MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
MnstrMike's Stats
- Review Count149
- Helpfulness Votes871
- First ReviewAugust 5, 2011
- Last ReviewAugust 24, 2025
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.1
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count3
- Helpfulness Votes5
- First Review CommentNovember 5, 2012
- Last Review CommentJune 18, 2017
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count41
- Helpfulness Votes48
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2010
- Last AnswerDecember 8, 2021
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers5
Gas-like performance without all the drawbacks of gas. That~s what the Worx 40V Power Share 14~ Cordless Chainsaw gives you. We~ve doubled the volts of our standard Power Share tools and made a chainsaw powered by two 20V batteries. Double the run time and upgraded performance but still with cordless convenience and without the smell or expense of gasoline. We~re able to achieve this on account of the saw~s high-efficiency brushless motor. As part of the Power Share platform, it uses the same batteries as every other tool, outdoor power and lifestyle product in that family. It~s more durable and uses less battery than a motor based around a brush design. It spins the 0.043~ gauge chain, with a 3/8~ pitch, at 26ft/s. So you~ve got all the power you need to perform every regular chainsaw job. Cut 26~ diameter logs on the ground or 13~ diameter trees that are still standing, for instance. Auto-tensioning and auto-oiling systems keep the bar and chain running at peak performance throughout the entire life of this tool. And on-board battery charge indicators, and oil-tank markings, let you know when you~ll need to recharge or refill the oil. Plus, the quick-stop chain brake adds an extra level of safety to this saw, so you~ll know you can always shut it down at a moment~s notice.
It Can BUT It Can't
Customer Rating
3.0
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This is somewhat of a hard review to write as the tool does everything WORX says it can, but if you do EVERYTHING it says it can, you’ll get about 10-15 minutes use out of it. If you do only what the product demo video show you will probably get the “double the runt time” it claims it can do; I’m guessing this is based off of the older 20v 12” model.
IF you read the 26” cut depth and think, “I can use this to cut down a tree”, you’re not wrong. However, it will take about 10 sets (20) of batteries and 10 chargers to supply you with enough juice to keep the batteries charged and you from taking a break every 15 minutes with an hour layover each time.
These devices suck down the battery with sustained use on anything 8in and up, but again will last “double the run time” on the stuff 4in or less.
Looking at the collage of cut logs with the saw, I did that job in about 5 minutes (literally just what you see) and both batteries went from 3 bars to 1 bar. I had 2 little trees about 15 ft tall and 3”-4” bases to cut too. I cleaned up the logs and moved on to the little trees and checked the battery levels again before start and now it read 2 bars on each. I got the little ones down and cut-up without issue. The batteries read 1 bar again, so I wanted to see how long that 1 bar would last at that point and started to cut an older log that was 14 inches long and 10” diameter. I got about 15 seconds in and one battery died. The other still had some juice but it couldn’t power the saw but for 3 seconds at a time. All in I got about 10-15 minutes max out of the batteries.
The other collage is a Bradford Pear I just took down. I did it with my (already owned) WORX 14” 8 amp Corded and borrowed 9” battery chainsaw (night and day difference over a battery Reciprocal Saw). The 40V WORX 14”, if I had it at the time, would have been able to do it too, but like already stated I would have needed a stream of batteries and chargers to get it done.
I’m struggling to recommend this or not and to be honest, and it has nothing to do with how well it cuts or really the product itself, in so much as the battery life. Prior to acquiring this 40V WORX 14” I was researching other brands and a lot of the reviews were stating the same as what I have discovered with this use, great for tiny/small jobs, but a 20+ft tree with 6+in base, you’re going to need the batteries.
And this is where my dilemma comes in because it is literally just the battery technology that cannot keep up. WORX has put in the brushless motor which definitely helps with power output and loss of consumption, but trying to replace an equivalent chain size gas-powered is going to be tough for getting anything really done.
I definitely like the WORX brand as I have been using it for about 10 years now for my two saws…14in corded chainsaw and 8in corded pole saw. However, they their limitations too on extension cord length and the placement of your outside plugs.
Now that I have this, I don’t know if would get rid of the corded one, but I’m definitely looking at replacing the pole saw and my gas leaf blower.
PRO TIP: the Chain Break Lock requires a hefty pull to engage. I actually couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong here as the chainsaw wouldn’t work. The instructions didn’t mention you need some good force to engage as by all appearances the break is plastic and looks pretty flimsy, but it is sturdier than it looks.
