bredeker
bredeker's Stats
- Review Count70
- Helpfulness Votes62
- First ReviewFebruary 21, 2014
- Last ReviewMay 18, 2025
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.7
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentNone
- Last Review CommentNone
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count4
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First AnswerFebruary 22, 2014
- Last AnswerOctober 26, 2016
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers0
Belkin - Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - Black
Organize needed peripherals with this Belkin Thunderbolt 3 DOCK MINI. The two HDMI ports support 4K monitors, while the two USB ports let you link a mouse, keyboard and other devices. Connect to a router for high-speed Internet using the Ethernet port. This Belkin Thunderbolt 3 DOCK MINI works with Windows and Mac devices for increased compatibility, and the thin aluminum body is both durable and portable.
Nice, compact Thunderbolt 3 dock
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on July 11, 2019
Belkin's mini Thunderbolt 3 dock is a good-looking and convenient way to break out a Thunderbolt 3 port into a selection of the most common other ports. It gives you 2 HDMI and 2 USB type A ports (though, somewhat unusually, only one supports USB 3), plus a wired Ethernet port. More expensive, desktop-oriented docks will typically have more ports than this, but for a simple set-up this dock is sufficient (and certainly smaller and easier to carry around).
(Full disclosure: Belkin provided this unit for me to review and provide my honest opinion.)
On first impression, the design of this dock fits right in with a "Space Gray" MacBook Pro. (It would be no surprise if this was Belkin's primary target audience for this product, as traveling with adapters is nearly a requirement.) The dock has a short Thunderbolt 3 cable for upstream connectivity; this cable is not removable in order to replace with a longer one, but it seems reasonably sized for this dock's purpose. It feels sturdy, including good strain reliefs, so it seems like it will stand up to normal wear-and-tear from traveling.
I can attest that the HDMI ports support 4K displays at a 60 Hz with no issues. This is pretty much expected for any Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI adapter nowadays, but nice to confirm anyway. The USB port selection seems a little unusual, as it sports one USB 2 and one USB 3 port (rather than two USB 3 ports). The USB 3 port is only a 5.0 Gbps port (aka USB 3.1 Gen 1). It worked fine with an external SanDisk USB 3 SSD, but did not provide enough power for an external USB 3 Blu-ray drive to spin up and read a disc. (The latter works fine when plugged directly into a Thunderbolt 3 port on the computer). I noticed no issues with the Gigabit Ethernet connection.
This dock has a few small shortcomings that Belkin can hopefully address in new models - but from my research, the current competition isn't really any farther ahead of Belkin's dock in these areas. I think replacing the USB 2 port with another USB 3 port would be a nice improvement, and it would be great if they could support at least 10 Gbps USB 3.1 while they're at it. I personally wouldn't mind if Belkin added an additional USB port, for a type C connector. And finally, it would be especially nice to support power pass-through on the USB type C connector from a USB Power Delivery charger - then, I could opt to plug my laptop charger into the dock, and have only a single wire from the dock going to my computer's Thunderbolt 3 port.
All-in-all, however, my complaints detract little from the overall quality.. This dock has a nice fit-and-finish, works well where it counts, and provides a convenient set of ports while minimizing how many separate dongles are required for a Thunderbolt 3 computer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Share this review:
LG - 27UL600-W 27" IPS LED 4K UHD FreeSync Monitor with HDR (DisplayPort, HDMI)
Enjoy a stunning LED display with this 27-inch LG monitor. The 4K UHD resolution and VESA DisplayHDR deliver vivid scenes to keep you captivated by your favorite shows and movies, and IPS technology maintains consistent colors at various viewing angles. This LG monitor's Radeon FreeSync matches your graphics card's frame rate for a stutter-free experience.
Impressive SDR picture (so-so HDR)
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on July 3, 2019
LG's 27UL600-W monitor is a crisp, clear display with excellent brightness and viewing angles. (Full disclosure: the unit that I am reviewing here was provided by LG in exchange for my honest opinion.) I've found it to be a pleasure to use as my main computer display for about a week. The inclusion of DisplayHDR 400 support is nice, but the "standard dynamic range" (SDR) picture quality is the real reason for which I would recommend this display.
I found the small amount of required assembly (for the stand) to be trivial. It is worth noting that the included monitor stand, while very easy to assembly, also has a very limited range of motion. The stand mounts to a slightly protruding mounting point at the rear bottom edge. The stand itself is fixed height and does not rotate, but does tilt forward and backwards by a small amount. The limited out-of-the-box ergonomics are a touch disappointing, but the monitor also includes common VESA 100 mounting holes for a wall or desk mount. After trying the included stand, I attached the monitor to a gas-spring desk mount suitable for monitors up to 27". Although the protruding mounting point for the included desk stand did not seem to be removable, it also didn't hinder using it with my articulating desk mount.
