MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
MnstrMike's Stats
- Review Count124
- Helpfulness Votes847
- First ReviewAugust 5, 2011
- Last ReviewJune 22, 2024
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- Average Rating4
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count5
- Helpfulness Votes5
- First Review CommentNovember 5, 2012
- Last Review CommentJune 18, 2017
- Featured Review Comments0
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- Answer Count42
- Helpfulness Votes49
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2010
- Last AnswerDecember 8, 2021
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- Best Answers6
True wireless noise cancelling Beats Fit Pro with comfortable, secure-fit wingtips are engineered for all-day activity. The flexible wingtip design conforms to your ear to comfortably lock in place so you can experience powerful, balanced sound during your work day or your workouts. With two distinct listening modes, you are in control of what you hear. Fully adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) uses real-time audio calibration to continuously pinpoint external sounds and optimize sound output, and when you need to be aware of your surroundings, easily switch to Transparency mode. Beats Fit Pro supports Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for immersive music, movies, and games.¹ These earbuds are powered by the Apple H1 chip. The result — instant one-touch pairing², Automatic Switching³, Audio Sharing⁵, and hands-free “Hey Siri”⁴ for Apple devices. For Android users, easily connect via Class 1 Bluetooth® right out of the box. With the Beats app for Android¹¹, you’ll get enhanced features like one-touch pairing, customized controls, battery levels, firmware updates, and a Fit Test to help you get the best sound and fit out of your earbuds. Each earbud has up to 6 hours of listening time⁶ with 18 additional hours⁷ provided by its matching, pocket-sized charging case to give you up to 24 hours of combined playback.
Great Sound, Missing Features
Customer Rating
4.0
My new favorite buds!! Using with my Galaxy Note20 5G
I have grown accustomed to the clip style for many years as they just provided the best fit and security. However the added wait for extended use was always noticeable. The Beats Fit Pro though with the fin design are awesome. They definitely are super secure in your ear and you can get the best fit with the different ear bud tips.
The sound is excellent for both music and phone calls. I have had no issues out of the box when it comes to quality of sound or use. The initial pair took a bit of time as there was a firmware update and that took quite a bit longer than I would have imagined at around 10 minutes. I’m not sure if my screen going to sleep slowed it down or not?
The buds are a little lacking on features though. The buttons are traditional not capacitative, however, they are the best ones I have ever used that have an ear bud style headphone; pressing the button does not jam the bud in your ear canal. It takes a very light press. At least with Android, the buttons only control the sound...or you can turn that feature off and there is no control. If you are wanting to access your digital assistant, better look elsewhere unless you have a voice command setup.
Turning ON/OFF Noice Cancelation, Transparency, or either off is only done though the app.
There is also a fitment test, but I didn’t quite understand what it was measuring. The fit of the stock tips was the best for me, but when doing the fitment test it fails stating I should try another tip or rotate the bud more in my ear. I thought they fit great and sound great, so I am going with my personal fitment feelings.
Definitely a great set of buds, lacking on the features, but they are definitely high quality on the audio and build.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home’s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there’s no monthly fee after your purchase.
Mini Camera, Grande Features
Customer Rating
5.0
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Install took a couple of tries but finally got it going.
I didn’t realize that this is not compatible with the Homebase2 and so the camera cannot utilize the HomeBase2 storage or the easy arming when setting the security system (this is also the same for the Solo Series of cameras).
Storage options are Local via MicroSD on the camera or cloud. It comes with a 7-day trial of cloud so it will work out of the box, but I found it was a little slow.
If you already have a Eufy Camera then this will show up on the dashboard right next to it, but when you select the Security tab you will be presented with more than one camera to arm. In my case I have a HomeBase2 with 3 cameras, entry sensors, and motion detectors all linked. Then a SoloCam and now the IndoorCam Mini.
The more Eufy products I use, the more I wish they would utilize the Android Widgets. I get that it maybe a little less secure if you don’t run a system lock on your phone/device, but I would like that to be my option, but I haven’t found a security system yet that has this option.
The camera has all the same settings and then some compared to the EufyCam line I am already using adding in the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom.
Placement will definitely be key for your needs. I have found that it does not like the spot I have it placed in. It is a short wall with a staircase on one side and then a hallway on the other. When walking from one to the other, the camera is very slow to respond and track. The installation diagram recommends facing out of a corner, but I didn’t know that before selecting the device as my intended use location does not give me that option.
During setup it asks how high the camera will be placed and gives a recommendation of height if you will be wanting to watch animals via the camera. If so, that height is lower than for traditional purposes. I have mine set on a small end table at about 28” above the floor. For animals it recommends 25”-50” to track. During one of my times I was away, the dog jumped on the couch that camera is facing. It picked up that clearly. But then when the dog jumped down later at some point, it never tracked and recorded the motion. So not sure why it didn’t capture the movement of the dog leaving the couch.
Overall it is a pretty neat camera; placement is key. It does come with a mount to be installed on a wall or ceiling. However, you do have to provide power to it, so not sure how you would do that in the ceiling. It is very light, so if you wanted to install in some sort of ceiling tile, it would not be too much weight for it.
If you want it completely off while you are home, it has a Privacy button in the app that turns the camera to face the wall and kills the feed from the camera.
Adding in the MicroSD card is about the biggest gripe I have with the system. The location is below the lens and can only be accessed when the camera is off, however, you cannot rotate the lens very far; at least without the threat of breaking the camera. The instruction guide was not much help either. I put the camera in manual mode and position the camera looking up as far as it would go, then unplugged it and gently rotated the lens further to expose the MicoSD slot. When I plugged the camera back into the power source the card was recognized.
If you have a Network Attached Storage (NAS) you are supposed to be able to record to that location. I do not have that so cannot comment on the procedure. Both MicroSD and NAS can utilize continuous recording.
Overall, i can recommend this. If you are wanting a cheap baby monitor or pet cam, I think this is a really good setup.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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Smart security that is designed for every home. Set up in minutes, and receive notifications from the app whenever a visitor presses your Video Doorbell or motion is detected. You can also choose to wire it to sound your existing home chime. Blink Video Doorbell lets you answer your door no matter where you are. Receive customizable alerts right from the Blink Home Monitor app, and experience helpful features like HD day and night video and two-way audio. Best part – Blink’s long-battery life technology provides peace of mind for up to two years.
Good Enough Quality
Customer Rating
3.0
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FYI: 1) I do not use Alexa or other in-home Smarthome products, so I cannot comment on the usefulness of syncing with those devices. My review is purely from a Video Doorbell standpoint sending to my mobile device. 2) I do not have a pre existing wired doorbell and therefore used the wireless option.
