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  • Review count
    228
  • Helpfulness votes
    702
  • First review
    July 30, 2012
  • Last review
    June 28, 2025
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  • Average rating
    4.5
 
  • Review comment count
    2
  • Helpfulness votes
    2
  • First review comment
    October 14, 2011
  • Last review comment
    June 28, 2012
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  • Answer count
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  • Helpfulness votes
    39
  • First answer
    April 25, 2013
  • Last answer
    February 17, 2021
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psyclopps's Reviews
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Unleash advanced cleaning power with the Roomba Max 705 Vac Robot + AutoEmpty Dock, engineered to keep busy, pet-loving homes spotless. Extreme power-lifting suction combined with anti-tangle Dual Rubber Brushes extract and eliminate debris from carpets and hard floors. Get the most out of your robot with fast, advanced 3D mapping, object recognition, custom settings and precise navigation. Dirt and debris are trapped for 75 days in the dock for hands-free cleaning.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Extremely smart and thorough cleaning
on June 28, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
I have enjoyed using this vacuum thus far. The addition of camera and LIDAR make cleaning extremely efficient which seems to get better the more I use it. Cleaning is simple and the base station makes things easy.
Setup:
The packaging comes with the vacuum, the base station with two bags, an extra HEPA filter, and documentation. There is a cleaning tool inside the base station. After plugging it in and charging it, you will use the new Roomba Home app to finish setup for Wi-Fi connectivity, mapping and cleaning. If you used to use the old Roomba app, this can be a bit confusing as the old app will detect the vacuum but direct you to the new app.
After setup, the vacuum will attempt to map your house. I found the first mapping run to be a bit clumsy with a bit of bumping around. After the mapping is done, and you start your first cleaning the vacuum appears to work much more intelligently for navigation going forward.
Cleaning:
I was thoroughly impressed with this vacuum's ability to clean. I usually send it out to vacuum on demand, but you can set up a schedule if so desired. As this vacuum has LIDAR and a camera, it will detect objects on the ground and go around them, so you do not need to be so careful with picking things up off the floor (useful if you have kids or pets with toys moving around). The more I have used the vacuum, the better it appears to be at navigating around the house with less bumps and cleaning in an efficient pattern. I have yet to have it get stuck while traveling around the house.
As I usually have it clean on demand, I tend to use the smart vacuum feature which lets you choose which rooms to clean and sets an order of cleaning. For example, I might set it up to clean the kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry room then vacuum in that order, but you can easily omit rooms or change the order as needed.
Smart cleaning will also allow you to set up the strength of the vacuum cleaning. It will often clean with more suction on carpets and rugs and go to a lighter level on hardwood. You can pre-select the level prior to starting but I found smart cleaning to be ideal. In smart mode, it might be a quick vacuum job, or it might need to recharge halfway through as the robot determines it needs additional time and suction to clean the same area. It does all this on its own automatically.
Noise is not too bad unless you are at max suction.
