for CTRL+V for paste, then just drag those commands from the menu to the mouse button you want to assign the commands too. No need to build your own macro.
There is a dark side. It takes some real work, and patience, to decipher the G Hubs interface. I just happened upon the settings that allowed me to assign a profile to a game. Real pain. The documentation is also buried in the interface. Macros creation is setup as a wizard of sorts. You will perform a lot of trial and error before figuring it all out. The macro, once create, will be added to the Macro list for easy drop and drag onto a mouse button of your choice.
Finally, the software will display the remaining battery level in the form of a percentage. The PowerPlay will charge the mouse during use. I found that the mouse will continue to discharge even while on the PowerPlay pad. Maybe I will get more moussing time than with the mouse’s battery alone. Only time will tell. The PowerPlay does charge the mouse when I am not using it. The G502 will also deactivate itself while not in use. The lights will remain on as long as it has a connection to the transmitter. Finally, the mouse will discharge faster with LED lights on. You do have the option to turn them off in the G Hub software.
Final words:
The mouse is awesome! The weights allow me to adjust the mouse weight to my liking. Great use of space. I can add the four 2-gram weights, the wireless USB adapter, and the PowerPlay adapter without adding any bulk to the mouse. I love the aggressive look of the mouse. And it feels great in my hand. The PowerPlay is icing on the cake. I have zero complains about it. Logitech does have some work ahead of it for the G Hub software. Logitech also needs to put the documentation front and center! Hopefully, they figure out how to streamline the interface, incorporate more hover help, and build some contextual help into each page. It would go a long way to make the powerful features of the G Hub more accessible to more than just the hardcore gamers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+27points
40out of 53found this review helpful.
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Mohu - Arc Pro Indoor Amplified HDTV Antenna 60-Mile Range - Black
Enjoy major networks without paying a monthly fee with this Mohu Arc Pro indoor HDTV antenna. An integrated signal indicator helps you to find the optimal signal location, while the LED lights let you adjust antenna placement in real time for a more stable connection. This Mohu Arc Pro indoor HDTV antenna uses FirstStage amplifier technology which results in less distortion and stunning picture quality.
Great little antenna
Customer Rating
5.0
Setup:
Setup was a snap. The product comes in three parts: the Arc Pro antenna, the stand that attaches to the back of the Arc Pro, and the power adapter/signal filter. The signal filter screws into the cable hook up on the back of the TV. The filter has a USB cable connector. The USB powers the signal filter and the antenna. Then the antenna’s built in cable screws into signal filter. The stand then attaches to the antenna. I placed mine on a bookshelf. The cable, with the filter attached, is about 10 feet in length. Unfortunately, this means the antenna needs to be relatively close to a TV that is 65” or larger. The closer the antenna is to my 65” flat panel TV the worse reception got. I more on this later.
The stand is designed to sit on a flat surface such as a table, shelf, or bookcase. The stand also has two mounting holes for wall installation. There were no screws or drywall anchors included with my antenna.
Unique problem this solves:
I get strange signal drops or signal disruptions when cars drive by my house. But it only happens in one room in my home; the living room. It is strange because the antenna is mounted higher than the road and the cars driving on it. I upgraded my Leaf 50 with a Leaf Supreme last year hoping that the larger antenna size would resolve the issue. It did not. I kept both antenna’s because I have more than one TV in my home. The power amplifier for both Leaf antennas only made the issues worse. I would either loose a channel completely or the TV image would pixelate. Hanging the leaf on different walls and windows would solve one issue but create others. And, as you know, the Leaf is meant for a fixed position.
I finally decided to give the Mohu Arc Pro a try. It is rated at 60 miles like the Leaf Supreme. I am a child of the rabbit ear years of TV watching. I know full well that the facing and positioning of an antenna can make a huge difference in signal quality. I connected the Arc Pro to my TV and ran through the auto channel search. I picked up four of the five channels I had with the Leaf Supreme. My Leaf Supreme is located at the top of my wall. The Arc Pro is located at eye level. So, pretty good for where I placed it. Even better is that I did not have any signal drops when cars drove by.
Next, I worked on getting that last station. I moved the antenna around the room. Running the auto channel function after each move. I eventually acquired the lost channel. The cable being only 10 feet long did interfere with where I could position the antenna relative to the TV. For me, this presents two challenges.
First, cosmetics. My TV setup is very clean. All cables are hidden behind the entertainment center and behind a cable runner. The Cable runner hides the antenna cable, power cable, and the HDMI cables from the TV to the rest of the entertainment center. 10 feet won’t cut it. I do not want to see the antenna cable. This may be a small gripe for some of you. However, I enjoy a clean looking setup.
Thankfully, the Arc Pro does work with a cable extension. The Arc Supreme shipped with a coupler that allows two coax cables to connect. You can probably find one at your local best buy. I took the cable from the Leaf Supreme and connected it to the 10’ cable of the Arc Pro. Since the cable is already integrated into the entertainment system I no longer need to worry about the cosmetics. The key take away is that the Arc Pro will play nice with a cable extension. Which leads me to point number 2.
Thankfully, the Arc Pro does work with a cable extension. The Arc Supreme shipped with a coupler that allows two coax cables to connect. You can probably find one at your local best buy. I took the cable from the Leaf Supreme and connected it to the 10’ cable of the Arc Pro. Since the cable is already integrated into the entertainment system I no longer need to worry about the cosmetics. The key take away is that the Arc Pro will play nice with a cable extension. Which leads me to point number 2.
The extra cable allows me greater placement flexibility. The closer the Arc Pro is to my TV the worse the reception gets. I lose all signals when the antenna is next to the TV. The same is true for any other antenna I have tried. The TV either physically blocks the signal or throws out enough interference to prevent the antenna to receive a clean signal. Then, there is that pesky signal disruption that happens when cars drive by. Long story short, I found a position in my home that allows me to rotate the antenna to maximize my signal quality for each station in my area. Cars driving disrupting the signal is also less of an issue. I still cannot get FOX.
Finally, you are probably yelling at me to get a roof mounted antenna. That would probably solve all of my issues. If only that were an option for me. Unfortunately, it is not currently an option for me.
Final thoughts:
I was weary about trying a smaller antenna. For my Livingroom, I found that the smaller Arc Pro does a better job than the larger Leaf Supreme. You may have a different experience. For me, the Arc Pro does a better job than its larger cousin. The story may be different if I lived on a hill with clear line of site to all the local broadcast towers. Instead, I live surrounded by houses, trees, and small hills. Therefore, the greater flexibility that the Arc Pro affords me is a better overall experience.
Thank you. I hope you found this review useful.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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Sony - GTK-PG10 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black
Enjoy your favorite music and podcasts anywhere with this Sony PG10 portable wireless speaker. It features a splash-proof top with four built-in cup holders, and will be great for parties with outdoor party mode. Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing this speaker with up to three devices simultaneously, while the built-in rechargeable battery lasts for up to 13 playback hours.
Nice with some cool features
Customer Rating
4.0
Setup:
Unboxing and setup was very easy. The Sony PG10 is a single unit; no assembly. The box contains the PG10, an important information sheet written in pictograms, power cable, and the instruction manual. The built in rechargeable battery arrived with a 50% charge. It was ready play straight out of the box! Being a man of little patience when it comes to new toys, opted to go straight for the FM radio instead of going through the hassle of connecting iTunes over Bluetooth. I found out, ten minutes later, that blue tooth was just as easy to setup as the FM radio.
Unboxing and setup was very easy. The Sony PG10 is a single unit; no assembly. The box contains the PG10, an important information sheet written in pictograms, power cable, and the instruction manual. The built in rechargeable battery arrived with a 50% charge. It was ready play straight out of the box! Being a man of little patience when it comes to new toys, opted to go straight for the FM radio instead of going through the hassle of connecting iTunes over Bluetooth. I found out, ten minutes later, that blue tooth was just as easy to setup as the FM radio.
Features:
The PG10 has a number of features. It has FM radio (no digital tuner), Bluetooth, USB, composite audio connections, and a microphone jack. The buttons on the front of the unit are easy to navigate. The buttons are hexagonal, oversized, and made out of some soft rubbery material. The USB/Composite input housing and the power cable housing have covers made out of the hard plastic. Sony states that the top of the PG10 is spill resistant. The buttons and port covers leave me with the impression that some of that liquid resistance extends to the sides of the unit. I have no intention of putting it to the test for the sake of this review. I hope you will understand.
