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blackdaz
blackdaz's stats
- Review count49
- Helpfulness votes102
- First reviewJanuary 6, 2012
- Last reviewApril 29, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
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- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
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- Answer count1
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- First answerJanuary 25, 2017
- Last answerJanuary 25, 2017
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Run programs on this 12.3-inch HP Chromebook convertible laptop. Its detachable touch-screen display lets you enjoy brilliant 2K content, and you can write and draw on it with the included Active Pen. This HP Chromebook convertible laptop has 32GB of storage, and its Intel Core m3 processor and 4GB of RAM provide smooth performance.
Customer Rating
5
HP Makes a Chromebook Fan Out of a Windows User
on June 21, 2018
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
I can’t speak for all other Chromebook models, but I feel like this one hits a lot of sweet spots. I like the tablet functionality but I like the larger size so I don’t have to strain to watch videos. Also, given its size, I like have a full-sized, solid keyboard so that it’s comfortable to use for email and document composition. The tablet portion of the system is nice and solid, although I sometimes feel it’s a little too heavy. The speakers are fairly decent, with the right amount of size to provide a stronger output. I like that they are forward facing, as opposed to some models that have side speakers. Both sides have USB-C ports that can be used to charge the system, which is great so that you can pick the side that works best for you while watching videos or working. I also like that it includes a headphone jack. In terms of build, the only two issues I have with this model are the power button and volume rocker. The power button is located at the top of the tablet portion. This becomes a bit of an issue if you use the system in Tent Mode and the display goes to sleep. I find it a bit of a pain to have to lift up the system to wake the system back up. I feel like the volume rocker is either a bit too small or too stiff, as I find it difficult to use when watching videos in Tent Mode too. Overall, it’s kind of good this way to avoid accidental button pushes, but it can be a pain. The keyboard has a textured surface which I think is to help cushion the screen when the system is closed but I don’t think that the textured surface detracts from the typing experience. The keys have nice button press distance; it’s felt very comfortable typing out emails and longer passages, like this review. I think that the included hardware suits the Chrome OS. Videos load smoothly and quickly, as do websites and apps. The price tag is a bit higher than a lot of other Chromebook offerings, which I think may turn some away, but I would say that what you get for the higher price tag is worth it. I would definitely recommend this model for anyone looking for a secure workhorse and multimedia machine.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Capture action photos with this Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 camera. The lens lets you take clear close-up or faraway pictures, and the integrated flash brightens every image you take. This Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 camera has a timer that lets you quickly get into group shots with friends and family.
Customer Rating
4
Fun and Easy Instant Print Camera
on May 30, 2018
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
I wasn't old enough to remember the original version of this camera, but it still has a nostalgic feel to it. It's incredible easy to load and use. I've been told that the original version had the flash installed at the top whereas this model has the flash incorporated into the body of the camera. It's definitely better this way to cut down on as much of the bulk as possible. There's also a button that allows you to turn off the flash, if you wish, which I think is good. The camera is rechargeable using a micro USB cable, however, the package only contains the USB cable and no wall charger. I'm not happy about this, but this seems to be the trend I'm seeing with a lot of other products. My biggest complaint with the camera is the photo capacity. It seems that the cartridges only support up to 8 shots, which I think isn't nearly enough in the 1,000+ digital pic storage age. Also, it also makes it fairly expensive to reload. I'm loving the camera a lot so far, but the price of the film may make this a nostalgia impulse purchase that may lose its charm fairly quickly.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy an individualized listening experience with these Sony wireless on-ear headphones. Their built-in Bluetooth lets you stream playlists with a paired compatible device, and they last for 20 hours on a single charge for nonstop entertainment all day. These Sony wireless on-ear headphones have a built-in microphone for answering calls hands-free.