The attractive price of the Blink Doorbell + Sync Module 2 is not without its praise. Understand this is not a high-end Wireless/Wired Video Doorbell, but it's also not some cheap holiday season tech either. Blink has been slowly building its reputation for their security cameras and this setup definitely opens up the possibility for easy expansion with “good-enough” quality for your needs.
Also, you need to know that some of the features are locked behind a pay-wall (ie. subscription). Out-of-the-box, you can hook this up, sans subscription and get a basic home surveillance setup with this Doorbell and Blink’s Outdoor/Indoor cameras. It is a compelling offer, with some limitations, but I cannot deny the cost-to-value is quite high considering the buy in. The biggest limitation is access to the stored clips, while feasible without a subscription, but definitely not a quick operation. However, the subscription plan is stupid cheap and should be a serious consideration depending on your needs.
As a video doorbell with basic features, it is fine, and will get the job done showing you who is at your door and what they want. Saving clips/images is where it gets down to the differences between the cloud subscription and the local storage via the Sync Module 2. I’m not going to hash that out Blink lays all that out in their FAQ’s.
So, be an informed consumer and see if works for you.
I do have some Pro Tips about the device installation I mention and some specs that are not so apparent, but overall I can recommend this setup and I myself am seriously considering expanding the setup.
-Setup: This is not apparent, but you need to setup the Sync Module 2 first with this setup. IF the Sync Module 2 will not connect to your network, most likely it is because your password has special characters !-@-$: etc. (READ THIS)The current firmware CANNOT use these characters and it will fail to connect. The newest firmware fixes this, but you cannot update the device until it is connected to a network. A few options you have at this point...1) Change your router password temporarily (who wants to update all their connected devices?) until it is updated 2) Create a Guest Network without those special characters in the password (my choice) or 3) Use your phone's Mobile Hotspot to set up. Once the firmware is updated, you can then change the Wi-Fi Network the Sync Module 2 uses and continue setup of the Video Doorbell.
-Local Storage is best formatted for exFAT for Windows and is a must for MacOS. 256GB is the max storage size (I would not use an external HDD. Possibly an SSD would be fine, but Flash Drive is in all the literature). 256GB is WAY more than enough for the max 10 devices the Sync Module 2 can handle, so for just a Doorbell, it would take forever to fill up. FAT32 will work, but I did notice that in the Blink App there was not a tab for it in the Clip View, Cloud was the only option. I reformatted to NTFS and when I reinserted the Flash Drive to the Sync Module 2 the Blink App asked to Format Drive...which it defaults to exFAT (no option given in the app). The Local tab in the Clip View was now present.
-Installation: Attaching the doorbell to the mount...sucks. The waterproofing membrane keeps the device from sliding so it requires some force to slide it into place. The “click” sound also does not offer much confidence in your achievement, so it can make you think it is not attached. However, when it is...it is. There is no stealing this thing without a hammer or similar tool required to dismount it from the mounting bracket.
-Documentation: it was a little underwhelming how little info there was in the box that was needed to get started. Even the Quick Start Guide was nothing of the sort, rather the “Use and Limitations”. There are some printed instructions on the inside packaging cover for App download instructions, then the rest of the setup process is via the App.
-Camera/Audio Quality: Specs say 1080P...maybe because that is what all the cool kids are doing these days? Sure doesn’t feel like it though. Downloaded quality the file is 1280x720 at 24 frames per second. Not bad quality, just not sure where the 1080P comes into play there. I did find that the camera is a bit picky on the lighting scene. Too much sun and it washes out too little sun and the face is too dark. Night Vision with a door light on, washes out the face too. Audio for the guest is great quality with no feedback. On my end, it wasn’t the best and the lag is pretty bad. Thankfully you don’t have to hold down the button for two-way audio, just don’t look at the vide when trying to have a conversation. I found this was the same no matter if I was on my network or I was away from home on LTE/5G Cellular. What is hard to get access to though is Camera Snapshots. I still cannot find where they go.
-Motion Detection: Having Zoning capabilities and even privacy settings are huge for such a value product. There are plenty of settings to dial in your camera for your location and get the alerts you care about.
-Subscription: In order to use a subscription plan, it is required to link to your Amazon account. You do not have to link to your Amazon for local storage only. You are given this option upon setup.
In no way is this setup perfect. It has some software glitches and some hoops to jump through. The Blink App is simple and easy to navigate, but at the end of the day it does work. I found the App Alerts to be very quick and the time to access the Live View was pretty quick, so no complaints there.
I keep going back to the value of this system and have to stress that while the image quality is not the same of higher end products (build quality is excellent) the buy in price and feature set it offers all while giving a local storage option cannot be overlooked.
I can easily recommend this product for your needs. My 3 Star rating is due to the not quite 1080P claim, hoops to setup out-of-the-box with the password requirements, and the lag in audio on user end, and why is it so hard to find the Photo Snapshots (videos are easy to find) and so included with this last gripe, instruction set could be better.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+14points
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eufy Security - SoloCam L40 Outdoor Wireless 2K Spotlight Camera - Black/White
SoloCam L40 2K is a completely standalone security cam that you can access via your app. No need for a Homebase, or wires, as SoloCam is completely wire-free and battery-powered, so you don't have to mess with anything. Every eufy Security product is engineered to ensure your security data is kept private. Have peace of mind that you will have a secure record of everything that happens around your home. Adjust the brightness and color temperature of the spotlight in case you don’t want to wake the neighbors. Takes just minutes to install the mount using a drill and the included pack of screws. No wires or cords needed. Chat to anyone passing by—invited or not—and hear their response up to 8 meters away in real-time via SoloCam L40’s two-way audio. Connect SoloCam L40 to the Google Assistant or Alexa for complete hands-free control of your home security. Designed to protect your home as well as your wallet, SoloCam L40 is a one-time purchase that combines security with convenience. Only receive the alerts which matter. Customize the area in which detection takes place to suit your home.
Great When You Only Need 1.
Customer Rating
5.0
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If you already have a Eufy setup with the non-SoloCam series cameras or you use the entry sensors with the HomeBase2, then you will definitely want to read below.
The SoloCam L40 is really nice camera all around and is great option for someone just needing a camera in one location and a quick setup. It does take about 8 hours to charge the camera out of the box, so keep that in mind when planning your attack. You will also need a charger. 5V/2A is recommended. The cameras are now USB-C and still come with a charging cable.
Great when needing one location and not needing a full security application.
It works in tandem with the HomeBase 2, so if you already have other cameras or entry sensors, there are no issues. However, it is treated as a separate system in the app so arming and disarming are not a connected event, but require separate inputs to activate. Which also means the security key pad won't change the SoloCam arm/disarm setting.
The Eufy app has a section for automations for devices that triggers another device to activate. So if you have an entry sensor activate it can tell a camera to start recording. Or if you have one Camera triggered then you can have other camera start recording too. The SoloCam Series though has the storage built in the camera and is treated as its own base station in the app and therefore cannot accept any automation.
