Vespasian
Vespasian's Stats
- Review Count71
- Helpfulness Votes182
- First ReviewOctober 18, 2014
- Last ReviewJune 25, 2024
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.4
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 Count7
- Helpfulness Votes16
- First AnswerFebruary 15, 2015
- Last AnswerSeptember 24, 2021
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers1
Dell - Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 14" Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB Solid State Drive
The Inspiron range of laptops and 2-in1s are thoughtfully designed so you can stay connected wherever you are with long-lasting battery life. Equipped with the latest processors, graphics, and thermal solutions; your PC runs quickly and smoothly as you connect with confidence. Optimized with technology that simplifies your life, Inspiron laptops and 2-in-1s offer a range of easy-to-use features all packaged in a minimalist and modern design. A newly designed and ergonomically positioned lift hinge increases comfort for a better typing experience when on chat, writing lengthy emails or connecting to your world. Rest assured that your privacy is secure with the mechanical privacy camera shutter. Also, the single sign on (SSO) fingerprint reader on the power button provides a more personal, more secure instant access login experience. And that’s not all, your Inspiron, is now environmentally conscious – The Inspiron compliments not just your style but also your values.
Best for students and business use
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on May 11, 2021
This laptop is great for students, business, and general users, but gamers and video content creators will need something more powerful.
The laptop is well built, and surprisingly heavy (relative to other 14-inch models), and thankfully includes little raised rubber extensions on the base to provide some room for ventilation when the laptop is sitting on a flat surface. These 2-in-1 models always place the exhaust ports in the worst possible locations, so some clearance on the base is welcome. The hinge is solid, and the laptop can be used well enough in tablet mode (though the weight means you'll probably be gripping it with both hands). The laptop comes with adequte RAM and SSD storage, but the SSD is a bit on the small side (256 gb).
Nothing that an expansion drive can't fix. The speakers are good, and provide detailed audio reproduction, even if they never reach home stereo system volumes. The microphones are fine for teleconferencing or remote learning use. The mics work fine both on Zoom and recodiing audio tracks for PowerPoint presentations.
Performance wise, there seem to be a few little OS hiccups here and there, which is undoubtedly due to the Ryzen chip, but the device is plenty fast for any task that a college student could conceivablyy throw at it (including programming and application development, which I was able to pull off without a problem in Android Studio). There are no issues with slowdown or memory running short when multiple programs are running, and the odd performance drop is pretty much what any veteran of Windows-running-on-AMD is used to.
The one disappointment with this laptop is the screen quality. It's full 1080p on a 14-inch screen, so no pixels are visible, but color reproduction is undeniablyy on the cool or cold side. Colors just aren't as vibrant as they are on some other display panels on laptops in this price range. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the display, but if you prefer really saturated colors you might be let down.
The build quality and general speed of the laptop, plus the ample port selection (yes, there is an HDMI connection), make this a great choice for first-time college students who need a reliable laptop that's going to last 4-5 years and aren't set on Apple. Given how many college web-based applications run better using Windows software, this is a better (and cheaper) choice than certain luxury brands which cost twice as much. One thing to stress to college kids, though - this is not a a gaming laptop. Try running some titles that play perfectly well on a last-gen game console and you'll notice some frame drops. This is more of a workhorse laptop, great for student and business use. If you just need a reliable laptop that will hold out for four years+, and you're not looking to start editing your own movies on your computer, you'll have no issues here.
The laptop is well built, and surprisingly heavy (relative to other 14-inch models), and thankfully includes little raised rubber extensions on the base to provide some room for ventilation when the laptop is sitting on a flat surface. These 2-in-1 models always place the exhaust ports in the worst possible locations, so some clearance on the base is welcome. The hinge is solid, and the laptop can be used well enough in tablet mode (though the weight means you'll probably be gripping it with both hands). The laptop comes with adequte RAM and SSD storage, but the SSD is a bit on the small side (256 gb).
Nothing that an expansion drive can't fix. The speakers are good, and provide detailed audio reproduction, even if they never reach home stereo system volumes. The microphones are fine for teleconferencing or remote learning use. The mics work fine both on Zoom and recodiing audio tracks for PowerPoint presentations.
Performance wise, there seem to be a few little OS hiccups here and there, which is undoubtedly due to the Ryzen chip, but the device is plenty fast for any task that a college student could conceivablyy throw at it (including programming and application development, which I was able to pull off without a problem in Android Studio). There are no issues with slowdown or memory running short when multiple programs are running, and the odd performance drop is pretty much what any veteran of Windows-running-on-AMD is used to.