Customer Rating
4
Great Sound for the Price
on March 7, 2018
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
This is the first pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones. I just wanted to put that out there to put perspective on my review. I love these headphones. They're not perfect, and there are a few things to note which detracted from the rating, but nothing that shouldn't stop anyone from purchasing this when looking for an affordable, quality pair of headphones. First off, I have smaller ears. These cover a majority of my earlobe, but I found that the headphones still got the lower part of my earlobes.My lobes definitely started hurting after about a half an hour to an hour's use. With regards to sound, I was pleasantly surprised that this set has more base than its size would have led me to believe. Not surprising though, as I've heard that Sony tends to try to push the bass on most of its products. Overall, the headphones have good mids and lows, but some of the highs are a bit lost. This also is not surprising given the headset's size, as it prevents them from clipping or overloading. This set does not come with a 3 mm port meaning that, once the battery dies, it needs to be plugged in before it could be used again. I didn't think this would be important to me before I got this pair. However, given how much I love to use these headphones for almost everything, I can see the benefits now. Although, this is not an indication on battery life. So far, I've been able to use the set for hours on end without worrying about battery life yet, only charging them overnight when I'm turning in. I haven't had a change to try the NFC functionality yet since my old smartphone died and I had to replace it with a model that doesn't offer NFC anymore. The last thing that I experienced which annoyed me was it's headset functionality: I connected my headphones to my laptop to listen to music and realized that they are supposed to allow for hands-free communication, so I tried configuring my system to use them through Skype (Windows 10). I tried setting the headset up in Skype's settings only to have Skype crash and all audio go dead. I turned off the headset and audio was restored, but I was never able to get the headset to work with Skype. Another thing to note about this is that I was using the last version of Skype were it was a program, rather than an Windows Store app; not sure if this has anything to do with anything. This issue was not so much for me to seriously drop the rating of the set; just overall annoying. In closing, I do love the sound I get from this set for the price, but I would say that I'm definitely getting more for what I would have that the price would afford.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
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Big machine suction power*. But with cord-free versatility. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute cord-free vacuum has a 40% bigger bin than the previous V8 Absolute and up to 40 minutes of fade-free power with the Soft roller cleaner head (in Suction mode I). The new torque drive cleaner head removes more dust from carpets. The soft roller cleaner head removes fine dust and large debris from hard floors. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute cord-free vacuum quickly transforms to a handheld for quick cleanups, spot cleaning and cleaning difficult places.*Suction tested to ASTM F558 at the flexible inlet.BR>
Customer Rating
5
Full Size Vac Posing as a Stick
on March 2, 2018
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
We already own a Dyson Animal Ball vac in our household so we are used to how well they work. However, we have a 2 story house and find it tiring to have to carry the vac we have up and down the stairs. Also, we had wanted a hand vac for cleaning up little messes that our 2 year old makes. This is what led us to get the V10... Wow. I expected it to be powerful, but didn't really know how much so. I found out during the first true test: our 2 year old son had decided to eat a whole apple and walk around spitting the mouthfuls out all over our carpet. Using the stick with the carpet attachment set to larger debris, I was able to clean the entire mess without any further effort! Even if other vacs are able to get at apple chucks, in most cases, you'd still have to go over the area and check for leftovers, but in the case of the V10. Even though we haven't had it for long, I would definitely recommend it!
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Simplify tasks with this 15.6-inch HP ENVY convertible laptop. Its Full HD touch screen lets you navigate the intuitive Windows 10 interface, and its Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM ensure demanding programs run smoothly. This HP ENVY convertible laptop has a 1TB hard drive for storing photos, videos and documents.Learn more.
Customer Rating
4
Great System with Some Shortfalls
on December 2, 2017
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
On the whole, the system looks and feels great. Out of the box, the system feels solid, as it's built from aluminum. It's cool to the touch. In fact, it stays fairly cold on a regular basis. I've had other laptops that use an aluminum construction to help dissipate heat where you can feel the heat. This system seems to do this so efficiently that I don't hear a lot of fan noise and I haven't felt the chassis get hot yet. Unfortunately, the chassis being metal also introduces a slight problem: where the palm rest cover meets the undercarriage, the edges feel a bit sharp. I haven't run into an cases where I've cut myself, but it still is a bit alarming.
