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Katah
 
 
 
Katah's stats
 
  • Review count
    14
  • Helpfulness votes
    362
  • First review
    May 17, 2012
  • Last review
    September 18, 2014
  • Featured reviews
    0
  • Average rating
    4.6
 
  • Review comment count
    15
  • Helpfulness votes
    45
  • First review comment
    May 18, 2012
  • Last review comment
    July 10, 2014
  • Featured review comments
    0
 
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  • Answer count
    19
  • Helpfulness votes
    5
  • First answer
    April 15, 2013
  • Last answer
    July 6, 2014
  • Featured answers
    0
  • Best answers
    2
 
 
Katah's Reviews
1 2 >>
 
Stay connected with this Motorola Moto 360 00419NARTL smart watch, which features a 1.56" LCD touch screen that displays alerts from your compatible Android device. A Bluetooth 4.0 interface helps simplify wireless pairing.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
It's everything I've wanted in a smart watch!
on September 18, 2014
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Got my watch yesterday and I simply could not be more happy with it. I had a few problems along the way, but certainly nothing that can't be worked out.
First let me start with some tips!
Tip one - When you get it, no matter how much you want to get it up and running don't! Let it charge. It charges pretty fast so it won't take long. The reason is two fold - If it has any juice in it at all out of the box it won't be much and more than likely you'll be getting an update.
The update was slow. Very slow so you won't be able to use right away. I'm guessing lots of people updating.
Mine, for some reason, was not able to connect using WiFi so I had to use my carrier's cell network to do everything. I'll tackle WiFi tonight, but it might be an issue,
The watch looks beautiful. I've already downloaded so many watch faces and a ton of apps!
The notifications are awesome and the "Okay Google" feature for sending emails and text messages is super cool.
Still learning a lot about it but I'm loving it! I've been using the crud out of it and showing everyone how it works and I'm still at half batter 5 hours later. Once I get it set and get into a normal routine I'm not going to have any battery issues.
It's a must have device for Android.
My Best Buy number: 2803634864
What's great about it: Looks very good on my wrist
What's not so great: Little bit of a learning curve
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Rock out to your favorite tunes with this electric guitar. It comes with an amp, case, strap and extra strings to get you started making music.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
My first guitar - and I love it!
on October 28, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Hey everyone! Wanted to post my review on this guitar as I've had a good solid weekend to get started and thought a review with more information might help anyone looking to purchase.
Pros:
Price: This is by far the best reason to purchase. I purchased this with the new Rocksmith 2014 and got $50 off the price of the guitar. I think the total with Rocksmith 2014 was about $170 so it was so worth it!
Quality: The guitar is very solid and I checked it out thoroughly so I could get it sent back sooner than later. Everything was great!
Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with this guitar especially if you are getting it for someone just starting out. The amp it came with is so tiny that it is almost cute, but it put out some sound! Thank goodness it came with some strings as this is my very first guitar and I ended up breaking the smallest string.
Cons:
I don't really have any cons that would prevent me from saying to anyone, "Yeah, this is a good guitar" but having said that there are some things you might want to do when you first get up and running.
Comfort: The strap is just not very comfortable. It really wasn't for me anyway. It worked and did what it was supposed to do, but the guitar is not light and some type of cushion where the strap sits on the shoulder would have been great.
Strings: At the very same time you buy this guitar, buy the best strings you can. I got a 3 pack for about $10. I'm a novice so I don't know if I'm right or wrong on this, but my guess is the strings already on this guitar are not all that good. Like I said I've already broke one.
Pickups: Forgive me if I'm using the wrong terminology, but on my guitar right out of the box I noticed that sometimes when I would pick a note or strum, the sound would not carry through to the amp. After some research I realized the strings were just a little too far away from the pickups. Couple of screw turns to get them closer and I was good to go. You will have to tune if you do this so try it out first so you can make the adjustments - might save you from tuning twice.
Presentation: This is just something I feel is worth noting. Out of the box the guitar was very dusty. It's not used guitar type of dust, but dust left over from the mfg. Just another step, but after you get it cleaned off it looks really nice.
Like I said non of the cons are big enough to prevent you from getting this and certainly not big enough of a deal to warrant taking stars off the review. Just some thing that if you are aware of, and they might not even apply to you, will make sure you are ready to get up and going.
My biggest tip and/or suggestion I can make for anyone just starting out.... BUY ROCKSMITH! In just a short weekend and a few hours of play time, I've went from nothing to being able to do some slides and other basic moves, but most importantly I've got calluses started on my fingers!! It's a good thing because after a while the strings can hurt the tips of your fingers until you build up a little padding.
Taking the Rocksmith challenge! 60 days @ 1 hour a day and I'll be able to play the guitar!! Maybe then I'll treat myself to a more expensive guitar, but replacing this one and the blue color will be hard!
Best of luck everyone!!
My Best Buy number: 280363486
What's great about it: Seems to be well built
What's not so great: Little tweaking might be needed out of the box.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5 out of 5
5
Durability
5 out of 5
5
+30points
30of 30voted this as helpful.
 
Enhance your gaming experience with this EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 02G-P4-3769-KB 2GB GDDR5 graphics card, which features a PCI Express 3.0 interface for wide-ranging compatibility. The EVGA ACX cooler helps ensure proper performance.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
  • DIY PC Expert
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Awesome Video Card
on October 10, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Build or modify your own PC:Yes
Level of Expertise:Expert
Primary reason for building/modifying PC:Gaming
I'd like to start off by saying that video cards are very person specific. What I mean to say is there are so many different factors that might give me better results than another person that is truly is difficult to provide a review that others might find helpful. This being said, here is my experience with this card.
A few years back I bought an Alienware PC and it has been my beast without fail all this time, however time and technology has finally caught up and I've been noticing with newer games that my FPS has been less than what I really want. the stock card that came with the Alienware is an AMD Radeon HD 5850 and has been a difficult card to replace despite its age.
I had tried getting into a newer AMD video card, but out of the three I tried, two were actually slower than the 5850 and the one that was better was only better by a couple of FPS. Improvement sure, but not worth $400.
I decided to try this one because I really want to be able to Battlefield 4 when it comes out at the best frame I can get so I figured if this didn't work I would just take it back. I wanted a GTX 770, but they are not available in store and I didn't want the hassle of shipping.
Before installing this card, I used the Tomb Raider benchmark to get a general idea of any performance increases the new card might offer.
With max setting at a resolution 1920x1280 and everything on my 5850 was averaging about 24 FPS. After installing this card, installing the drivers and a quick reboot just to be safe, I ran it again same settings and got a mind blowing 50 FPS!!
Needless to say I was shocked and amazed because I was not expecting that big of a jump in performance. Of course me being the skeptic I am, following Tomb Raider I ran Future Mark as well as all my games and the results remained the same.
For me, with my configuration, I doubled my FPS - Battlefield 4 beta looks so different with maxed settings and plays so super smooth!
The noise of this card is actually more quiet than my old card, and I've not noticed any heating differences.
This is a sold card and for was a solid upgrade and with SLI an option when games starting getting choppy with this card, I've easily bought myself another couple of years before another upgrade or addition will be needed.
My only thought now is do I want to keep this one or take it back and get the 4 gig version or even go up to the 770 version. either way I'm set!
something worth a mention is the cards are no longer coming with SLI bridges and from what I gather they are sold separately - EVGA has some on their site for $20, but looks more like a gimmick to me than they are worth.
My Best Buy number: 2803634864
What's great about it: Awesome Frames Per Second
What's not so great: Nothing at all!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5 out of 5
5
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Google Chromecast: Easily stream your favorite apps and media to your TV via Wi-Fi with Chromecast. Use the included USB cable to plug the Chromecast into your TV, and control streaming content using your compatible smartphone, tablet or computer.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Nice little TV device
on September 17, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
I've got a pretty busy home when it comes to entertainment and watching movies and television rank among the highest of activities with my family. That said, I needed a way to get our streaming services from TV to TV without having to lug a game console or have my Mac Mini floating all over the house just to stream Netflix for family night. That said, enter Google Chromecast.
The device is rather small which is a good thing and of course Google has made sure you have everything needed for this to work including a way to power the device even if your TV does not have a powered USB port. It is a very portable device and once set up can be moved anywhere within your wireless network.
In my home we have five TVs all of different types and configurations. I don't like buying Smart TVs because you are paying hundreds of dollars more to do what Chromecast is doing for a measly $35.00. So for me and my family, this works pretty great.
Here is my pro and con list, both pretty short.
PROS:
Small and very portable
The video, even at a max of only 720p looks really nice.
Love using my devices - any of my devices (Nexus 7, HTC One, or iPad) to control the Chromecast.
Price
CONS:
Only 720p? Very surprising and means, I'm sure, in the near future a new Chromecase and new purchase will be made.
Setup threw me for a loop at first. I'm very computer and network literate, but I got stumped on what Google was wanted from me at first.
Very limited content. At the time of this review, only Netflix, Youtube, and Google Play content can be streamed, but more is on the way! Can't wait for HBO Go.
Overall you simply cannot go wrong as the price and Google quality stand out. There are other options out there and yeah, right now those other options, if this is your only TV watching method might be better for you as they will have a ton more channels, but I'm confident this will change soon. Google very rarely does anything half way.
For me and my family... we love it.
My Best Buy number: 2803634864
What's great about it: Small and easy to move around
What's not so great: Bit limited right now
I would recommend this to a friend!
 