I’d do your research and see if this size is what you actually need to do your job. WORX as a brand I can definitely recommend!
I would be more prefer a 2.5 Star, but I’ll round up to 3 Stars. Again, just because it cannot sustain use on bigger jobs and so you may not need the 14".
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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The Shark StainStriker is a portable spot & stain eliminator that delivers powerful tough stain elimination, with no premix required~ Dual-activated solution unleashes the power of OXY delivering 20X more stain-striking power*. Tackle food stains, spills, embedded dirt, & pet messes throughout your home: carpets, area rugs, couches, upholstery & more.
Perfect For Small Jobs
Customer Rating
3.0
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It’s a great little stain vacuum and super convenient.
It is definitely useful for quick cleanups and old soiled carpet. If thinking more for automotive and frequent usage, I would look for a more dedicated product for two reasons:
1) the design of the wand attachment
2) the collecting bin size
1) the design of the wand attachment
2) the collecting bin size
The water tank to the concentrate line holds 26oz. However, the collecting bin is only about 10oz. That compartment houses the float for the auto shutoff and that takes up quite a bit of space, so it fills up a lot quicker. I was still able to clean about 5 stains before it filled up.
The picture shows how much is used until it hits the shut-off.
The wand attachment…this is a two-fold issue as the 7” Tool (not sure where they get that measurement from) snaps on to the handle, but also has the clear piece on the top where the liquid is extracted, it is removable. This is nice for cleaning the tool, but during use it wants to snap off, so you have to apply extra pressure on top of the tool when pushing into the fabric being cleaned. This is also needed as the tool wants to pop off at the attach point to the wand. You have to push down pretty good to get the proper extraction or you will leave too much liquid in the carpet/upholstery.
My two test use cases were recently dried wall paint in carpet and in my vehicle. For the vehicle less than 24 hours old DollyWood Sweet Bread oil/sugar grease in the vehicle upholstery and then some mystery stain on passenger seat at shoulder for more than 2 years (failed to get before pic on this one)
Dried Paint in Carpet = barely fail
Vehicle Oil/Sugar grease =barely fail
Vehicle Mystery Stain = WIN!
Vehicle Oil/Sugar grease =barely fail
Vehicle Mystery Stain = WIN!
I used both included solutions to clean in all of the tests.
Both of the barely fails really just need a more powerful scrubber and maybe even less dilution of the cleaning concentrate and actual powered brush and I figured this would be the case. But it did clean some of it, so that is why it wasn’t a total fail. The included rubber attachment scrubber while nice is best for simply cleaning that has not yet had the opportunity to dry or stain yet. I did not use the scrubber on the mystery stain as I could see that just wetting the affected areas already began to dilute whatever the stain was.
I am definitely satisfied with the product, but if you are thinking of auto-detailing on a consistent basis and more than your household fleet, I would look for a more dedicated product.
The included pet attachment for collecting “liquids” that come out of them I have not had the opportunity (thankfully) to use yet. The only issue I see with this is like most devices that come with a good amount of accessories, is where to store it?
The vaccum itself is not very big, but there is not a place on the device to attach the Pet Attachment or the hose cleaning attachment, which you definitely don’t want to use as it makes cleaning the vacuum hose very easy.
The hose storage is also quite tight. My guess is the same instrument they used to measure the 7” Tool was used to measure the circumference of the device and/or the length of the vacuum hose, as it is about 3in too short and makes sliding the Wand Tool on to the latch when storing away very tight.
There are definitely a few things I think version 2.0 could improve on, but as-is it will definitely get the job done based off the Info-mercial of a box and its claims.
I can definitely recommend it and I definitely plan on using it to now clean the spilled Dr.P in my truck as well as finishing the DollyWood gooey sauce.
I did dock a couple stars for the issues with the wand attachments, short hose/design, and the collecting tank being so small.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
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Incredible image quality, even better HyperSmooth video stabilization and a huge boost in battery life come together in the new GoPro HERO12 Black. It takes superb 5.3K video and adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) to capture once in a lifetime journeys and amazing everyday moments in even more detail. Thanks to its improved power management, it delivers 2x longer continuous recording at 5.3K60 (70 minutes). Tough, lightweight and easily mountable for hands-free recording, it~s ready for anything (on land or in the water) while advanced video stabilization keeps your footage smooth over rough terrain. After recording, simply plug in your GoPro. While it~s charging, your footage will automatically upload to the cloud and be sent to your phone as a highlight video that lets you relive your adventure and share the fun.