The PG10 has a number of features. It has FM radio (no digital tuner), Bluetooth, USB, composite audio connections, and a microphone jack. The buttons on the front of the unit are easy to navigate. The buttons are hexagonal, oversized, and made out of some soft rubbery material. The USB/Composite input housing and the power cable housing have covers made out of the hard plastic. Sony states that the top of the PG10 is spill resistant. The buttons and port covers leave me with the impression that some of that liquid resistance extends to the sides of the unit. I have no intention of putting it to the test for the sake of this review. I hope you will understand.
There is a function button to cycle through the different inputs/functions of the unit. The LCD screen will display the active function. It will display the radio station information. It will not, however, display any information about my music such as track title or artist. I would have expected to see this when connected to iTunes over Bluetooth. Instead, the Bluetooth function only displays the name of the connected Bluetooth device. I think Sony could have done more here.
The PG10 has two tweeters, located in the wings of the expandable “drink and chips tray” top. The unit will automatically switch between an open sound mode and a closed sound mode depending on the status of these wings. The system does sound different depending on the status of these wings. There is also a one second pause in audio when making the transition from closed to open and back. Open Mode, the tweeters sound more spacious and inviting. Closed Mode, the PG10 sounds like it is being stingy with its audio performance. The PG10 sounds like it is underwater. My preference is to keep the ears open in all listening environments. The woofer has some thump to it. I had to turn on Mega Base to get any real thump out the PG10.
Tuning, power, volume control for both speakers and microphone, Mega Base, and a play/pause button are also located on the front face of the unit. There is one unexpected feature that is also available. There are two buttons named Key Control. Instead of reading the instructions, like a normal person would, I chose to press the left button. I was playing Queen’s “we will rock you” at the time. Freddy Mercury’s voice immediately turned to mud. Ouch! So, I kept pressing the button until the PG10’s display read -6. Freddy’s voice got super super super deep. It was strange. It was so strange that I just had to press the right-side button until it was +6. Yes! Chipmunk Queen! What fun that was! My whole family laughed for a good ten minutes. I am guessing that this is a karaoke feature and not meant for regular musical enjoyments. However, definitely go full chipmunk on your favorite music. It’s a blast!
Connectivity:
Connectivity is super easy. FM radio just works. My iPhone instantly found the PG10. I was streaming from my iTunes account in seconds. I do have an old MS Zune that I do use with my Sony SRS-XB31 for multiple fun reasons. I had to connect my Zune via the composite inputs. The PG10 would not recognize the Zune as a USB device. Connection was easy with the right cable. The one major benefit to using the Zune is that it does have a Digital Tuner. I have a lot of Digital stations in my area, so the feature is important to me.
Connectivity is super easy. FM radio just works. My iPhone instantly found the PG10. I was streaming from my iTunes account in seconds. I do have an old MS Zune that I do use with my Sony SRS-XB31 for multiple fun reasons. I had to connect my Zune via the composite inputs. The PG10 would not recognize the Zune as a USB device. Connection was easy with the right cable. The one major benefit to using the Zune is that it does have a Digital Tuner. I have a lot of Digital stations in my area, so the feature is important to me.
Sound:
Please read all of this before making your conclusions. My very first sonic experience with this unit left my ears feeling sick. I was thinking to myself, “for the money this was the best Sony could do?” I tried everything from Rock to classical to Japanese K-Pop. Everything sounded metallic with heavy treble sauce. I did not find a way to adjust the speaker’s EQ or DSP settings from the speaker’s control panel. Those settings are controlled Sony’s Music Center app. The default preset was set to something called “excited”. “Excited” sound mode sucks for everything! I cannot believe the speaker shipped from Sony with the worst preset in the library. I cycled through the different EQ presets settling on “Chill Out.” It saved the day! Why Sony does not lead with this preset is a mystery to me. There are several presets available including a customer EQ preset. Play around and eventually you will find something that works for you.
Please read all of this before making your conclusions. My very first sonic experience with this unit left my ears feeling sick. I was thinking to myself, “for the money this was the best Sony could do?” I tried everything from Rock to classical to Japanese K-Pop. Everything sounded metallic with heavy treble sauce. I did not find a way to adjust the speaker’s EQ or DSP settings from the speaker’s control panel. Those settings are controlled Sony’s Music Center app. The default preset was set to something called “excited”. “Excited” sound mode sucks for everything! I cannot believe the speaker shipped from Sony with the worst preset in the library. I cycled through the different EQ presets settling on “Chill Out.” It saved the day! Why Sony does not lead with this preset is a mystery to me. There are several presets available including a customer EQ preset. Play around and eventually you will find something that works for you.
Wings open mode sounds better to me than wings closed. I tried this unit in my living room, den, basement, bathroom, on my deck, and on the tailgate of my truck. Open wings modes is the way to go. The more space this has to breath the better. Everything I played sounded acceptable. Do not expect audiophile quality. This is not that device. I feel that the speaker falls apart at volume. The vocals remain clear but at the expense of the rest of the music. Maybe this won’t be as much of an issue at a collage party where everyone is competing with the music. But, for casual listening, this is best played at medium to low volume.
The Mega Base option does increase the thump thump of rock, pop, and rap music. I found this feature put some authority into the music. It is not as powerful as a dedicated subwoofer but good enough for the garden and workshop. I think multiple PG10’s would be required to power an actual party like a dorm room gathering. Otherwise, the base from a single unit will be absorbed by your party attendees.
Applications:
The Sony Music Center application does a great job of controlling this unit. It will allow switching between inputs, gave me a quick launch button to Spotify and Fiestable, and EQ settings, and other options not directly accessible by the speakers control panel. I can also control the volume for each input. This is not a full remote control. For example, I cannot turn the speaker on or off using Music Center.
The Sony Music Center application does a great job of controlling this unit. It will allow switching between inputs, gave me a quick launch button to Spotify and Fiestable, and EQ settings, and other options not directly accessible by the speakers control panel. I can also control the volume for each input. This is not a full remote control. For example, I cannot turn the speaker on or off using Music Center.
I played with Fiestable for about five minutes. The app gives you motion controls over the PG10. It also allows you to use your smart phone as a microphone for Karaoke. You can turn up the volume up and down with a flick of your phone up or down. You can skip music tracks by flicking the phone back and forth. The last thing I want to do is flick my very expensive iPhone in any direction. I found none of these expanded features useful. Maybe you will.
Portability:
The unit is lite and easy to move around. There are built in handles located under the wings. Just fold up the wings, grab the handles, and off you go.
The unit is lite and easy to move around. There are built in handles located under the wings. Just fold up the wings, grab the handles, and off you go.
Final Impression:
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this unit. The sound is clear. The woofer will thump when Mega Base is turned on. I feel the sonic experience is too dependent on the EQ, volume, listening location, and the status of the wings. Sometimes it sounds great and other times it struggles. I will most likely use this speaker in places where I do not already have music such as the garden, my shed, and in my basement workshop. I did try playing this at party music levels and felt the unit struggled. The voicing was crystal clear at the expense of the rest of the sonic experience. I do like the look of the unit, connectivity options, its portability, and the mega base options. I hope to get many ears of service out of this.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this unit. The sound is clear. The woofer will thump when Mega Base is turned on. I feel the sonic experience is too dependent on the EQ, volume, listening location, and the status of the wings. Sometimes it sounds great and other times it struggles. I will most likely use this speaker in places where I do not already have music such as the garden, my shed, and in my basement workshop. I did try playing this at party music levels and felt the unit struggled. The voicing was crystal clear at the expense of the rest of the sonic experience. I do like the look of the unit, connectivity options, its portability, and the mega base options. I hope to get many ears of service out of this.
I hope you found this review useful.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
5out of 8found this review helpful.
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JBL - FREE True Wireless In-Ear Headphones Gen 2 - Black
Perceive every detail of your music with this pair of JBL wireless headphones. The 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response lets you enjoy the full range of sound, while the in-line microphone provides an effortless switch to hands-free calls. Featuring 5.6mm dynamic drivers, these JBL wireless headphones supply rich, resonant bass for your enjoyment.