So the SoloCam is as the name implies, meant to be used solo. And that goes for adding other SoloCam’s in to your Eufy app. They will all be treated separately.
The camera on it’s own works pretty good. I did find that early evening to dusk is a hard time to detect for it. Low light and mid day, it doesn’t have any issues. There is a delay from when it detects to win it records, which is typical for most of these types of systems that do not have the ability to continuously record. The time of day is where this delay increases during the dusk hours.
I included some sample photos for size comparison to a Eufy Cam 2C.
The other photos are of the beginning of the recorded event to show when the camera picked up the motion and when the camera had footage of the event.
May camera is placed 7ft off the ground and my backyard gently slopes.
Camera Settings: Motion Detection Level 4/7; All Motion.
-Picture with “Gate” written. The distance from the deck steps to the Gate is about 50 feet, there is a fire pit between the steps and the gate and it is pretty close to half way. So the 26ft it should be able to read it struggles with or is slow to record. Not sure how to tell.
-Picture with Red Car in background and person wearing Blue Tshirt, the camera is about 20ft away. Person came out of side door of house and is about 8ft from the door.
-Comparison to that photo is the night shot. Same person, same door exit, but picked up at about 5ft out of the door. There is an over door the sconce light on too.
-Last one, I am mowing and about 70ft away from the camera.
The Eufy App is really easy to work with. There are a lot of settings to tweak for the camera and even more if you have the full security suite. One feature I Iike is the Activiy Zone where you can setup a zone to only trigger captures. I wish my other cameras were like the SoloCam L40’s activity zone grid, as it is way more customizable with its 6 point polygon system versus the 4 point rectangle only system.
Picture/Video quality is good. The grass makes it pretty grainy, but when used over a deck or driveway it is more clear.
The SoloCam L40 is really nice camera all around and is great option for someone just needing a camera in one location and a quick setup. It does take about 8 hours to charge the camera out of the box, so keep that in mind when planning your attack. You will also need a charger. 5V/2A is recommended. The cameras are now USB-C and still come with a charging cable.
Great when needing one location and not needing a full security application.
It works in tandem with the HomeBase 2, so if you already have other cameras or entry sensors, there are no issues. However, it is treated as a separate system in the app so arming and disarming are not a connected event, but require separate inputs to activate. Which also means the security key pad won't change the SoloCam arm/disarm setting.
The Eufy app has a section for automations for devices that triggers another device to activate. So if you have an entry sensor activate it can tell a camera to start recording. Or if you have one Camera triggered then you can have other camera start recording too. The SoloCam Series though has the storage built in the camera and is treated as its own base station in the app and therefore cannot accept any automation.
So the SoloCam is as the name implies, meant to be used solo. And that goes for adding other SoloCam’s in to your Eufy app. They will all be treated separately.
The camera on it’s own works pretty good. I did find that early evening to dusk is a hard time to detect for it. Low light and mid day, it doesn’t have any issues. There is a delay from when it detects to win it records, which is typical for most of these types of systems that do not have the ability to continuously record. The time of day is where this delay increases during the dusk hours.
I included some sample photos for size comparison to a Eufy Cam 2C.
The other photos are of the beginning of the recorded event to show when the camera picked up the motion and when the camera had footage of the event.
May camera is placed 7ft off the ground and my backyard gently slopes.
Camera Settings: Motion Detection Level 4/7; All Motion.
-Picture with “Gate” written. The distance from the deck steps to the Gate is about 50 feet, there is a fire pit between the steps and the gate and it is pretty close to half way. So the 26ft it should be able to read it struggles with or is slow to record. Not sure how to tell.
-Picture with Red Car in background and person wearing Blue Tshirt, the camera is about 20ft away. Person came out of side door of house and is about 8ft from the door.
-Comparison to that photo is the night shot. Same person, same door exit, but picked up at about 5ft out of the door. There is an over door the sconce light on too.
-Last one, I am mowing and about 70ft away from the camera.
The Eufy App is really easy to work with. There are a lot of settings to tweak for the camera and even more if you have the full security suite. One feature I Iike is the Activiy Zone where you can setup a zone to only trigger captures. I wish my other cameras were like the SoloCam L40’s activity zone grid, as it is way more customizable with its 6 point polygon system versus the 4 point rectangle only system.
Picture/Video quality is good. The grass makes it pretty grainy, but when used over a deck or driveway it is more clear.
Audio quality is pretty good for the speaker and the two-way talk is nice; Eufy would do better to make it in an on/off switch in the app, instead of it requiring you to hold it down to talk.
Security Light is 600 Lumens. On a porch or in a location that is tight or has a few walls to bounce light off this is fine. In my location it pretty much exists to let the person know the camera is on. It will illuminated a spot about 6 feet-8feet in front of it. The light itself looks like it is glowing, so it is a bti different than a spot light or security light on a house.
Mounting Bracket is nice and sturdy and is the same that is used for the Solar Charger (unfortunately the SoloCam Series is not rated to work with the Solar Charger as it has micro-usb instead of USB-c cable). The weight of the camera is quite substantial so that is my guess why they upgraded it. I prefer to the standard outdoor mounts as it gives nearly limitless positioning choices. The outdoor mount that comes with the other outdoor cameras do not have as a robust mounting positions and the magnetic mounts are actually for indoor use only.
My only complaint is out of the box, after the 8 hour charging and then starting the initial setup and mounting per the step-by-step instructions, once the camera is mounted and you are done, it then checks for a software update. To me that is a little silly to have it run that after it is mounted when the first step after charging is syncing to the app and setting up the wifi network it will run on. If there is an issue with the update, you are going to have take it back down or at least climb back up to reset the camera.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
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High-Low Performance Pillows. Available in 2 PillowID sizes for a personal fit and affordable comfort
Place Fancy Advertising Ad Here
Customer Rating
3.0
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Performance Pillow Technology or just two pillows shoved in one case, with a barrier separating them. Pretty much my normal setup since forever, rather I use two separate pillows and trade them out during the night as I get hot.
According to the fit guide I am Cosmo 2.0. However, I went with a 1.0 as I always find pillows a little too firm once I get them home after I do the squeeze test in-store. So I dropped down to the 1.0 just in case and the firmness level of the Cosmo is already said to be Medium-Firm**. Well, when it comes to the firmness level I actually like the 1.0 as far as comfort goes (can’t compare to the 2.0 though). Knowing it has memory foam and having tried other memory foam pillows, I was expecting it to be a little stiffer overall, but since the foam portion is only about 2 or so inches of thickness and the polyfill is about the same, it's pretty plush out of the box. Only time will tell how long it will hold up. The Bedgear website recommends changing pillows every 18 months (pillow has a one-year warranty), which I do change my pillow about that same time frame from the $10 bin at my local Wally World. So I am guessing in 18 months they are expecting me to swap this bad mama-jammer out for a new model. That would equate to about $0.50/night for “Performance-driven” sleep.