The one disappointment with this laptop is the screen quality. It's full 1080p on a 14-inch screen, so no pixels are visible, but color reproduction is undeniablyy on the cool or cold side. Colors just aren't as vibrant as they are on some other display panels on laptops in this price range. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the display, but if you prefer really saturated colors you might be let down.
The build quality and general speed of the laptop, plus the ample port selection (yes, there is an HDMI connection), make this a great choice for first-time college students who need a reliable laptop that's going to last 4-5 years and aren't set on Apple. Given how many college web-based applications run better using Windows software, this is a better (and cheaper) choice than certain luxury brands which cost twice as much. One thing to stress to college kids, though - this is not a a gaming laptop. Try running some titles that play perfectly well on a last-gen game console and you'll notice some frame drops. This is more of a workhorse laptop, great for student and business use. If you just need a reliable laptop that will hold out for four years+, and you're not looking to start editing your own movies on your computer, you'll have no issues here.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Harness your PC's potential with the 980. Whether you need a boost for gaming or a seamless workflow for heavy graphics, the 980 is a smart choice for outstanding SSD performance — and it's all backed by an NVMe* interface and PCIe 3.0 technology.
Excellent value
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on May 6, 2021
This M.2 drive is excellent value for the money. You won't get top-tier speeds, but I was hovering around 2 gigs + write and read speeds, so I'm not complaining. The included Magician software makes optimization a breeze as well. This is a definite improvement over similarly priced 500 gb standard 2.5" drives, so if your laptop (or desktop) supports the slot, get this drive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum features a lighter and easier-to-detach Lift-Away pod for go-anywhere cleaning. Anti-Allergen Complete Seal locks in 99.99% of dust and allergens, keeping them out of the air that you breathe (based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger). Also equipped with an easy-empty dustup and Swivel Steering to easily maneuver around obstacles.
Convenience, but at a price
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on April 16, 2021
The Lift-Away feature is excellent, but unless you really need the extended range and reach that the detachable canister, the streamlined feature set on this vacuum may push you to look elsewhere. Suction is strong and consistent, whether the vac is operated in its normal, upright mode or with canister detached. It's reasonably well-engineered, too, with a rotary pivot that makes angling the head around tight corners really painless. The collecting canister is (thankfully) large, and easy to empty and clean. The vac is also reasonably quiet, provided you don't make the mistake of leaving the "carpet" power setting active over hardwood floors. The real draw, of course, is the Lift-Away feature, which enables you to basically detach the canister and nozzle and treat yourself to a handheld mobile vac. It's a nice feature, especially if you need to vacuum a cobweb from a high corner. If you have high ceilings, or the standard toollset on an average canister vacuum isn't up to snuff, you might want to look into this item.
That said, there are some disappointments, especially with the comparatively high sticker price. The toolset that comes with the vac is spartan, if we're being nice. Each attachment is rigid plastic, and no attachments come with suction-powered rotary brushes. The attachments are a bit on the short side, as well. More disappointing is the fact that there are only two power of floor settings. Suction seemed to be more than adequaate for both, but the vac is missing the more granular height adjustments you might need if you have carpets of differing depths. The head is a bit on the small side, but the pivot mechanism that enables easy movement and rotation kind of compensates for this. One area of concern relates to the vacuum's big draw - the hose doesn't seem easily removable fro mthe the detachable canister, so cleaning (which is an inevitability for any vacuum) may prove to be an issue down the line. Most vacs have fully detachable hoses, expecting that they'll become occluded at some part over their lifetime. This model has a handle attached to the top end of the hose, which will make a messy snaking of your blocked vacuum hose even more challenging than a normal job is.
If you really need reach and coverage, and aren't too insistent on more fine-tuned speed settings or use-specific attachments, this vacuum is for you. Suction is great, the LIft-AWay featuer is really impressive and useful, and the vaccum is well-built and thoughtfully engineered. If what you need is more customizability, you might need to look elsewhere.
That said, there are some disappointments, especially with the comparatively high sticker price. The toolset that comes with the vac is spartan, if we're being nice. Each attachment is rigid plastic, and no attachments come with suction-powered rotary brushes. The attachments are a bit on the short side, as well. More disappointing is the fact that there are only two power of floor settings. Suction seemed to be more than adequaate for both, but the vac is missing the more granular height adjustments you might need if you have carpets of differing depths. The head is a bit on the small side, but the pivot mechanism that enables easy movement and rotation kind of compensates for this. One area of concern relates to the vacuum's big draw - the hose doesn't seem easily removable fro mthe the detachable canister, so cleaning (which is an inevitability for any vacuum) may prove to be an issue down the line. Most vacs have fully detachable hoses, expecting that they'll become occluded at some part over their lifetime. This model has a handle attached to the top end of the hose, which will make a messy snaking of your blocked vacuum hose even more challenging than a normal job is.