Maintenance:
The brushes are “anti-tangle” which means they are without hairs/brushes and use rotating rubber. I found that it is very easy to clean with most hair or large fibers going off toward the side allowing for easy removal. The rotating side brush can get hair tangled in it though at times and might need to be cleaned more frequently. Thorough cleaning with a brush and the included knife tool should be done as needed or every 3-6 months. This includes changing out the HEPA filter though you should “tap” it out every few weeks to keep it clear of debris. The included self-emptying station should last up to 75 days of frequent use though I have not been able to test this yet. Obviously, this will change depending on the amount of dirt and how often you vacuum.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SimpliSafe delivers advanced security solutions that put you, your home, and your safety first. With optional professional monitoring powered by Fast Protect™ Technology, SimpliSafe combines innovative hardware with advanced AI and real people — for 24/7 professional monitoring that delivers fast emergency response when you need it most. The award-winning SimpliSafe system is effective, intuitive, and affordable – so that home can be safe and secure for everyone. You can protect every inch of your home. SimpliSafe has sensors for every room, window and door. HD security cameras for inside and out. Smarter ways to detect motion that alert you only when a threat is real. Hazard sensors that detect floods, and other threats to your home. Powerful sirens that can help stop intruders in their tracks. That’s the unmatched combination that separates SimpliSafe Home Security from the others. At SimpliSafe, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe at home. That's why our bundles are designed to be effective yet affordable. And with no long-term contracts or hidden fees. This 9-piece wireless security bundle provides 24/7 protection from the outside in. Starting outside, the Outdoor Security Camera Series 2 (2 total)keeps watch with a 140 degree field of view, 1080p HD resolution and color night vision, and includes 2-way audio. With the included power cables, the Outdoor Camera can help prevent crime before it happens with SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection (available with select monitoring plans). The Base Station is the brains of the system. It sends alarm signals to the monitoring center with a built-in cellular connection with a professional monitoring plan, plus a back up battery that lasts up to 24 hours and a loud, 100 dB siren. The smash-safe Keypad is soft to the touch, easy to use during the day and night, and requires no plug so it can be placed anywhere. Entry Sensors (4 total) protect your doors, windows, and cabinets and are designed to blend into the background. And the Motion Sensor is designed for human detection, not pet detection.Advanced security, whole home protection. There's no safe like SimpliSafe.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Easy to set up and expand
on June 25, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
I have been very impressed with this security system in the review period. Setup is easy and all devices work extremely well together. Installation couldn’t be easier.
Pros:
Easy set up
Great interconnectivity
Large ecosystem of devices
Cons:
No Google Home or Homekit support
Installation:
Setup starts with the base station. After registering it with your account, you add devices. I added the keypad, door entry sensors, a motion detector and two cameras. Setup is usually as simple as opening the app, selecting the correct device, applying power to the new device and pressing the setup button.
Most devices are mountable with included adhesive but can be installed with included screws as well if desired. Every item I installed uses batteries, though the cameras have a power cable included if so desired and there is an optional solar attachment.
App:
The Simplisafe app is well designed with instant access to system state (off, home or away) and cameras on the main screen. This is also where you will view camera history for 30 days (with subscription) which can also be downloaded. Additionally you can edit your security system settings such as pins, timing, video quality, announcements, and more from within the app. Users can be added within the app as well.
Security:
Everything seems to work well as intended. I accidentally forgot my PIN and set off the alarm the first day, the alarm from the base station is extremely loud and will scare someone away. Keep in mind, this system is meant to be used with the Simplisafe Professional monitoring service. The service comes with a 1 month free trial and any alarms and video recordings will go to the monitoring center and alert first responders.
The motion detectors seem reliable and work within 2” of each side. My motion detector seems to work as intended as well. There are other devices available on the website for purchase to expand the system such as glass shatter detectors, additional panic buttons, water sensors, smoke alarms and more.
Camera quality is good and can use LED Infrared sensors at night, or an LED spotlight. The highest quality is 1080p but the video appears very clear to me. In the event of an alarm event, the video will also be sent to the monitoring center.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Actionable health tracking smart ring. A comfortable and sleek smart ring that tracks your sleep, movement and recovery trends, nudging you to make healthier choices every day. The Ring lasts up to 6 days on a complete charge.*
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A perfect smart ring
on June 16, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
I have loved this since I received it. It looks amazing, is comfortable and provides more stats than I know what to do with! That could be a good or a bad thing for some people but I love stats so the more the better!
Setup:
The device comes in a nice looking package. It will have a braided charging cable, your ring and a charging dock. Setup is simple as you only need to charge it and install the app on your device for pairing. You initially will not receive much data as most of the data is fully available after a few days.
Style & comfort:
I received my unit in Aster Black. It is a shiny blank that is slightly more thick than a traditional ring. I decided to wear it on my ring finger where it fits nicely and does not interfere with much. I have to be a little more careful when grabbing things though as the ring is made of titanium and is harder than many other materials. For example, when I open my car door, I am more careful what part of my finger grabs the handle so I don’t scratch the paint, the same with when I hold a phone or tablet without a case as the ring might scratch glass (I scratched a watch face with it by accident). The ring is extremely light and feels almost plastic, but this is because of the titanium build which is extremely lightweight. So far, I am very impressed in this category. My only complaint is that this color attracts fingerprints and smudges very easily. I have received no scratches in a week of use.