As is the case with systems in this price point, the system includes a backlit keyboard. I love this feature, as it helps when working in darker environments. However, in general with most systems that include this feature, it tends to sap the battery a bit more. In this particular model, the keys are silver, to match the rest of the system. This is nice aesthetically, but causes some issues. For one, when the keyboard is backlit, it can make reading the key characters a little bit difficult. This is especially true when it comes to punctuation characters, like the period or comma, which almost disappear given their size. With regards to the keyboard itself, key-presses are nice and soft and don't make a lot of noise. The downside is that the keys feel to be made of plastic. They have a slick service which can help provide for a faster typing experience, but it also feels a bit cheap. I feel like, over the course of time and use, keys are likely to pop out.
My biggest issue with the system has been the touchpad. First off, the bottom of the system tapers up towards the front of the laptop which creates a drop on the underside-front of the laptop. If I use a mouse, this isn't any issue. However, if I use the touchpad, I found that this design can make extended use of the touchpad uncomfortable. The touchpad functionality itself isn't so great. Right clicks are not that responsive and it's difficult to find the right spot to hit. On many occasions, I've been trying to right click on things during tasks and it's taken me time to hit different areas before I get a right click response. Left clicks are the same, but since you can just tap the touchpad itself for that functionality, it's not really as much an issue. Multi-touch functionality is also buggy. There have been times where I am using the two-finger swipe to scroll through webpages only to have something unusual occur. For example, on two or three occasions, Chrome's developer mode came up after I was just trying to scroll through a page. I know that dragging and dropping is something that's universally not a great task on a laptop touchpad, but I've found it's particularly awkward on this system. I have smaller hands, so this is probably a large part of the problem, but other laptops I've used in the past haven't caused me as much issue as this model. Anyone with smaller hands considering this system should note that I found it easier to use two hands for drag and drops.
In terms of system layout, the last issue that I found was the location of the left hand side USB port, which is directly next to the power button. I had a low profile USB drive plugged in there. When removing it, my thumb happened to brush against the power button and into sleep mode the system went.
In terms of system performance, so far, it hasn't let me down. I haven't really benchmarked it because it still has the included 1 TB 7,200 rpm HDD. The is nice, but considering it's still a platter drive, I doubt that benchmarks will prove that much until I swap the drive out for an SSD. I can definitely tell that the HDD is slowing the i7 down though.
My only other comment about system functionality would have to be about sound. While I haven't encountered any of the issues that some others have with regards to levels, I have found that sound reaction times are a bit slow. That may be an odd thing to point out, but I've had another laptop with a 5th gen i5 that I used as my main machine prior to this HP and every time I had the Windows Admin Authorization pop up, the sound notification was almost as immediate as the notification. However, on this system, the notification sound lags behind.
Other than these observations, I haven't encountered anything else of note. The system runs well, especially given the 16 GB of RAM and the i7. (Of course not as svelte as I would have expected, but again, I attribute this to the HDD). Please keep in mind, I've only had the system for several days, but at this point, I don't feel like there is much more that I can note. If anything major pops up, I will update my review.
As is the case with systems in this price point, the system includes a backlit keyboard. I love this feature, as it helps when working in darker environments. However, in general with most systems that include this feature, it tends to sap the battery a bit more. In this particular model, the keys are silver, to match the rest of the system. This is nice aesthetically, but causes some issues. For one, when the keyboard is backlit, it can make reading the key characters a little bit difficult. This is especially true when it comes to punctuation characters, like the period or comma, which almost disappear given their size. With regards to the keyboard itself, key-presses are nice and soft and don't make a lot of noise. The downside is that the keys feel to be made of plastic. They have a slick service which can help provide for a faster typing experience, but it also feels a bit cheap. I feel like, over the course of time and use, keys are likely to pop out.