The monitor has a typical assortment of ports - 1 DisplayPort (1.4) and 2 HDMI (2.0) connections. These are pretty much the latest and greatest standards for display connection, and if you want to get the best picture quality, you'll also need to make sure any adapters or cables you plan to use are capable of 4K at 60 Hz. LG does include both a DisplayPort and HDMI cable in the box that they guarantee will support the full resolution and fastest 60 Hz refresh rate, but you may still need an adapter for Mini DisplayPort or USB-C if your computer happens to use those connectors. My one frustration during set-up turned out to be the fault of an HDMI adapter that did not support 4k at 60 Hz; on my MacBook Pro, I was unable to switch to any scaled Retina resolutions. Since a DisplayPort connection to the same computer showed those modes, I suspected the HDMI adapter and confirmed it was the culprit by purchasing a new, name-brand USB-C to HDMI adapter. All expected modes were available with the new adapter in place. So, I guess take it from me, especially if you're a Mac user: double-check your adapter compatibility. Of course, this is hardly a problem I can fault LG for, as every 4K 60 Hz monitor has the same issue. To LG's credit, the supplied cables seem to be good quality and work just fine for me.
Once mounted and connected, the 27UL600 "just worked" for me without needing to directly install any drivers. LG does include a pair of utility programs that you can elect to install: OnScreen Control, and Dual Controller. The former provides access to monitor settings without needing to use the monitor's physical, joystick-like controller; the latter allows for remote-control of a second PC over your network. I personally found neither to be essential, though the OnScreen Control does offer quick access to picture adjustments plus per-application display settings. Dual Controller could be a handy tool for some users, but I prefer using a HDMI 2.0 KVM switch for controlling multiple PCs in my home office. (By the way, this monitor had no noticeable issues working with the KVM switch).
The picture quality of the 27UL600 strikes me as among the best of any monitor I've used (if not the best). Certainly, the 4K resolution helps in that regard (this is the first 4K display I've used with a personal computer). The screen is also nice and bright. I felt the default color settings were balanced and good looking. It's not an OLED display, so anyone looking for deep blacks won't find that here. (Since this monitor only supports DisplayHDR 400, it does not have local backlight dimming for portions of the screen.) The backlight appeared very uniform to me, with no light leak around the edges. Viewing angles are excellent, due to the IPS technology. The HDR support was unfortunately not additionally impressive beyond the already good SDR picture - neither in streaming HDR sample videos nor in the one PC video game I own that supports HDR. Again, this is not too surprising to me, as DisplayHDR 400 is only the most basic HDR spec. But don't get me wrong - I'd rather have the support for it than not.
About the only feature I missed on the 27UL600-W (compared with other monitors I've used) is a built-in USB hub. However, this does not detract from my overall impression of the product.
I think using this 4K display has really spoiled me. It looks great to me, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The downsides are relatively inconsequential in my eyes: the included stand is a little basic (though LG makes sibling models with an adjustable height base) and implementation of a more advanced spec of DisplayHDR would probably have made the HDR support "pop" a bit more. I've had good experience with all of the LG LCD panels I've owned and used in the past, and this one has been no exception so far. For the price, I think this is a very good display to consider.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
0points
1out of 2found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Belkin - Boost Up Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone® and Apple Watch - White
Enjoy wireless device charging with this versatile Belkin BOOST UP charging dock. A 7.5W charging pad rapidly powers up a variety of iPhones, while a 5W magnetic charging module does the same for your Apple watch. This Belkin BOOST UP charging dock features a 5W USB-A port for charging compatible devices and comes with a compact AC adapter for quick installation.
Good-looking, convenient multi-iDevice charging
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on May 27, 2019
This is a well-designed charging stand for anyone with the combination of devices that it targets (an Apple Watch and iPhone 8 or newer). The wireless phone charger part of the stand should work with any Qi-compatible device, including non-Apple devices. (Full disclosure: I was provided with one in exchange for this honest review.)
It's nicely weighted and doesn't slide around when I place my devices on it. I have to admit, it does not save a large amount of space on my nightstand compared to what I was using before (a generic Qi charging pad and the standard Apple Watch charging cable). However, having both anchored to the base is really worth it to me. (Especially to reduce fumbling for the watch charger at night!) The upright viewing position is handy to get a quick time check.
The wireless charging works great in my experience. I have had no difficulty in getting the devices aligned properly with the charging coils. It supports the highest charging power that my phone does, though I typically just use it during the night.
There are a couple of drawbacks to mention. Both are reasonably minor, but perhaps Belkin will improve on them in a future iteration.
The least significant issue is that the Apple Watch must be oriented with the buttons up, or they'll hit the base and prevent it from centering properly on the wireless charging coil. A shallow groove placed strategically in the base seems like it might have allowed users to place the watch in either orientation. But overall, this is not really a problem.
Slightly more disappointing to me, however, was the fact that the USB port on the rear edge only supports a max of 1A charging. I would really have liked to see a 2.4A port here to support the fastest iPad charging. (Belkin could have really scored bonus points if they also had a USB-C port with Power Delivery on this.) For devices smaller than a tablet, it's not a bid drawback. Since I typically only use this stand for charging overnight, I don't mind the slower charging for my iPad much. But it could be consideration if you're looking for a dock that you might frequently want for faster top-offs.