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Roku - 3 Streaming Player - Black
4.7 out of 5(4,704)
 
 
 
 
 
Features
4 out of 5
4
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great unit if you follow directions
on September 7, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
When buying an air conditioner, the BTUs or the space it will cool is provided for a reason. Most people are under the impression that bigger is better and think to themselves, if I have a 10x10 room that a 5000 or 6000 BTU will cool then an 8000 BTU will turn my room into the Arctic Circle, but sadly this couldn't be further from the truth.
Buy the unit rated for the space you are trying to cool. If you have a 10x10 room for example, that is a 100 sq ft room and a 5000 BTU will do the job just fine. The only adjustments you will need to make are depending on the type of room. For example a 10x10 kitchen area will require something bigger like a 6000 BTU since when cooking it gets hotter in the room. If you are trying to cool a man cave with computers, gaming systems, TV and such then you will want bigger because of the extra heat produced by your stuff.
Here is a good way to look at this. If you take a No Doze to stay awake and follow the directions on the bottle, you have an excellent chance of staying awake, however if you think to yourself the bottles says take 2 so if I take 6 I'll be even more awake it won't work because after a certain point it actually has the opposite effect and you will feel sleepy. This is the same principle I see so many people reviewing and knocking stars because they have a beast of an air conditioner not designed to cool smaller areas.... which leads me to the next complaint I see.
Noise. Come on people... it is an all in one unit! What is everyone comparing to? Their central air system? Again if you are not buying the right BTU then you are going to have more noise. Buy an 8000 BTU unit for a 10x10 room and it's going to be a noise beast compared to a 5000 BTU unit you should have bought.
Last bit of advice... when installing, if you did it right, your unit should have a slight downward slope on the outside part. This slope is what causes the condensation to drain off and away from your unit. I think I saw a review with some pictures of water in the vents. This is simply because the unit was not installed properly. You need the slope or it won't work.
Anyway I'm cooling a man cave and I'm in a 10x10 (100 sq ft) room. The room is rather smallish, but I have a beast of a computer, Xbox 360, PS3, Monitors and my 47 inch TV wall mounted and most are going all at the same time depending on who and how many are in here. Let's put it this way, on the colder of winter days I do not need any heaters running as it takes about 20 minutes and it's nice and toasty in here. This is what a bigger unit in this situation is better.
Hope all this helps!
What's great about it: Super cool
What's not so great: So far nothing!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+29points
29of 29voted this as helpful.
 
Stay connected with this HTC One PN07120 mobile phone that features Internet and e-mail capabilities, plus 4G LTE speed for rapid data transfer. The 4.7" touch screen with a real-time color engine offers high-definition visuals and easy navigation.Requires a minimum data service starting at $20/month.Early termination fees will be prorated, starting at $325 minus $10 for each full month of service commitment completed.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
What an AMAZING phone!
on April 21, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Age:35-44
Phone size:Just right
I should start this review by stating that this is my first Android phone. I have been Apple through and through since the very first iPhone released all the way up to my iPhone 5, but now that has all changed so I probably won't be much good confirming or refuting some of the Sense loves or hates that seem to be going around, but maybe an unbiased viewpoint will be refreshing.
I'm a gadget guy. I love playing around with features of a phone and personalizing it to make it my own. This is my chief complaint for the iPhone; to even start to be able to personalize your iPhone you have to jailbreak it and while that is really no big deal in of itself, it is still very limiting. I'm bringing all this up because one of favorite things to do with my iPhone was to find video wallpapers (I was jail broken) to help me better personalize the look and feel of my phone. Imagine my amazement and excitement when I discovered live wallpapers!
I have found so many native to the Android OS "tweaks" that require the iPhone to be jail broken that sometimes I wonder why I was so stubborn in even looking at other phones, but I digress.
I've had the HTC One for two full days now and it is no exaggeration that I have been using it non-stop. The only time I put it down is when I run the battery down and need to recharge. There are so many things yet to discover.
I'm going to do a quick pro and con list based on my opinions and any comparisons I may do will be based on the HTC One versus the iPhone 5 and I hope if you are looking for a new phone that this might help you.
PROS
1) The screen is simply beautiful. It is not too big or too small, but mainly it is not boring - I cannot explain it but holding the HTC One next to my iPhone 5 - well, the iPhone 5 seems to pale in comparison. As for resolution and DPI they both look really good. I don't have 20x20 vision so the additional DPI on the HTC One does help it look sharper to me.
2) Speed! This thing is blazing fast! If you have not already, go download the app Epic Citadel as it will really show off a fast phone's capabilities. Putting the HTC One and iPhone together with this app they are both super smooth and look amazing! Scrolling through menus on the HTC One is fluid and fast and I have in two days experienced zero pauses or jitters when scrolling.
3) Sound. HTC One... all I can say is wow. I'm not a big headphone wearer so it is really nice to be able to hear what is going on, but with the HTC One it is more than that - the audio simply sounds amazing. As if it did not already sound good, I added an equalizer app that detects what settings would be best for each song and it really does make a huge difference. So the sound sounded good and then great with the equalizer, but then I stumbled onto the SRS (simulated surround) setting and the sound bumped up to amazing! It really is that good.
4) The OS. This is where I am a little bit behind the eight ball as for years I have only used iOS. I can say that it is wonderfully complex! Lots to explore and just when you think you have discovered it all, something new shows itself. The blink feed I use all the time. All the time. Really cool to have a constant updating feed of information that is relevant to me.
5) FLASH!!!! Holy wow I actually have Flash on my phone now! Cannot tell you how many sites I have wanted to visit that had Flash content only to have the iPhone and Apple with the infinite wisdom and constant feuding with Adobe tell me "No! Flash is bad! Apple knows best!" Well for me... wrong! Everything has a cycle and in my humble opinion, Apple's cycle will end based on how it restricts people from doing what they want. But then again, this could be just me.
6) Camera and video from what I have used so far looks really nice! I'm an avid photographer and while for me using a phone camera is not all that important as I have equipment that can easily rival the best cell phone camera, it is going to work out really nice for those moments when my phone is all I have! Lots of built in effects and options - today I plan to really take the camera out for a spin! I'll comment on my review with an update.
7) Battery life seems to be pretty good, but I won't be able to compare that until I start my daily routine. Plus, I like a brighter screen so my batteries typically do run down faster because of this. In the two days I've been using the HTC One, I've had to fully recharge twice.
8) Perhaps my favorite feature and maybe even a feature that miffed me a little was the built in remote control. I love it! So well thought out and so easy to do. The miffed part is because I spent $100 on a Logitech Harmony remote that is now obsolete.
There are literally tons more I could go on about this phone, but I am already way long on this and most people don't hang around a review this long, but I wanted to try and help those who are seriously looking at upgrading or changing their phone. You may be asking yourself where is my list of cons, but I seriously as of right now don't have any cons to post. I know nothing is perfect, but so far I'm thrilled.
Quick note to power phone users like me: If you are going to unlock your phone (was to surprising to see HTC actually helps you do this) do it before you get crazy with the customization of your phone as it will erase everything. I've not rooted yet, but from what I understand this won't reset so once I find a good walk-through for the HTC One I'll go forward with rooting.
Hope this helped and if anything does creep up I'll post a comment to my review.
My Best Buy number: 2803634864
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5 out of 5
5
Battery Life
5 out of 5
5
Sound Quality
5 out of 5
5
+103points
107of 111voted this as helpful.
 