My biggest issue with the system has been the touchpad. First off, the bottom of the system tapers up towards the front of the laptop which creates a drop on the underside-front of the laptop. If I use a mouse, this isn't any issue. However, if I use the touchpad, I found that this design can make extended use of the touchpad uncomfortable. The touchpad functionality itself isn't so great. Right clicks are not that responsive and it's difficult to find the right spot to hit. On many occasions, I've been trying to right click on things during tasks and it's taken me time to hit different areas before I get a right click response. Left clicks are the same, but since you can just tap the touchpad itself for that functionality, it's not really as much an issue. Multi-touch functionality is also buggy. There have been times where I am using the two-finger swipe to scroll through webpages only to have something unusual occur. For example, on two or three occasions, Chrome's developer mode came up after I was just trying to scroll through a page. I know that dragging and dropping is something that's universally not a great task on a laptop touchpad, but I've found it's particularly awkward on this system. I have smaller hands, so this is probably a large part of the problem, but other laptops I've used in the past haven't caused me as much issue as this model. Anyone with smaller hands considering this system should note that I found it easier to use two hands for drag and drops.
In terms of system layout, the last issue that I found was the location of the left hand side USB port, which is directly next to the power button. I had a low profile USB drive plugged in there. When removing it, my thumb happened to brush against the power button and into sleep mode the system went.
In terms of system performance, so far, it hasn't let me down. I haven't really benchmarked it because it still has the included 1 TB 7,200 rpm HDD. The is nice, but considering it's still a platter drive, I doubt that benchmarks will prove that much until I swap the drive out for an SSD. I can definitely tell that the HDD is slowing the i7 down though.
My only other comment about system functionality would have to be about sound. While I haven't encountered any of the issues that some others have with regards to levels, I have found that sound reaction times are a bit slow. That may be an odd thing to point out, but I've had another laptop with a 5th gen i5 that I used as my main machine prior to this HP and every time I had the Windows Admin Authorization pop up, the sound notification was almost as immediate as the notification. However, on this system, the notification sound lags behind.
Other than these observations, I haven't encountered anything else of note. The system runs well, especially given the 16 GB of RAM and the i7. (Of course not as svelte as I would have expected, but again, I attribute this to the HDD). Please keep in mind, I've only had the system for several days, but at this point, I don't feel like there is much more that I can note. If anything major pops up, I will update my review.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Explore how easy it is to make healthy, whole-food recipes at home. From appetizers to dessert, the 48-ounce container is ideal for blending medium batches for small family meals.
Customer Rating
5
Best of Vitamix with a better price tag
on August 30, 2017
Posted by: blackdaz
from Las Vegas, NV
This blender is smaller than the original model that most people buy, but the that is probably why the price tag is not as large. However, that doesn't mean that it doesn't do as good a job. Smoothies have turned out at the same level as you would expect to receive from chain smoothie shops (considering many of them use the same brand albeit not the same model, it's still not surprising). Even though it's smaller, it's still easy to clean the pitcher. The blender I replaced had a design that made it extremely difficult to clean on a regular basis, and it provides the option to separate the blades from the carafe. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to try a Vitamix blender, but doesn't want to shell out the full $500 tag for the original.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Immerse yourself in rich, vibrant sound with this 2.1-channel Sony sound bar. It has a two-way wireless subwoofer that delivers booming bass and an S-Force PRO front surround for a theater-like audio experience. This Sony sound bar uses Bluetooth connectivity to pair easily with home theater and other audio devices.
Customer Rating
4
Easy, Quality Sound-Upgrade
on June 4, 2017
Posted by: blackdaz
I bought a cheaper 60" LED TV because I wanted the size without the bells and whistles. Unfortunately, the reviews I had read about it regarding sound quality were completely true: tinny, small speakers that couldn't keep up with movies or shows where the range of sound went from dialog to score: we could barely hear the dialog and in the next scene, the sound would explode into score. I wanted a sound upgrade, but didn't want another complicated surround system, so I went with this package. Obviously, from my statement, it's not surround, but the investment was completely worth it. The sound is so much better. Levels are much more even. The subwoofer adds depth without shaking the house. I love the ease of setup. The subwoofer is connected to the bar wirelessly and does so without any effort once the unit is turned on. NOTE: I haven't tried ALL of the features yet, like the music mode or Bluetooth music connection. However, I already have separate Bluetooth speakers that I purchased specifically for music, I think my review should stand for those who are looking for a unit to be used primarily as TV audio augmentation.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean carpets, couches and stairs easily with this adaptable Dyson Ball Animal vacuum. Various attachments, including a tangle-free turbine tool, a multi-angle brush and a stair tool make pet hair removal quick and simple. The Dyson Ball Animal vacuum comes with a generous 35-foot cord, making it ideal for larger homes.