Solid sound, great presention, weak microphone
Customer Rating
4.0
- Presentation -
JBL did an amazing job with the presentation of these earbuds. The hockey puck size case serves both as a protective case and a recharge station. The earbuds plug into the case and draw power from the built-in battery. The left and right earbuds are stored in the case corresponding with which ear the earbud is designed for. Between the earbuds are symbols indicating which earbud controls which common function. Under the earbuds are four LEDs that indicate the amount of power left in the case’s battery. The LED indicators on the earbuds and the battery glow when you return the earbuds to the case. Close the case and you will see a happy face through the top of the clamshell housing. I love this! JBL really took a lot of time and energy to craft a unique customer experience.
The earbuds seem big in the hand but hide well in the ear. I do not feel silly wearing these.
The earbuds will last 4 hours on a single charge. The base holds an additional 20 hours of juice. The four LED indicators will tell you how much power is left in the battery to make it easy to tell when you need to recharge the case. The case does come with an orange USB charging cable for connection to your computer or other USB power source.
- Feel -
The earbuds come with three sets of silicon plugs for your ear canal. You should be able to find one size that fits your ear comfortably. It also ships with two pairs of silicon sleeves of different thicknesses. These are used to enhance comfort and fit for different size ears. I have small ears and found the sleeves uncomfortable. I also went with the medium plugs for my ear canal. I found that I needed the extra girth in my ear canal to hold the earbuds in place. The charging port of each earbud rests against my ear. The charging port has a small lip surrounding the indent that houses the electrical connections. The lip chafes my ear if I have the earbuds too tight against my ear. This is the main reason I need the tighter fit in my ear canal. I would have enjoyed these earbuds better if JBL had removed the lip.
- Setup -
Setup was easy. I connected these with my iPhone in a matter of minutes. Just be sure to fully charge the case and the earbuds before trying to sync. Also, read the included instructions. You must sync the right earbud with your device first and then sync the right earbud to the left earbud. There are also several functions controlled by the buttons located in the center of each earbud. You will need to read the manual if you hope to get the most out of these earbuds.
The earbuds did fall out of sync with my iPhone a few times during testing. I use many Bluetooth devices and find that this a common issue with both iOS and Windows. However, the left and right earbuds do fall out of sync with each other from time to time. Sometimes, the fix was easy; turn off the earbuds and resync. Sometimes, I had to work through some combination of redocking the earbuds in the clamshell housing, pressing buttons for different time periods, removing the sync status from my iPhone, and then repeating until I found the proper combination of button presses.
- Sound -
Usually, everyone talks about how much bass headphones can produce. Sony would have you think that bass is the only important sound there is. The JBL Frees do produce solid bass. I was surprised how well they sounded for something this small at its current price point. I listened to some workout mixes that had solid base tracks and was satisfied with what I heard. My head will not explode from over pressurized bass waves but good enough. Mids seemed ok. Highs did feel a bit constrained. In all honestly, I’m listening to compressed music that is being further compressed over Bluetooth so there is going to be a lot of coloration and loose from the original audio signal. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto sounded compressed in the mids. I played Lady ’95, from Styx, to see how Dennis DeYoung’s vocals stood up with these earbuds. The very high end of his range felt constrained. I then played Lindsey Stirling’s Electric Daisy Violin. The base was strong, vocals clear, and the violin sounds good.
Overall, I feel that I am getting the performance I would expect from earbuds of this size and price point.
- Use -
I use these earbuds mostly for working at my desk and working out at the gym. I can hear what is happening around me at the office. I must turn up the sound if I want to block out the office noise. Unfortunately, the tradeoff is hearing damage. They can get painfully loud. I have them turned down to the lowest level of my iPhone’s audio and found them loud enough. I will turn to noise canceling headphones if I want to block the world out.
I have not had any issues using these at the gym. They stay in place as I use the workout machines. They also offer enough music to keep me in the workout zone. Sweat does not seem to bother them. I do take these out when I’m stretching or swinging my head around during aerobic exercise. I do not know if they will fly out of my ears. I do not want to worry about it. What I do not know is if I can rinse these off. They are rated as sweat proof. That does not mean I can simply drop them in a bowl of soapy water or under a running facet to clean. Be sure to check with JBL before cleaning.
- Phone -
These earbuds stink for voice transmission. Listening to a phone call is mono; right earbud only. Sound is of the same quality as the music. The mic sensitivity on these earbuds are weak. I was forced to abandon the earbuds due to mic’s weak gain. The person on the other end reported that I sounded far away and was difficult to hear. I used my normal speaking voice for testing. The experience did improve when I spoke louder than normal. This would not be an issue if I were one of those people who liked making my conversations public. I do not. These earbuds are useless to me for hands free communications.
- Final thoughts -
I like the sound of these the best when compared to other earbuds I have owned. Unfortunately, I will continue to use my wired apple earbuds for hands-free communications. I wish JBL chose to smooth out the charging ports so that the earbuds would be more comfortable with smaller ears. I have found a way to manage the issue so that the earbuds do fit comfortably in my ears. Hopefully, JBL will improve upon this with future releases. I love the clamshell storage and charging case. It is just cool! The designers really did their homework and made something unique, fun, and portable. I can throw this in my work bag and not worry about damaging the earbuds.
Overall, I like these earbuds and will get a lot of musical enjoyment from these in the office and at the gym. I hope you found this review useful.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+11points
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BlackWidow Elite Wired Gaming Mechanical Razer Green Switch Keyboard with RGB Chroma Backlighting - Black
Collaborate with teammates using this Razer BlackWidow Elite mechanical gaming keyboard. An ergonomic leatherette wrist rest provides support for marathon play sessions, while the fully customizable keys let you create your own unique system for gaming. With dedicated media keys and a multifunction digital dial, this Razer BlackWidow Elite mechanical gaming keyboard offers responsive operation.
Awesome Hardware, Software is rough!
Customer Rating
3.0
Presentation:
The presentation for this keyboard is first rate. Razer went out of its way to ensure that your eyes were captured by the glowing keycaps and media controls over anything else. The lines of the keyboard are precise and clean. The keyboard cable is wrapped with a tight nylon weave that is stiff enough not to lazily loop around your desktop. Razer made sure to add a notch into the back and both sides of the keyboard. There are cable guides that channel the cable to either side so that you can dictate where you want the cable to escape back to your system. Routing my cable to the left side of the keyboard allowed me to keep my desktop looking clean and available for what I felt was important for my gaming experience. Numbers, letters, and text on all keys are thin and elegant. My previous keyboards were an old Microsoft Sidewinder keyboard and a more recent Corsair gaming keyboard. Both had larger translucent lettering on the keys. I was afraid that the thinner translucent lettering would be an issue for me. I found that certain visual effects work well with the thinner lettering. For example, the Fire Chroma profile looks sharp with the thinner letters. The keycaps limit the amount of light splashing on the keyboards surface. There is just enough light bleed to give the appearance of glowing embers beneath each keycap character.
The keyboard does ship with a wrist wrest. It is sharp looking with very clean, straight lines. Razer’s logo adorns the center of the wrist rest. The cover of the wrist rest is a material that simulates leather. It feels nice and looks sharp!
The bottom of the keyboard has five non-slip pads to keep it in place while typing and gaming. It will slip with enough force. But, did not slip during typing or gaming. There are two feet at the back of the keyboard to control the tilt. To my surprise, there are three heights to choose from. The keyboard can lay flat on the table, raise the back by ¼ inch, and then to ½ inch. These are approximate measurements. ¼ inch works best for me.
There are five white LEDs under the Del, End, and Page Down buttons that I wish Razer enhanced some. The lights are bright! The symbols under the LEDs are hard to read when the lights are off. They are impossible to read when lit. I wish Razer took the effort to dim the LED and highlight the function’s logo. The lights are Caps Lock, Num Lock, Scroll Lock, Macro, and Game.
Feel:
The keyboard is heavy, inflexible, and difficult to move once placed on a proper gaming surface. The wrist pad feels great! One of the most comfortable I have used! You should, however, always type with your wrist up to avoid injuries linked to repetitive motions. The wrist wrest does have six non-slip pads; the same as on the keyboard. The wrist rest magnetically attaches to the front of the keyboard. I can use the wrist rest away from the keyboard, if I want, without any issues. But, when I want things nice and tight, the magnets offer additional stability.
The key caps, as mentioned earlier, are elegantly printed. Razer states their green switches require 50 grams of forces to depress. This is more force than the Cherry Red switches from my last keyboard. I can type close to 100 words a minute. I found that I missed keystrokes when I first typed with this keyboard. My fingers also tired out quicker. I did eventually get used it. Just be sure to take plenty of breaks until your fingers are up to full strength.