In the end, this is good charging stand that looks and works great with Apple devices. (And non-Apple devices too.) The lack of a USB port that can charge an iPad at full speed prevents me from calling it completely perfect, but it's still a very nice product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Microwaving has evolved! When it comes to everything you expect in a microwave, nothing compares with the defrosting, cooking, and reheating capability of the new Cyclonic Wave. At every temperature level, Cyclonic Wave circulates heat in precision, ultra-efficient 3D waves for easier, more versatile food preparation, even with denser, more complex food textures. This exceptional microwave also includes patented Inverter Technology. Unlike traditional microwaves that rely on pulse-on, pulse-off power at lower temperatures, Inverter Technology delivers a constant stream of cooking power at every temperature. The result? More evenly cooked meals — edges to centers — every time. Put together, Cyclonic Wave with Inverter Technology provides the fastest, most efficient way to enjoy perfectly prepared snacks, sides, and meals across a broader range of cooking techniques, while also maintaining more of the natural nutrients and flavor you want. It's the ultimate combination by Panasonic!
Unfamiliar controls, but performs well
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on February 4, 2019
(Panasonic provided this unit in exchange for an honest review.)
I've had a very reliable Panasonic microwave for the last 18 years. It's basic, and still works as well as ever. Its "smart" features (popcorn, defrost, etc.) are simplistic and don't work that great - but it's very easy to punch in the power levels and times from recommended instructions and cook something quickly.
Panasonic's Genius Prestige Plus was an intriguing upgrade. It offers not only a more sophisticated system ("Cyclonic Wave" technology) for more even cooking, but a wealth of smart presets that cover just about any food you might want to microwave. After several weeks of use, I think it delivers on both promises. Unfortunately, the interface's focus on automatic presets means there's a lengthy learning curve.
Unlike my previous microwave (and the microwaves that most people are using, from what I've observed), the Genius Prestige Plus interface eschews the traditional number pad used for direct entry of cooking times and power levels. Instead, it has a number of buttons to choose modes of operation, which you often press one or more times to choose sub-modes or power levels. There is a button to quickly add 30 second time increments, and a bar with +/- buttons to add smaller increments. The buttons are all touch driven and the panel seems to be capacitive, like a smartphone screen (in fact, the +/- buttons are on a bar that can be operated like a slider). The controls are all very responsive, and feel very modern.
Unfortunately, this is also the most problematic part of this microwave for my wife and me. Due to the wealth of cooking settings, it's often time-consuming to find a useful preset. The microwave does helpfully scroll some descriptive text if you pause after making a selection, which helps with feature discovery, but my wife and I have found it faster to keep the manual next to this microwave ever since getting it. In time, we expect we'll learn where the options are and be far more efficient with the interface. (To be fair, the interface does respond quickly and fluidly once you know exactly what to press.) Of course, that won't help future guests of ours that may want to use our microwave - thankfully, that's not a significant concern for us.
Manual time entry is the most frustrating aspect, for the times where you may want to cook according to package instructions rather than relying on one of the presets. There are two general ways to change the time - the 30 second increment button, or the +/- bar. The former allows time be added fairly rapidly, and you can stop exactly near your desired time. The latter allows finer increments to be made one at a time, or to be added rapidly by either "long pressing" the + or - buttons or dragging your finger on the slider part of the bar. Oddly (and most frustratingly), these time entry methods are exclusive. If you start using the 30 sec increments the +/- bar will be disabled, and vice versa. This prevents the operator from quickly adding time with 30 second increments and then fine-tuning with +/-. Instead, you must settle for times that are multiples of 30 seconds, or else press-and-hold and try to release at just the right time on the +/- bar. This results in time entry that seems so much slower than direct entry using a number pad An additional minor quibble is that, above one minute of total time, the microwave restricts the operator to 10-second increments. Therefore, if you want to enter 1 minute and 45 seconds of time, you'll need to pick either 1:40 or 1:50. (And, if you use the 30 second increments, either 1:30 or 2:00.) This aspect of the Genius Prestige Plus really reinforces the feeling that Panasonic wants you to rely on their built-in cooking settings… which again, will take quite a bit of time for each operator to memorize the layout.
Well, that's enough negativity… on the positive side, neither my wife nor I has had any complaints about how well this microwave cooks. (Or, as the case may be, does *not* cook when we're softening/melting/defrosting.) Food heated in this microwave seems to be heated pretty uniformly, which is one of the benefits touted by the Panasonic Cyclonic Wave feature. Thus far, we haven't had reason to doubt Panasonic's claims for the benefits of this. Not all of the presets have been "set-and-forget" (for instance, the frozen entree setting didn't work well with an entree that produced little steam for it to detect, and I had to manually stop it to prevent over-cooking), but overall most have worked very well. The particular unit I'm reviewing has plenty of power for common tasks. It's not particularly noisy, and the mechanics (such as the door latch and push button) all feel solid and satisfying.