This Bluetooth speaker is compatible with Apple® iPad®, iPad 2 and iPad (3rd Generation) and features a rechargeable design to ensure reliable, long-lasting operation.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
What a nice surprise!
on April 15, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
First let me say that I purchased this as a deal of the day and I am so glad I did.
Pros:
Very good sound quality. I must say that I am very surprised at the quality of the sound from these little speakers. I like how each speaker is at the end - and it makes sense that it is that way so the sound is not blocked - but it also adds to some very good stereo separation.
The range is excellent! I went in to our living room to test the speakers on the New iPad. After doing my tests, I turned it off and went into my office which is a few rooms away. Trying to connect them to my Nexus 7, as soon as I turned the speakers back on I got the connect beep and realized they had a much greater range than I thought. Ended up having to go back to the iPad in the living room and turn bluetooth off.
So far the battery life seems to be pretty nice. I have two movies and some messing around testing and they are still going strong. I think I'll let them run out so I can get a good idea.
Cons:
wow I so hesitate to mention this because I don't think it is a speaker issue, but it needs to be mentioned.
The volume when connected to my iPad or iPhone is only marginally louder, but when connected to the Nexus 7, I have to turn the volume down a little. There is a definite distinction between different devices. Also it is worth mentioning that not all apps on the iPhone and iPad output audio to the speakers - again this is more a programming error than a fault of the speakers, but worth mentioning.
My last little quip (not sure what a quip is, but less than a gripe) is the "feel" of the material the speaker is made of. To me it is almost like nails on a chalkboard if that makes sense. I would not return them because of this, but at the same time I find myself not wanting to touch them - silly I know, but there it is.
Overall they are awesome speakers - even at the $24 mark I would not hesitate getting them now that I have used them, but better yet watch those deals of the day and maybe you can get one for $10 as well.
Hope this helps!
My Best Buy number: 2803634864
What's great about it: Sound quality
What's not so great: So far - nothing!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5 out of 5
5
Range
5 out of 5
5
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
As a young woman, Lara Croft is in search of adventure — and herself. She embarks on an exploratory quest when her hunt for adventure comes looking for her. Now, stranded away from civilization, and equipped with only her instincts and the ability to push herself beyond the threshold of human endurance, Lara must look inside and find what she needs to fight for her survival.Step into the role of Lara Croft in this gritty and intense narration of the origin of the famed Tomb Raider. Armed with only her raw instincts and physical abilities, you must rise from a scared young woman to a hardened survivor. Push yourself past the limits of human endurance and fight to stay alive in merciless environments. Endure physics-based gaming for an authentic gameplay experience. Pre-order Tomb Raider and receive a six-part comic book about the voyage of the Endurance, and unlock two bonus in-game features — the steep, exhilarating Shanty Town multiplayer map and a code for an exclusive skin for Lara. Face the heart-pounding storyline that looks deep into Lara to showcase her most defining adventure to date. Will you become a survivor?
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great game! Only wish it was longer!
on March 14, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Age:35-44
Gender:Male
Over the years I have played most of the Tomb Raider games and at best they held my attention for a few days at most. I will admit that with this one I was hesitant, but after a few preview videos I decided to purchase.
Great decision as I have not put it down. Amazing graphics and audio, but for me it was the story and how I got to interact with the story that made so worth while.
I'm not a marathon gamer, but I'm guessing I got about 10 hours of game play out of this title and while there are different things I can still do I wish it had been longer.
Even if not a big fan of the Laura Croft Tomb Raider franchise this one will not be disappointing.
Hope it helps!
What's great about it: Really well thought out plot
What's not so great: Little too short for me
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Managed. Safety. The security and manageability that you expect from Microsoft. BitLocker encrypts your hard drive's data, helping to keep your stuff safe. Install applications and connect with accessories and printers, just like you always have. Join a corporate domain for full access to your work network. Stellar. Performance. Enjoy fast, powerful performance and stunning visuals. The Intel processor was built using the latest technologies, including HD graphics, to deliver with impressive speed and responsiveness.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
What an amazing machine!
on February 17, 2013
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
After checking Best Buy's online inventory for a store near me to finally have a 128 gig version in stock, that day finally came yesterday.
As with all my reviews I like to talk about what I find to be the good, the bad, and the ugly - however with this device I'm hard pressed to find anything bad to say.
I've given the Surface Pro a good 24 hours’ worth of use and have installed a ton of software to test it out. I was actually very surprised.
Let’s get the bad out of the way:
* I'm going to need a keyboard and mouse for sure. Of course the Surface keyboard I want is out of stock so I'm going to wait, but there are too many apps and programs out there that won't let you get to the on screen keyboard or need a mouse to select. This is especially true with games. This really isn't a bad, but do yourself a favor and pick up a mouse and keyboard when you pick up your surface.
* You will probably need a USB hub. Again, this isn't a shortfall of the device, but most people will have more than one USB type device needing to be connected. This was my case as I don't have the Surface keyboard yet and needed both mouse and keyboard connected.
Now let me get into some of what I really like!!
The screen is so vibrant and clear that I am amazed this is not a retina type display. I compared the same picture, high definition, on my iPad 3 with the Surface and simply could not tell any difference. Love it.
Personally I love Windows 8. I think most people who don't like it don't like it because there is a small learning curve to be able to do what they were doing with Windows 7. Windows 8 works so well on the Surface.
Okay, so all of this stuff is good, but how does it run GAMES!?! I'll only talk about games, because if it can run a decent game it will run business and photo programs easily.
I tried four games so far to see what kind of quality I could get while keeping it at a frame rate that allowed me to play. All games I tried I made sure were running in 1920x1080 resolution. The first game I tried was:
World of Warcraft - runs absolutely flawlessly and at top settings. Even in areas where people like to hang out I noticed no slowdowns. Was actually kind of exciting to think about taking my next family road trip, making my iPhone 5 a hot spot, and playing some WoW as we go down I-4 (wife driving of course lol)
Diablo 3 - I was just so surprised it ran so smoothly. It looked and played amazing! Even the touch screen worked! I did tweak the settings a little, but I set everything UP and not down. You won't hit max ultra-settings, but I got pretty darned close and could tell zero difference over my Alienware computer.
Guild Wars 2 - Again a flawless experience. Ran smooth and without a hitch. Setting level was custom, but I'd rate it at about medium high settings. On all the games tweaking shadows seemed to make the best differences, but again on all the game they still looked beautiful!
Skyrim - I almost didn't include this game in this review because normally I run this on a screaming Alienware computer and as such I have loaded it up with all the add-ons I could that increase visual quality so my version of Skyrim is like a super version BUT OMG it ran and ran well on custom setting just a little better than low settings and it still looked AMAZING! Was not super smooth frames 100% of the time, but playable. I think I'll disable all the add-ons (about 80 of them) I use and try it again.
My wife and I are both big Apple fans and want to take nothing away from Apple, but Microsoft just upped the bar.
Some people list the price as a con, but I can't see it that way - it is a computer. I have a 2011 Mac Mini with an Intel i7 and Radeon graphics and these games don't run as well and I paid more for it.
The device does get hot, but after testing some games on the iPad and my Wife's traditional laptop it is nothing out of the ordinary as they all got pretty warm.
Overall this is simply an amazing device. If you are in the market for a tablet this is the one to get. If you need a laptop this is the one to get.
Hope this helped! Feel free to ask questions in the comments if you have something specific you want tested or want to know.
What's great about it: Screen looks beautiful
What's not so great: So far, nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Features
5 out of 5
5
+52points
55of 58voted this as helpful.
 