Each key generates a high pitched “click” when depressed. Cherry Red switches are lower pitched and may seem quieter than this keyboard. If you are gaming in your dorm room, next to your sleeping roommate, then you may want to check out a keyboard that uses Razer’s Orange switches. Orange is rated as silent; no audible click. I heard that Razer does sell this keyboard with Orange switches.
I can rest my fingers on the keys without accidently depressing a key. There is also a slight travel between rest and the click. Sometimes you want to bounce your finger on a key before committing to the click. This keyboard will support that behavior. It will take a little practice to master the movement though. The keys do have nice travel from rest to depressed. They also bounce nicely back into position. The media nobs are a nice touch. I love the that the volume wheel has a mute button built in. Personally, a volume control on the keyboard can, and does, make or break the sale with me. I think it is smartly placed, moves well, and the integrated mute button is right where it needs to be.
Gaming:
Commands were executed without any delay. I could hit multiple keys during gameplay without any commands being lost. I could rest my fingers on a key and then choose when to depress when I wanted too and not let the natural weight of my fingers make the decision for me. The keyboard feels and games great!
I created a few custom lighting profiles for my games. I tried some “game specific” profiles. I did not create any macros due the issues I faced creating lighting profiles. All these features and functions come down to the Synapse 3 Beta software and documentation. Razer has some work head of them in this department.
I created a few custom lighting profiles for my games. I tried some “game specific” profiles. I did not create any macros due the issues I faced creating lighting profiles. All these features and functions come down to the Synapse 3 Beta software and documentation. Razer has some work head of them in this department.
Software:
The keyboard is first rate. Synapse 3 Beta is aweful! My experience ranged from nightmare to horrible. Razer needs a few more customer experience passes before they take “Beta” off the name.
My experience. The Synapse software offered to install on my computer when I plugged the keyboard into my gaming computer. The software installed without any difficulty. I did have to sign in with my Razer account. This is to allow me to sync my profiles across devices and computers from anywhere in the world. I found out later you cannot use a Chroma profile unless you are actively signed into the Synapse 3 app. I should access to everything offline if I choose!
First thing I noticed was the lack of documentation. For some reason, Razer feels that their software package is intuitive. It is anything but. This is where a walkthrough video would have been helpful. A follow-up tutorial video would have been fantastic. The included printed document is wholly inadequate. There is a manual hidden in the settings page. Good luck stumbling across it. It took me a week before I found it. It was marginally better than the included printed documentation. Searching Razer’s support site a waste of time. And YouTube did not offer anything useful. I “do” expect more from Razer!
As part of the package, I installed the optional Razer Cortex. This is where my first round of issues began. Cortex will allow you to capture metrics and speed up your computer for optimal gaming. Unfortunately, optimizing your system includes shutting down non-gaming specific functions and deleting “non-critical” files. Using this feature destroyed my Windows 10 image. Long story, short, be very careful with this application. I had to re-install windows to get my system back online. I will take some responsibility for this one though. I should have known better than to play with system voodoo that promises improved system performance and framerates.
I tried to create a few profiles after I got my system back online. This is where Razer really needs to improve its user experience. The software package is very powerful. You can do a lot with it. But it is confusing as all heck how to create a profile, save it to the keyboard, and recall it at will. The process is frustrating.
For example, I set out to create a gaming profile for one of my favorite games. I go into the Keyboard section. There is a customize heading and lighting heading. The Customize section does not allow you to customize anything except to load Profiles into the keyboard’s memory. As far as I can tell, you also cannot use this screen to jump between profiles. The lighting heading is a little more interesting. I can set the keyboards brightness and choose between quick effects and chroma effects. From here, I can jump between my different keyboard affects, both Razer created and my own Chroma profiles, but it does not seem to have any affect on the profiles listed at the top of the screen.
I can create a custom profile from the Chroma screen. It is easy once you “discover” how to do it. Attaching the profile to a profile or game is also a “discoverable” process. It should not be. In my opinion, Razer needs a serious customer experience pass with Synapse. Creating Chroma Layouts, creating profiles, attaching each to my games should be easy, intuitive, and well documented.
Final thoughts:
Many products today live and die by their user experience. The hardware is excellent! Outstanding for my needs. I will get years of use out of this keyboard. If I had to make a recommendation on the software experience alone, then I would advise that you look at another gaming company that puts more effort into documentation and training videos. Razer does have links to videos in their studio software but its all marketing BS. Bottom line, the software needs some polish. It is powerful. It is also silly difficult to setup profiles and assign games to use those profiles. There are too many screens that lack direction, purpose, and documentation. It is my hope that Razer unifies their interface and user experience before they take “Beta” off the name. Until then, I cannot rate this keyboard higher than three stars.
I will only recommend this keyboard after Razor smooths out the Synapse experience.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Mobile Submission: False
+4points
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HP - OMEN Mindframe Wired 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Windows 10 w/ active ear cup cooling technology - Black/Red
Immerse yourself in an engaging gaming experience with this HP OMEN Mindframe headset. FrostCap technology provides thermoelectric cooling for comfortable use during long hours of cyber battles, and the 7.1 virtual surround sound keeps you alert when any virtual enemy attacks. Real-time voice feedback and an on-ear cup volume control add essential functionality to this HP OMEN Mindframe headset.
I love this headset!
Customer Rating
5.0
Look and Feel:
I have owned multiple gaming headsets from Turtle Beach, Razer, Microsoft, and Kinston over the years. This has got to be one of the coolest gaming focused headsets I have owned. The headset is mostly black. The cable that connects both ear cups acts as an accented racing stripe that runs along the middle of the head band. HP even made the channel this wire runs look aggressive. Nice touch. Each ear cup has an LED lighted square that can be changed from a static color, rotating color, or a randomly assigned color synced to whatever sound you are playing through the ear cups. The primary head band of this head does not touch your head. Instead, HP is using a secondary head strap that self-adjusts the headset to the size of your head. I was not sure if I would like this feature or not. I think HP did it right. The secondary band covers a flexible plastic strip that is attached about one inch above each ear cup. The secondary band can travel all the way to the top of the primary head band without any issues. My only concern is the durability of the plastic strips. The headset feels sturdy. I guess time will tell if the self-adjusting strap can go the distance or not.
Comfort:
This headset is very comfortable. The earcup padding is about 1 inch thick. Super soft. Breathable. But, is not sound proof. You will be able to hear any ambient sound in your gaming area. This does not bother me because I want to hear what is around me during my gaming sessions. You can always turn up the volume if you are the kind of person who does not like ambient sound invading your gaming sessions.
The USB cable is 6.5 feet long. I do not feel trapped at my gaming workstation with this length. I can at least stand up, reach for a drink, a book, my cell phone, or can stretch without worrying about pulling the cable out of my computer or causing some other calamity to my gaming station. The cable is covered in a fabric mesh to give it some additional longevity from rubbing up against surfaces while gaming. The rubber finish on the USB connector gives the cable that final premium touch.
Finally, the boom mic is short, easily folds up into the headset, and does not interfere with talking, rubbing my chin when I am thinking, or get in the way when I put food or drink to my lips.
Gaming:
I did try this headset with a few games. I found out quickly that 7.1 surround sound only works with games that support surround sound. I did spend a few hours using this headset with Fortnight. There were several times where loosing my life, or taking my opponent’s life, came down to the positional audio. I could hear the footsteps to my left of an enemy playing trying to sneak up on me. I could also hear the sounds of gunshots in the distance from multiple directions. I have had other 5.1 and 7.1 headsets from multiple manufactures but never did they live up to their reputations. To my surprise, this headset delivered the goods.
There must be a DAC built into this headset because the cable simple plugs into a standard USB port. I don’t need a fancy sound card or external DAC box to run the signal through. Highs are good. Bass is good for a headset at this price point. Machine gun bullets sound like machine gun bullets. Explosions sound like explosions. Voices, engines, and environmental effects sounded lively and meaningful. Over all, I think I found my new gaming headset!
How do I sound to other players? They can hear me. Unfortunate, the HP Omen Command Center does not have a built in playback and adjustments page to monitor and tweak the microphone. People can hear me during my games. I guess that is what is really important.