Ready For Your Next Adventure
Customer Rating
5.0
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Recording Specs
64 Min, 22.4GB @4K60 & 62 Min, 20.5GB @4K60, Front Screen OFF, HyperSmooth On, HDR On, Zoom 1x, Hindsight Off, Auto White Balance and any other settings that had the auto.
64 Min, 22.4GB @4K60 & 62 Min, 20.5GB @4K60, Front Screen OFF, HyperSmooth On, HDR On, Zoom 1x, Hindsight Off, Auto White Balance and any other settings that had the auto.
77 Min, 16.1GB @1080/60, Front Screen OFF, HyperSmooth Off, HDR Off, Zoom 1x, Hindsight Off, Auto White Balance and any other settings that had the auto. Still had 25% left and it was at 91% when started shooting.
MicroSD Card SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB…based on 2 runs looks like it will hold about 10 hours of footage at 4K settings.
The two runs I was able to make at 4K I got right at an hour of battery life to dead. So buy as many batteries as you can afford/carry and have them charged and ready if you plan use GoPro all day. I wish the device was more efficient during setup. The more you know where settings are located, the faster you will get at, but about 5 minutes cuts a couple percentages off. It is only a 1700mah, so not expecting crazy life with what you are asking of the camera, but wish it was a little longer.
Transfer time to phone via USB-C cable 22min
Transfer time to laptop via microSD 4min
Transfer time to phone via Bluetooth…to long stopped the transfer.
Transfer time to laptop via microSD 4min
Transfer time to phone via Bluetooth…to long stopped the transfer.
I’m sure it would have felt quicker if there were more files of smaller size, so just seeing 3 or 4 files and it sitting on number 2 for a long time, which was 30 min and 11GB, it can take a minute. Just make sure the GoPro is plugged and charging, thankfully you can use and charger at the same time.
The GoPro Quik app is cool, there are free things available to use, but the coolest features are behind a paywall, not cool. As a new subscriber/owner, at the time of writing they were giving 50% a year subscription (reg $50/year) of GoPro or just $5/mo (no discount) or $10/year for the Quik version. The Pro subscription also comes with up to 50% at GoPro.com and every year $100USD towards a new GoPro; so if your looking to add another one, it may not be a bad idea. I did sign-up, as the unlimited storage is quite a nice option.
What you do lose though, or at least won’t be of use to you in the app, is GPS data because the HERO12 doesn’t have GPS as an option any more, so all the features in the video editing won’t be available.
I have been playing around with the new Microsoft ClipChamp and I have been pretty impressed for a free app. I’ve used Adobe Photoshop Premiere as a video editor for a long time and its definitely better than that is some aspects.
If you are experienced with video editing, most things are pretty straight forward, however, the trim tool is reverse, selecting keeps the footage, not cut it out. If you want to create a quick auto video where it will analyze the footage and best guess highlights. You can also do this manually. I find it better to cut long sessions first to get rid of boring bits.
It can be done on a phone, but if you have a tablet doing the editing is even nicer with the extra screen real estate. There is a Windows App, but it is called GoPro Player +Reel Steady that you find in the Windows Store. The Reel Steady feature is an extra fee, but is made redundant by the GoPro Hypersmooth 6.0. I didn’t mess with the app too long. It was just updated for Hero 12, so they are paying attention to it.
Wind Noise
Is not too bad. I left the default setting at Medium, but I will test with High. Using on my motorcycle, there is quite a bit of wind.
Is not too bad. I left the default setting at Medium, but I will test with High. Using on my motorcycle, there is quite a bit of wind.
HyperSmooth 6.0-This is a must! I was shocked at this as the camera is just vibrating like crazy when the bike isn’t moving, once you get going the bike vibes mellow out, but the footage was always smooth. On the first run I did 2 separate videos with exactly the same settings minus HS 6.0 being off/on and I couldn’t tell a difference. The second run HS was definitely ON. I am second guessing myself on the HS being off on part 2 of run 1 now though, as my third run I set to the 1080P setting listed above, with HS being OFF for sure, and it was terribly choppy, which is a shame because it was an excellent ride with great footage…the bear cubs didn’t show up.