This headset features gaming-grade wireless range up to 40'. The 7.1-channel surround sound with advanced Dolby technology lets you hear opponents before they see you.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Not exactly what I expected
on December 4, 2012
Posted by: Katah
from Orlando, FL
Picked up the G930 over the weekend hoping to have some awesome sound and was really looking forward to cutting the wire, but sadly, for me these are not going to be the headphones to do that.
Pros:
The sound was rather good and if you like your movies and games loud, this headset has plenty of power to blast your ears off. For me, that is where the pros stop.
Cons:
Battery life is not good enough for my uses. I'm a gamer and when I'm not gaming I'm watching movies so for me I have sound going pretty much all the time. Keep in mind that I did not have unrealistic expectations when it comes to having wireless anything, but I was getting about 4 hours of use off a full charge. Now in all fairness, I do like to have the sound up more than say an average person I know and the louder the volume the faster the drain on the battery, but having said that, I should be getting more than what I am.
Charging the headset is super slow so for me every 4 hours or so I was having to switch headsets while charging. I think their charging design is cheap - instead of having to plug in a mini-usb why not have charging contacts on the headset and a nice base to set it in.
I think it should be noted that I'm basing my comparison off the Sony surround headset in terms of battery life which I could easily get 10+ hours on a single charge, but no mic.
This really did not bother my, but I feel it is worth mentioning. This is simulated 7.1 and while the software does a really nice job, if you close it down you lose the surround and the difference is night and day.
This is a fair warning - while Logitech is not known for making cheap feeling products, I think they may have did just that. Overall the headset feels pretty sturdy, but in the most important spot - where the cups meet the head band - is super super cheap feeling. I read some reviews where people are having issues with them breaking shortly after purchase and I can now see how this could happen. If you do get the headphones, avoid pulling them apart to get on and off your head. Instead, slide them on and off.
Don't be lured into buying these because of the G-keys or the voice altering ability. They are nothing special. The buttons on the headset are not convenient to use and the voice alteration is just something for about 5 minutes of fun and then you'll be done with it.
Overall the sound quality does make for a strong argument for me keeping this headset , but in the end I don't like the battery life and every time I put them on or took them off I worried they would break.
Hope this helps!
What's great about it: The sound quality was pretty good
What's not so great: Short battery life
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4 out of 5
4
Comfort
4 out of 5
4
Durability
2 out of 5
2
-5points
1of 7voted this as helpful.
 