Customer Rating
5
The jet engine of vacuums!
on March 27, 2017
Posted by: blackdaz
This is definitely the best vacuum I’ve ever used. I have had a really great Oreck vacuum for years that I thought was getting a lot of the dirt out of our carpets but as soon as I used the Dyson I could see how much it was missing! The Dyson is very easy to use. It is a bit heavy but I don’t even mind it because it works so darn well! It leaves the carpets looking nice a fluffy and gets all the dirt out. The attachment house is really fun and easy to use as well. It’s a very powerful vacuum and great quality. I definitely think it’s worth the investment.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy your music while training with these Under Armour wireless headphones. These audio devices are sweat proof and have TwistLock technology to keep the earpieces in place through any workout. Designed by JBL, these Under Armour wireless headphones meet the highest audio standards and provide up to 8 hours of battery life to last many workouts.
Customer Rating
5
Great Sound with Minor Issues
on January 25, 2017
Posted by: blackdaz
I was very surprised at how good these headphones sounded. Typically, with earbuds, the sound is thin or tinny. The twist-lock technology not only helps to keep the buds in-ear more securely than I had expected, but they help to trap sound and create better tone. Granted, the sound still lacks depth that audiophiles would want, but considering these are workout headphones, you can't ask for much more. That stated, the only issue that I have with these headphones should affect those that use them for their works regularly: there is a delay between sound delivery and video on some devices. It seems that the sound is almost always behind sync with the video content I've viewed. However, as stated, this shouldn't matter if you're only using these for audio during workouts. Further to the workout functionality, I like the clip added to the wire which provides a means to tether it to the collar of your shirt to prevent it from jumping around while you are running on the treadmill. One downside of this is if your shirt sags when it gets sweater, in which case, this tether becomes an anchor. In all, the audio quality delivered is good enough to overlook the two minor issues I raised.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep unwanted hair to a minimum with this Philips grooming tool. The waterproof design lets you use it in the shower, and eight attachments make this trimmer perfect for grooming different sections of the face. This Philips grooming tool has a turbo setting to increase cutting speed, and it charges in just one hour to reduce wait time.
Customer Rating
5
Best Groomer I've Owned (With Limited Experience)
on November 15, 2016
Posted by: blackdaz
I've owned three other electric groomers in the past. I typically let my facial hair grow out a bit then mow it down with a groomer and follow up with a traditional razor shave, or an electric razor. The previous three groomers did the job, but not so efficiently. I found that I constantly had to go over areas and even then, not all of the hair would get cut. However, with this groomer, I found that it does a great job in cutting almost all the hair. For those that are missed, it doesn't take much effort to go over and cut the stragglers. The charging time is much quicker than I had expected. From a dead charge, it was ready in an hour or two. I like the waterproof design, which allows me to rinse it off rather than having to try and brush it off after every use. I haven't used any of the attachments, nor do I think I'll need to (I've never really used groomers for anything other than my face), so I can't rate them. However, I can't imagine its performance would dip from the bare blades when implementing attachments.
My Best Buy number: 1028962936
I would recommend this to a friend!
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blackdaz's Answers
Enjoy your music while training with these Under Armour wireless headphones. These audio devices are sweat proof and have TwistLock technology to keep the earpieces in place through any workout. Designed by JBL, these Under Armour wireless headphones meet the highest audio standards and provide up to 8 hours of battery life to last many workouts.
Do they have a microphone and can the microphone be worn in either ear
They do have a microphone for answering calls. However, the buds are not interchangeable, as the twist-lock technology forces you to put the appropriately labeled bud into the correct ear. However, I wouldn't think of this as an issue, as the twist-lock really helps hold the earbuds in place, especially during activity.
7 years, 3 months ago
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blackdaz