If you really need reach and coverage, and aren't too insistent on more fine-tuned speed settings or use-specific attachments, this vacuum is for you. Suction is great, the LIft-AWay featuer is really impressive and useful, and the vaccum is well-built and thoughtfully engineered. If what you need is more customizability, you might need to look elsewhere.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Motorola - MG8702 32x8 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem + AC3200 Router - Black
The Motorola MG8702 Gigabit Cable Modem with built-in AC3200 4X4 Router supports Gigabit Ethernet speed with advanced WiFi performance. Approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Charter Spectrum services, this cable modem is also backwards compatible with 32x8 DOCSIS 3.0.
Excellent (for the right customer)
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on March 29, 2021
This is a tricky product to review, because the value you'll get from it depends entirely on your specific needs. If you're an Xfinity (Comcast) subscriber, intend to remain one, and want a simple, easy-to-set-up device that has provides pretty admirable speeds over a reasonable range, then this is the modem/router combo for you.
Speed is the high point with this device. I was consistently drawing down the max mbps on my Internet plan (I'm now contemplating upgrading to the gigabit option) with no hiccups or drops. Upload speeds were impressive as well. This combo unit has pretty much made my old AC router obsolete based on the speeds I'm getting.
Where things get a little bumpy is with the coverage. I have a three-floor town home, so I'm not exactly stretching reasonable expectations when it comes to signal strength. The MG8702 is very good, but it's not top-tier. The broadcast area is actually slightly shorter than the old router I was using. Three floors away from the modem/router, and you'll start to see drops in signal strength. Of course, if you live in an apartment or condo, this won't matter to you (and the coverage will be more than adequate), and home owners could always augment this unit with a repeater or signal booster. The only drawback to doing that, though, is that you're walking into "mesh system" price ranges anyway, so people living in larger homes may want to investigate one of those as an alternative. If you're in the right-sized place, though, coverage won't be an issue.
One other thing to note - like many newer products, this device is user-friendly to a fault. Setup is completed through an app (of course!), which, like all such phone app-based solutions, is really limited in setup and customization options. This can be fixed after first setup, though, and users who want minimal setup might actually prefer this solution.
In short, get this if and only if:
You use Xfinity/Comcast
You need speed more than coverage area
You want a product that will keep you current for at least several years
You don't live in a mansion
Speed is the high point with this device. I was consistently drawing down the max mbps on my Internet plan (I'm now contemplating upgrading to the gigabit option) with no hiccups or drops. Upload speeds were impressive as well. This combo unit has pretty much made my old AC router obsolete based on the speeds I'm getting.
Where things get a little bumpy is with the coverage. I have a three-floor town home, so I'm not exactly stretching reasonable expectations when it comes to signal strength. The MG8702 is very good, but it's not top-tier. The broadcast area is actually slightly shorter than the old router I was using. Three floors away from the modem/router, and you'll start to see drops in signal strength. Of course, if you live in an apartment or condo, this won't matter to you (and the coverage will be more than adequate), and home owners could always augment this unit with a repeater or signal booster. The only drawback to doing that, though, is that you're walking into "mesh system" price ranges anyway, so people living in larger homes may want to investigate one of those as an alternative. If you're in the right-sized place, though, coverage won't be an issue.
One other thing to note - like many newer products, this device is user-friendly to a fault. Setup is completed through an app (of course!), which, like all such phone app-based solutions, is really limited in setup and customization options. This can be fixed after first setup, though, and users who want minimal setup might actually prefer this solution.
In short, get this if and only if:
You use Xfinity/Comcast
You need speed more than coverage area
You want a product that will keep you current for at least several years
You don't live in a mansion
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Secure and store important files safely in this Western Digital My Passport SSD. The fast data transfer rates of up to 1,050MB/s lets you move large amounts of content swiftly, while the 256-bit AES hardware encryption offers secure password protection. This Western Digital My Passport SSD features a maximum capacity of 1TB to store pictures, videos and documents, and the drop-resistant construction absorbs a maximum of 6.5-foot drops for durability.
