Chau
Chau's Stats
- Review Count10
- Helpfulness Votes21
- First ReviewMay 8, 2009
- Last ReviewJanuary 2, 2015
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.2
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count3
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentMay 20, 2016
- Last Review CommentJuly 15, 2017
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count1
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First AnswerJanuary 2, 2015
- Last AnswerJanuary 2, 2015
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers0
Chau's Reviews
Hamilton Beach - TrueAir 100 Sq. Ft. Room Air Purifier - White
Keep up to a 100 sq. ft. room smelling fresh for up to 3 months with this Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04532GM room odor eliminator that features 3 carbon filters that easily trap and neutralize odors.
Not effective for larger spaces
Customer Rating
3.0
Honestly, I was expecting more out of this, given its reviews on other websites. I can't say that it's worked particularly well for kitchen odors from cooking. You'd probably be better off spending more money and purchasing a higher quality air purifier. It claims to work well in 10x10 rooms, but I can't say I agree too much. I used this to keep cooking odors off my towels, bed sheets, etc. But it doesn't seem to do a very good job with even that. Albeit, I used this in mostly odorless rooms to begin with.
Let me put it this way. If you're a smoker or your room smells bad, at the very least, get this. It can definitely help. But if you're like me and just want to prevent kitchen odors (which will leave eventually, unlike cigarrette smoke) then definitely put your money into a better air purifier/deodorizer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
+5points
8out of 11found this review helpful.
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Google - Nexus 9 - 8.9" - 32GB - Indigo Black
Work or play the way you want, whether at home or on the go, with this Google Nexus 9 99HZF004-00 tablet that features an easy-to-use 8.9" IPS TFT-LCD touch screen, which delivers bright graphics and responsive app navigation.
Not impressed
Customer Rating
2.0
The display is great, the hardware is theoretically fast. In practice, Lollipop is just not optimized well like KitKat.
Using a dual-core 64 bit CPU, you'd think this would provide quick performance without compromise, much like Apple's own offerings.
The experience is sub-par and laggy. My phone (OnePlus One) is much faster on KitKat compared to the Nexus 9. Additionally, the build quality is just not good for this price point.
This is more like a $300 tablet, if you ask me. The first batch release has volume and power buttons that are nearly flush to the device, making it hard to press the buttons. There's also some flex in the case, meaning I can push it in and out and feel a bit of a click (but not hear it).
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this. Go with the iPad Air or Air 2 instead. I have had the Air from launch day and it has been a great performer, even compared to this. Even for the stock Android experience, this offering is just abysmal. Very disappointed in HTC and Google on this release.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
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Google - Chromecast - Black
Google Chromecast: Easily stream your favorite apps and media to your TV via Wi-Fi with Chromecast. Use the included USB cable to plug the Chromecast into your TV, and control streaming content using your compatible smartphone, tablet or computer.
Great product, simple to use
Customer Rating
5.0
All you need to get started is a wireless internet connection, a computer with Chrome browser, or an Android or iOS device. If you don't have one of these things, then you're probably not living in the 21st century.
Otherwise, this device is great, especially for Android users. There are lots of ways to get content, and most of the major streaming service providers (Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu Plus) are implementing Google Cast technology to allow users to view their content with the Chromecast.
It's an affordable way to change your living room TV experience. And your remote control can be your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Insignia™ - Soundbar with Bluetooth - Black
Enjoy stunning audio with this Insignia NS-SB314 soundbar that features Bluetooth support for use with your Apple® iPhone®, iPad® or other Bluetooth-enabled device. Three digital signal sound field settings help optimize your sonic output.
Good beginner sound bar.