Katah's Review Comments
1 2 >>
 
Deckard Cain scuffs his foot just in front of the ruins of Tristram Cathedral. The stirrings of evil have returned to this world, and these ruins must hold the clues to defeating whatever fresh hell is about to return to the realms of Sanctuary. Just as his hope is fading, Cain spots a glowing ball in the sky. A fiery harbinger of doom hurdles toward him, falling straight from the heavens. Striking the very ground where Diablo once entered the world, the ancient evils of the past reawaken. The fire burns rapidly and it becomes clear that this world is once again in need of a hero. Will you still have what it takes two decades after the last battle?Return to Sanctuary to confront the many forms of evil once again in Diablo III. Choose your hero from five powerful character classes, including Barbarian, Witch Doctor and Wizard — each with their own spells and abilities. Decimate your enemies by using the interactive environment to your advantage — lay cunning traps and use destructible objects and environmental obstacles to your advantage with the Havok physics system. The realms of Sanctuary are now rendered in gorgeous 3D for rich gameplay that pulls you in, allowing you to explore highly detailed regions of Sanctuary. Enjoy new character customization and embark on exciting adventures with the new quest system and prepare for the ultimate action-RPG experience. Join the battle with friends in the intense Battle.net multiplayer platform that lets you connect with other players so you can jump right into the action.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Too little, maybe a little too late.
By Katah from Orlando, FL
I remember when I got a copy of the original Diablo demo that was leaked so many years back. It was ground breaking and all I wanted to do was play it over and over. Diablo II carried the torch forward and the following expansions to me were equally as exciting.
Diablo III could and I believe should be so much more than it is. I understand the reason why Blizzard did what it did - if it isn't broke, don't fix it! However, this saying doesn't always ring true especially with almost a decade between Diablo II and Diablo III.
This is just my take on this game and I fell it worth mentioning that I am a Blizzard fan, but sometimes even your best friend can mess up and warrant some criticism. On to the review:
Graphics - The game looks "nice" to be sure, but the graphics are a bit outdated. Remember, this game has been in development for quite some time and I think what happened is they took too long to release and outdated themselves.
Characters - Shame on you Blizzard for not letting people create a character appearance. My 10 year old son sums this up best as I suggest he play a Barbarian, "I don't want to play as an old man!" and honestly I don't either. Take what they give you or leave it, but you will have some troubles getting into most of the characters.
Game play - This is true Diablo and I think it was wise to leave this part of the game alone. It would have been nice to have the option to skip having to play to the game in "normal" mode before getting to the good stuff though. I think it is cool that Blizzard wanted to make the game accessible to new game players by toning the difficulty down at start, but for those familiar to the series it only promotes racing through the game to get to the good stuff.
For those who do not know, Blizzard has stated that 70% of the gear and drops available in Diablo III are not even an option until you hit the next mode of game play.
Audio - Overall the music and voice acting are right on par with Blizzard quality.
Bottom Line: The game is playable and once through the normal mode I am sure will open up and offer new challenges. Overall the Diablo feel that was in the first two games of the series is missing and without being to create a character you can relate to, this only further takes away from the game. Diablo III for me is not a rush home after work because I cannot wait to play kind of game. For a game so long in the making, you would think it would redefine top down RPG games, but clearly does not do this at all.
To do it all over again knowing what I know now, I would have saved the money spent on two copies of the game and a game guide and waited for it to drop in price, but it is what it is.
Side Note - This was factored into my review, but is worth mentioning. Blizzard is having a lot of issues with the servers and they quite frequently are taken down or restarted for one reason or another. I'm sure the servers are overwhelmed and with each day passing, this should get better and better. You will notice some character lag from time to time as everything is stored on the server. Remember, to play the game you must be connected to battle.net and the issues they are having will effect your game play until they have it all fixed.
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
My thoughts
May 18, 2012
Typically I do not like to respond to comments because 9 times out of 10 it is just someone trying to defend a position that does not mesh with my position.
I am not sure what the M rating has to do with my review as I did not post my thoughts regarding the rating system of the video game. I take any rating system with a grain of salt; the panel of "judges" that typically make the deciding decision on a game's rating vary way too much - That 60 year old grandmother on the panel does not share my views and I'll be darned if I let her dictate to me what is and is not fit for me and my family. Remember, a rating is simply someone's opinion of certain aspects of a game in order to better help a parent gauge if a minor should play it or not. I personally do not use these ratings as a factor on if my kid plays or not. I personally check it out and make the decision based on my set of morals and standards and I had a good day head-start on my kid so I could catch anything I might not like ahead of time.
The comment about my son playing was valid - it was brought up because it reinforced my position as well. I don't want to play a barbarian character that looks as if they were to make one wrong swing they are going to have a heart attack either. I have played all Diablo games and expansions and to my knowledge I have never seen the barbarian character we can now play so again I do not know what you are talking about when you mention... if I knew the story line.
I understand your need to defend something that you obviously want to support. Please keep in mind that these are my opinions only. I'm not ditching the game and I play it almost every night - my son, however has stopped playing as he simply cannot get into it. Can't get that $60 back. I think for me I went back down memory lane and remembered the legend that was Diablo and Diablo II and I simply don't see the complete package with Diablo III.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
You've battled enemy forces in sweeping multiplayer campaigns, mastered complex combat techniques and blasted level caps to smithereens. But just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about the action genre, an unprecedented force has seized the gaming world — and forever revolutionized the art of combat. Step into a realm that rivals your own in realism, detail and freedom, and lose yourself in the epic quest that's destined to rewrite the pages of gaming history. In this world where mythical creatures roam at large and merciless enemies threaten to murder your ambition, you make the decisions — and you suffer the consequences.Envisioned by the masterminds behind Resident Evil 4 and Devil May Cry 4, Dragon's Dogma redefines the action genre, immersing you deeper than ever into the inner workings of an open world. A fierce warrior, you've set out on a perilous campaign to track down and destroy an enigmatic, bloodthirsty dragon. But you're not alone. A party of three independently fighting pawns back up your mission, offering their own individual strengths and weaknesses to the battlefield. Manage your allies carefully, choosing one to constantly train at your side, and reserving the others for when they're needed most. If you're willing, offer to share your pawn with a friend via the PlayStation Network, and you just may benefit from your generosity. In this mythical realm, goblins, griffins and dragons abound, but beware — Dragon's Dogma is no fairytale. These creatures of lore appear in their truest, most grisly forms, stirring at different hours of the day and night to impose an ever-unpredictable challenge. As you delve deeper into the storyline, you must master the most intricate details of combat — down to the weight of your sword, material of your armor and placement of your strike — in order to complete the mission with your life. Featuring a richly detailed environment, hundreds of fully voiced NPCs and an uncanny 24-hour day/night cycle, this gripping new franchise isn't just a game — it will become your Dogma.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
An OK open world RPG
By MatB from Michigan
First off, there is a demo for this game on PSN, and Live. It's pretty deceptive though. It starts you right in the middle of action sequences. The combat is excellent, and the customization is real nice. However, it does a terrible job of keeping the main story moving forward, and its horrible slow in between side missions. It also lacks co-op play. I dont know that i'll be finishing this game. It's just not drawing me in...
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Shame you docked stars for no multiplayer support
May 30, 2012
The demo is also the opening of the game. This is where you first meet the dragon and the story line is introduced. Not sure why you felt deceived.
To each their own, but for me the story is pretty much right there in your face at all times. You start with the first of the main story line quests and as you complete each it takes you to the next. There is zero down time in this game especially if you decide to venture out at night.
I'm guessing one if not both stars you docked this game is because you would have rather seen a multiplayer element to the game. I for one am glad they did not add multiplayer support to the game. Why? Good question.
When you introduce multiplayer, you introduce the "need" to have others play with you. Solo play is often dumbed down or just way too easy. Not to mention this element would have easily added additional development time. You are entitled to your view point and it does have its own merit, but to dock starts and skew the true rating because something you think should be added is not fair to the game. Its like giving your TV a bad review because the on/off button was on the left side of the screen instead of the right.
Anyway it's not a good review and even though I don't agree with you on the multiplayer aspect, it is the only factual part of your review.
+2points
4of 6voted this comment as helpful.
 