The speed justifies the price
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on December 8, 2020
Yes, this is more expensive than standard expansion drives, but the speed completely justified the asking price, especially if you're shuttling video clips between devices when stitching together a project. The NVMe tech is blazing fast. I'm used to "set and forget" copying for large files, meaning I anticipate the job will take some time to complete. This diminutive little drive kept exceeding my expectations, and could process anything I threw at it in 1/2 to 1/4 the time. If you work in digital video or content preparation, this is an excellent backup solution that can let you move tons of material from your source device in no time flat. It's also sturdy and much more pocket-friendly than standard expansion drives. Highly recommended for content creators who are on the go.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ZAGG - Pro Stylus - Black
Make the most of your tablet with the ZAGG Pro Stylus. Take notes, sketch, mark-up documents, swipe through pages, and just do more. With a eight-hour battery life, palm-rejection technology, and compatibility with apps that support Apple Pencil, you’re ready for anything. Compatible with Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 6th Generation (2022) 5th Generation (2021), 4th Generation (2020), 3rd Generation (2018); iPad Pro 11" 4th Generation (2022), 3rd Generation (2021), 2nd Generation (2020), 1st Generation (2018); iPad Air 10.9" 5th Generation (2022), 4th Generation (2020); iPad 10.2" 9th Generation (2021), 8th Generation (2020), 7th Generation (2019); iPad 9.7" 6th Generation (2018); and iPad mini 6th Generation (2021), 5th Generation (2019).
A must for teachers
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on October 8, 2020
I'm developing a newfound appreciation for devices that simply work as intended without some kind of convoluted setup. Out of the box, the Zagg stylus works brilliantly. It has decent heft and length (about the size of an sharpened No.2 pencil), so wielding it with precision is trivially easy. The hard rubber or silicone tip has just the right amount of "give", meaning the screen will effortlessly register your presses strokes without having to apply excess force. The fixed nubs on the end of cheaper models usually take a considerable degree of pressure to register touch input, to the point where I've looked like I was trying to stab my iPad. The Zagg stylus, though, registers my strokes just like a pen would. The stylus can accommodate some really granular, fine settings, too, so you don't need to be worried about being limited to thick, messy lines when trying to write. There's also clearly some well-intentioned software tinkering designed to rectify wayward strokes, but I will say if you write lowercase sigma like I do, the stylus (or the iPad) will stubbornly keep attempting to fix your "mistake" by making the symbol a lowercase "o"! In most cases, though, especially with handwriting, the smoothing feature comes in handy. The stylus is magnetic, too, so you can just park it on your iPad if you need to quickly type out something with both hands.
I teach statistics, and have tried to use the Whiteboard feature on Zoom and my iPad with varying degrees of success. Statistical formulae can get quite complicated, and it helps to write them out by hand if you're trying to study how all the parts for together and what each variable should represent. Most styli I've used haven't been up to the task. Lines are too thick to be useful, the tips don't accurately record input, or a too-short length makes your hand keep hitting the screen. The Zagg stylus has fixed all those problems. A student confirmed this for me yesterday. He couldn't read what I would write formerly, but didn't want to say anything because he was afraid I had an injured hand! He was amazed that in a few days, as he put it, I "learned to write". Kids. Anyway, strongly recommended for anyone who must write by hand while using an iPad. Worth the price.
I teach statistics, and have tried to use the Whiteboard feature on Zoom and my iPad with varying degrees of success. Statistical formulae can get quite complicated, and it helps to write them out by hand if you're trying to study how all the parts for together and what each variable should represent. Most styli I've used haven't been up to the task. Lines are too thick to be useful, the tips don't accurately record input, or a too-short length makes your hand keep hitting the screen. The Zagg stylus has fixed all those problems. A student confirmed this for me yesterday. He couldn't read what I would write formerly, but didn't want to say anything because he was afraid I had an injured hand! He was amazed that in a few days, as he put it, I "learned to write". Kids. Anyway, strongly recommended for anyone who must write by hand while using an iPad. Worth the price.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Razer - Kishi - Gaming Controller for Android - Black
Bring your A-game anytime, anywhere. Introducing a universal mobile gaming controller that fits most smartphone devices, designed to bring console-level control to your on-the-go gaming. With this controller by your side, wherever you go, victory will follow.
Best Android solution for retro gamers
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on September 28, 2020
As long as you have a phone running at least Android 8 and a USB-C port positioned on the bottom center of the device, this is an excellent option for retro gamers using Android. The device just works out of the box. I'm using it with an Essential PH-1, and without even exploring the Kishi app, I'm having the best controller experience with classic game emulators I've had yet. The device is well-built, the D-pad and joysticks are responsive, and the buttons are sturdy and have a reasonable degree of resistance. This isn't a chintzy Bluetooth controller with rigid shoulder buttons that don't travel well or only activate when they're in the right mood.