I am a super hot sleeper and this was the main reason to give it a shot. Based on the specs I was hoping for some all night coolness down, but it seems to be a normal pillow and holds in heat like foam pillows tend to. The fabric/cover is cool at first, but then that goes away.
I feel like it holds in heat pretty well considering the channels and vents are supposed to move the air away/through the pillow. I had already gotten up for the day and my wife was still sleeping. About 20 minutes later when I was making the bed, I went to move the pillow and it was still warm underneath where the pillow lay. Granted, the top of the pillow was cool. We own a King Size Bliss Pure Latex mattress and after 20 minutes there is never any residual body heat where I was laying. So I was a little disappointed to see how much the pillow seems to act as an insulator.
The fabric cover is very soft and the pillow does have a nice balance between being firm and soft. However, I do have some questions for the design team...like why was it thought to be a good idea to use copper glitter-like fabric on the Air-X mesh panel seams?? If you have a good itch, that portion will definitely scrap away a small layer of your epidermis! Of course, it will do that on your neck when you go to shift the pillow. The Cosmo emblem stitching is not this way, nor are the copper rings around the “vent” holes. At first I was thinking maybe it was a copper weave to have some health benefits to add to that “Performance-driven” sleep they tout, but the website doesn’t state that on the product page.
Also, since it is a bed product it has a nice big “DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENALTY OF LAW” set of tags. I get every bed, comforter, and pillow has this, but a regular pillow will get a case put on it. Of course as the owner of this pillow I can remove the tags, but it still leaves that little bit that you cannot remove that now sticks out. So maybe not sell the pillow put together so its not on the actual pillow case? Or move it inside...where the pillows are?
**I put these after the Medium-Firm designation of what Bedgear says this pillow is. On their product page, click the hidden “?” and it gives you a pop-window on what Medium-Firm means to them. In the 1.0 I don’t notice a difference between either side. They both felt the same plushness.
I ended up letting my wife give it a go and it is now her pillow, so that is a plus in my love bank. She is also a two pillow sleeper, but now after using the Cosmo is a 1.0 pillow sleeper (see what I did there). Her fit guide also quoted the Cosmo 2.0.
I know I am not really talking this pillow up, I admit, I had some high expectations for it when it came to the cooling effect. For me it is a step backward because I cannot just flip the pillow over since it is going to be hotter than the top. My normal setup is a king size and queen size pillow. I sleep on the corners when belly down and then can rotate the pillow through the night or switch pillows altogether if needed or as I flop around like a fish as I tend to do. So I can always get at a cool spot of the pillow. Doesn’t really work that way with the Cosmo. It does work nicely as a small body pillow.
I’m not insecure to share my Fit Guide so if it helps you determine if this is useful here ya go. FYI there are two fit guides on the Bedgear webpage. One is on the main page and asks 5 questions as helps determine the product model. The second fit guide is shorter and is a product page to determine the range 0.0-3.0 it gives you these three questions: Gender, TShirt Size, Sleep Position.The other two questions from the other fit guide add Mattress Firmness and Sleep Temperature. Also the TShirt size is replaced with Body Size.
ME: Male, XL, All over the place...a bit more personal info, I’m 5’7” and 225lbs of pure fat, muscles, organs, water, and blood...not very hairy.
Wife: Femail, M, Back (wish they had a sub-option for flailing arms)...a bit more on my wife...yeah I’m not stupid!
Honestly, I am not sure how to recommend this...do or don’t. My mattress is not cheap, so clearly I don’t have an issue throwing down some cash on good sleep (I hate sleeping anywhere but my bed; hotels got nothin' on me). I just don’t think this sleep accessory lives up to the claims that it touts. But my wife likes it...so happy wife, happy life?
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Connect additional ports to your device with this Satechi USB-C multi-port adapter. The two USB-A 3.0 ports transfer data from storage drives, while the USB-C port supports fast charging. This Satechi USB-C multi-port adapter features a compact design to seamlessly fit in your backpack, and the HDMI port connects external displays to show 4K videos.
Does More Than MFR Specs Say It Should!
Customer Rating
4.0
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My main goal was to use for a 3 display setup, utilizing the laptop display and two HP 23” 1080p displays. My laptop supplies one HDMI output and the Satechi 7-in-1 supplies the other. For my daily use the Satechi definitely has me covered for whatever I need. The plus is it helps me condense my accessories since it has an ethernet port as well; I won’t need to carry that separate accessory.
Just using the HDMI port on the adapter the aluminum housing has a warmness to it. Not hot, but noticeably not cold either.
Some things you need to consider:
-USB-C port is Power Delivery only (meaning it is only for charging), it cannot be used as a Display Port or Data Transfer. So if you are needing the USB-C port to be more functional, you may need to look for another adapter to meet your needs. Product page states it can handle 60W charging...this would be INPUT. It does not state that, but Thunderbolt 3 spec INPUT is 100W, but OUTPUT is 15W to USB peripherals. So, if your laptop only has 1 USB-C port and it is used for charging, then the Satechi 7-in-1 will allow you to use the USB-C port for charging.
-USB-C port is Power Delivery only (meaning it is only for charging), it cannot be used as a Display Port or Data Transfer. So if you are needing the USB-C port to be more functional, you may need to look for another adapter to meet your needs. Product page states it can handle 60W charging...this would be INPUT. It does not state that, but Thunderbolt 3 spec INPUT is 100W, but OUTPUT is 15W to USB peripherals. So, if your laptop only has 1 USB-C port and it is used for charging, then the Satechi 7-in-1 will allow you to use the USB-C port for charging.
-Make sure you have good HDMI cables. Some older ones I had laying around would not work with the USB hub, even though they worked with my HDMI port on the laptop. I have Monoprice 4K cables and they worked just fine.
-USB-A ports do not support charging or CD readers, including Apple SuperDrive. We recommend connecting one bus-powered device at a time.
That last point is copied directly from the manufacturer product page. So it can be taken as you cannot use a CD reader or charge via USB-A. Also, don’t use more than one bus at a time.
I am not too sure about all of that because if you can tell in my pic I have four ports being used and I am not having any issues and the device did not gain much warmth over what I noticed when just using the HDMI port for 3-display setup. Four ports being used:
1. Ethernet
2. USB Flash Drive
3. USB-DVD Writer
4. HDMI
1. Ethernet
2. USB Flash Drive
3. USB-DVD Writer
4. HDMI
Now, I am not outputting anything 4K, and was only moving small folders of ~250MB at a time, while playing the DVD, streaming audio, and typing this in Google Docs. So not sure if Satechi is trying to cover their butts here or what? If indeed they only recommend using one powered bus at a time...HDMI, Ethernet, Micro/SD, USB-A, USB-C...then why buy this 7-in-1. I have used countless hubs in the past that didn’t have these limitations.