Deckard Cain scuffs his foot just in front of the ruins of Tristram Cathedral. The stirrings of evil have returned to this world, and these ruins must hold the clues to defeating whatever fresh hell is about to return to the realms of Sanctuary. Just as his hope is fading, Cain spots a glowing ball in the sky. A fiery harbinger of doom hurdles toward him, falling straight from the heavens. Striking the very ground where Diablo once entered the world, the ancient evils of the past reawaken. The fire burns rapidly and it becomes clear that this world is once again in need of a hero. Will you still have what it takes two decades after the last battle?Return to Sanctuary to confront the many forms of evil once again in Diablo III. Choose your hero from five powerful character classes, including Barbarian, Witch Doctor and Wizard — each with their own spells and abilities. Decimate your enemies by using the interactive environment to your advantage — lay cunning traps and use destructible objects and environmental obstacles to your advantage with the Havok physics system. The realms of Sanctuary are now rendered in gorgeous 3D for rich gameplay that pulls you in, allowing you to explore highly detailed regions of Sanctuary. Enjoy new character customization and embark on exciting adventures with the new quest system and prepare for the ultimate action-RPG experience. Join the battle with friends in the intense Battle.net multiplayer platform that lets you connect with other players so you can jump right into the action.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Disconnects constantly. Literally unplayable.
By steelersForever from Springfield, MA
This is not a review of the game at launch. That was horrible. Everyone knows the game was unplayable. This is almost 2 weeks later. The game is unplayable during normal gaming hours; like at night. If others are playing, then you will not be able to play because the servers disconnect you after less than 2 minutes. And saving is only to checkpoints i.e. THE GAME IS UNPLAYABLE. I've tried every few week nights, but the only time I was able to play was a Sunday during the day. I suspect the positive reviews are coming from addicts who are playing through the night. On a Friday evening, I've been disconnected 10 times in a row. And it will continue like this for the foreseeable future. Just like the launch. Customer support responds after a few days, to each ticket - and I've sent multiple - with "yeah, our servers were really getting hammered. it should be better now." But of course, it is not.
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Servers work just fine for me
May 31, 2012
I was not part of the launch as I had to work that day, but since the night of launch I have had zero problems with the exception of Blizzard taking the servers down on a Saturday for some type of patch.
Other than that it has been nothing but playable... maybe you should check your network configuration or reset your router.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Protect your Apple iPhone SE, 5s, 5 or 5c with this ZAGG InvisibleShield, which features military-grade scratch-resistant material to guard against damage and offers high-definition clarity for a clear view.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Don't Buy This Product
By Geeeek from New York, NY
This product is awful. I paid $8 to Best Buy to get it installed perfectly, but the problem is that it is so strong, that it doesn't recognize my finger touch, it isolates the touchscreen technology and made my iPhone unusable. I have to click over and over before buttons respond to my interaction.
I'm a hard core Instagrammer and need to shoot fast when I take pictures on the go. This protection shield destroys the experience of fast response from the touchscreen.
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Might be your fingers
October 3, 2012
I have had many Zagg products and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that if your touchscreen is not working when you have the shield on there may be something wrong with, yes I am serious, your fingers.
I say "wrong" with your fingers because if you apply product to your fingers in the form of lotions or other beauty/skin products this will affect how your phone senses your touch through the shield. If you play guitar or do other activities that callas your fingers, this also could be causing your phone issues recognizing you are touching it. Have someone else with different fingers try it out and see if it responds to them better. In the end you may end up having to go without a screen protector.
This is one of the reason Zagg goes to the lengths it does to keep the thickness of their protectors down as thin as possible. The thicker the film, the more "perfect" your fingers need to be in order for the phone to sense you are touching it.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Managed. Safety. The security and manageability that you expect from Microsoft. BitLocker encrypts your hard drive's data, helping to keep your stuff safe. Install applications and connect with accessories and printers, just like you always have. Join a corporate domain for full access to your work network. Stellar. Performance. Enjoy fast, powerful performance and stunning visuals. The Intel processor was built using the latest technologies, including HD graphics, to deliver with impressive speed and responsiveness.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Is it a portable desktop?
By HaeHae from Houston,Tx
Please let me tell you I do not like mac, I want Microsoft to succeed!!! I am not bias!!! This is my sincere feedback! I found really weird why there are so many GOOD / 5 stars reviews... maybe I am asking for to much... maybe I am use to my desktop...
Is it a small All-in-one? Is it a portable desktop? It is suppose to be an ultrabook/tablet ...
First impression: Surface pro looks pretty and it doesn't look cheap.
As I took it out the box I though "This is heavy", compared to my ipad (in an otter box case), the Surface pro feels pretty heavy, which made me feel worry and later on I confirmed it, I found the length of the tablet too long, although the length make sense with windows 8 IU, when you hold it feels uncomfortable and heavy, I have big hands, and still I need to hold it from the lower edge, resting it on my palm, instead of from the side, in order to be comfortable enough to hold it with out fear of dropping it, and comfortable enough to be able to use my other hand to interact with the screen instead of using it to hold it too. Maybe I am bias, since I have more than one year using an Ipad.
The other problem I noticed when I turned it on, the battery was at 50% saying I only have one hour and 10 minutes of battery life remaining...
So I started installing all the necessary software for my daily work, while doing that I charged it, I felt it charges quickly, after an hour of installing everything, battery was at ~65%. I laid down on my couch and I started doing my usual work on it, with basically consists on readying pdfs, copying, pasting, cropping pictures, I am heavy duty ONEnote user and It actually felt comfortable for some of the tasks but not for everything, needing a keyboard, I felt uncomfortable using the screen keyboard, since the length of the device is too long, but maybe I just need some time to get use to it. So I attached the type cover, which is very nice, feels good to type on it, I did not have any learning curve, like other users had reported, but yes, this was the TYPE cover not the TOUCH cover.
So in this mode you need to sit down on a table, it is worthless to try to use it with the touch cover on your lap. So while I was working sitting, I instantly realized : "the screen is to small!!!I need a bigger monitor!!!" So I plugged to my monitor, and realized "ok this is a portable desktop!" I guess it can be use as a desktop at home, and can be carry around your home, use it while you go to work and then at work, instead of having two desktops(one at office one at home) and a tablet, but then more issues start popping out in my head? Such as the hard drive, which I guess if you use the microsd on the go, and a big external storage hard drive then it is not a problem.
Regarding performance, it is very responsive to multitask on, web browsing, video playing is good, sound quality is good, I felt its performance equals the performance of a windows8 ultrabook.
The only game I tried was Guildwars 2, at high settings is unplayable ., I think for casual playing is ok, but for best performance you should play on a real desktop.
Other big issue, it is noise and it gets pretty warm to hot… You can still hold it without burning your hands… but kind a feels uncomfortable..
Final thoughts:
Surface pro, is a laptop that can not be placed on your lap, it can be use on the go as a tablet, but not for a long period of time, for two reasons, battery life and the bulky/heavy design which for a long period of time will make you feel uncomfortable, if you use it as a desktop, quickly your are going to be missing a big screen plus the stronger capabilities that a desktop provides you with bigger storage and horse power for games and video processing.
For 1300$(Surface pro + touch cover + microsd + video adapator + taxes) I think it is not worth it, I really want microsoft to succeed, I do not like apple at all, but this is my sincere feedback to Microsoft.
For 1300$ I prefer a nice ultrabook with touch, maybe one of the options with dedicated graphic cards...
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Perhaps your expectations were a bit too high...
March 7, 2013
I'm glad you put forth your honest review on the Surface Pro, but in reading your thoughts I could not help but think to myself that yes, your expectations of what the Surface should be able to do are just not very realistic.
Look at it this way. The surface Pro is not and should not be bought if you want to play graphically intense games. Sorry, but the technology is not there yet as to have the type of video adapter required would put out way too much heat for such a small device.
Having said all the above, the Surface Pro will and does play these games well, but not at max settings. Guild Wars 2 was one of my test games as well and I am sad to see that you only focused on the fact that it would not play on max settings. What you failed to mention was that with a few small downgrades in graphical settings - 4x AA instead of 8x and lower quality shadows or no shadows at all and the game purrs at over 30 FPS. Sure, not max settings as you stated, but far from the lowest settings.
I can and do play a lot of my games using the Surface during my lunch or other down times when away from home and I want to kill some time. As stated in my review, WOW plays silky smooth at about mid settings for me.
I did install the new Tomb Raider last night just to see how a next gen game would fair and it is playable, but at the lowest settings. The only thing out there that could play Tomb Raider would be the Razor Edge Pro, but at a max resolution of 1366x768 and a price tag of over $1,200 the Surface still wins. Why? Because you can set your Surface resolution to 1366x768 and yeah Tomb Raider bumped up by about 10 FPS but it should - it is a much lower resolution.
Is it a portable desktop? Sure it is and that is the answer to your question title - but you rated and reviewed based on is it a portable gaming PC and the answer to that is no you should not buy the Surface Pro (any tablet for that matter) if your sole or even main purpose is to play games.
+13points
13of 13voted this comment as helpful.
 