Setting up the device, once you unlock the latches, is trivially easy. The controller plugs directly into the USB-C port and bypasses the Bluetooth pairing step that's never been unfailingly reliable for me. It just works. The controller telescopes to accommodate the length of your particular phone; reference measurements are available from Razer. You have to make sure your device fits, but most should.
When the controller is attached, the whole setup is no bigger than a Switch. This is strongly recommended for anyone who plays higher-end games on mobile. I'm primarily a retro gamer, and attaching this to even a properly specced budget phone running Retroarch will give you an experience better than 90% of the retro-themed handhelds proliferating on popular online shopping sites.
The cost might seem high, but the better handheld Bluetooth Android controllers aren't much cheaper, and the convenience factor is worth the extra cash.
Strongly recommended.
Setting up the device, once you unlock the latches, is trivially easy. The controller plugs directly into the USB-C port and bypasses the Bluetooth pairing step that's never been unfailingly reliable for me. It just works. The controller telescopes to accommodate the length of your particular phone; reference measurements are available from Razer. You have to make sure your device fits, but most should.
When the controller is attached, the whole setup is no bigger than a Switch. This is strongly recommended for anyone who plays higher-end games on mobile. I'm primarily a retro gamer, and attaching this to even a properly specced budget phone running Retroarch will give you an experience better than 90% of the retro-themed handhelds proliferating on popular online shopping sites.
The cost might seem high, but the better handheld Bluetooth Android controllers aren't much cheaper, and the convenience factor is worth the extra cash.
Strongly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Mr. Coffee - 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Strong Brew Selector and Reusable Coffee Filter - Stainless Steel
Enjoy delicious, bold-tasting coffee made simple with the new Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Strong Brew Selector. Brew your coffee as bold as you like it with the Strong Brew Selector—you can choose to brew a bolder cup of coffee if that's what you'd like, with the touch of a button. The coffee maker also features intuitive Brew Later programming that makes it easy to schedule brewing ahead of time, so you can wake up to the smell of freshly made coffee. This updated design also includes a Grab-a-Cup Auto Pause, so you can pour a cup of coffee before brewing is finished. Plus, the 4-Hour Auto-Shutoff feature automatically turns off the coffee maker so you don't have to. Plus, this coffee maker comes with a dishwasher-safe, reusable coffee filter, so you can save money and create less waste. Just sit back, sip, and enjoy great coffee just the way you like it.
Very good basic coffee maker, with one snag
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on September 17, 2020
The best way to think of this coffee maker is as an enhanced version of every drip coffee maker you've ever used. That's a good thing. The programmable options work and are so intuitive, that even your technophobic elderly relatives can use this with no problems. Fill, insert basket, and turn on. You can set a timer to brew what you've prepared overnight; my cats only let me pull this off once, but the feature worked well. The timer is easier to set than even my alarm clock.
There's a "strong brew" option, which works... but produces something that's not quite as good as simply using more grounds in the basket on the normal setting, or using a darker roast. It's not terrible, but with a dizzying array of roast varieties available in your average supermarket, it's kind of unnecessary.
The appearance of the coffee maker is nice, too. Just enough "stainless steel" to be attractive, but not to stick out if most of your kitchen appliances are black.
This model seems to shut off automatically. It has a four-hour operation window, so it won't shut off prematurely. You shouldn't drink coffee that's been sitting for more than four hours, anyway.
The snag with this coffee maker is the heating plate. A few flecks have started to come off after only a few days' operation. I know from experience with the brand that these drip coffee makers last at least several years, even with signs of wear and tear, but I'm still somewhat surprised by how rapidly the heating plate is showing signs of use.
This coffee maker is definitely worth the asking price, though.
There's a "strong brew" option, which works... but produces something that's not quite as good as simply using more grounds in the basket on the normal setting, or using a darker roast. It's not terrible, but with a dizzying array of roast varieties available in your average supermarket, it's kind of unnecessary.
The appearance of the coffee maker is nice, too. Just enough "stainless steel" to be attractive, but not to stick out if most of your kitchen appliances are black.
This model seems to shut off automatically. It has a four-hour operation window, so it won't shut off prematurely. You shouldn't drink coffee that's been sitting for more than four hours, anyway.