You’ll have to decide for yourself on how you use your device and maybe their recommendation is based on what type of USB-C port will be supplying the hub. I listed my below, so if yours is less, then maybe it will put more strain on the hub and then run into overheating or reliability issues. The recommendation still makes me scratch my head if this thing can take up to 60W input though...which input and output are not equal, but it still has to be designed to take the heat of 60W input. Again, decide for yourself.
I can confirm it won't do data transfer via USB-C, may laptop showed charging via USB-C 65W adapter (tested after taking the pic), but I also could not get it to charge my phone. So it would appear that the USB-C Port on the hub is for INPUT charging only.
My setup:
-Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: USB-C 3.2 with Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and G-Sync
-MonoPrice Slimline HDMI 4K cable
-Dual HP 23” 1080p Monitors
-LG Slim DVD-Writer
-Sandisk Cruzer 8GB USB 2.0
-Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: USB-C 3.2 with Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and G-Sync
-MonoPrice Slimline HDMI 4K cable
-Dual HP 23” 1080p Monitors
-LG Slim DVD-Writer
-Sandisk Cruzer 8GB USB 2.0
I don’t have any complaints on this device. The aluminum chassis is nice and the Space Gray looks good. It being very slim and streamlined it definitely fits into a bag easily. For cable management I kind of wish the HDMI port was on the other side, just to clean-up the wires and give a little more spacing on the side, but its meant for productivity and it does do that.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+8points
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Do you drink coffee all day every day? Love to brew for a crowd? The Mr. Coffee 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is perfect for you. This extra-large-capacity coffee maker brews up to 14 cups of hot coffee, so you get more coffee with every brew. Plus, its advanced showerhead evenly saturates grounds for more flavor extraction. This coffee machine also features a Small Batch setting for brewing 1-4 cups, a Strong Brew Selector for making bolder coffee, and a Brew Later function so that you can wake up to fresh-brewed coffee. With its adjustable Keep Warm setting, the coffee maker keeps your coffee at the perfect temperature for 1 to 4 hours. After 4 hours, the machine shuts off automatically for peace of mind. A clean machine means better tasting coffee. This coffee maker features an Automatic Cleaning Cycle, and also includes a reusable coffee filter that is dishwasher-safe. For capacity you can count on, the 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is perfect for coffee fans and coffee fams.
It's appears to run electricity.
Customer Rating
4.0
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As far as drip brewers go, it does the job.
The water tank and the carafe output is equal, so no guessing when filling the reservoir. Obviously brew strength will depend upon your tastes, but the Strong Brew button is nice when you want to punch it up a little bit. I’m not exactly sure how they do it, but I think it slows the process a bit and
Upon unboxing, it had the least plastic smell of other coffee makers I have had before. I ran the clean cycle as the initial setup suggests, but I would recommend running a couple pots of water through it too. My first 2 or so brews still had a bit of plastic taste in the cup.
The white LED is nice to actually use as a clock that can be seen. Changeable Keep Warm settings from 1-4 hours is also a nice upgrade, especially when making smaller pots. The 1-4 cup setting is nice. In truth, with the majority of the mug sizes I use the 1-4 cup setting yields 2 actual cups.
The overall design is fine, if you plan on placing it under a cabinet the water and coffee reservoir lid flips from front to back, which is also the longer dimension, so you will need to pull it out from under the cabinet to add water and coffee. The reservoir pour area is large so it is easy to add water.
I have a few complaints:
-the design does limit air flow so the brew station keeps a lot of moisture, as does the pot. If you do not drink coffee regularly you may want to consider leaving the lid open and thoroughly drying the pot after use.
-the pot does not have a tapered design so when the pot levels get low it requires tipping the pot almost upside down. It doesn’t make it hard to pour, just awkward. There is not a coffee maker I have ever had that has no condensation after brewing that didn’t linger; this just seems a bit more excessive than others.
-Steam: The steam condenses on the face of the coffee maker where all the controls are, including the clock. Just hope it doesn’t limit the longevity of the device.
-the design does limit air flow so the brew station keeps a lot of moisture, as does the pot. If you do not drink coffee regularly you may want to consider leaving the lid open and thoroughly drying the pot after use.
-the pot does not have a tapered design so when the pot levels get low it requires tipping the pot almost upside down. It doesn’t make it hard to pour, just awkward. There is not a coffee maker I have ever had that has no condensation after brewing that didn’t linger; this just seems a bit more excessive than others.
-Steam: The steam condenses on the face of the coffee maker where all the controls are, including the clock. Just hope it doesn’t limit the longevity of the device.
A side note: the included water filters do work to remove chlorine taste from your water. I already use filtered water and it does not have a noticeable effect on the flavor of the coffee. If you do use them. I would recommend keeping water in the reservoir instead of filling it when ready for use. Since the reservoir areas remains damp, I would think mold growth could be an issue if not used regularly. But if you are considering a coffee pot, chances are you will use it regularly!
For what it is worth, Mr. Coffee brand makers is one I keep coming back to. I have some fancier looking and lofty claims, but failed on execution...Mr. Coffee gets it done!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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La Specialista Prestigio is a beautifully designed espresso machine that gives you more control to handcraft consistently great espresso-based coffee drinks from the comfort of your home. We’ve incorporated Sensor Grinding Technology, Smart Tamping, Dynamic pre-infusion and Active Temperature Control with three temperature profiles to make the process more streamlined and personalized, while preserving the hands-on creativity and satisfaction of brewing espresso the right way. With no additional heat-up time, and minimal cleanup, La Specialista Prestigio empowers you to handcraft your espresso the right way.
Makes me drool like Homer Simpson for a beer!
Customer Rating
5.0
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I don’t always drink espresso, but when I do it's made with a De’Longhi.
For this review I used Starbucks Dark Roast Espresso Whole Bean.
My typical coffee go to is a Dark Roast or Decaf. I drink it black and for the flavor. I don’t rely on caffeine or sugar to fuel my day. I can go with or without it, as I don’t crave it. I enjoy it...quite frequently. So maybe I have an issue that I refuse to recognise.
So I have really enjoyed the change of pace from traditional drip brew coffee. The latte treats have been nice and I don’t drink as much in one sitting as normally would. I have had some truly nice espresso over the years, I do prefer more a latte if I am being honest, typically because I am just cutting the caffeine buzz down and I like the drink to last a little bit. I like my coffee like I like my beer...tall and dark.