Stay connected with this HTC One PN07120 mobile phone that features Internet and e-mail capabilities, plus 4G LTE speed for rapid data transfer. The 4.7" touch screen with a real-time color engine offers high-definition visuals and easy navigation.Requires a minimum data service starting at $20/month.Early termination fees will be prorated, starting at $325 minus $10 for each full month of service commitment completed.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
No expansion MicroSD
By DonDinero from Orlando
It does NOT have a MicroSD slot; thus, no expansion.
2 GB RAM
32 / 64 GB Storage
Nice Camera
Nice sound
Display is very good and the phone is fast
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Expansion options
April 21, 2013
Actually it may not have a slot for an SD card (very few phone do so not sure why this is a con to you) but with an OTG Cable (about $3.99 for one) and an app called Nexus Media Importer ($2.99 in Play Store) you can attach thumb drives all day long. Bought a ton of the PNY 16 gig USB flash drives when Best Buy had them as the deal of the day and they work perfectly. I even tried a 1T USB hard drive on my Nexus 7 and works perfectly.
Can stream from the devices, copy to your phone/tablet - whatever you want. 32 gigs on a phone is plenty and if not shell out a bit more for the 64 gig version, but storage is not an issue for sure.
+6points
7of 8voted this comment as helpful.
 
Stay connected with this HTC One PN07120 mobile phone that features Internet and e-mail capabilities, plus 4G LTE speed for rapid data transfer. The 4.7" touch screen with a real-time color engine offers high-definition visuals and easy navigation.Requires a minimum data service starting at $20/month.Early termination fees will be prorated, starting at $325 minus $10 for each full month of service commitment completed.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Day 2
By airtech from texass
Just got this just the day before, it is nice , but the power button is on the left, 4G I have no clue on activating it, you have to go through your Facebook to get your phone started, it has a very large music capacity, so that is good, very detailed screen, news info apps, listings and pics are very sharp, the camera and the cam is super, I have no battery access, antenna is is on the back so be careful on holding it, screen resolution grid popped up on my top corner, today, I pull or glide my finger, the X and the Y axis show up with a color line like a scratch mark then disappears, taking this in tonight for a replacement....Sound quality is boss, has some beads, no flashlight app, GPS rocks,
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Embellished review
April 23, 2013
Couple of corrections here.... it is not required that you have to sign in to Facebook when setting up your phone. There is a point in the phone setup where you have the option and chance to setup EVERYTHING not just Facebook. Emails, photo sites, Facebook and Twitter. Pretty misleading to say you have to.
4G is not something you have to activate. There are toggles that will allow you to turn 4G off as it is arguably more of a battery hog, but I personally don't see it. If you are not getting 4G on your phone call AT&T as it is a very real possibility 4G is not yet in your area.
I've noticed other here and there talking about no battery access. Most phones don't allow this anymore so not sure why it is such a big deal.
Are you sure you are reviewing the HTC One? The antenna is in more places than just the back, but that is irrelevant. Maybe you are reviewing the iPhone 4? Hold the phone anyway you wish - it does not have any affect on reception at all.
There is a flashlight lol - look for the toggle or go to the Play store and download one or the many hundreds of others.
+6points
6of 6voted this comment as helpful.
 
HP Pavilion Sleekbook 15-b041dx Laptop: Get things done with this light and practical HP Pavilion Sleekbook. Use it to create and edit documents, surf the Internet, and complete general everyday tasks without missing a beat.Learn more about the New Windows ›
 
Overall2 out of 52 out of 5
NO CD/DVD DRIVE!
By klemom from OH
I purchased this online after reading the description and specifications very carefully, because I wanted to make sure this laptop had two things for sure: a CD/DVD drive and an HDMI port. The descriptions said that it indeed had both. Imagine my surprise and frustration when I received the laptop and found that it did NOT have a CD/DVD drive as advertised by Best Buy. Although yes, the laptop itself is very thin and lightweight and seemed to run well, the fact that it does not have a CD/DVD drive is a dealbreaker for me. So I had the major inconvenience of having to return it at the store so I could do an exchange for another laptop that I could physically see in person, so I could verify the presence of a CD/DVD drive. Best Buy needs to rectify this situation and fix the website description, which at the time of this review, still says this laptop has a CD/DVD drive.
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
CD/DVD should NEVER be a deal breaker
September 20, 2013
Buying a computer based on a CD or DVD drive is totally not the right thing to do. Would you buy a car ONLY if it had a CD player in the radio? Not at all and you should treat your computer the same way.
In fact, not having a CD/DVD lowers the price point a tiny bit, but more importantly it gives you the freedom to buy one you like with the features you want. The speed of USB and especially the new USB standards make external devices such as CD/DVD drives well worth it.
Having HDMI should not a deciding factor either as for mere pennies you can get adapters for the video out to HDMI.
Buy a computer for what it can do in terms of memory speed, processor power and graphical abilities.
-3points
0of 3voted this comment as helpful.
 
HP ENVY Sleekbook m6-k012dx Laptop: With touch-screen capabilities and ample hard drive space, this HP ENVY Sleekbook is a great option for students or business professionals looking for quick access to multiple documents, movies, music and more.Learn more about the New Windows ›
 
Overall2 out of 52 out of 5
I absolutely hate it!
By mandyyy25 from san antonio texas
First off I loved this computer because it was touchscreen, but after a few days of using this laptop I noticed I hardly ever used the touchscreen. another thing I liked about this laptop is it's thin which is a plus, but this laptop is sooooo slow. I mostly use it for school work to google information watch new clips etc however I get so frustrated trying to watch a video because it has to constantly stop to buffer. ive tried watching short one minute clips and it still stops to buffer!!! my iphone is faster than this laptop! I will def be returning it asap!
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
Sounds to me more of an internet issue
October 19, 2013
Buffering when watching a movie sounds more like a connection issue than a CPU or even a GPU issue. Typically if a computer is too slow to process a movie, which in these days even the cheapest of computers can do this well, you will see what is called frame rate loss.
Looking at the specs of this PC, it looks pretty good to me - not a gaming laptop, but even so I'll be it can still play them and some at a decent quality.
Even if you don't use the touchscreen today, you might tomorrow. Start using some of the Windows apps. Having a touchscreen helps future proof your laptop a little more.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
 
Enhance your gaming experience with this EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 02G-P4-3769-KB 2GB GDDR5 graphics card, which features a PCI Express 3.0 interface for wide-ranging compatibility. The EVGA ACX cooler helps ensure proper performance.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Awesome Video Card
By Katah from Orlando, FL
I'd like to start off by saying that video cards are very person specific. What I mean to say is there are so many different factors that might give me better results than another person that is truly is difficult to provide a review that others might find helpful. This being said, here is my experience with this card.
A few years back I bought an Alienware PC and it has been my beast without fail all this time, however time and technology has finally caught up and I've been noticing with newer games that my FPS has been less than what I really want. the stock card that came with the Alienware is an AMD Radeon HD 5850 and has been a difficult card to replace despite its age.
I had tried getting into a newer AMD video card, but out of the three I tried, two were actually slower than the 5850 and the one that was better was only better by a couple of FPS. Improvement sure, but not worth $400.
I decided to try this one because I really want to be able to Battlefield 4 when it comes out at the best frame I can get so I figured if this didn't work I would just take it back. I wanted a GTX 770, but they are not available in store and I didn't want the hassle of shipping.
Before installing this card, I used the Tomb Raider benchmark to get a general idea of any performance increases the new card might offer.
With max setting at a resolution 1920x1280 and everything on my 5850 was averaging about 24 FPS. After installing this card, installing the drivers and a quick reboot just to be safe, I ran it again same settings and got a mind blowing 50 FPS!!
Needless to say I was shocked and amazed because I was not expecting that big of a jump in performance. Of course me being the skeptic I am, following Tomb Raider I ran Future Mark as well as all my games and the results remained the same.
For me, with my configuration, I doubled my FPS - Battlefield 4 beta looks so different with maxed settings and plays so super smooth!
The noise of this card is actually more quiet than my old card, and I've not noticed any heating differences.
This is a sold card and for was a solid upgrade and with SLI an option when games starting getting choppy with this card, I've easily bought myself another couple of years before another upgrade or addition will be needed.
My only thought now is do I want to keep this one or take it back and get the 4 gig version or even go up to the 770 version. either way I'm set!
something worth a mention is the cards are no longer coming with SLI bridges and from what I gather they are sold separately - EVGA has some on their site for $20, but looks more like a gimmick to me than they are worth.
Customer Avatar
Katah
Orlando, FL
read this before you buy!
October 21, 2013
I'm actually going to be taking this card back today and swapping it out for the 4 GIG version. Lots of debate about what games and applications actually take advantage of more than 2 GIGs, but it is a good way to help "future proof" your card.
A good example is Battlefield 4 which is set to suggest at least 3 GIGs of video ram. Another game that could benefit from the extra video ram is Skyrim - especially if you mod it out.
The bottom line is, it is an extra $20 for double the video ram - it really should be a no brainer. Only downside is that currently it is sold out and not in stores, but a few days wait is not so bad.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet: The new Surface Pro 3 is in a category of its own. With a stunning 12" display in a sleek magnesium frame, Surface Pro 3 has all the power and performance of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. It may just be the ultimate device.
 