The snag with this coffee maker is the heating plate. A few flecks have started to come off after only a few days' operation. I know from experience with the brand that these drip coffee makers last at least several years, even with signs of wear and tear, but I'm still somewhat surprised by how rapidly the heating plate is showing signs of use.
This coffee maker is definitely worth the asking price, though.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a cordless handheld vacuum designed for powerful suction. It comes with a motorized self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that eliminates hair wrap, a lithium-ion battery, CleanTouch dirt ejector, and more, at only 2.8 lbs.
Excellent for touching-up
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on August 6, 2020
This little vac prioritizes convenience over power, but as a complement to a standard household vac it's pretty great. I now have four cats, and I have to vacuum almost daily. Lugging the main house vacuum up and down floors to get the little fuzz piles and bits of litter that find their way into impossibly small nooks and crannies is a real pain, and this cordless hand vac is great for getting light messes left behind by my hairy housemates. The Shark doesn't have the same suction power that a corded handheld vacuum would, but the fact that you can just maneuver this where needed without worrying about cord reach makes up for it. The vacuum is able to get litter particles, bits of paper, and hair with no difficulty. The collection cup doesn't hold much, but emptying it is extremely easy. The cup's hinge is attached to the device body, so you have to hold it carefully over the trash can, but after a first attempt it's pretty clear how you have to hold the vacuum to empty it.
There are attachments for more narrow work, but nothing like the nozzle attachment that's standard on larger vacs. Given the expected lighter duty of this vac, you won't find yourself longing for a bigger assortment of cleaning tools.
Battery life is decent on this device. Charging time is on the high side, but if you remember to "set and forget" after using you won't run out of power before your tour of the house is complete.
Perhaps the primary advantage of this unit is it's incredibly light weight. Other handheld vacuums I've used are appreciably heavier and larger, which means manipulating them sometimes feels like only marginally less work than using an upright vacuum. The Shark, however, can be carried around with ease. You can go right to the litter trail that fell off kitty's paws on the stairs and then go right to the hair pile from the cat fight in the corner of the bedroom with minimal effort. You'll have to run the unit over messes a little more than you would have to with other handheld vacs (because of the slightly disappointing suction power), but you'll still save time over other methods for cleaning.
In short, if you need a cordless handheld vac to help you clean up the daily minor messes your pets leave behind, then this vacuum might be for you. Just bear in mind that you'll need something stronger for the heavy duty work as well.
There are attachments for more narrow work, but nothing like the nozzle attachment that's standard on larger vacs. Given the expected lighter duty of this vac, you won't find yourself longing for a bigger assortment of cleaning tools.
Battery life is decent on this device. Charging time is on the high side, but if you remember to "set and forget" after using you won't run out of power before your tour of the house is complete.
Perhaps the primary advantage of this unit is it's incredibly light weight. Other handheld vacuums I've used are appreciably heavier and larger, which means manipulating them sometimes feels like only marginally less work than using an upright vacuum. The Shark, however, can be carried around with ease. You can go right to the litter trail that fell off kitty's paws on the stairs and then go right to the hair pile from the cat fight in the corner of the bedroom with minimal effort. You'll have to run the unit over messes a little more than you would have to with other handheld vacs (because of the slightly disappointing suction power), but you'll still save time over other methods for cleaning.
In short, if you need a cordless handheld vac to help you clean up the daily minor messes your pets leave behind, then this vacuum might be for you. Just bear in mind that you'll need something stronger for the heavy duty work as well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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HP - DeskJet 2755 Wireless All-In-One Instant Ink-Ready Inkjet Printer - White
With the HP DeskJet 2755 All-in-One Inkjet Printer, get all the essentials you need in one affordable, easy-to-use device. Breeze through projects with simple printing at home and scan and copy versatility. With HP Instant Ink, this wireless printer automatically orders ink and delivers it straight to your door with up to 50% savings on ink (subscription required). Get faster, more reliable connections using the color printer's dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset. Set up the all-in-one printer in a few easy steps and get high-quality scanning and sharing to Dropbox, Google Drive, email, or the cloud from your smartphone using the HP Smart app.
Great for Very Specific Users
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Vespasian
from Philadelphia, PA
on July 10, 2020
This is an excellent entry-level printer aimed at a very specific set of users. Functionally, this model handles printing and scanning as well as other models do in the same price range. Inserting and replacing ink cartridges is a snap, and the unit is compact enough to fit on top of a low bookshelf (or, in my case, on a storage tower).