Customer Rating
4.0
For $59, there really wasn't much I was expecting out of this sound bar. Really, to justify this purchase, your TV speakers have to either sound poor or you're looking to amplify your sound more. If you're trying to get better clarity, better bass response and loudness out of your TV sound, then this is a very quick way to do it. It doesn't have any fancy surround sound effects or anything like that.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Samsung - 55" Class (54.6" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV
Samsung UN55HU6830FXZA LED HDTV: Watch movies, TV series and viral videos, chat with loved ones and more by connecting to the Web with this Samsung HDTV's built-in Wi-Fi. Once you're connected, the Smart Hub helps you organize your movies, social networks and other content into 5 panels. Plus, you can enjoy crystal-clear viewing with a 4K picture and UHD upscaling.
Decent UHD Quality, Software needs some work
Customer Rating
5.0
Now I can't say I'm an enthusiast when it comes to UHD/4K televisions. First off, this isn't true 4K (4096 x 2160). This is UHD (3840 x 2160). But honestly, you probably wouldn't notice a difference between the two resolutions.
The Panel itself is decent. It's not IPS or OLED which would be killer (but also more expensive), but it displays colors nicely, and for the price I paid, I can't complain too much. a 60Hz refresh rate is nice, but 120Hz would have been better to have. They do some software processing to make it look more like a higher refresh rate, but sometimes it's noticeably choppier that way.
There is a gaming mode that I believe reduces or eliminates this processing entirely. However, I have not used it, as I haven't needed to.
The Smart Hub is decent and has a good number of apps, but I rarely use them. It's not a fast, fluid experience, and you'll have to be prepared for some lag. You're better off getting a faster set-top box or streaming device like a Chromecast, Nexus Player, Fire TV, Roku, or maybe Apple TV.
The Remote Control can actually be set up to work with all of your devices which is weird, but cool. I have no idea how they do it, but it works with my Nexus Player Android TV box.
The Upscaling feature is also nice. Even 1080p videos look crisp, clear, and leave me satisfied. Watching Hulu Plus, Netflix and YouTube has been a smooth experience from my Nexus Player.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Apple - iPad® mini 2 with Wi-Fi - 32GB - Space Gray
iPad® mini 2 has a stunning 7.9-inch Retina display with over 3.1 million pixels. It also comes with the A7 chip with 64-bit architecture, ultrafast wireless, iSight and FaceTime HD cameras, powerful apps, and up to 10 hours of battery life.1 Yet it still fits easily in one hand.
Another great tablet by Apple
Customer Rating
5.0
When they called this the "Mini" they meant it. It's just like the full-size iPads, aside from the fact that this one did not have a 64 bit processor, unlike its brothers the iPad Air and Air 2.
Currently, this is the best Mini out there right now. the Mini 3 only adds Touch ID, and doesn't provide any other notable spec bumps. The Retina display is crisp, clear, and the performance is great. It's compact enough to take anywhere, and it has a solid build quality.
No real complaints other than iOS 8 using a good chunk of storage space on the iPad.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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Amazon - Fire HD - 6" - 8GB - Black
Remain entertained on the go with this Amazon Fire HD B00KC6I06S, which features a touch screen that displays media in high-definition and simplifies content navigation. Front and rear cameras let you capture special moments in 1080p.
Great tablet for kids
Customer Rating
4.0
While some might argue that the Fire HD 6 Kids edition is clearly a better choice for kids, I paid almost half that price for this tablet. I could get my own solid case for a bit more money and then hope nobody breaks it. But that's the idea behind the Kids edition--it's got a bulky ugly, non-removable case and Amazon gives a great 2 year warranty for it.
Nonetheless, the HD 6 is a good tablet for kids and beginners. It's UI is a little weird to me, as a very experienced Android user that runs stock Android on his devices, but I think most kids could figure it out given a bit of time. Parental controls are certainly a nice addition, as well, to ensure that nobody's spending parents' money.
The tablet is a snappy, smooth experience. Camera is abysmal (especially in low light), but I didn't expect much from that. Other than lacking the Google Play Store, this tablet is great for any first-timer.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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UE - MINI BOOM Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black
UE MINI BOOM Speaker: With a built-in amplifier, this portable speaker delivers great sound for you to take with you wherever great sound is on demand. The rechargeable battery provides ample power while on the go.
