Drew
Drew's Stats
- Review Count29
- Helpfulness Votes82
- First ReviewOctober 3, 2018
- Last ReviewJuly 17, 2020
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.2
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentNone
- Last Review CommentNone
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count31
- Helpfulness Votes29
- First AnswerNovember 19, 2018
- Last AnswerAugust 17, 2023
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers2
AMD - Ryzen 7 2700 Octa-Core 3.2 GHz Socket AM4 Desktop Processor with Wraith Spire LED Cooler
Get more gaming speed out of your computer with this AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor. Eight cores and 16 threads combine with the 16MB L3 cache to process huge chunks of data at up to 4.1GHz for maximum performance. This AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor comes with a Wraith Spire cooler to ensure powerful heat dissipation.
Great CPU for overclocking
Customer Rating
5.0
Quality
5.0
Value
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
My chip won't reach an all-core overclock of 4.1 Ghz, but it does do 4.0 Ghz on 1.3375V. Not too shabby. It's a great CPU for those who are interested in manual overclocks; otherwise, get the 2700X which does the overclocking for you with AMD's Precision Boost Overdrive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: false
Length of ownership: 46
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Blueair - Blue Pure 411 161 Sq. Ft. Air Purifier - White
The Blueair Blue Pure 411 air purifier delivers high performance with one-button control and customizable pre-filter colors in a lightweight, compact package. Independently evaluated and third-party tested for performance as part of the AHAM Verifide® Program for room air cleaners, this air purifier has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 105 cfm for fine smoke particles, 120 cfm for pollen particles, and 120 cfm for dust particles. Recommended for small rooms like nurseries, guest bedrooms, and home offices with a 360° air intake to completely filters room air about every 12.5 minutes¹ (approx. 4.8x an hour at 161 ft²) on the highest speed.² The 3-step combination particle + carbon filter works with Blueair's HEPASilent™ filtration technology to remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns, like pollen, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses³ and more, while an additional layer of activated coconut carbon traps light household odors.⁴ ENERGY STAR® certified to consume less energy than an LED lightbulb (1.5-10 W)⁵ and quieter than a soft whisper on low speed (17-46 dB).⁶ Change color in seconds with five fabric pre-filter options. Includes two machine-washable fabric pre-filters in Diva Blue and Dark Shadow, additional colors Buff Yellow, Crystal Pink, Lunar Rock sold separately. The fabric material of the pre-filter catches larger particles and extends the life of the primary filter. Vacuum the fabric or toss it in the washing machine whenever it needs cleaning. At Blueair, our Swedish heritage inspires sustainability and quality at the heart of everything we do. All Blueair purifiers are AHAM Verifide® for Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and given a recommended room size, certified by ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency and the California EPA Air Resources Board (CARB) for safe ozone emissions. ¹Air Changes per Hour (ACH) calculation is a product of recommended room size & average ceiling height over pCADR ²According to ANSI/AHAM AC-1 recommended room size ³This air purifier not been tested against & Blueair does not claim to capture, remove, or kill SARS-COV-2 (COVID19) ⁴Based on GB/T18801-2015 test standards removal of formaldehyde & VOC ⁵Tested according to GB/T18801-2015 standard. ""Light bulb"" defined as an LED light bulb with 40 W energy consumption ⁶Sound pressure according to GB/T18801 & GB4214.1
Disappointing Performance
Customer Rating
2.0
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I purchased this because this is the Wirecutter's current "budget pick" for small spaces. According to their review, it "performs impressively" (90% particulate reduction in 35 min) for its small size and energy efficiency. I suppose that I can't dispute the latter two points. It is indeed small, and I imagine that the power draw is minimal considering how quiet is when placed on the lowest setting. Now, it's possible that my expectations were too high after reading the Wirecutter's glowing review, but the Blue's actual performance has been somewhat abysmal for my use case.
I purchased two units, and placed one in 154 sq. ft bedroom that belongs to a family member who likes to use his electronic vape pod indoors. I'm a little sensitive to the smell, and it seems worse when there's stale air. Well, in the 4 weeks since I've placed this inside his bedroom (running on medium 24/7), I'd say the smell has improved 10-15%. I put the other unit inside my own bedroom (220 sq. ft.), and there does seem to be less dust than usual. But the difference isn't really dramatic. Lastly, two more cons: 1) the highest setting is basically unusable (unless you like the sound of being on the tarmac at LAX), and 2) there's no automatic air quality sensor.