Actually using the HERO 12 is great. There is definitely some thought put into accessibility and ease of use. The power button can cycle through photo/video/time lapse modes so you don’t have to use the touchscreen and the shutter button will start the video recording and use the last setting; which can be changed in the Preferences menu. And Default Setting out-of-box for the touch screen menus is Easy Mode. I’m not sure why, there are really are not that many settings to get into, but I’m sure it exists for some use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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PRO X TKL is the next generation of the Logitech G PRO keyboard. It was designed in collaboration with the world~s best esports players~and engineered to win. PRO X TKL helps players eliminate every barrier between them and the win with the speed and reliability of LIGHTSPEED wireless technology and a sleek, tenkeyless design. It~s been battle-tested, pro-approved, and built to win championships at the highest levels of competition.
Excellent Compact Gaming Keybord
Customer Rating
5.0
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My initial impressions are great! The tactile feedback is excellent, the compactness of the keyboard is great, and the included carry case is perfect for on the go gaming.
Battery Life
I haven’t been monitoring my usage time vs standby time, but over nearly 2 weeks of usage the battery will last a long time. Charging is made simple with the included USB-C to USB-A cable. I charged out of the box, but I didn’t know what % it started at. To date with daily use I am just at 83% battery life.
I haven’t been monitoring my usage time vs standby time, but over nearly 2 weeks of usage the battery will last a long time. Charging is made simple with the included USB-C to USB-A cable. I charged out of the box, but I didn’t know what % it started at. To date with daily use I am just at 83% battery life.
Customization
Obviously there is the cool factor of RGB lightning and being able to customize each key color if you so choose. Getting used to Logi’s implementation took a bit, but I wouldn’t say the learning curve is steep. What is awesome is the ability to launch a game and it automatically switches your keyboard setup. Finished gaming…it will default back to your preferred normal usage settings.
Obviously there is the cool factor of RGB lightning and being able to customize each key color if you so choose. Getting used to Logi’s implementation took a bit, but I wouldn’t say the learning curve is steep. What is awesome is the ability to launch a game and it automatically switches your keyboard setup. Finished gaming…it will default back to your preferred normal usage settings.
Connection Options
Bluetooth, Lightning adapter, USB…if just connecting via bluetooth the keyboard defaults to a standard BT keyboard. The backlighting and some color changing options are available, but no programming keys, etc. To get full functionality the Lighting adapter or wired connection has to be used.
Bluetooth, Lightning adapter, USB…if just connecting via bluetooth the keyboard defaults to a standard BT keyboard. The backlighting and some color changing options are available, but no programming keys, etc. To get full functionality the Lighting adapter or wired connection has to be used.
GHub Software
As already stated, I don’t think the learning curve on the GHub software is steep. I had it already installed for other Logi products I own, however, I did have issue out-of-the-box when trying to setup the keyboard. There was an issue with the firmware update and I ended up with a broken installation. Reached out to support with my issue and I had a step-by-step fix to fully uninstall the GHub software in under 24 hours. I don’t mess with the Registry Edit too ofen, but the step-by-step instructions were very simple to follow. Obviously no company wants software issues right out the gate, but if they are going to happen, at least have the support team ready, and Logi definitely has that!
As already stated, I don’t think the learning curve on the GHub software is steep. I had it already installed for other Logi products I own, however, I did have issue out-of-the-box when trying to setup the keyboard. There was an issue with the firmware update and I ended up with a broken installation. Reached out to support with my issue and I had a step-by-step fix to fully uninstall the GHub software in under 24 hours. I don’t mess with the Registry Edit too ofen, but the step-by-step instructions were very simple to follow. Obviously no company wants software issues right out the gate, but if they are going to happen, at least have the support team ready, and Logi definitely has that!
It would be cool if ASUS and Logi allowed crossover of their software to sync the laptop keyboard. It has Aura Sync, but that is proprietary for ASUS products and GHub for Logi, which makes since why neither company has the option, but still would be nice to at least sync the rhythm when in standby mode or some minimal crossover.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Accelerate your workflow with the powerful performance of the Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD. With read and write speeds up to 1,050MB/s and 2TB of capacity, the X9 Pro has space for thousands of photos, files, and videos along with the speed you need to organize, curate, edit and retouch your portfolio quickly, supporting whatever you do in Adobe Lightroom. The Crucial X9 Pro is plug-and-play ready with a USB-C connection, and works with Windows, Mac, Android, and more. Featuring Micron TLC NAND and water and dust resistance (IP55), the Crucial X9 Pro is designed for durability and style in the studio, in the field, or wherever you roam.
Large, Small, & Fast
Customer Rating
5.0
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The 2TB of storage is great for large files and in such a small package the X9 Pro can easily fit in any pocket. I used the required USB Gen 3.2 USB-C ports on my laptop and both transferred two mp4 files @ around 2GB each in about 10 seconds.