One of my favorite treats as a dessert drink is a Vietnamese brew that uses a robusta bean. The Vietnamese restaurants I have been to typically use the Cafe Du Monde from New Orleans. The brew pot it is like a pour over combined with a drip but the yield is that of an espresso (double shot). It delivers a consistency close to that of espresso but does not have the creme tan top. The brew drips into a cup that already has condensed milk added to it and then mixed when finished. You can drink it hot or add it to ice for chilled drink. Either way is great.
I also was turned on to Turkish coffee. It too is sort of a dessert coffee since it is traditionally brewed with chocolate shavings. The brew method is boiled in a pot and I have only attempted it once as if you get it wrong it can boil into a mess. To get the flavor I would just add a tablespoon to some Ethiopian Decaf which really complimented the flavors of each other. And if you have ever eaten Indian or Thai food these coffee’s that are roasted with added flavors take on a whole new flavor profile! The Ethiopian mixed with the oils from spices and ginger oils make the Ethiopian have almost a floral flavor.
So my rambling is not without cause here, as with the De’Longhi La Specilista Prestigio I can use it to achieve quite a few of the types of coffee I like to drink with ease. I love the built-in plunger as I can add my own ground coffee amount to the cup (I usually use the double) and pack it really nicely. The Dose indicator can be turned to an off position of sorts labeled by a heaping spoon icon, so that the grinder is not automatically activated when placing the portafilter in the grind/tamping station.
I have been giving my hand at the frothing attachment and can definitely say I am still learning; I end up making more of a flat white than a latte. My daughters are wanting to be a barista’s for their first jobs and see the process as an art challenge; I am definitely looking forward to benefiting from their attempts!
The La Specilista Prestigio definitely takes a lot of guesswork out of the brewing process. I would say this slots in at about 50/50 auto-to-manual brewing. What you will have to figure out is your flavor profile for your brews and blends that you like. The bean typically dictates the grind level, but you can experiment with that too. The Dose level will also give you a better dial in on the final flavor, but the machine intelligently keeps the grind level and dose level in ratio that helps you get a great brew each time. I find the dose level to be equivalent to the fine tune adjustment dial on a microscope. The grind level is the 40x, 100x, 140x lens you select to begin with the magnification.
All of this adds up to me being able to use the machine in many different ways and easily mix different flavors of ground coffee and fresh ground beans. I am really liking the versatility of the machine.
The hot water feature is great as we are also tea drinkers and usually are just brewing a single bag. We have used an electric kettle for ages, but this makes the process all the quicker and we have cleared up a little more space at our drink station being able to put away the kettle.
The sturdiness of the machine is great! Attaching the portafilter to the grind station is very light, while attaching it the brew station is nice a firm to create a good seal. I use to hands to brace the machine just incase it wants to slide as a precaution. But doing it one-handed, this has not happened either.
Having the option for tall and short cups is nice especially when I tend to brew using a larger cup.
The machine definitely feels and operates as high-end and I know will last for years to come. The three year warranty (2 year out-of-the-box + 1 year-after registration) will definitely help me get there! Best to keep a spot for the box just in case.
The size of the machine will make this difficult for use under standard size counter-to-cabinet heights @ 17.5”. The machine to the top of the bean hopper is 17.5” Even if you don’t use that to gain space, you still have to be able to add water to the machine and so it won’t come easy trying to do that. So if you are going for this make sure you have a counter space without a top obstruction or a buffet table of sorts where this can sit as you will need it. In my situation I don’t have any issues with use, but to know the water level. The tank slots in the back and the sides continue the highly polished stainless steel body all the way to the back, so there isn’t away to know the water level without opening the lid and peering in. The max water line is easy to see, so I just fill it up with a pitcher instead of removing the tank each time.
The brew select guide of Espresso, Americano, Coffee is a nice feature which continues to let you dial in the flavor you are after with the amount of water. For a home machine it has the right level of technology and user input to experiment and get the brew the way you want it. I am getting quick to at brewing and cleaning the machine immediately after being done with use. Once you get your rotation down it takes about 3 minutes from start to finish to get to enjoy that brew (assuming you are using the frother; even quicker if you are not).
The only complaint I have has to do with the unboxing. If you want to keep the styrofoam insert intact, then you will need to open the box upside down add slide the machine out once all the top flaps have been opened. The machines weighs in at almost 30lbs, and there isn’t a really good way to get it out of the box without just destroying the foam packing insert.
I did have one session where I had turned the machine on, walked away for a few minutes, and then returned and the grinder would not activate when putting the portafilter in position. I ended up taking out the beans cleaning it out per instructions and putting it back together, but that did not fix it. In the end, I unplugged the device. Held down the power button on the front of the machine to purge any electricity and then replugged in and turned on the main power switch. Since then it hasn’t happened again. Prior to that I had went to use the tamping station as I was using my own ground coffee and forgot to turn the Dose know to tamp only. It the next time I went to use the machine I had the issue. So maybe something I did to interpret the grind process since the bowl was already full caused a malfunction and the machine just needed to be reset. I did the cleaning process first as I had already forgotten about my mistake the day before.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do! If you an avid espresso drinker, I think you will be pleased with the machine. Each time I brew the cup looks picture perfect on the espresso setting...after I add the steamed milk...still a work in progress.
PRO TIP-When registering I would only doing it via the webpage and only after signing for an account. I new better, but I did the SMS version. While I got the email my machine was registered, I did not actually get an account. I’m not sure if something glitched using my phone or what, but there wasn’t an account with the same email I used to register after it said it was complete. I then made an account with same the email address and my device is not in my list of devices (I didn’t really think it would be). So I will need to see if De’Longhi can combine and/or add my device to my account.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
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ASUS - ROG Zephyrus G14 14" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 - 512GB SSD - Black
Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS processor and 16GB of memory deliver fast and smooth performance during intensive gaming, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card renders high-quality videos for enhanced videos and games. This 14-inch IPS Level Full HD ASUS notebook PC has a 512GB SSD that provides storage for all types of files.
MVP...Just Not That Kind
Customer Rating
4.0
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I keep going back and forth on how to write this review.
Is it a good gaming laptop? Yes, it can play whatever you throw at it...may get a little noisy...but headphones cover over that. And its very near ultraportable specs for size...not so much weight though.
Is the screen vibrant and have good colors? Yes, for an IPS, Matte screen, it is really nice. I’m used to a 2-in-1 and I realize now how much easier on the eyes a matte screen is.
Can it output to a bigger screen? Yes...no issues there either. It ran 4K HDR no issues on my Vizio M55Q7. I did set to 2nd screen only to offload any demand on running the laptop screen.