Does this product play blue ray movies?

If you hook an external blu-ray player or have the blu-ray movie on the drive it will play it just fine.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 

Can accord. extenders be purchased?

I have a window that is 43inches. Where can I purchased extenders? I have found accord. replacements but nothing to extend them.

Thanks!
You might be able to buy extenders from the company itself or even from a major home improvement store, but they are costly and even then didn't fully fit my 43 inch window. Wasted time.

Instead position your air conditioner as close to one side as you can so at least one extender will work. Measure the other opening length and width. Head to Home Depot or Lowes and get you some Plexiglas that is a little larger than the dimensions you measured. Be sure to get a Plexiglas cutter and some clear silicone calk / calk gun while there.

What you want to do is to be able to place that Plexiglas where it will cover the opening using the inside portion of the window frame and the window as a backstop to keep it from falling out.

Once you have it sitting against the window covering the opening and outside elements, get your calk gun and start sealing. I did a small portion first and used something heavy to make sure it was snug against the window while it dried. Once dried and in place I went all the way around it. Basically you are using the clear silicone calk as both glue and weather proofing. Should the need ever arise for it to be removed, the calk will come up no problem.

Hope it helps
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 

Dehumidifier and 115V

1st question: Many of the reviews they say there is no dehumidifier. Is that true - and if not - why does this question come up so often? Is the dehumidifier hidden?
2nd question: How does one plug into a 115V? I thought there was only 110V and 220V?
Some models have it. Not all. Best to look at the one you are interested in to make 100% sure. honestly though I live in Florida and humidity is the name of the game, but I never ever use mine. For me, the problem with a dehumidifier is we tend to leave it on all the time and this makes the air very very dry. While you may feel cooler, dry air can lead to nose bleeds and tends to promote more dust (no water vapor to weight it down and make it fall)

As for the 115v it is a standard wall type plug. It's a special cord with a breaker on it that makes it a 115v. No need for any special plugs or sockets.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 

Where are Frigidaires made?

Are they made in the USA and if so why do they not more prominently indicate?
USA - I thought everyone knew they were US made. Most companies won't tout a made in the USA unless EVERYTHING is made in the USA. Could be some of the plastics are made in China.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 

Aluminum window openings

I have a tilt in aluminum window that can be removed leaving a 13.5" x 30" space. Can this unit be fitted for that? Is extra carpentry needed?
The unit should be able to be installed in any window that has a sliding up / down type window. Even if you didn't have the sliding window or had to completely remove the window you could get this to work with very little effort.

My window is a traditional window so I lift it up or down to open or close it. This is what my air conditioner rests on to keep it from falling out of the window. My problem is my window is extra wide and the two side panels included were not long enough to keep the bugs and elements out.

What I did was position the air conditioner far enough to one side where one extender would fit. A quick trip to Home Depot I got some Plexiglas (about $8 for the size I needed) a Plexiglas cutter (about $5 ) and some clear silicone calk. I measured the length and width of the opening I needed to cover, cut the Plexiglas where it had some extra length and width to rest against the window and calked it in pace.

weather and bug resistant for about $25. If you had to remove the window all you would need is to securely fasten a board across your window where a normal window would go to keep your air conditioner from falling out.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Stay cool with this air conditioner that features a 350 sq. ft. cooling capacity, ideal for a medium-size room. An antibacterial mesh filter helps purify the air, and the window-mount design offers flexible placement options within your home.
 

I have water splashing out of the interior vent fan

After a mild rain, i heard noises coming from unit. I looked and saw water splashing out of the interior vent. I cut the unit off and cleaned up the water but after the rain left I started the unit again. I heard the fan spinning thru water at the bottom of the unit. I looked at the unit and the fan in behind and looked sealed away from the exterior. Where is the water coming from and how can i stop this from happening. I have a second unit to install, but if I can't keep water from splashing inside I'll find another unit.
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
My best guess is your air conditioner is not tilted slightly back to allow water to run out of the unit.

Check your unit - it needs to be sloping back out of the house just enough to allow condensation and rain to flow out and away from the unit.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Make homemade carbonated beverages with this white SodaStream machine. Its reusable CO2 canister quickly transforms filtered water into soda, and the LED display indicates three levels of carbonation to suit your personal preference. This SodaStream machine comes with a BPA-free 1L bottle and a fizz-preserving cap to keep drinks fresh.
 

Is it included CO2 carbonator?

I would like to buy Sodatream source, but CO2 carbonator can't shipped by airplane
So if this product do not include CO2 carbonator, I would like to buy.
Mine included the Co2.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet: The new Surface Pro 3 is in a category of its own. With a stunning 12" display in a sleek magnesium frame, Surface Pro 3 has all the power and performance of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. It may just be the ultimate device.
 

Without a data plan needed, if wifi is not available, how do you access information?

Keep in mind this is a computer in every way a computer is a computer. If you have something on your computer you can still use it regardless of if you have access to the internet.

Now if you want to web surf or do things that REQUIRE an internet connection you have to find a hotspot. I'm not sure where you live, but in Orlando, FL this is not hard to do. Most businesses now offer free hotspot access and the cable company has free hotspots all over the city.

If you are going to be somewhere you know you won't have access to the internet - on a plane for example although most planes off it now - simply download or install ahead of time.
9 years, 9 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
This Bluetooth speaker is compatible with Apple® iPad®, iPad 2 and iPad (3rd Generation) and features a rechargeable design to ensure reliable, long-lasting operation.
 

Where can I find a reseller?

If Best Buy no longer has these, try Amazon.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL
 
This Bluetooth speaker is compatible with Apple® iPad®, iPad 2 and iPad (3rd Generation) and features a rechargeable design to ensure reliable, long-lasting operation.
 

RMS power of speakers?

Can you tell more specifications? RMS power of speakers, noise ...etc?
I can't tell you the RMS of the speakers, but I can tell you they are quite and the sound output, while better than most laptops is not as loud as you might want it to go.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
Katah
   Orlando, FL