Not much more to say about using it as it does what you want an external drive to do. I have not tried any of the trial-software it comes with, so I cannot comment on any of it, but it doesn't have anything to do with the use of the drive.
The design/build quality is pretty good, it will definitely stand up to a being thrown around in a bag and/or on a key ring if one would want to do that.
The advertised read/write speed is 1050mbps and it hits pretty close to that running the below test.
I used EaseUS Diskmark to run a sample, these are the results of the 1GB sample size with 1MB blocks.
Sequential Read Random Read Sequential Write Random Write
Speed (MB/s) 957.82 942.05 818.90 766.74
IOPS (Times/s) 913 898 780 731
Delay (ms) 17.255 17.200 20.432 21.827
Speed (MB/s) 957.82 942.05 818.90 766.74
IOPS (Times/s) 913 898 780 731
Delay (ms) 17.255 17.200 20.432 21.827
The craziest thing was the shipping box for the product size...photo included.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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360 Electrical - Revolve45, 4 Rotating Outlets/2 USB-A and 1 USB-C 1080 Joules Surge Protector - White
Protect your sensitive electronics and direct-charge everything from smartphones to laptops with the new Revolve45. Turn any standard wall outlet into a seven-point power center with one USB-C, two USB-A and four patented rotating AC outlets. In addition to adding industry-leading power capability, Revolve45~s striking design looks beautiful on the wall. Subtle and fluid surfacing as well as the use of unique textures and finishes, work together to convey thoughtful and considered attention to every detail.
Twist It, Plug It, Charge It
Customer Rating
5.0
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Exactly what I needed! My couches are electric recline and the power brick is quite thick. I was using an extension just so I could plug in another device. While that did work, it was never as secure as I would have liked.
The swivel plugs are perfect. Having the 3 USB ports for charging devices is also great. This is a better location to charge tablets or phones in the living and room and now I don’t need the charging bricks out.
Having the surge protection built-in is a huge bonus too. Have not had any power outages in the time I have been using it.
The product picture does not show it, but there is a hole in the center (which the screw comes pre-installed) to be able to attach the Revolve45 to the plug, using the plate screw hole. Most designs that multiply the number of plugs utilize this same installation method when there are 4 or more being added and it takes up the entire plug.
The only thing I don't like about this style is that the wall plate never seems to fit flat against the wall. Not really much to be done about it, but in applications like mine where the plug will be sitting below coffee table level, there is a tiny gap that can be seen.
If you were using this above a countertop, I don’t think this would be easily seen; especially if there is a backsplash.
I can easily recommend this product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Dell - XPS 13 13.4" FHD+ Laptop - Intel Core i7 Evo with 32GB Memory - 1TB SSD - Sky
Go anywhere and do anything with our thinnest and lightest XPS laptop. The new XPS 13 is packed with power in a seemingly weightless shell.
Compact and Powerful
Customer Rating
4.0
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The XPS line from Dell, I think has always been the benchmark in the Thin & Light, Road Warrior, Laptop lineup and I think the XPS 13.4 carriers on with that tradition very well.
I have to speak to the packaging because Dell did a great job of protecting the laptop and unfortunately for FedEx, they took a page out of Ace Venture Pet Detective’s package delivery service and crushed the box pretty good.
Dell utilized an exterior box and then an interior tub for the laptop to sit in. While both the outer box and tub received damage the laptop and accessories where untouched.
This is definitely a first for me to comment on the integrity of the shipping container. That attention to detail carriers through into the device itself thankfully!
Ever since the days of “Dude, you’re getting a Dell!” Christmas campaigns, Dell has been a brand I have consistently turned to for my computing needs.
Out-of-the-box there are quite a few software updates to run, so settle in for a bit as I found I had to babysit the laptop to get through all of them. That is not so much a Dell issue as it is a WinOS.
After all these updates, I did find that the laptop was not running optimally, which worried me for a bit. The laptop was running on a low CPU ~1.1GHZ-1.3GHZ which translated to 99% CPU usage and around 70%-80% RAM usage, this was plugged-in not battery power. All of this translated into the laptop running the fan on high.
However, once I got through the 2ish hours of updates and started using the machine it settled in. While the fan is probably going to always run due to the compactness of the machine, I don’t find it loud when just doing simple tasks. I did go into Task Manager to Disable a lot of Startup Programs as there did seem an abnormally high amount of them without having installed any of my own software yet. This also helped with startup and processing acclimating quicker.