My wife and I are very pleased with the performance of this microwave, but find the interface to be cumbersome. We're optimistic we'll learn to use it more efficiently, but it's difficult to recommend an appliance like this without fair warning about the learning curve. Should you feel up to learning the Genius Prestige Plus' interface, I think you will be pleased with the actual performance of it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Mobile Submission: False
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Linksys - Velop AC1300 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 5 System (3 Pack) - White
Velop with Intelligent Mesh™ Technology is an award-winning family mesh Wi-Fi system created to work seamlessly together. Mix and match nodes with different speeds to modify performance or interchange colors to coordinate with your home style. Regardless of shape, size, or wherever your Internet comes in, Velop can be customized to your home. Which makes it easy to add more nodes as your home and family expand. Unlike traditional routers with range extenders, each node provides a powerful Wi-Fi signal throughout your entire home. It continuously self-organizes and optimizes to find the fastest path to the Internet for seamless Wi-Fi everywhere. Individual nodes may be connected wirelessly or by Ethernet for fast, reliable connection. This is an ultrasimple and powerful system that uses only one Wi-Fi network name and password to give you seamless and secure Wi-Fi. And leading-edge security lets you block content and easily pause the Internet for dinner or homework. It works with all Internet service provider supplied equipment and speeds, and its simple app-based setup will get you up and running in minutes.
Easily cover your home with WiFI
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on November 9, 2018
(I was provided this 3-unit Velop kit for review.)
For anyone struggling to cover all areas of a home with a reliable WiFi signal, I cannot recommend enough a "whole home WiFi" system, like the Linksys Velop. I've set up and used a few of these systems, and while they've all worked well, the Velop has a few unique features. I will mostly compare it to my normal WiFi system (a 2-node Netgear Orbi).
First off, let me mention a bit about the Velop hardware itself. Linksys has a few types of Velop nodes. The biggest difference is between their dual-band and tri-band nodes. This kit consists of 3 dual-band nodes. The tri-band nodes are technically better, but you will need devices that support the most advanced 802.11ac features to get all of the benefits. In practice, it's uncommon for most people to have many - if any - such devices, so you're not losing much with these dual-band devices. This dual-band kit represents a pretty good price/performance value in that regard. (The higher-end models can still theoretically provide a more reliable signal, and may be more future-proofed.) It should be possible to replace, or add on to, the nodes in this kit with piecemeal tri-band nodes in the future if you're considering a future upgrade path should dual-band not satisfy your needs.
Compared to the Orbi system, these dual-band Velop nodes are significantly more compact. I am able to locate one of my nodes in a better place than the Orbi node it replaces due to this. The smaller form factor could be partly obtainable because the Velop nodes each have only 2 Ethernet ports, which doesn't quite match the Orbi (which has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports, depending on whether a node is a router or satellite). Personally, I did not need more than 2 per node. Speaking of Ethernet, the Velop system supports inter-node communication over Ethernet ("Ethernet backhaul") if you are able to physically connect them. Netgear added this feature to Orbi fairly recently, so it's no longer a standout feature of the Velop, but nice to have nonetheless. That said, the Orbi was definitely fussier about how the ports needed to be connected to each other and my other networking equipment, so I'd still give the Velop a small advantage here. Depending on whether you can take advantage of Ethernet backhaul or not also really determines the practical advantages of some other differences between the dual-band Velop and Orbi.
One of biggest differences between these dual-band Velop nodes and Orbi nodes is that Orbi is a tri-band system. Unlike the higher-end tri-band Velop, however, the Orbi dedicates the third radio to inter-node communication. If you're using the Ethernet backhaul, this third radio is unused on the Orbi and there's really no advantage over the Velop. On the other hand, if you cannot physically connect all your WiFi nodes with Ethernet, then the Orbi's third radio gives it an advantage as it will do inter-node communication with that radio and keep the other two dedicated to WiFi communication with your wireless devices. The dual-band Velop, in contrast, would have to congest the WiFi traffic with node communication (and be a reason to consider a tri-band Velop system in this situation).
The Velop system, both dual- and tri-band, is a true mesh-network system, where the nodes act as peers of each other and can talk to each other to chain the WiFi signal in the best manner possible. In contrast, the Orbi has specialized router and satellite units, and the satellites must talk directly to the router, so centralized placement of the router unit is key. This is an advantage for the Velop, though less so if you're using Ethernet backhaul. Even in that case, Velop may provide more seamless WiFi handoff between nodes (though that is not a problem I've had with my Orbi system).
As far as the user experience with Velop goes, beginning with set-up, it was all quite easy. Linksys recommends using their smartphone app for this, which is what I did (iOS version). I found the step-by-step instructions to be quite clear. Each node does take several minutes to start up and be discovered by the app, but once "joined" I had no issues shutting them down and moving them to their final locations where they reconnected seamlessly after turning them back on. Other systems had similarly easy set-up, in my opinion, but the Velop certainly does it just as well as any of the competing products I've used.