Another great product by Ultimate Ears & Logitech
Customer Rating
5.0
I actually also have the Ultimate Ears BOOM which is about $100 more expensive, so I wanted to do a quick comparison. The sound on this MINI BOOM is great, and holds its name even to the original BOOM. Battery can only be checked via the app, which is too bad. Its more expensive brother, the BOOM, can speak its battery status by holding the (+) and (-) buttons together for a second. Certainly more handy than having to open the app.
Battery life is also great. As Ultimate Ears claim, it will fluctuate depending on how loud you're running the thing. My recommendation is usually to the put the volume on the host device (phone, tablet, mp3 player) to 70% - 85% volume then adjust the volume on the bluetooth speaker as needed. This provides better sonic clarity in the music and should ensure that you get the most battery life out of it the speaker by allowing it to work only as hard as it needs to (compared to having 50% volume on your phone/tablet and 100% on the speaker--thus making the speaker work harder to push only half volume).
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
+1point
2out of 3found this review helpful.
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Lenovo - S8-50 - 8" - Intel Atom - 16GB - Black
Only at Best BuyLenovo S8-50 Tablet: Play games, type documents and fire off e-mails while you're on the move. This tablet's thin, light frame makes it ideal for students and travelers without sacrificing power or screen space.
Fast, but needs software/UI improvements
Customer Rating
4.0
I was looking for an affordable tablet that had a nearly stock Android experience. This Lenovo tablet doesn't quite fit the bill because of the skin that they put on top of it, but installing the Google Now Launcher has solved the main UI complaints. The display is nice and crisp, the performance is pretty smooth, but not as fast as an equivalent tablet with a Qualcomm chip. Hoping that this tablet gets Lollipop at some point. If it does, I hope they address the UI and all the bloatware they put on it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Best Buy number: 1043516619
+3points
4out of 5found this review helpful.
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Peavey - Vypyr 15W Digital Modeling Guitar Amplifier
This 15W digital modeling guitar amplifier features dual parameter effects editing with 11 editable effects and 12 editable presets so you can customize the sound of your guitar riffs.
Best 15W Modeling Amp!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Chau
from Westminster, CO
on May 8, 2009
What's great about it: Many amp models, effects, analog, loud
What's not so great: No stomp boxes like the other models, but hey, it's only $100!
This amp is extremely impressive. For only $100, you can't get anything better than this brand new. The Line 6 Spider III 15W amp can't even compare to this. This bad boy is a real analog amp, unlike Line 6's Spider III's which are digital. AND it has transtube, which gives it that tube-like sound. Pinch harmonics are beautiful on this amp, and each amp model on the Vypyr have both an overdrive AND clean channel. The tones are very flexible, meaning that you can definitely change your sound with this amp. There's A LOT you can do with just this amp. Trust me, if you enjoyed Line 6's Spider III series, you'd definitely love this amp. Peavey blows away the Line 6's Spider series with the Vypyr series.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
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Chau's Questions
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Chau's Answers
Google - Chromecast - Black
Google Chromecast: Easily stream your favorite apps and media to your TV via Wi-Fi with Chromecast. Use the included USB cable to plug the Chromecast into your TV, and control streaming content using your compatible smartphone, tablet or computer.
I'm set up but i can't connect to my Mac laptop
Be sure that you are using Google Chrome as your browser and download the Google Cast Extension here:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?hl=en
If you're 100% sure that it's set up (try casting from your phone or tablet), then reset the device and try again. If that does not work, ensure that you're connected to the same wireless network (same SSID) as the Chromecast.
As a last resort, try setting it up again:
https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/2998456?hl=en
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast/boadgeojelhgndaghljhdicfkmllpafd?hl=en
If you're 100% sure that it's set up (try casting from your phone or tablet), then reset the device and try again. If that does not work, ensure that you're connected to the same wireless network (same SSID) as the Chromecast.
As a last resort, try setting it up again:
https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/2998456?hl=en
9 years, 5 months ago
by
Posted by:
Chau
from
Westminster, CO