During setup I did opt to use the Face Unlock, and while it is nowhere near as fast as a smartphone, it still only takes about 5 seconds to unlock. This definitely comes down to the orientation of the screen/camera to your face. There are 2 red lights on either side of the camera that flicker letting you know that the Face Unlock is being accessed.
The screen is a matte finish which is nice for glare reduction, but it is a trade off for brightness. I’m not one to use a laptop outside, but I don’t see this screen offering a quality experience in bright outside lighting conditions. That is not to say it is bad, but a limitation. Even in sub 15”/16” laptops I require the screens to be no less than Full HD, having the 16:10 aspect ratio is a plus. While for some it may seem redundant to have a higher resolution on a small screen, WinOS has always had the option to change the scale. I prefer running at 100% vs the 150% that usually is default to maximize screen real estate.
The rest of the design and build quality is as you would expect. I hear no creaking from chassis when using as a “lap” top. Opening the laptop is a bit difficult as it fits very tightly and doesn’t have an edge to really grasp. Once open it easy to move and the hinge is very sturdy.
The 1TB storage and 32GB RAM included out of the box means I don’t have to open the chassis out-of-the-box to make upgrades. 512GB should be the standard minimum for any laptop these days and 16GB RAM.
I am still putting it through its paces, but I can easily recommend this for anyone needing a compact yet powerful laptop with great battery life.
+7points
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CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL 6/1/23.
Best in category audio performance with enhanced LF port performance, Ultra-Portable Design, Integrated Wireless Receivers on Channel 1 and 2, Bluetooth connectivity on Channel 3, Tonematch on Channel 1 and 2, OLED Displays, 11hrs of battery life, Bose Music app control, Multi-position EQ (PositionEQ), Remote mixing via Bose Music.
Jukebox Hero!
Customer Rating
5.0
I got this to replace a current PA system from a different brand; while good, it’s definitely not BOSE good!
BOSE has always meant a premium name with a premium sound and the S1 Pro+ definitely delivers on that legacy.
The extra inputs for both mic styles is great. I wish though the wireless receivers were available at the time of writing as it would have been great to really unleash the portability and wire-free nature of this PA system.
I didn’t come across any issues during my usage over the past 2+ weeks. As for Bluetooth setup I was using my Android device and tried connecting via the Bose Music App. I never could find my device via the app, but it found it within seconds in the Connection Settings of my phone, so it was relatively easy to setup that way. I am missing out on the features that can be done wirelessly, but a lot of it can still be done via the volume control knobs for each of the channels.
My intended use is for karaoke, backyard parties, and outdoor movie nights and for that this is perfect. The portability is definitely helpful. If you are looking for this to replace an amp for a musical instrument, it could definitely be useful as its portability and built-in battery are key. While the sound quality is good, I would see this better serving a small venue where the battery option is a primary need.
As stated the audio does live up to the BOSE name, its not perfect. Bass suffers beyond the default setting and quickly sounds like a door being kicked. Again for my purposes, its perfect, but if this is for live music use, I would test in-store or look for a review exclusive for that use. For any other use I can highly recommend.
Another use case I recently realized that may be appealing for this PA System is if you find that you like to scream on street corners. I would highly recommend purchasing the wireless mic option…that way you can run up to cars and roll on the ground without getting tangled up in cords. Again if that is your thing.
Some technical bits that may be helpful:
Battery is of the 5500mAh variety. A little small considering my phone is 5000mAh, however, the claimed run time is 11 hours. I still haven’t had to charge from the initial charge after unboxing so looks like it will live up to the hype.
The USB port does allow charging a device at a whopping 7.5watts (5v @1.5amp). In a pinch sure, but definitely not for trying to charge any modern phone.
BOSE clearly put in the time to try and make this a very useful and full featured PA System…the USER MANUAL is 78 pages! So they didn’t skimp on telling how to use it to its fullest including a LIVESTREAM option.
Hope the review helped and remember to KEEP ON ROCKIN’!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ASUS - Vivobook 14" Laptop - Intel Core i3-1115G4 with 8GB Memory - 128GB SSD - Transparent Silver
ASUS Vivobook Laptop. Enjoy everyday activities with this ASUS notebook PC. The Intel Core i3 processor and 12GB of RAM let you run programs smoothly.
Better than a Chromebook!