After set-up, the app also serves as the main management tool. There is not a ton of functionality to manage - it generally "just works". Home-networking nerds might be underwhelmed, but I think for most people this is just fine (and probably even a benefit). There are some rudimentary features when using the Velop as your primary Internet router, such as being able to prioritize traffic from certain devices to guarantee the best network/Internet performance for them. These might be useful, though dedicated routers typically have a much richer feature set in this regard. I switched my system over to bridge mode to integrate my wireless devices with the rest of my home network that's managed by an existing router. Netgear's Orbi did not have a rich set of router features either, so Velop is really no worse in this regard. However, if you're a power-user with a non-bare-bones router, I'd suggest hanging onto it and using Velop in bridge mode just for WiFi.
By the way, although Linksys seems determined to draw attention away from it, the Velop nodes do support local Web-based configuration systems that provide equivalent functionality. I did not try this until after initial set-up, so the app may still be required for that much. But I'm glad to know that I can still do basic management from any computer on my network. (I also registered with Linksys' Smart Wi-Fi remote-management portal, though I'm not sure how often I'll need to remotely change any of the spartan Velop features.)
I tested performance with a variety of devices on both my Orbi-based WiFi as well as the new Velop system and found pretty much identical performance in terms of network transfer speeds (both over Ethernet and WiFi). Of note is that I am using the Ethernet backhaul feature on both systems. Both the Velop and Orbi supported identical feature sets on all my wireless devices (namely, 867 Mbps theoretical 802.11ac speeds).
Personally, my favorite feature of the Velop over the Orbi was its more compact size. For my usage, the systems are otherwise virtually identical in performance, with the Velop providing additional flexibility to increase WiFi coverage due to its third included node. If I was not using Ethernet backhaul, I would prefer and recommend the Orbi system, all else being equal. However, since this Velop 3-pack generally sells for a bit less and comes with 1 additional node, it seem like a very reasonable decision to save a bit of money if you value broader WiFi coverage rather than absolute best theoretical WiFi speeds for your devices.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
Share this review:
MX Vertical is an advanced ergonomic mouse that combines science-driven design with the elevated performance of Logitech’s MX series. The natural handshake position of MX Vertical reduces wrist pressure and forearm strain. The unique 57° vertical angle has been optimized for an ergonomic posture without compromising a pixel of performance. MX Vertical features a 4000 DPI high-precision sensor, resulting in 4x less hand movement and reducing fatigue. And the cursor speed switch allows you to instantly adjust DPI speed and accuracy with the touch of a button. MX Vertical stays powered for up to four months on a full charge – and gets three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge.
Logitech quality and features in a new form
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on October 30, 2018
Logitech was gracious enough to provide one of their new MX Vertical mice for me to review. I've spent over a week using it as my daily mouse, and I consider it to be another solid mouse from Logitech. Ultimately, I think the new (for Logitech) form factor is its greatest strength and weakness.
Clearly, the form factor of this mouse is its selling point amongst Logitech's fleet of input devices. It takes the guts of their high quality MX Master and puts it into a vertically-oriented mouse body - yes, the buttons are now on the right side. In turn, this leaves your hand in a more natural, handshake-like position while using the MX Vertical. The shape feels a bit reminiscent to me of some of Logitech's older trackball designs, and like trackballs, the ergonomic argument for using the MX Vertical is strong. I found it much easier to adapt to a slightly different mouse grip, however, than I ever found it to use a desktop trackball. I think many people are going to find this form to be a nice middle ground.
All of the nice features of the MX line are here. It can pair with up to 3 computers, and Logitech's software even allows you to switch your active Logitech input devices between multiple computers that you may have side-by-side on your desktop. This isn't something I've utilized yet, but it is an interesting feature to have. I have used the multi-computer pairing, though, and it works perfectly for me. On top of that, the device has a high quality finish, and the mechanical aspects (buttons and scroll wheel) feel very nice. In the last year, I did have a Logitech mouse's scroll wheel begin to behave erratically. That mouse was not in the MX series, so I'm cautiously optimistic the hardware is a step up on this mouse, but I'll be keeping an eye on it.
The battery life is perfectly fine. I only charged it once since opening it (didn't even full-charge it out of the box and got several days usage from it). The mouse actually has a USB-C port on it rather than the USB micro-B port Logitech has generally used until now. It comes with a USB A-to-C cable for charging (and to use the mouse while charging). This won't help anyone who only has USB-C ports, though that's fairly rare to see yet. I do commend Logitech on future-proofing the connector choice.
While I overall am pleased with the form factor, I did observe a few downsides - none of which are serious, or to which I'm not adapting. First, it makes the mouse considerable taller than a standard one. One of my desks has a sliding keyboard tray, and this mouse was too big to fit on top of the tray when pushed into the desk. The mouse surface area also feels somewhat bigger than a traditional one, perhaps just due to the alignment and not having as much of a flat surface to rest my hand on. Last, and probably the most significantly for me, is that pressing on the side of the mouse to click (rather than the top) produces a lateral force that often shifts the pointer every so slightly. This sometimes causes the computer operating system to interpret a double click as two separate clicks with a small amount of movement in between. I've gotten better at avoiding this, but it still happens for me. A traditional top-button mouse produces downward force that if anything helps pin the mouse in place. I might be able to adjust the mouse sensitivity for this, but it would be nice feature if the Logitech software could help specifically dampen sensitivity to these slight movements.