The volume control is a rotary control nob located on the right ear cup facing the back of my head. I can, and have made, quick volume changes throughout my review period. HP made sure any changes to the nob controls the Windows volume level. Just be careful with the volume control. These headphones are loud. I cannot understate this. You will damage your hearing if you play these headphones at full volume for any length of time. Hearing damage is cumulative. I am surprised that HP did not add a decibel limiter. I have the headset set to six on the 100 point Microsoft Windows volume control screen. Anything higher simply hurts my ears. Do yourself a favor and buy yourself speakers if you want your games playing at elevated decibel levels.
Frost Cap Technology:
HP incorporated a Peltier in each ear cup. It is a black piece of metal covering the speaker. The plate has holes in it to allow the sound to travel from the speaker to your ear. One side of the metal plate is cold and the other is hot. The side in the ear cup is kept at a lower temperature than the plate on the outside of the ear cup. I turned this feature to high and grabbed a heat gun to measure the inside and outside temperatures of the ear cup. The metal plate inside the ear cup was 64 Degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature on the outside of the earcup was 90. That is some difference! The tips of ears were really cold. Now, I am testing these in December when it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. I’ll know if this feature really keeps my ears cool when we get into the summer months.
Omen Command Center:
Windows 10 automatically downloaded the Omen Command Center from the Windows Store as soon as I plugged it into the computer. I tried this on three different Windows 10 computers. Quick, easy, and required zero skill. The software itself is simple and straight forward. The Mindframe section has pages for lighting and cooling. The lighting menu allows you to control what color you want the LEDs on the ear cups to display as. There are also three special affects you can apply: Static, Color Shift, and Audio. Static and Color Shift are self-explanatory. The audio setting allows the LEDs to react to the sound passing through the ear cups. The Cooling section allows me to set the cooling ability to Off, Low, Medium, or High. You can tell the difference between each setting.
I would like to have seen some additional features here. For example, I would like to see a microphone adjustment screen that allows me to adjust the sound quality, mic boost settings, and a playback mode for mic checks. I know that these tools do exist in Windows 10 Sound Control panel. It would have been nice to see a unified settings page in the Omen Command Center.
Finally, the Omen Command Center settings you make on one computer do not persists between Windows 10 computers. One would think HP would have employed some of the sync features in Windows 10 to make the transition between Windows 10 machines seamless.
Final impressions/Comments
I like this headset. These are my new go to headphones for gaming. They are comfortable, flexible, have a long cable, and has a easy access volume nob. It is a commanding piece of gaming hardware. I recommend that you check these out if you are looking to upgrade your gaming audio experience. If you are going full Omen gaming then definitely pick these up. You gaming space will look sharp with all your gaming hardware conforming to the same aesthetic.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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HP - Pavilion Gaming Desktop - AMD Ryzen 5 2400G - 8GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB - 1TB HDD 128GB SSD - Black
Enjoy totally immersive gameplay with this bold and powerful HP Pavilion gaming desktop. Lag is nonexistent thanks to AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics, while high-speed performance is provided by an AMD Ryzen processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. Interior expansion slots allow for upgrades that ensure your HP Pavilion gaming desktop remains up to date.
Great Entry Level Gaming Desktop
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
Gaming:
This is an entry level gaming desktop. For the price, it is a solid performer. I started by running the SuperPosition benchmarking software. It scored low when compared to Unigine’s public benchmarking score board. However, when I put in my favorite game, Mechwarrior Online, I was scoring between 40 to 110 fps at highest detail settings. I averaged 60 fps. For comparison, my two-year-old Nvidia 970 scored a little higher on the SuperPosition benchmark but can only average 40 fps in this same game at medium graphical detail settings. Goes to show that benchmarks only tell part of the story. Playing this game on the AMD RX 580 was like playing a whole new game.
For the first time in years, I can see the dust and particles thrown into the air by every mechs footfall. I saw fireballs falling through the air and impacting the sides of volcanic rock. Things that are meaningless to the actual game but increase the impressiveness of the game and my overall enjoyment of the game.
Next, I tried Batman: Arkham Asylum at full resolution and the graphical settings maxed out. Smooth as butter. I am also impressed that the Radeon software recognized my HP 25X gaming monitor that is FreeSync enabled. I do believe this had a lot to do with the frame rates hitting higher than 60 fps. My impression? This is a great choice for a budget gaming machine. I cannot wait to throw more games at it.
Setup:
Unpacking the system was easy. The computer comes with a mouse, keyboard, power cable, the computer, and a quick setup guide. The first two pages of the setup guide shows how to setup the computer using easy to follow pictures. The rest of the guide does have some troubleshooting information, basic system care instructions, and a section on where to get additional help from various HP support options. Setup for me took minutes mostly because I replaced this system with a pre-existing system. It may take 15 minutes or more if you are putting together a new space with all new equipment. Just keep your expectations reasonable.
Look and Feel:
The system is black with a dark grey, brushed metal finish. There is a small slit running along the center face of the case. A green racing stripe appears when the computer is powered on. When the power is off then the stripe is imperceptible. There are six USB ports on the back of the system, two on the front, and a USB type C connector on the front. The computer also has a memory card reader and a laptop style DVD Writer drive. The AMD RX 580 has a single HDMI connector and three DisplayPort connections. The computer is currently driving two monitors with a third on its way. I typically pick a single monitor for gaming while using the extras to post information, web surf, or perform some other task while I wait for levels to load.
For some reason, HP chose to go with the Ryzen 5 2400G. This is an APU, meaning it has an integrated graphics processor. The integrated Vega 11 graphics processor in this APU is not being used. To further drive the point home, HP bolted a cover over the motherboard’s HDMI port. During testing, the Vega 11 graphics were never used regardless of the system idle or content. I own a laptop with the same processor and the AMD 560 mobile processor. The driver’s on that system will swap between graphics processors depending on workload. So, what is the point of adding an APU to this system if there is no intent of leveraging it? No idea. I did not remove the HDMI cover to test the port. I do not have the special screw driver bit to remove the cover, yet. I plan on testing this sometime in the future.
The computer does come with a mouse and keyboard. Both are cheap, period. The keyboard narrow from number keys to space bar, nothing to differentiate it as a gaming computer’s keyboard, and adequate enough for typing. I would game on it if I did not already have a dedicated gaming keyboard and mouse. The mouse is not even worth talking about. It is my opinion that HP cheaped out on the mouse and keyboard to give us a nice mid-tier graphics card. I will take the trade-off. Plus, you can always save up for a better mouse and keyboard.
Finally, HP chose to place a white sticker on the side of the computer case. This is basic system information. No idea why HP chose to do this other than for their own needs at the factory. It does ruin that initial “wow, I’ve got a new gaming computer at Christmas!” feeling. HP could have chosen a different route on this one. Half the meal is eaten with the eyes, HP!
Inside the Case:
All gamers I know love to tinker with their rides. So, I tore the system apart. I also included two photos. The computer case is not a screwless design; meaning, everything is screwed in and secured in some fashion. Thankfully, the system will come apart with a simple flathead screwdriver. The system is compact with some cleaver design choices. The drive cage holds the 1TB drive vertically. The DVD write is directly beside it. Cabling is minimal and well managed. The drive cage does block access to 1/3 of the case’s interior. You must remove this cage in order to replace or upgrade the memory, the HDD, or add a small PCIe card. You could replace the M.2 SSD but I don’t see the point for this system. You would be better of picking up a cheap SSD and leaving the M.2 drive alone. This, of course, is my opinion.
There is a single 8GB stick of memory. I did not pull the memory card to get the numbers off of it. The power supply is 400 Watts and is rated at 80 Plus Platinum. This should make it an efficient power supply. There is a single expansion slot. You could get away with a PCIe audio card, video capture card, or some other compact PCIe expansion card. You will not be able to add a second video card to this system. If, for some reason, this is your intent, then you would be better investing in a more expensive system with a stronger graphics performer.
The video card, even though a separate card, cannot be upgraded in this system unless you go straight to HP. The computer case is designed around this card. I did include a photo of the video card. It is a single fan design with a decent head sink. It is not super heavy like you will find from a third-party manufacturer like EVGA or Gigabyte. The drive cage is design to fit and support the video card and heatsink. This way, the PCIe socket does not need to bear the full burden of the card’s weight. Again, if you want a higher end card then spend the extra money for a higher end system. For the money, this is a solid performer.
Finally, there is an extra drive bay of sorts on the 1/3 cover. This, again, HP made a strange design choice. The drive must be suspended from the opening with screws. HP did not include any screws. There is a second SATA connection but no companion power connection. There are three SATA connections on the motherboard. Without a way to power a third drive I fear that the only upgrade to storage available is either by adding an external USB device or replacing the included 1TB HDD.