Customer Rating
4.0
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If you are thinking of getting a Chromebook, I would recommend this Vivobook instead. Windows 11 S is the equivalent operating system to Chrome OS. S mode restricts app downloads to only using the Microsoft Store to help with device security. This means if there isn’t one in the Microsoft Store then you cannot install it even though traditionally Microsoft is built on third-party app installation. By turning off S mode, full Windows functionality can be achieved, but it then cannot be turned back on. It is a one-way street. For a student/child if you are concerned about app installations, it is a good feature of the OS.
Just a personal rant, I am not the biggest fan of Windows 11 user experience versus Windows 10 user experience. It feels like Win11 is trying to be like MacOS and just made the simplest tasks of accessing common display features, making new folders, opening folders in a new window, accessing all Apps, etc way more complicated and harder to access.
My review has consisted of leaving the Vivobook in S mode. This is my first experience with S mode as you can only get as a pre-install and so I wanted to see what real world experience is like. Still Win11, so that much I am familiar with. The first and biggest drawback is I am used to using Chrome browser. Edge is built on it, but there is a difference in workflow. You can import your Google account and all of your quick links and saved log-in info is all there. You can add profiles if you use multiple Chrome profiles too. What isn’t available though is Google Drive for Desktop.
The 128GB storage is pretty small for 2023. 256GB for a Windows machine is standard. I get the competition with Chromebooks which are normally 64GB standard, so in that respect it is double. But Win11 OS takes up more storage than Chrome OS, so 128GB is necessary. Being restricted to Microsoft Store for apps translates that you most likely won’t be installing a lot of apps anyway, so 128GB storage is probably fine for the basic tasks this is meant to be used for.
I was a little reluctant with it only having a Dual-Core processor, but for word docs, web surfing, and media consumption it does it with ease, and RAM is upgradeable!
8GB on board storage with an open slot, says max system memory (RAM) is 12GB, I had a 4GB DDR stick laying around and tossed it in, definitely helped in the multi-tasking department with multiple browser tabs open and various apps . Dual-Core will have its limitations with multitasking with resource intensive apps, but if that is want you will be doing, this value laptop is not what you need. Ffor the price it’s a pretty solid machine to tackle the basics and have some horsepower to spare.
Build quality is cheap but sturdy. Plastic everywhere…the bottom plate is very sturdy and feels like it can take a beating in a backpack. The silver finish everywhere won’t last long…like one trip in backpack. I can now see swirls in the top case from when I was adding the RAM. The table was clean and smooth, but moving it around on the table, still put swirls and minor scratches in the paint. Putting a dBrand or similar skin on it, would definitely help cover the scratches it will get. Or just sticker it up! The casing was easy to open once I figured out the best pry point. Typically it is near the underside of the palm rest corners, but the way this bottom plate fits inside the top plate I was not able to get a pry tool in there. On this machine the best location is near the screen hinge. Once there it was quite easy.
I tried to show this in the pictures. This chassis according to ASUS webpage for the 1400EX is capable of dual storage options, but this model did not come with any brackets to install and HDD. I’m sure one could be found, but also the required ribbon to attach to the motherboard. I studied it for a bit to see how the ribbon cable would be run, best bet looked like under the battery. But with 2TB NVME drives only being easy to find for under $200 and smaller sizes even cheaper, I wouldn’t full with trying to go fit it with another HDD which will draw more power. Again if you try to update the storage you will lose the Win11 S mode option…unless you can clone the drive; could be an option. Didn’t try it as I wasn’t trying to get too crazy with this review.
The keyboard has nice button press, not too clickly. Silent enough to be used in a classroom or library, etc and not be so distracting although a little slick. There isn’t any back lighting so, definitely have a dim light on to help with the keys. Trackpad is decent. Not much travel on the button press, but it works.
Display…this is where the “value” portion kicks in the most. There is a sweet spot for viewing as it is very washed out with minor off-axis viewing which greatly decreases visibility. It is reminiscent of the first laptop displays. Resolution is 1366 x 768, which is technically still HD, but it doesn’t leave a lot of room for multiple open windows. The processor itself is capable of 4K @60hz resolution, so making the panel either 1600x900 or 1920x1080 would not have been an issue on performance. Connecting to my 4K tv showed no issues when in mirror mode and extended display mode. The GPU was about 10% usage during this setup, which was just a few points above not running an external 4K monitor. If you are going to use this exclusively at workstation/desk then I would suggest a 20in or larger monitor with at least Full HD resolution as it will greatly increase the usefulness of the screen real estate.
Audio is another area of “value” as the speakers are very hollow sounding, so if you just need the spoken word it will be fine, but for movie consumption it will sound like your listening via tin can and string. Of course using bluetooth or wired headphones quickly can upgrade the sound experience.