I currently have a Coway AP1512HH in the living room and an older Winix 5300 in the loft, and both units run circles around the Blue 411. Granted, those units are twice the size (and price), but I still wish this were a better performer, especially considering how promising it seemed at first.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Mobile Submission: False
+4points
28out of 52found this review helpful.
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ZAGG - InvisibleShield HD Glass+ Screen Protector for Apple® iPhone® XS Max - Clear
Maintain the smooth surface quality of your Apple iPhone XS Max with this scratch-resistant ZAGG InvisibleShield glass screen protector. New Ion Matrix technology safeguards against damage from impact, and the beveled edges add extra defense. Enjoy image clarity and touch sensitivity with the clear, smooth, tempered finish of this ZAGG InvisibleShield glass screen protector.
Best Zagg Choice in the Lineup
Customer Rating
4.0
Zagg currently has six variations on glass screen protectors for the iPhone XS Max. This makes it tremendously confusing for the consumer on which to choose. Go ahead and give it a shot on Zagg's website: under the iPhone XS Max, click "All Options" to see all variations. Even as a tech-savvy person and good critical reader, I could not figure out what the actual differences were.
Originally, I had purchased the "Anti-Glare" model because it provides a smooth, matte finish to the screen. However, that model is plagued with a "halo-ing" problem that persistent throughout multiple warranty replacements. Finally, I opted to switch to the basic Glass+ model and it has not demonstrated the same weakness in the two hours since installation. I miss the matte finish of the Anti-Glare, but at least this version doesn't have that ugly halo-ing around the edges.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
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Apple - HomePod - Space Gray
HomePod is a breakthrough speaker that senses its location and tunes the music to sound amazing wherever you are in the room. Together with Apple Music, it gives you access to over 45 million songs. And with the intelligence of Siri, it's a helpful home assistant for everyday tasks, and for controlling your smart home accessories - all with just your voice. Welcome HomePod.
Sits on my desk
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Drew
from Orange, CA
on December 16, 2018
It's a fantastic little speaker. I've ignored Apple's recommendation to have it sit 6" from the wall and simply placed it on the corner of my desk. Sound quality is a huge step up from my Macbook's speakers.
The only potential issue is that the HomePod is completely dependent on WiFi, so I've had it lose connection with my iPhone and Mac when my WiFi cuts out.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
0points
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Geeni - BR30 Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulb with Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana - Adjustable White
Enjoy efficient lighting with this Geeni Lux Drop LED smart bulb. An output equivalent to 65 W and 700 lumens fills your room with illumination, while the adjustable color temperature lets you set a specific lighting mood. This Geeni Lux Drop LED smart bulb has Wi-Fi capability for convenient control via your smartphone or voice assistant device.
Basic Smart Lighting - Makes Financial Sense
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Drew
from Orange, CA
on December 12, 2018
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I've been slowly adding smart lights to my home. A 60W incandescent (regular) light bulb will cost the average Californian $21/year (6 hours a day @ $0.16/kWh). If this Geeni bulb is as-advertised, then it should only cost about $3/year to operate. So this bulb will easily pay for itself in the course of a year.
So far, I've been paying the premium for Lifx multi-color bulbs, but lately, I've been seeing this Geenie brand at more and more stores. They are currently on sale for $15 from Best Buy; meanwhile, the Lifx bulbs (albeit multi-color) are close to $45. It was worth the risk at 1/3rd of the cost. Now, one might be inclined to stick with a single brand of smart light, but Google Assistant integration makes that far less important. All smart lights, regardless of brand, will show up in the Google Home app and respond to "Hey Google" on the various Google devices. Unfortunately, Geeni is not compatible with Apple Homekit, but it remains accessible through the Google Home app on iPhone.
The light doesn't seem quite as bright as the Lifx bulbs, and one of the Geeni bulbs has been flickering oddly when I tune it to a mid-white tone on 100% brightness. The other Geeni bulb has not done that. Hopefully I don't have a defective bulb, but I'll give it some more time before seeing if I need to make an exchange. Overall, not bad. No hub needed and they are relatively inexpensive.
One last general tip: make sure you're buying "BR30" bulbs if you have recessed ceiling lights vs "A19."