Final thoughts:
Overall, I found this system to be a nice upgrade from what I had before. My old system is more than five years old. I was going to build a new system that, with current memory and storage prices, would have costs me significantly more money. What I need is a system that is capable of light gaming, office work, web surfing, and entertainment. I need the ability to drive multiple monitors which this system can do. And I need ample storage. I like the compact design, the Ryzen 5 delivers great performance and strong multi-tasking capabilities over my aging Intel processor, and the AMD RX 580 blows the doors off my older Nvidia card. The proof is in my real-world experience with my games and not the silly, generic benchmarks. I consider this an entry level gaming computer and will be treated as such. There are other systems around this price point that have their own unique offering. I think HP made the right compromises with this model. The 128 GB M.2 SSD is fast enough to run the system and the 1TB drive is large enough and fast enough to store and load my programs in a timely manner. The super cheap keyboard and mouse are functional and allowed HP to include a strong mid-tier graphics card at a solid price point. The system even looks cool next to the matching 25X gaming monitor once you remove that stupid sticker.
I think this would make a good entry level computer for a teenager, collage kid, or for someone who needs a computer first and performance gaming second.
Please like this review if you found it helpful. Thank you.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+199points
212out of 225found this review helpful.
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HP - 25x 24.5" LED FHD Monitor (HDMI) - Gray/Green
Experience the ultimate in FHD gaming graphics with this 24.5-inch HP 25X display. A smoother gaming experience with sharper, cleaner details is provided by a display that refreshes 144 times per second, while the micro-edge design provides ultra-wide, seamless viewing. The stand on this HP 25X display has a 100mm range of motion, making it easy to position for your comfort level.
Great budget friendly gaming monitor!
Customer Rating
4.0
HP 25X Monitor Review
Setup:
I was up and running with the 25X within minutes. HP includes a quick setup guide taped to the face of the monitor. No subtly here! There is also a six-foot HDMI cable included in the box. The monitor also has a DisplayPort. This will allow for the connectivity of two devices. For example, you can connection your HP Pavilion gaming desktop to the DisplayPort connection and your work laptop to the HDMI. This way you can take advantage of multiple monitor support when you are working from home on snow day and not have to worry about reworking the wiring with your gaming computer. This is a must have capability for me.
Screen Controls:
There are five downward facing buttons on the bottom right of the bezel. The only one marked is the power button. The other four do not have any labels. I originally found this annoying. Pressing any button will produce an onscreen display in the bottom right corner. The graphics align with each button. It took me a few minutes to figure out the function that each graphic represents. The base functions are Switch Input, Viewing Modes, Information, and Main Menu. The viewing modes and main menu are where you can control the behavior of the monitor. The viewing modes allows you to choose from Low Blue Light, Night, Reading, HP Enhance +…, Gaming – FreeSync, Movie, Photo, and Custom. As far as I can tell, any changes you make to one of these profiles from the main menu automatically changes the custom profile. This is where HP should have included some useful information. For example, what the heck is HP Enhance + on the viewing modes menu and what is DisplayPort Mode… in the main menu? No clue and not sure how it enhances my experience with this monitor. HP should have taken more care here. The modes do change the viewing experience, so it is in your best interest spending some time cycling through them. It does not appear that you can bomb out any of the preset view modes so don’t worry too much about making a mistake as you surf the menus.
Look and feel
The monitor does look good. It is flat black, thin bezel around the sides the top of the screen, and just enough bezel along the bottom edge of the screen to accommodate the buttons, a product feature sticker, and some sharp looking green racing stripes. There are three stripes. The center stripe has an LED that lights up when the monitor is powered. The light has a subtle breathing pattern. Unfortunately, the green racing stripes on the left and right do not light up. I find this disappointing. The center racing stipe looks sharp lit up. I feel that HP missed a chance at greatness by ignoring the same effect for the left and right stripes.
I do like the long, vertical travel of the monitor along the stand. The monitor can be lowered almost to the table top and all the way up to my eye level. The panel rides smoothly from position to position. The monitor can also be easily rotated from landscape to portrait with little effort. The panel does tilt along the Y axis. This allows you to setup monitor at different viewing angles.
One final thought. I would like to have seen cable management on the back of this monitor. Instead, the cables simply hang from the back of the monitor and make my setup look unkept. If you are someone who values a clean look for their gaming space, then you will either want to look for a monitor with better cable management options or come up with a system to manage your cables with this monitor. I picked up some computer cable management products from Home Depot and stuck them to the back of the monitor. It is an inconvenience, but the issue is manageable.
Usage
I use this monitor for gaming with my HP Pavilion gaming desktop with an AMD X580, a DIY gaming computer with an older Nvidia 970, multiple laptops including an Acer Nitro 5 with an AMD 560X mobile GPU, and various work laptops. I typically have the monitor connected to my gaming system using a DisplayPort cable. All the other computers take turns using the HDMI connection. Connecting to the monitor is super easy. All I do is plug in the HDMI cable and tell Windows 10 to extend my desktop. All AMD video cards instantly recognize this monitor as FreeSync capable. The other computers simply recognize the monitor and the 1080p resolution. So far, I have had no issues swapping between systems.
Performance
The performance of the monitor seems a bit mixed. HP claims that this monitor has a 1ms response. However, I have seen multiple instances of ghosting. It is most evident when I drag the mouse cursor across the screen. The pointer turns into multiple pointers as it trails across the screen. I’ve also noticed this with Mechwarrior Online. At first, I thought it was the game. However, at 100+ frames per second, my images should be butter smooth. Instead, the images on the screen seem jerky as I pan the camera from left to right across the scene. The images do not break, though. So, I know that frames are not being dropped. When the action slows down, the images are crisp, clean, detailed, and colorful. I also played Batman: Arkham City. I noticed none of the issues I mentioned above. Butter smooth throughout the game. So, maybe the content is partly to fault for my experience.
AMD FreeSync
This is a FreeSync monitor. I have no idea why HP is not listing this feature. This will help any AMD Radeon owner’s purchasing decision easier. Maybe FHD stands for FreeSync High Def? It should be properly labeled. I can tell you that the Radeon drivers automatically recognized the FreeSync capabilities of this monitor and used it in every game I played. I saw frame rates up to 120fps. I never got to the magical 144fps that the monitor supports. I attribute that to the performance of my specific graphics card and not as a limitation of the panel. Maybe someone with a more powerful card can confirm the panel’s full potential. I also matched this up with an older Nvidia 970. My older G-Sync monitor, using the 970, could only achieve 60pfs regardless of the settings. I was able to achieve 100fps in the same game on this monitor! Go FreeSync!
Overall impressions
Overall, I do like this monitor. Most of my gripes are cosmetic and easily overcome with little effort on my part. The monitor does integrate well into my system. I do have a solid gaming experience. There is some image ghosting. However, I feel that I have some additional tweaking to do before I get the experience I am looking for. The monitor is also proving useful in a multi-computer system setup. I can use this monitor for office type work all day long and then re-purpose it for gaming without any effort.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+5points
8out of 11found this review helpful.
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Shark APEX DuoClean with Self-Cleaning Brushroll Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum - Espresso
Shark APEX combines DuoClean, self-cleaning brushroll and Powered Lift-Away technologies to deliver our ultimate full-sized cleaning experience.
Home Run!
Customer Rating
5.0
Setup:
Unboxing was quick and easy. I did not have any issues removing the components from the packing material. The packing material was mostly cardboard recycled paper. There were a few styrofoam strips. I would have preferred 100% paper based recyclable material because my local recycling centers will not take Styrofoam. They say that it is cheaper to make new Styrofoam than it is to recycle it. I do appreciate Shark’s effort making the packaging environmentally friendly. I wish more companies would do follow suite.
Assembly was very easy. I only needed to consult the instructions for the pet hair removal tool. I was having a difficult time attaching it to the storage attachment on the back of the vacuum. The motor housing and the pet hair removal tool are both odd shapes which made attaching difficult at first. It was super easy once I figured out the trick. Otherwise, assembly went smooth. All parts attached with very little effort and little to no force. This is what I have always liked about Shark vacuums. The AZ1002 is no exception
Mobility:
The AZ1002 is very heavy. It is the heaviest household vacuum I have owned. The bulk of the weight is in the motor housing. This is the lift away portion of the vacuum. My wife did complain that she could only use the vacuum in the lift away configuration for a short period of time before fatiguing. The weight is irrelevant when in the upright configuration. There are two wheels on the back of the vacuum that allow super easy mobility when moving from room to room. My wife and I were surprised how easy it was pulling the vacuum around. Most vacuums we owned gave more resistance when pulling them. This gave no resistance at all.