Overall, I'm calling this mouse very good. I think the form factor may not be everyone's preference; if you already experience discomfort or fatigue from mouse use, though, I think it's definitely worth trying the form of this mouse in a store. If it's more comfortable for you, it is probably easily worth the missing star to be a 5/5. For everyone else, it's a fine mouse with only minor quirks due to the form factor. I'd recommend anyone curious about it try it in person before committing to a fairly hefty purchase, but it is worth a look for anyone dissatisfied with traditional mouse shapes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Ninja - Foodi TenderCrisp 6.52qt Digital Pressure Cooker - Black
Ninja Foodi's TenderCrisp pressure cooker allows you to achieve all the quick cooking and tenderizing wonders that you love about pressure cookers. The Foodi's Crisping Lid allows you to air fry, bake/roast, and broil. That means you can give your tender, juicy pressure-cooked meals a golden, crispy finish. The secret is TenderCrisp Technology, which produces the perfect combination of heat, fan velocity, and air circulation to give your food even crisping from top to bottom.
Versatile and easy to use
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on October 15, 2018
(I was provided this Foodi pressure cooker/air fryer in exchange for this honest review.)
My wife and I have used this Foodi several times in the past week, and were quite happy with it. It was very versatile, as it has both pressure cooker and air frying modes. It did a fine job in both modes. My wife appreciated how easy it was to use, and also that it readily exposed control over time and temperature (rather than direct most operation through simple presets). The hardware is sturdy and easy to assemble in different configurations. We agreed that it would have been a nice item for our wedding registry (had it been out at the time) due to its versatility.
As a pressure cooker, it was absolutely uneventful. It did the job quickly for us, and the food was well done. It holds more than the previous pressure cooker we used, and the included rack worked nicely for cooking multiple things at once. As with any pressure cooker, this is convenient to have for making fast meals on a busy day.
We also tried the air fryer mode. It definitely produced a crispy exterior when we followed the time and temperature guidelines on the food packaging (as recommended by the Foodi manual). In fact, although the food was still very tasty, we plan to experiment with decreasing the time or temperature a bit next time to reduce the crispiness slightly. It's a great option to have without needing to buy and store a dedicated fryer.
Cleanup was very easy as the interior components can be removed and washed. No dirtying of multiple pots and pans (and avoiding heating up the stove-top or oven would be nice for hot summer months).
The only downside worth mentioning is that the Foodi does take up its fair share of counter space. If you have a small kitchen like we do, you'll definitely be storing it away between uses. Of course, when considering its cooking volume and versatility, it's very hard to call this a fault of the device. It's certainly more compact overall than having a separate pressure cooker and air fryer.
We're looking forward to using the Foodi more, and really like the concept and execution Ninja has gone for with this device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Share this review:
High Performance Computer and Electronics UPS for Premium Power ProtectionThe Back-UPS Pro family offers guaranteed power protection for high performance computer systems, routers/modems, external storage devices, game consoles and other electronics in your home or business. These UPSs supply electronics with abundant battery backup during outages and stabilize unsafe voltage levels. They also provide power protection from damaging surges and spikes, and allow the use of management software so you get the most out of your UPS. Premium features of this family may include Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), an LCD display, Smart Outlets, energy saving functions that reduce electricity use, network manageability, Watchdog, or configurable outlets. Together with the rest of the Back-UPS Pro's standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep your system available.
Quality, high-power UPS
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on September 18, 2018
I was provided this unit for review, and it completely met my expectations. I use two older, less powerful APC uninterruptible power supplies regularly at home. They've worked reliably during power outages, and are both well supported out-of-the-box by the desktops and home servers I've used them with. The Back-UPS 1350VA raise the bar in terms of features (power output and number of outlets for connected devices, in addition to a nice information display) while retaining the reliability and ease of connection.
A UPS is not a glamorous device, but is expected to be reliable. APC's products have a solid reputation in my mind, and this 1350VA model has given me no reason to expect otherwise. It was easy to get running, and swap in place of a slightly older (and weaker) APC model that I use to help safeguard my home NAS server. No complaints from me here.
In order to placer a higher load on the system, I actually ran two 3D printers from it as well, and unplugged the UPS in the middle of testing. The 1350VA had absolutely no issue running the printers, and neither one missed a beat. The informative LCD display was quite nice for monitoring remaining time and instantaneous power draw figures.
If you're considering a UPS to help safeguard your electronics and/or data, I have no qualms about recommending an APC product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
SanDisk - Extreme Portable SSD 500GB External USB-C Portable SSD
Add this SanDisk portable SSD to your mobile office setup, and enjoy high-speed data transfers. Resistant to water and dust, this device protects your data during travel, and the compact size fits neatly in a briefcase or camera bag. Featuring 500GB of storage, this SanDisk portable SSD is ideal for storing high-resolution pictures and video, providing a convenient way to bring work along.
Fast, compact external USB 3 drive
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on July 13, 2018
(This review reflects my experience with a unit was provided free of charge by SanDisk.)