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Apple - MacBook Pro® - 13" Display - Intel Core i5 - 8 GB Memory - 128GB Flash Storage - Silver - Silver
The new MacBook Pro is razor-thin, featherlight, and now even faster and more powerful than before. It has the brightest, most colorful Mac notebook display. And it features up to 10 hours of battery life.* It’s a notebook built for the work you do every day. Ready to go anywhere a great idea takes you.
Go with the Touchbar model or wait until 2019
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Drew
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 20, 2018
I upgraded to this from the 2015 Macbook Pro and I knew what I was getting into. The only problem with this model is that it wasn't refreshed in 2018 (unlike the upgraded 13" model with the Touchbar). Having used a family member's new 2018 Touchbar model, I found that it's 50% faster when running heavier applications due to the quad-core 8th gen. processor. If you can afford to wait, I would probably skip this model or pony up for the 2018 refreshed model.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
0points
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Square - Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation) - White
Accept every way your customers want to pay with the new Square Reader for contactless and chip—EMV chip cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, other NFC payments, and magstripe cards. The reader connects wirelessly to iOS or Android devices with Bluetooth LE or with USB if you sell with the optional Square Stand. It works exclusively with the free Square Point of Sale app to take care of payments, tipping, inventory, reports, and more. Square Reader for contactless and chip comes with a free Square Reader for magstripe so you can swipe cards the old-fashioned way, too. Pay just 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe, dip, or tap for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, with no surprise fees. Square sends deposits directly to your bank account in one to two business days—or you can enable Instant Deposit for 1% per deposit to get your money in seconds. Get a Dock for Square Reader to anchor the reader on your countertop and keep it charged all day.
Best on the market
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Drew
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 20, 2018
Why are credit card processing companies so shady? In addition to monthly statement fees and other misc. costs, I used to pay fees to lease my merchant processing equipment. I would've switched sooner, but I was locked into a 24 month contract. Now, do I wish the swipe fee was closer to 2% vs. the 2.75% that they currently charge? Yes. But it's still way better than the alternatives on the market.
I've been very happy with the Square app -- surprisingly, it gets updates pretty often on both iOS and Android platforms. I figured that they would've been less active on the Android side, but that's not been the case. If I were to have a complaint about this particular reader, it's that I find that the bluetooth connection has terminated overnight. It's just a pain to have to re-pair every morning.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
+5points
9out of 13found this review helpful.
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Listen to music all day with these JLab JBuds Pro earbuds. The adjustable tip placement provided by the three gel tip sizes delivers comfortable wear, while the two Cush Fins offer a deeper sound-sealing fit. The 10mm titanium drivers of these JLab JBuds Pro earbuds produce high-quality audio for a dynamic listening experience.
Basic sound quality, poor USB charging port design
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Drew
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 19, 2018
I'm no audiophile, but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate a decent pair of budget earbuds. These are just OK. I kept them in my office desk drawer for podcasts, Youtube, and the occasional Apple Music stream. I've never had a connectivity issue with these across both iOS and Android devices, but I did have a problem with the micro-USB charging port. It's not very well constructed, so it will inevitably wear out after long-term use. After a while, the port got so loose that it stopped charging altogether.
JLab's warranty policy offers a store credit for the current price of the headphones on their website. So I got $20 to spend and bought a slightly different model that costs $25. That's fine, but you also have to factor in the cost of shipping in your defective earbuds ($3.50 for me at the post office).
If you're concerned about durability, I believe the length of the warranty is two years, which is better than the one year that comes with many budget earbuds. So go ahead and grab them if you see them on sale. Otherwise, I'd probably opt for a different brand.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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SanDisk - Ultra Fit 32GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive - Black
Transport files between computers with this 32GB SanDisk Ultra Fit flash drive. The USB 3.1 connectivity ensures rapid data transfer, and the USB 2.0 backward compatibility lets you use the drive with older systems. This SanDisk Ultra Fit flash drive has a compact design for convenient portability and an unobtrusive profile during use.
Perfect for your key ring and office documents
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Drew
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 19, 2018
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Over the years, I have bought than fifteen USB drives of varying size and storage capacity. How many of those do I still have in my possession? Maybe four of them -- that is, after I rummage through desk drawers during Spring Cleaning. I lose these darn things all the time. The Sandisk Ultra Fit is tiny, but it "fits" perfectly on my key ring so I never have to worry about losing it (see attached image for context).