Battery life…you can expect about 4-5 hours tops of basic computing out of the battery. Given the screen resolution, its not going to be a battery hog, but the battery is also quite small. The included 45w charger will take over 2 hours to fully charge. I would have liked to see a USB-C charger here even at this price point. Typically that means an extra USB-C port is needed, with 3 USB-A ports one could be converted.
With the MY ASUS app you can choose to lock the FN keys to use the shortcuts. There are also battery settings that allow you to preserve battery health by only charging to 80% or 60% if this will be left plugged in a lot. If will be exclusively plugged in as a desktop PC replacement, then definitely go the 60% charge route.
With the MY ASUS app you can choose to lock the FN keys to use the shortcuts. There are also battery settings that allow you to preserve battery health by only charging to 80% or 60% if this will be left plugged in a lot. If will be exclusively plugged in as a desktop PC replacement, then definitely go the 60% charge route.
All the modern ports you would expect to find are present. USB-C, HDMI, and USB 3.0 are on the left and 2 more USB of the 2.0 variety along with a headphone/mic jack are on the right side. Since there is only 1 USB-C it is input
Closing this review out, I would highly recommend it over a Chromebook; more options with the ability to change to standard Windows mode, which in the end I did. It is a very easy process and I didn’t notice any performance degradation. With any laptop the more apps you install, the more at initial startup can hog your system resources and slow down the startup process. However, on every computer I have had, I disable the process I don’t want turning on automatically at startup. It is easy to do in the Task Manager app and selecting the Startup tab. S mode just handles this by default.
As a basic laptop this is definitely is way better than the competition which is mainly a Chromebook. There are some high-end Chromebooks, but they will always be limited to the Play Store and unless your a Chromebook diehard fan, I don’t recommend. The processor being a CORE series is better than the Pentium or Celeron versions typically found on budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
The reality though is that you can usually find Windows laptops with better specs on sale for about the same price or just $100 more over MSRP of the Vivobook 14, so unless you are super strapped for cash or find this on-sale, it may just be better to jump up to the next price bracket as you will typically get a better processor, 256GB storage, and a better screen. What you won’t typically get is Windows 11 S, so if you are after that feature alone, then ASUS Vivobook 14 is currently your best option.
I can definitely recommend it, but I would highly consider your needs and possible future needs.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+29points
30out of 31found this review helpful.
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HP - ENVY 6065e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer with 6 months of Instant Ink included with HP+ - White
The HP ENVY 6065e makes it easy to print, scan and copy creative projects, borderless photos and homework with automatic 2-sided printing. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time~at no additional cost.
Fun Lighting, Neat Job Finished Sounds.
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
Good little printer, loads of features, but if you don’t create the HP account, all it will do over WiFi is print.
I set up the printer via Android 13 phone. I didn’t have any issues other than once I finished the setup the printer started to download a firmware update, which would have been fine…if i would have alerted me to it!
The app got really slow, it quit recognizing the printer, then printer shut itself off and the LED lights from the print out port started flashing colors. Finally in the app it notified me that the Firmware was updated.
Stinks that HP locks away the other features behind their account wall, if USB printing there is no such issue. I already had an HP account from a previous printer. Had not logged into it in about 4 years and the account was still active.
I quite like the tray lights and sounds it plays when finishing a task. The app is quite easy to use and has some neat features. Speaking of the app, there are are tracking features that can be turned on/off.
I did not sign up for the free ink refill subscription. I don’t print all that much, do scan a lot in so really wanted to try that feature. It has the ability to send a Fax from the app which is cool.
The table that the printer is sitting on in the pic is 17” (depth) x 29” (width). The paper catch sticks out quite a bit further so if you don’t want it sticking past the edge of the table/printer cart you would want the depth to be 22 in minimum…or just turn the printer sideways on the table.
Unboxing to printing (without HP account) took about 5 minutes. Messing with the HP Account added another 10 minutes. Which isn't bad, but it should have gone quicker as their were issues just getting to the next stages of the account setup, which in my case already existed.
Once everything was done though, it's been smooth sailing!
My time with it so far has gone well. HP is one of the brands I have always purchased in the past and I think this printer should serve my needs well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-13points
10out of 33found this review helpful.
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MnstrMike's Questions
MnstrMike has not submitted any questions.
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
14 years, 9 months ago
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Posted by:
MnstrMike
from
Knoxville, TN