Mobility is excellent when vacuuming the floors. Pushing the vacuum forward and back requires little effort. The active rollers do pull the vacuum forward and offer some resistance when pulling back against them. But, nothing that hinders my ability to move around the room. It took about a minute to get used to and compensate for. Going around corners and furniture surprised me. I turned the handle to go around my couch and the vacuums head pivoted with almost no force. It moves better than my Shark Rocket! I do consider the Rocket to be ultra-mobile. I love having this level of mobility in a full sized vacuum
Look and Feel:
The vacuum is very attractive. My old Shark was this putrid red and white throwback to the 1980s. This time around, Shark chose to go with blacks, greys, silver branding, and a bright red roller on the vacuums head.
Every part of the vacuum looks well thought out and functional. I think Shark really went the extra mile to ensure a superior user experience. The handle at the top of the vacuum is large, rounded, and covered in a hex pattern that increase grip and control. The lift away handle is also very large, covered in the same hex pattern grip, founded, and makes it easy to move the lift away around the house. There is an oversized button on the lift away handle to easily detach the lift away from the rest of the vacuum.
There are buttons everywhere! Want to remove the wand. Button for that! The lift away has a button. The dirt bin has an easy release button. Access to the rollers has two buttons! Every button is smartly placed and well labeled. Button presses have little resistance. Removing the wand, separating the handle from the wand, the lift away, the dust bun release, and the roller access separate without any effort. It took me about five seconds to empty the dust bin! Shark has really perfected their engineering in this respect.
Finally, the dust bins are slighted tinted but clear. This gives me a quick way to evaluate if I need to empty the dust bin before using the vacuum.
Performance:
This vacuum is nosier than previous Sharks I have owned. It is not terrible. Just louder. It is also more powerful than previous sharks I have owned. The cleaning power is excellent. My Shark Rocket has the special soft roller on the front to push dirt into the vacuum. This same roller, combined with the power motor of the AZ1002, creates a supercharged cleaning beast. I was surprised at how much dirt and hair the dust cut captured on my small 7 x 5 living room rug. I was using the Shark Rocket to clean this rug and never came close to this much material in a single cleaning session. I got the same performance on my hardwood, carpeted, and tile floors.
The pet brush also gets an A rating. My wife recommends this. She used the brush on our fabric and leather furniture. I was a bit worried when she said she used on my leather couch. But, the rollers did not scratch the leather. I do have a house bunny and a cat. If you think cats shed then you have never experience a pet rabbit! The pet brush did an excellent job picking up the fur from the furniture. This is important to me. No one wants to walk away from a couch or chair wearing a bonus sweater!
The easy release wand is good for reaching those hard to reach places. I have baseboard heating that, guess what, fills up with dust and animal fur. The wand is excellent for getting into the radiator covers and removing the dust and fur. I could also get under the radiators to clean the floor underneath.
Finally, the cord length is a few feet longer than previous shark vacuums. This may seem like a minor improvement. It means that you can go further, longer, without worry of disrupting your cleaning Zen! My wife loves this.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this is a very good vacuum cleaner. This is my third Shark. My wife, for whatever reason, loves vacuum cleaners. She gets Christmas morning excited. This vacuum is no different. She plugged it in and started cleaning the living room before I could get out of the way. Then she buzzed around the whole house. I enjoy a good cleaning experience. She glows. Other than the weight and the noise, which are really minor annoyances considering the power of this vacuum, I call this a winner.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+15points
15out of 15found this review helpful.
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WD - Blue 500GB Internal SSD SATA
Handle storage demands with this Western Digital SATA solid-state drive. Its 560MB/s read speed and 530MB/s write speed are suitable for intensive applications, and its 2.5-inch form factor fits most desktops and laptops. The solid-state drive has no moving parts, making the drive resistant to shock to protect your data. Includes the WD SSD Dashboard to keep track of the drive's status.
Solid SSD but WD could have done better!
Customer Rating
3.0
I originally got this SSD to replace the drive in my HP Envy laptop. As it turns out, my HP Envy laptop does not have a hard drive cradle for a hard drive. Instead, it has an NVMe SSD that is protected by a metal shield. I can only guess that it is there to protect it from people like me who do their own computer upgrades and repair work. I did have two other options available to me: external USB drive or internal drive for my desktop computer. I replaced my aging WD 750GB Black hard drive. I cloned the drive using the Arconis WD special edition software and then removed the mechanical hard drive from the system.
Ease of Install:
This is a standard 2.5-inch drive. Weights almost nothing at all. The connections are standard power and SATA connections. Originally, I popped this into an external SATA drive enclosure that is USB 3.0 compatible. You can purchase these types of enclosures at Best Buy and from other major technology companies. Pick what works for you. Installation was as easy as pushing the drive into the connection. As I stated earlier, I ultimately opted to plug this into my desktop. Installation was just as easy. I mounted the drive and then plugged in the SATA and power cables. Done!
Documentation:
The only documentation in the box is the warranty information booklet. What is a statement about what software is available to you as a Western Digital customer. A simple card listing out the software packages, basic purpose, and location would have been enough. It is not much of an ask for software freely available on WD’s web page.
Software:
There is no software in the box. Where is it? Here: https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?lang=en&i
If you want to replace your current drive, then you will need to clone it. Download Acronis True Image WD Edition. It is the first package in the list. You will need to connect your new hard drive to the computer. You can either do this by connecting it to the computer by the SATA hard drive case that connects over USB or, if it is a desktop computer, then connect it by a SATA cable to an empty SATA port on the computer’s motherboard. Run the software and follow the directions.
I also downloaded the WD Discovery software for Windows. Don’t waste your time. This package cannot detect this SSD regardless of how it is connected to your computer. This also means that any utilities that WD has bundled into their suite of products are not available for this drive. Again, this is disappointing and needs to be addressed by WD.
Speed:
This is not the fastest drive on the market. However, if you are replacing a mechanical hard drive with this then you will see an instant boost in system performance. If you want a good combination of speed and capacity, then you will want to do your research and pick what works best for you. Or, if your system will support it, pick up an NVMe drive. If you simply want to breath new life into an old laptop or desktop computer, then this drive will definitely do this for you.
Uses:
External drive enclosure with a USB 3/3.1 port will give you close to SATA speeds.
Internal for an older laptop that allows hard drive replacement and supports a SATA interface. Laptops can present a special challenge for upgrades so gauge your own comfort level with working on your laptop before engaging in this activity.
Desktop computer with available SATA port with cable.
Internal for an older laptop that allows hard drive replacement and supports a SATA interface. Laptops can present a special challenge for upgrades so gauge your own comfort level with working on your laptop before engaging in this activity.
Desktop computer with available SATA port with cable.
The drive does do exactly what it is supposed to do. I am disappointed with the lack of documentation. It is not a big effort to simply document where to get Arconis so that you can clone your drive. WD could have printed it on the box! WD’s own home-grown utilities won’t recognize this drive. That is a downright oversite! Performance is okay but nothing to brag about. I have older SSD that post better performance numbers than this drive. So, no, I cannot give this drive five stars.
Sorry WD, I cannot recommend this product until you improve your documenation for your retail customers!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Mobile Submission: False
+2points
5out of 8found this review helpful.
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ITJim's Questions
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JBL - FREE True Wireless In-Ear Headphones Gen 2 - Black
Perceive every detail of your music with this pair of JBL wireless headphones. The 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response lets you enjoy the full range of sound, while the in-line microphone provides an effortless switch to hands-free calls. Featuring 5.6mm dynamic drivers, these JBL wireless headphones supply rich, resonant bass for your enjoyment.
Are these noise cancelling for gyms that play really loud music?
No, they are not noise cancelling. They do come with three silicon ear canal adapters: small, medium, and Large. You can block out some sound if you use a connector that fits snuggly in the ear canal. This will muffle and not canceling outside noise.
6 years, 5 months ago
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Posted by:
ITJim
Acer - Nitro 5 15.6" Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 560X - 1TB Hard Drive
Enjoy engaging simulations and immersive visuals with this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Radeon graphics card offers 4GB of dedicated video memory for efficient rendering performance, and the 2.GHz AMD Ryzen processor and 8GB of RAM provide ample computing power. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has a 1TB hard drive for your collection.