This review is for the smaller 32GB version, which I use primarily for office documents when I'm in a hurry. Cloud storage is great, but it can be a pain when you need instant access to a file on a different device (like a co-worker's). I've had zero issues with this drive, but then again I'm only transferring files or folders that are 5GB or less. I'm not using this to stream 4K movies to my TV or anything like that. That being said, I'm always curious to see if the actual read/write speeds can match the advertised speeds. I'm happy to report that it definitely does!
SanDisk claims that this 32GB version should achieve 130MB/s for reading and 50 MB/s for writing. I ran multiple benchmark tests on the drive and the results were pretty consistent across both Windows and Mac on USB 3.0 ports. On Windows 10, this little drive managed to read 132.78 MB/s and write 60.90 MB/s. So it matches Sandisk's advertised read speeds and even manages to surpass write speeds by over 10 MB/s. Things did get worse when I took it over to the Mac while running Black Magic's 5GB video test. When utilized for media consumption, this drive will play back 1080p (FHD, Blu-Ray quality) video at 60fps just fine, but I wouldn't count on it for anything beyond that.
This is far from the most impressive drive in the world, and there are many on the market that are faster. But there are probably even more out there aren't even USB 3.0 compatible, and thus far worse. But for my use case, I certainly wouldn’t consider this Sandisk to offer the "abysmal" performance claimed by the Wirecutter in their most recent review (128GB version). This will do just fine If you need a keychain drive for occasional office use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
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Store your Apple iPad Pro pencil in this Belkin carrying case. The built-in docking station has rubberized feet to provide a stable workplace for your iPad, and the high-grade construction keeps your device and accessories safe during storage and transport. This Belkin carrying case comes with one-year warranty for increased security.
Surprise! You need this.
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Drew
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 19, 2018
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The sheer variety of Apple-related accessory products on the market is somewhat remarkable. This Belkin case is a good example, and it solves a very basic problem.
If you’ll just indulge me for a moment by following along, here’s the exact scenario that I encountered: You have just treated yourself to an expensive, new iPad Pro, and proceeded to plunk down an additional $99 (or $129, 2nd-gen) for the Apple Pencil (quick aside: the 6th-gen “regular” iPad is newly compatible with the 1st-gen. Pencil). As soon as you get home, you embark upon your own little unboxing ceremony and gleefully begin scribbling on the iPad with your fancy new Pencil. Too bad that the Apple Pencil doesn’t magically make you a better artist. You’ve always been terrible at drawing, so you get bored after a few minutes.
As depressing as it might be to lack any semblance of artistic ability, the real problem begins as soon as you set the Pencil down. Let’s just say you have the 1st-gen Pencil. Within a few seconds, you have begun to realize that there’s nowhere to put it. After you think to yourself for a moment, aha, you arrive at the brilliant solution: keep the Pencil plugged into the Lightning port to charge! That’s fine and all, but now you have a new problem that might be even worse. What are you going to do with the tiny cap?
I suppose that the fundamental problem with a $99 stylus is, well, that it costs $99 to replace if you lose it. The risk of doing so is not mitigated by the redesigned Pencil’s magnetic attachment. After all, how are you going to stow it when you travel? If you’re anything like me, you put everything back in the box and keep it there until your Belkin Pencil Case order arrives in the mail.
One last nitpicky detail: the gray lid sits flush on top of the case itself, but not when its placed underneath.
P.S. The only dimensional differences between the 1st and 2nd-gen Pencil is the overall length. Both are 0.35 inches in diameter and 0.73 oz in weight. The 2nd-gen is shorter by 0.38 inches. So you can still use this to house the 2nd-gen model if you don’t mind a little bit of jostling back-and-forth.
TL;DR: Don’t overlook this accessory if you have an iPad and an Apple Pencil. You will need it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
+10points
11out of 12found this review helpful.
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Use the convenient controls of this wireless presenter to help you make your point. Intuitive buttons are easy to find by touch and feel great in your hand for better control. Laser pointer allows your audience to see exactly what you're pointing to. The 2.4 GHz wireless allows you to enjoy the freedom to move around the room and mingle with your audience for greater impact. Battery indicator lets you know how much power is available with just a glance. Plug-and-play wireless receiver requires no additional software to install.