So why the dilemma? For the current costs, is it enough? That is where I am struggling especially when I am looking at the other laptop that just found its way into our home, an ASUS TUF Gaming 17.3 with a nearly $300 lower cost, 144hz screen (a dream), 8GB RAM (1 Bay open), 512GB M.2, but with a 2nd M.2 bay available, i5 1135G7 and an NVIDIA RTX3050, plus built in RGB Keyboard and a WebCam. The build quality of TUF 17 is pretty cheap feeling when it comes to the palm rest and keys ability to hold on to oil. The chassis is sturdy, but just not made of high quality materials, but at the price ASUS had to cut corners somewhere...thankfully just not on the hardware.
Again, that’s where the The Zephyrus 14 is hard to review. While it has 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a RTX1060, the backlit keyboard is white only and...NO WebCam! The build quality is definitely more premium and solid and the plastic used for the palm rest and keys does not attract oils from the hands (however only on the right side keys are they experiencing a scratching affect when I type. Never experienced this on any other keyboard before and I have very trim, short nails. The screen lid feels aluminum, but I cannot confirm that on the ASUS product listing. What you do see on the ASUS product listing page is even more of what this laptop doesn’t have from the same product line...mostly way more control over the lighting and an integrated LED panel on the screen lid that can be customized greatly (which lends to the reality that the lid is aluminum).
The Ryzen 7 5800HS vs the i5-1135G7 are nearly apples to apples. On paper the Ryzen 7 has it beat in some areas 8 vs 4 cores, 7nm vs 10nm (better for lower power computing equaling longer battery life), but max clock speeds are 4.4GHz vs 4.20Ghz. Real world performance is going to be minimal difference, possibly in some video editing you may eek out a minute or two less on the rendering. But all-in-all its going to be similar experience.
I cannot fault the Zephyrus on performance...this is a portable gaming laptop and it does do that but knowing they could have put a 1TB M.2 drive in since games are going to eat up a lot of space, it would not eaten much into their profit margin and a WebCam. Really that last one is a no brainer. My guess is because the higher-end models from this line have the LED lights in the screen lid there wasn’t room for the camera. So the lesser versions it just looks like a huge omittance on ASUS part.
Of course, you can run Zoom or whatever else off your smartphone, but this is a gaming machine, what about those live streams you want to cast? You can turn your phone into a capable web streamer hooked up to the laptop, but now you need a dock or mount to get it just right. With 4 dedicated mics built-in to the chassis, ASUS knew chatting was going to be a must have feature, and it works really well as do the speakers. But for game immersion...headphones make the experience even better especially when they already have a mic built-in.
So it feels like ASUS had a formula for the build of this laptop and said here is the build price it has to be at given what the top-end model would cost to build.
I feel like this particular product build will be very niche in who it attracts and at that I think it will really only interest someone who doesn’t want a larger laptop and looking in the ultraportable range and gaming is a casual need/want, but can still run some quality games and not have lag issues. 2-in-1’s are out of the question here unless you are playing some really old retro games or 2D games. If that is the case a 2-in-1 has way more features (less ease of upgrade though) that may fit your school needs and some touch features that may come in handy when editing documents.
I feel like this particular product build will be very niche in who it attracts and at that I think it will really only interest someone who doesn’t want a larger laptop and looking in the ultraportable range and gaming is a casual need/want, but can still run some quality games and not have lag issues. 2-in-1’s are out of the question here unless you are playing some really old retro games or 2D games. If that is the case a 2-in-1 has way more features (less ease of upgrade though) that may fit your school needs and some touch features that may come in handy when editing documents.
So, I’m not sure where I leave this review. Does it work as ASUS designed for gaming...again, yes. Is that all it is good for? No, it can handle all tasks just fine. My only complaints are the keyboard keys marking up when I type and the fingerprint reader is a little unreliable. Outside of that it is a fine functioning small laptop.j Plenty of ports for your needs and the keyboard has great tactile feedback and not too noisy like a gaming keyboard.
It’s just the value for me that is called into question, knowing that you can go cheaper in price, get more terms of hardware specs and are only sacrificing size and build materials. I would say fingerprint reader too but since this one has issues, it wouldn’t be missed. And it is also knowing that the design of this laptop was meant for something more and to get that more...you have to pay more.
So this is sort of an MVP in the business world...Minimal Viable Product. It works, does what it is supposed to, but doesn’t have all the features of what the final product will.
Can I recommend it yes...just know exactly what you are buying when you do. My 4 stars are based on does it work? And yes, minus the fingerprint reader issue and key scratching. I don't feel value can factor in the star ratings.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+40points
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Dell - Inspiron 2-in-1 - 14" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 512GB 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, these chic, lightweight devices can seamlessly connect your PC and smartphone with Dell Mobile Connect’s wireless integration. 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. And that’s not all, your Inspiron, is now environmentally conscious – The Inspiron compliments not just your style but also your values.
Dude! Your Getting a DELL!
Customer Rating
4.0
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Not matter what laptop you get, the 2-in-1 format is the best in my opinion for a sub 15.6” screen size. 15.6” or larger I’m sure is good too, but portability and versatility is not the purpose for something of that size. The 2-in-1 allows you to put the screen in the position that you want it, especially when sitting/standing position changes. Tablet mode for me is not something I use often. With the keys underneath, it's just awkward to get comfortable and honestly just worried I’d break something...but that is my take.
I’ve been a long time user of the Netbook/Ultrabook platform and the thinning bezels and continued development to compact the size going from a 13.3” to a 14” feels the same. Comparing weight to my previous 2-in-1 13.3” Yoga @ 2.9lbs, the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 only comes in at 3.22lbs hardly noticeable in real world use and barely noticeable on the scales...just over 5oz difference in weight and awesome gains in screen real estate.
Focusing in on the Inspiron 14 there are some definite design choices I am loving and few I am scratching my head over.
Pros:
-NO SHARP EDGES!! The palm rest area edge is rolled under to mee the bottom cover plate and makes for a very nice, no fatigue, wrest on the wrists.
-Increased Screen size = bigger track pad, and ability to make the standard zoom size setting smaller. On a 15.6” default is 100% zoom for FHD. On a 13.3” it is set at 150%. Dell choose to default at 150% on the Inspiron but the 125% setup gives a bit more screen space for windows. 100% is possible, but does make things quite small so you may find yourself squinting a bit. On my previous 13.3”, 100% was not an option.
-Screen acts as a raised bevel when using on a table to give a better keyboard reach
-Finger Reader works great!
-Great sound from the speakers
-Screen brightness is great and very sharp image
-CAMERA Security!!! Proof you don't need a thick screen to include a privacy slide. That deserves a Ding Dong!!
-NO SHARP EDGES!! The palm rest area edge is rolled under to mee the bottom cover plate and makes for a very nice, no fatigue, wrest on the wrists.