Where people might get frustrated with this model is in the focus on the HP Smart App. Users can't even complete setup without downloading and installing it. If you're used to printing from mobile devices like cell phones, you're already familiar with having to navigate software menus to send documents to wireless printers. Android users in particular usually have to go through (at a minimum) the HP e-services plug-in in order to successfully send a document for printing. The HP Smart App is essentially an attempt to provide a common method for interacting with a printer across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows 10, and Mac OSX. If you're just as likely to print from your phone as your computer, then this app might be a good solution for you. The app is clean and well-designed, even though it does nag users to enroll in HP's auto-refill Instant Ink program. Within it, users can see their printing queue, their ink levels, and the status of their recent printing requests. Users absolutely have to use the app to check information that would be typically available on the printer display, since the display on this model has been downsized in keeping with the focus on the HP Smart App.
As far as connectivity issues go, one thing prospective buyers should bear in mind is that the printer will go into sleep mode when not in use and will not be discoverable over a network until woken up again. This is actually true of most HP printers, but not clearly communicated in the set up process or the app itself. The frustration some people are having with the seeming tech failures of the printer is consequently understandable, but something that could be fixed in a future app update that will simply send a "wake your printer up" message when users try and print while the device is sleeping.
There are some benefits, though, if uses are willing to accept the app as a printing helper (which is what it is intended as). If you think of the app as a common, platform-agnostic solution that will enable printing from your phone, tablet, or computer, then you might even find the experience more convenient. If you'd rather work with a more familiar "set and forget" wireless printer, then you might be interested in a different model.
In summary, this model is well worth the price for its feature set and build quality, but buyers should take note that desktop printing might require some more steps than you're used to. If you print primarily from mobile devices, the streamlining of the print menus in the Smart App may make this a great experience for you.
Where people might get frustrated with this model is in the focus on the HP Smart App. Users can't even complete setup without downloading and installing it. If you're used to printing from mobile devices like cell phones, you're already familiar with having to navigate software menus to send documents to wireless printers. Android users in particular usually have to go through (at a minimum) the HP e-services plug-in in order to successfully send a document for printing. The HP Smart App is essentially an attempt to provide a common method for interacting with a printer across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows 10, and Mac OSX. If you're just as likely to print from your phone as your computer, then this app might be a good solution for you. The app is clean and well-designed, even though it does nag users to enroll in HP's auto-refill Instant Ink program. Within it, users can see their printing queue, their ink levels, and the status of their recent printing requests. Users absolutely have to use the app to check information that would be typically available on the printer display, since the display on this model has been downsized in keeping with the focus on the HP Smart App.
As far as connectivity issues go, one thing prospective buyers should bear in mind is that the printer will go into sleep mode when not in use and will not be discoverable over a network until woken up again. This is actually true of most HP printers, but not clearly communicated in the set up process or the app itself. The frustration some people are having with the seeming tech failures of the printer is consequently understandable, but something that could be fixed in a future app update that will simply send a "wake your printer up" message when users try and print while the device is sleeping.
There are some benefits, though, if uses are willing to accept the app as a printing helper (which is what it is intended as). If you think of the app as a common, platform-agnostic solution that will enable printing from your phone, tablet, or computer, then you might even find the experience more convenient. If you'd rather work with a more familiar "set and forget" wireless printer, then you might be interested in a different model.
In summary, this model is well worth the price for its feature set and build quality, but buyers should take note that desktop printing might require some more steps than you're used to. If you print primarily from mobile devices, the streamlining of the print menus in the Smart App may make this a great experience for you.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+7points
7out of 7found this review helpful.
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AIRPOP - Light SE 4 Pack KN95 Masks - Black
AirPop is the world’s first “air wearables” company. Since 2015, we’ve been leveraging anthropomorphic & material science with the latest technology to build ultra-high-performance products that provide an unrivaled breathing experience for millions of users around the world. Comprised of an award-winning team of experts in performance apparel, ergonomics, air filtration, material science, and advanced manufacturing. The foundation of our entire range of masks is class-leading filtration that works 2 ways. Every breath inward through AirPop masks is 97% filtered of particles and droplets and importantly today, every breath outward is filtered just the same. Your Air – Your choice. Designed for everyday use, with a super-light construction that ensures the mask’s shape doesn’t collapse. It maintains an air cushion between your mouth, nose and lips for comfortable breathing. KN95 certified.
How many layers are there? What materials are used in each layer?