USB flash drives have been an ubiquitous means of storage for years now. I doubt I am the only one that has accumulated a drawer full of these devices, all with various capacities and speeds. And for the most part, their speed has been adequate since USB 2 was state of the art. I have some that support USB 3 natively, but mostly as a marketing gimmick - in practice, I have not yet had one that was markedly faster than most of my USB 2 drives.
For the most part, I never minded the speeds… but every now and then, I'd have a need to transfer a large number of files, or make a backup while I migrated my primary hard disk. I usually turned to an external mechanical disk drive, or transfer via NAS. However, after using SanDisk's Extreme USB 3 SSD, I can't imagine doing it any other way.
SanDisk's primary goal was to create an external drive that really takes advantage of the full bandwidth of USB 3.1. They benchmark it specifically for USB 3.1 Gen 2. The fastest USB standard any of my computers support is actually only USB 3.1 Gen 1, but out of curiosity, I tested the Extreme SSD anyway with CrystalDiskMark (version 6.0.1). I could not quite achieve the maximum speeds that SanDisk claimed, but this was still an extremely fast drive. I was able to read from the drive at 450 MB/s, and writing was only slightly slower at 445 MB/s. That is dramatically faster than any other external USB drive that I own.
All that speed can certainly come in handy. I used the drive to back up two computers while migrating the boot drives to faster/larger NVMe storage devices. I was able to complete both much faster than if I had used my external mechanical drive (the time it would take was one of the reasons I had put off the drive upgrades). SanDisk highlights the needs of media-producing professionals as a use case for this drive, but it's a god-send for any task that needs to move around a significant amount of data.
The drive has a solid and compact design. It's larger than an ordinary USB drive, but not a great deal larger than a M2 or NVMe internal drive (a little wider and thicker). It has a rubbery, soft-touch finish and a sturdy molded loop for a carrying strap. SanDisk claims IP55 water resistance, though I (fortunately) did not need to put that to the test. And of course, since it's a solid-state device, there's no worry about bumps causing potential mechanical shock to the mechanism.
One of the small details that impressed me was the included cable + adapter for both USB type A and type C support. A short USB cable is included with type C connectors on both ends. This is great, in my opinion, as type C will only become more common in the future. SanDisk thoughtfully included a type C to type A adapter as well. When I ran the CrystalDiskMark benchmark, I ran it multiple times with the drive connected both ways (with just the cable, and with the cable + type A adapter), and achieved virtually identical results. (Suprisingly enough, I saw a 0.5 MB/s better performance using the type A adapter, but that is roughly a 0.1% difference, and certainly within the margin for error in my non-rigorous testing.) One thing that is just slightly disappointing is that the type A adapter has little molded nubs that require the type C cable end to be plugged in with a specific orientation, which somewhat defeats the purpose of type C. It took me a few seconds to realize this; at first I thought the connection was just rather loose because it was not pushed in all the way. (The type C cable works fine in either orientation to an actual type C port, of course.)
All in all, this is a premium external drive that performs exactly as designed. Not everyone will have a need for it, at least not all the time. Anyone who regularly moves large amounts of data, however, will save a ton of time. The inclusion of native type C support helps future proof your investment in the drive as well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Sony - WI-SP500 Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black
Listen for up to eight hours with these comfortable sports-fit Sony wireless headphones. A quick tap on NFC-compatible devices performs Bluetooth setup, and the convenient earpiece-based button and microphone enable hands-free calling. These Sony wireless headphones have open-type drivers, so you can enjoy your music while remaining aware of the surroundings.
Good value wireless earbuds
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: bredeker
from WI
on March 15, 2018
The Sony WI-SP500 earbuds work very well for a comparatively low price. I previously owned a pair of Jaybird wireless earbuds (that cost nearly twice the price of the Sony pair) for use during workouts, but the battery has gotten a bit run down on them. This pair of Sony earbuds hasn't let me down as a replacement.
The operation is very similar to my full-size wireless Sony over-the-ear headphones, with simple voice prompts for operation (like letting you know when you've held the button long enough to enter pairing mode). The sound quality is naturally not as good from the much smaller headphones, but it's just fine for music or following voice commands in a workout app. They allow plenty of sound through to stay aware of your surroundings when outside (but not so much that you can't hear what's playing).
Comfort is pretty good. They feel a bit bulkier than the pair from Jaybird that I'm used to, but not by very much at all. I think they actually managed to stay a bit more securely in my ears. Only two sizes of rubber ear tips are included. The smaller size works for me, but in that regard they are not as customizable as my older pair.
Thus far, the Bluetooth connection has been much more reliable than the old pair. I'm using them primarily with an iPhone, and haven't had a drop-out or disconnection. My old pair would periodically do that in the middle of a workout (though it may have also had to do with the battery charge being low).
Overall, I think these earbuds are comfortable and perform very well, while costing significantly less my last pair did.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
bredeker's Questions
bredeker has not submitted any questions.
bredeker's Answers
Google - Pixel XL 32GB (Verizon)
Add high-end performance to your everyday life with the Google Pixel XL. A quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch LED screen and 32GB of memory ensure this phone is able to handle daily life, and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protects the screen. Easy cloud storage ensures you never run out of space on the Google Pixel XL.