Not computer savvy. Love playing games but also surfing the web and photos. Just looking for a "standalone" that I can take anywhere...outside or in my room with no wires and connections. Is this good for that? And can I connect to a printer? Thanks!
If I understand you correctly, you want to know if you can surf the web, view photos, and connect to a wireless printer. Correct?
You can use this computer to surf the web, view photos, and connect to a wireless printer. You will need to a wireless network, of some kind, in order to surf the web without a wired connection. The printer could be connected to your wireless network or you could connect over bluetooth. It depends on your printer. My Acer Nitro 5 is connected wirelessly to my network, the internet, and my printer. If you are unsure of how to setup a wireless network, connect your laptop, or connect wirelessly to your printer, then I you will want to speak with your local Best Buy Geek Squad representative. They should be able to get you going. Hope this helps!
You can use this computer to surf the web, view photos, and connect to a wireless printer. You will need to a wireless network, of some kind, in order to surf the web without a wired connection. The printer could be connected to your wireless network or you could connect over bluetooth. It depends on your printer. My Acer Nitro 5 is connected wirelessly to my network, the internet, and my printer. If you are unsure of how to setup a wireless network, connect your laptop, or connect wirelessly to your printer, then I you will want to speak with your local Best Buy Geek Squad representative. They should be able to get you going. Hope this helps!
6 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
ITJim
Envy x360 2-in-1 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - HP Finish In Dark Ash Silver
Optimize your productivity and entertainment experience with this 15.6-inch HP Envy convertible laptop. Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth performance, and its AMD Radeon graphics loads stunning gaming visuals. This HP Envy convertible laptop has 1TB of storage, and its Windows Ink feature lets you work with a digital pen. Learn more.
What is the full name of the cpu?
The CPU is a Ryzen 5 2500u. It is a four core, eight thread CPU with integrated Vega Graphics in a 15W TDP. You can find more information from AMD's website here: https://www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-5-2500u
7 years, 6 months ago
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Posted by:
ITJim
Envy x360 2-in-1 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - HP Finish In Dark Ash Silver
Optimize your productivity and entertainment experience with this 15.6-inch HP Envy convertible laptop. Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth performance, and its AMD Radeon graphics loads stunning gaming visuals. This HP Envy convertible laptop has 1TB of storage, and its Windows Ink feature lets you work with a digital pen. Learn more.
Does this laptop have a display port?
No. It has an HDMI output and a USB C connector that can do video with the right connector. Do a search on BB's site for: USB C to display port. There are several options listed.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
ITJim
Pioneer - 980W 7.2-Ch. Network-Ready 4K Ultra HD and 3D Pass-Through A/V Home Theater Receiver - Black
Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation Connect to a range of Web-based music services via this Pioneer Elite VSX-44 receiver's built-in Ethernet LAN. Includes HDMI 4K Ultra HD and 3D pass-through technologies for compatibility with 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles and 4K Ultra HD TVs.
What sub woofer matches up well with Pioneer Elite VSX-44?
That really depends on your other speakers and your room. I'm using the ESW-C10 with B&W 685 Bookshelf speakers and couldn't be happier with the arrangement. The ESW-C10 is a bit big for my small room so I keep the volume turned down but it does a great job shaking the room during movies and mixes well with any music or TV programs I've thrown at them.
10 years, 4 months ago
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Posted by:
ITJim
from
Maine
Microsoft - Surface - 32GB - Black
Microsoft Surface Tablet: Do more on the go with the productivity of a laptop in the compact size of a tablet. Create documents with Microsoft Office RT, sync files between Windows devices and video chat with friends and family. The built-in kickstand props up your tablet at just the right angle for easy viewing.
do i have to get a network package to buy the surface?
ive been told i need to buy a network plan with a monthly charge. Or can i just use wifi?
No Surface product has native support for a Cell carrier such as ATT, Sprint, etc.... All you have is WiFi. If you have internet in your home with a WiFi router or some other device to server your WiFi enabled devices, then you have everything you need. Just make sure your connection is password protected and encrypted. You can also turn off the WiFi on the tablet, Airplane mode, and use it offline. I hope that answers your question.
11 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
ITJim
from
Maine
Microsoft - Surface - 32GB - Black
Microsoft Surface Tablet: Do more on the go with the productivity of a laptop in the compact size of a tablet. Create documents with Microsoft Office RT, sync files between Windows devices and video chat with friends and family. The built-in kickstand props up your tablet at just the right angle for easy viewing.
Can I download PFD files from Internet Explorer to the Microsoft Surface RT?
Can I download PFD files from Internet Explorer to the Microsoft Surface RT, then view them without internet connection?
Yes you can. First go to the Microsoft Store and pick up the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader application. Then you can open PDFs from your flash drive, desktop, network locations, or even the web. Do keep in mind that your ability to open some PDFs from the web is also dependent upon the source of your PDFs. Finally, the surface, as I have experienced with most tablets, do have a difficult time with very large PDF files sizes and very complex PDFs. This is typically an issue with the small amount of RAM you have on a tablet as compared to a modern PC. (2GB on Surface RT and up to 64 GB on a PC). The amount of RAM does make a difference.
11 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
ITJim
from
Maine
Samsung - Galaxy Note 2014 Edition - 10.1" - 16GB - Black
Samsung Galaxy Note 2014 Edition - 10.1" - 16GB: This sleek, stylish tablet comes with a 10.1" Full HD touch screen to display movies, Web sites and more with impressive visual fidelity. The included S Pen is pressure sensitive and allows you to draw, write, edit and more as easily as if you were using a real pen.
Syncing with a Windows 7 Laptop.
Will this version of Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition be able to sync with my laptop and thus allow me to control it from the laptop, like the Samsung Tab 2 allows? This also mean I would be able to view content like pics and music from my laptop to my tablet and vice or verser.
I've found that the Galaxy 2014 edition doesn't sync well with anything. Or I haven't found the app or the feature or the best kept secret desktop app that will allow it. I'm thinking of something like iTunes that will sync everything for me and backup my device.
I have found a few work arounds the may interest you.
1) You can upload all of your photos and files to an SD card. You can then move the SD card between the computer and the tablet. Kind of 10 years go I know but there you go.
2) You can plug your tablet directly into the laptop with the USB cable that is connected to your power cord. Then you can easily move items between the tablet and your Laptop using the very useful Windows Explorer App. Thank you Microsoft.
3) If you want to take control of your laptop from your tablet then you can download another nifty Microsoft tool called Microsoft Remote Desktop. You will also have to allow remote connections in Windows on our laptop to make this work. I've already taken over my desktop to edit photos from my tablet. It works very well. However, there is no pinch and zoom. So if you can't read a word when you pull it up on the screen then there isn't anything you are going to do about it. There are other remote desktop apps that may give you additional features. X2 is one I used for my Ipad and is also available on Google Play.
4)Laptop taking control of the Tablet? I haven't heard anything about this. I do know, however, that Samsung saved all the best software for this own devices. Sync easily between your Samsung laptop and your device. However, this is only software and Samsung could be a hero and release it to the rest of their paying customers. I've seen the Samsung Laptops. I won't be buying one anytime soon.
I have found a few work arounds the may interest you.
1) You can upload all of your photos and files to an SD card. You can then move the SD card between the computer and the tablet. Kind of 10 years go I know but there you go.
2) You can plug your tablet directly into the laptop with the USB cable that is connected to your power cord. Then you can easily move items between the tablet and your Laptop using the very useful Windows Explorer App. Thank you Microsoft.
3) If you want to take control of your laptop from your tablet then you can download another nifty Microsoft tool called Microsoft Remote Desktop. You will also have to allow remote connections in Windows on our laptop to make this work. I've already taken over my desktop to edit photos from my tablet. It works very well. However, there is no pinch and zoom. So if you can't read a word when you pull it up on the screen then there isn't anything you are going to do about it. There are other remote desktop apps that may give you additional features. X2 is one I used for my Ipad and is also available on Google Play.
4)Laptop taking control of the Tablet? I haven't heard anything about this. I do know, however, that Samsung saved all the best software for this own devices. Sync easily between your Samsung laptop and your device. However, this is only software and Samsung could be a hero and release it to the rest of their paying customers. I've seen the Samsung Laptops. I won't be buying one anytime soon.
11 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
ITJim
from
Maine