There seem to be at least three layers, and the material is primarily nylon and polyester. Great if you have a medium to small nose, not so much otherwise.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
Posted by:
Vespasian
AIRPOP - Light SE 4 Pack KN95 Masks - Black
AirPop is the world’s first “air wearables” company. Since 2015, we’ve been leveraging anthropomorphic & material science with the latest technology to build ultra-high-performance products that provide an unrivaled breathing experience for millions of users around the world. Comprised of an award-winning team of experts in performance apparel, ergonomics, air filtration, material science, and advanced manufacturing. The foundation of our entire range of masks is class-leading filtration that works 2 ways. Every breath inward through AirPop masks is 97% filtered of particles and droplets and importantly today, every breath outward is filtered just the same. Your Air – Your choice. Designed for everyday use, with a super-light construction that ensures the mask’s shape doesn’t collapse. It maintains an air cushion between your mouth, nose and lips for comfortable breathing. KN95 certified.
Does this filter out covid? Otherwise it's useless!
I encountered continual air leakage from the upper part of the mask, which would indicate that the mask is not filtering out Covid at all. The material is good quality and would provide better protection than standard face masks if this weren't a problem.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
Posted by:
Vespasian
Your filter options used to include "depth with stand". Is this still an option?
I have a tight mantle space where depth and overall height are the two main factors in my choice, but your filter options no longer include these? Am I looking in the wrong place or did you decide to remove these options?
The stand adds about 1-1/2 to 2" to the rear of the TV, so you can use that as an approximate guide.
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2 years, 10 months ago
by
Posted by:
Vespasian
Insignia™ - 55" Class F50 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
This 55-inch screen uses quantum dot technology in 4K Ultra HD for vibrant, true-to-life images. Dolby Vision HDR contrasts bright highlights with dark shadows, so you can catch subtle details. Plus, DTS Virtual-X speaker technology delivers life-like sound from your TV. Access live over-the-air channels and streaming—and control it all with your voice. Ask Alexa to launch apps, search for titles and more. The Insignia NS-55F501NA22 55" Class F50 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is ready for an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Can Alexa along with any and all microphones be disabled? Is the only microphone on the remote or is there one built into the TV? I don't want my TV/Amazon listening to me.
You have to hold a button down on your remote in order to activate Alexa, so yes, you can effectively disable it by never using the feature. The "listening" seems to be done on the remote's end, so the TV won't pick up any audio from you if you're not trying to use Alexa.
2 years, 10 months ago
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Posted by:
Vespasian
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a cordless handheld vacuum designed for powerful suction. It comes with a motorized self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that eliminates hair wrap, a lithium-ion battery, CleanTouch dirt ejector, and more, at only 2.8 lbs.
How long is the battery duration?
Not that long if used constantly, but when used in bursts or short sessions it's good. I don't have an exact number.
3 years, 10 months ago
by
Posted by:
Vespasian
Jaybird - Tarah Pro Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black/Flash
Exercise to a soundtrack with these Jaybird Tarah Pro wireless sport headphones. Featuring a comfortable secure-fitting design and reliable waterproofing, these headphones stay in place during vigorous activity and stand up to sweat and bad weather. These Jaybird Tarah Pro wireless sport headphones last through the longest workouts with up to 14 hours of battery life per charge.
I have the x3 and the cord sticks to some of my clothes. Is this the same or does the new cord material work better?
I had no trouble with the cord for the Tarah Pro sticking. The braiding could perhaps attach to any clothing that has small, protruding fibers, like a sweater, but not on a sweatshirt or T-shirt.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
Vespasian
NETGEAR - Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender with Ethernet port
NETGEAR Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender: Broaden your network connection with a range extender that gives you extra Wi-Fi coverage in your home. Smart LED indicators will direct you to the optimal location to plug the extender into the wall, so you can easily enjoy improved range and speed on your mobile and wired devices. Save on data usage by connecting your smartphone or tablet to your home network.
What is the difference between this Netgear Universal Wi-Fi range extender and the Netgear AC750 Wi-Fi extender?
What is the difference between this Netgear Universal Wi-Fi range extender and the Netgear AC750 Wi-Fi extender?
The Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender broadcasts the a/b/g/n WiFi standards, while the Netgear AC750 broadcasts the newer ac standard. Most WiFi-ready equipment uses the N standard (or something older), so unless you own a device that's capable of receiving ac wifi signals (and you have a fast enough internet connection that'll let you see the speed difference), you're better off with the Universal (i. e. non-ac) extender. Ac-capable routers still run in the +$100 dollar range, so unless you already own one, it's best to hold off on ac extenders.
9 years, 4 months ago
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Vespasian
from
Philadelphia, PA