Can u transfer ur songs and photo from ur iPhone to this kind of phone
Yes, the setup wizard lets you do this for songs, videos, photos, and more. (You can limit what you all transfer if you prefer.) I had a few music albums that did not transfer as readable files, but for the most part it worked well. It also kept most of my text message/iMessage history. You will need to turn off encrypted backups to let the Pixel have access to some of this stuff, but the setup process tells you how to do that if needed.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
bredeker
Microsoft - Surface Pro 2 - 256GB - Dark Titanium
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Tablet: More capable than your average tablet but lighter and smaller than a laptop, the Surface Pro 2 features hands-on productivity with the ability to fully support Microsoft Office (sold separately). Multitask with side-by-side apps, prop up your tablet with the built-in kickstand, or connect accessories via the USB and display ports for a work-efficient desktop setup.
When will 256Gb version be available again? As of 05 Feb 2014 not available at Best Buy.
I noticed as of today (05 Feb 2014) that the 256Gb Surface Pro 2 is unavailable at the moment at Best Buy. Any word on when the new ones will roll out? And, will they be equipped with the newer i5-4300u processor (1.9GHz)?
Supply of these still seems to be constrained from Microsoft, so Best Buy is apparently only taking online orders for them yet (at least, none of the brick-and-mortar stores near me have shown availability). Best Buy periodically gets new stock in, so all I can say is keep checking. When they do come in, they sell out fast too. I was lucky enough to get an order in the second time that I saw stock available in January 2014. I can confirm that mine came with the new i5-4300U.
11 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
bredeker
from
WI
Microsoft - Surface Pro 2 - 256GB - Dark Titanium
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Tablet: More capable than your average tablet but lighter and smaller than a laptop, the Surface Pro 2 features hands-on productivity with the ability to fully support Microsoft Office (sold separately). Multitask with side-by-side apps, prop up your tablet with the built-in kickstand, or connect accessories via the USB and display ports for a work-efficient desktop setup.
does this Surface pro 2 256gb ssd 8Gb ram have the new Haswell processor in it ?
does this Surface pro 2 256gb ssd 8Gb ram have the new Haswell processor in it ?
or is this a older model that was in storage ?
cause in the past 2 months they updated the surface pro with the haswell processor .
I wasw wondering it if was the haswell processor is it the quad core one for dual core one ?
or is this a older model that was in storage ?
cause in the past 2 months they updated the surface pro with the haswell processor .
I wasw wondering it if was the haswell processor is it the quad core one for dual core one ?
The Surface Pro 2 models, including the 256 GB/8 GB model, all have dual-core mobile Haswell i5 CPUs. The first ones shipped with Core i5-4200U processors, but around the December 2013 timeframe Microsoft started making them with faster Core i5-4300U processors instead for the same price. If you order a new one it will most likely come with the newer, faster CPU.
11 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
bredeker
from
WI
Microsoft - Surface Pro 2 - 256GB - Dark Titanium
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Tablet: More capable than your average tablet but lighter and smaller than a laptop, the Surface Pro 2 features hands-on productivity with the ability to fully support Microsoft Office (sold separately). Multitask with side-by-side apps, prop up your tablet with the built-in kickstand, or connect accessories via the USB and display ports for a work-efficient desktop setup.
can this unit run adobe photoshop cc.exe not the metro app version ?
can this unit run adobe photoshop cc.exe not the metro app version ?
metro apps are useless when it comes to features and power use.
the real photoshop CC version is not an app and hogs a lot of memory when running on any pc even desktops.
so can this handle the real program of photoshop CC ?
metro apps are useless when it comes to features and power use.
the real photoshop CC version is not an app and hogs a lot of memory when running on any pc even desktops.
so can this handle the real program of photoshop CC ?
I haven't tried Photoshop personally, but you can install and run it since the Surface Pro has full-blown Windows 8 Pro and you can install any Windows application on it that you want. (Only the cheaper non-Pro Surfaces with Windows RT are limited to "Modern UI" apps from the Windows Store.) If you get the 256 GB or 512 GB Surface Pro 2 it will have 8 GB of RAM instead of 4 GB, and they all have fast flash memory for scratch file storage, so I expect Photoshop will run decently as long as you're not expecting workstation-class performance.
The artist for the Penny Arcade Internet comic strip has started to use a Surface Pro on occasion to draw the strip, and uses Adobe Creative Cloud programs on it. Search for "Penny Arcade Surface Pro" to get his take on it. (That was also for the older and slower first-gen Surface Pro.)
The artist for the Penny Arcade Internet comic strip has started to use a Surface Pro on occasion to draw the strip, and uses Adobe Creative Cloud programs on it. Search for "Penny Arcade Surface Pro" to get his take on it. (That was also for the older and slower first-gen Surface Pro.)
11 years, 4 months ago
by
Posted by:
bredeker
from
WI