-Increased Screen size = bigger track pad, and ability to make the standard zoom size setting smaller. On a 15.6” default is 100% zoom for FHD. On a 13.3” it is set at 150%. Dell choose to default at 150% on the Inspiron but the 125% setup gives a bit more screen space for windows. 100% is possible, but does make things quite small so you may find yourself squinting a bit. On my previous 13.3”, 100% was not an option.
-Screen acts as a raised bevel when using on a table to give a better keyboard reach
-Finger Reader works great!
-Great sound from the speakers
-Screen brightness is great and very sharp image
-CAMERA Security!!! Proof you don't need a thick screen to include a privacy slide. That deserves a Ding Dong!!
Head Scratchers
-Charger...in the box and POORLY packaged, is a 65W USB-C charger. However, the Inspiron can accept a proprietary Dell charger that can offer faster charger times and the BestBuy page talks about a fast charge option, but that cannot be found with the included charger.
-the USB-C port is a good position, but when having to use it for charging port, you now lose access to it and it then makes it tricky to use the USB 3.2 port. There is another one on the right side though. HDMI port is still easy to access.
-Headphone jack. My guess is for symmetry, but the headphone jack on the right side is at the back/behind the USB-Port. So again it makes it awkward when using plugged in headphones at cord will drape across your hands.
-Software/Bloatware: Dell likes its redundant software and bloatware. Redundancy in that there are 3 apps that all check for product updates, but each do something extra. So why not just combine the experience into one?
-Two Tone chassis color. Aluminum Silver on top and a light Graphite on bottom. Doesn't do it for me.
-Charger...in the box and POORLY packaged, is a 65W USB-C charger. However, the Inspiron can accept a proprietary Dell charger that can offer faster charger times and the BestBuy page talks about a fast charge option, but that cannot be found with the included charger.
-the USB-C port is a good position, but when having to use it for charging port, you now lose access to it and it then makes it tricky to use the USB 3.2 port. There is another one on the right side though. HDMI port is still easy to access.
-Headphone jack. My guess is for symmetry, but the headphone jack on the right side is at the back/behind the USB-Port. So again it makes it awkward when using plugged in headphones at cord will drape across your hands.
-Software/Bloatware: Dell likes its redundant software and bloatware. Redundancy in that there are 3 apps that all check for product updates, but each do something extra. So why not just combine the experience into one?
-Two Tone chassis color. Aluminum Silver on top and a light Graphite on bottom. Doesn't do it for me.
Dell has a sweet spot in my life as it was my first PC purchase way back in 2000. I’ve always found my way back to the brand and have never been disappointed with the build quality and longevity of their devices. The XPS line has always been a device I have coveted, but just out of reach with the price. The Inspirion line has greatly made a leap forward in this 5000 series and I can see this lasting me quite a long time.
I didn’t comment much on the hardware specs as I am still putting this through its paces. Real world use, everything is going great. I haven’t done any minor video editing yet, but I don’t think I have any issues. Everything seems to be very smooth and snappy. The iRIS Xe Graphics is definitely helping there is a 4x times improvement over the traditional Intel 620UHD graphics that have been standard for quite some time. The only better at this point are laptops with dedicated graphic cards with dedicated RAM.
Last comment is more of a recommendation because of the increased trackpad size. I had to turn off the Windows 10 3-finger swipe gesture as I found my palm kept touching the trackpad when 2-finger scrolling and would take me to the desktop which is default for the gesture. That can be changed, but I just assume turn it off since I was activating the gesture a lot.
Last comment is more of a recommendation because of the increased trackpad size. I had to turn off the Windows 10 3-finger swipe gesture as I found my palm kept touching the trackpad when 2-finger scrolling and would take me to the desktop which is default for the gesture. That can be changed, but I just assume turn it off since I was activating the gesture a lot.
I docked 1 Star because of the Charger packaging, BestBuy product page stating faster charging features that are not accessible, and redundant software and bloatware. The issues I have with port placement don't really factor because if there is a different charger being used then the USB-C port is open. I couldn't find an accessory for it on Dell's page, but I didn't take that long either.
I can definitely recommend this laptop!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+17points
17out of 17found this review helpful.
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MnstrMike's Questions
MnstrMike has not submitted any questions.
are there any digital cameras that record? If so, which ones?
almost any of them these days. Depends on what kind of video you want to shoot and how much you want to spend. Most shoot standard def, but higher end will shoot in HD. One thing to note is most cameras cannot zoom in while shooting video (zoom is only digital and degrades the quality). However, the super zoom cameras are incorporating the optical zoom while shooting video.
I recommend the Canon line of cameras. The A3100 is good, i just bought it. And also the SX line.
I recommend the Canon line of cameras. The A3100 is good, i just bought it. And also the SX line.
13 years, 7 months ago
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Posted by:
MnstrMike
from
Knoxville, TN
Camcorder with webcam functionality
I need a reasonably priced camcorder that can also serve as a webcam. Which models have this feature?
It all depends on what you will use it for most. Any line-up of camcorders will do just fine for a webcam and on sale you can get a webcam for around $30.
For home videos, it all just depends what you are going to be doing, if you need a super zoom lens 30x or higher? Standard Def or HD? If you are only going to be putting them on a PC or do you want to watch directly on TV? There are still the tape versions available that you use the camcorder as a VCR. Or you can buy one that burns directly to mini-DVD's, holding 60 minutes of video. The last option records to SD cards and can hold anywhere from 2 hours to 16 hours, just depending on the size of card or built-in memory. Most of these camcorders only can record for about an hour to an hour and a half because of battery charge.
I know it's a lot of questions and doesn't really answer yours. Going off of "Reasonably priced and webcam" for specifications means anything less than $150 will work for your purposes.
For home videos, it all just depends what you are going to be doing, if you need a super zoom lens 30x or higher? Standard Def or HD? If you are only going to be putting them on a PC or do you want to watch directly on TV? There are still the tape versions available that you use the camcorder as a VCR. Or you can buy one that burns directly to mini-DVD's, holding 60 minutes of video. The last option records to SD cards and can hold anywhere from 2 hours to 16 hours, just depending on the size of card or built-in memory. Most of these camcorders only can record for about an hour to an hour and a half because of battery charge.
I know it's a lot of questions and doesn't really answer yours. Going off of "Reasonably priced and webcam" for specifications means anything less than $150 will work for your purposes.
Products from my answer
Toshiba - Camileo H30 High-Definition Camcorder with 3" Touch Screen - Black
Samsung - Ultra Compact Camcorder with 2.7" LCD Monitor - Purple
Flip Video - UltraHD (3rd Generation) Camcorder - 2 Hour - Black/Silver
13 years, 7 months ago
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Posted by:
MnstrMike
from
Knoxville, TN