Battery life:
I have worn this for a week and charged it once. I have it set to the default battery setting which uses the most battery when sleeping or exercising, otherwise it sips battery throughout the day. It took about four days for mine to get to the point where I needed to charge it.
App usage:
The app is extremely robust. It is almost too much data for some people. Of note, I enjoy the circadian rhythm tracking, caffeine window (more on this later), sleep tracking, and recovery. There are other metrics which I don’t need such as Brain Waste Clearance, and more with the ability to use “Powerplugs” which are essentially free and paid extensions which add additional tracking like jet lag, ovulation, vitamin d and more. I love the caffeine tracking, as it shows the best time of day based on your metrics to consume caffeine for the greatest effect. I also like the Vitamin D tracking which does require a bit of extra input, but it allows you to track best times for sun exposure based on UV exposure and provides guidance.
The app includes a section called “Ultrahuman Digital” which includes mediation sessions, workouts, sleep sounds and stories, podcasts and more.
For those who might be in need of a continuous glucose monitor (GCM), they have an extra service for sensors and integration which can be extremely useful for metabolic fitness. Also, there are loads of 3rd party integrations for most popular services including MyFitnessPal, Garmin, Fitbit, Withings, Peloton, Health Connect and more.
Of note, there are optional subscription options which I deem to be actually useful. For a fairly cheap price, one can get extra value on trade ins, theft and loss coverage, weight loss coverage where they will replace your ring if you lose weight, damage protection, and more. The cost is only
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Upgrade your home security with the TP-Link Smart Door Lock — the perfect blend of convenience, control, and peace of mind. Keypad entry or the Tapo app, and manage access from anywhere with remote locking and real-time alerts. With advanced encryption, tamper detection, and auto-lock features, you get enhanced security without sacrificing ease of use. Whether you're home or away, TP-Link puts smarter, safer access at your fingertips.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Easy to use and looks great
on June 16, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
This lock is great! It looks good, is easy to install and works very well with mobile devices and services.
Installation:
Installing this was easier than I thought. So long as your door is compatible, everything you need is in the box. There are the internal and external sides to the lock, the deadbolt assembly, various screws, a cushion plate, a set of keys (if needed), batteries, and a plate for the door frame. I had this up and running in about 30 minutes. It looks great on my door though I will have to fix the paint from the previous lock’s outline which is to be expected.
Connectivity:
The bolt uses the TP-Link Tapo app to control the device. This app will help you set it up with Wi-Fi and assist with connecting it to third party services. Supported services are Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. I was a bit disappointed that there was no Matter connectivity and no HomeKit support. This is the only reason I took away a star since Matter would greatly increase compatibility with various devices.
Daily use:
The device has keys in the event of battery failure. You can also connect a power supply to the bottom of the external side to a power bank via a USB-C connection if needed, though the app should warn you prior to battery drainage. The app does routinely show the battery percentage with the 4 AA batteries. You can control the lock status, create a one-time PIN code, change PIN codes, set smart routines, control device sharing, and much more. One advanced feature I very much liked is the ability to scramble your PIN. For example, if your pin is 1111, you can enter it as 195371111837 and it will recognize the “1111” in the middle. This is to deter anyone who might be observing from remembering the code.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ultrahuman Ring AIR sizes are different from standard ring sizes. Purchase the Ring AIR sizing kit first to get the perfect Ring AIR size then receive credit to buy the correct size Ring AIR. Ring AIR is available in 10 sizes from 5-14.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Easy to use and a good experience
on May 28, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
This ring fitting set is easy to use and provides a great understanding as to how the ring will feel and look when received. It is a necessity when ordering one is these rings.
The package contains various sizes (10), all available sample ring finishes, and a quick guide to testing them properly. I do not believe the sizing is standard American ring sizing so it is important to use this set prior to ordering.
I prefer to wear my health ring on my index finger so I found a size that works for me. They can be worn on ring, middle and index fingers per the instructions. The test rings are comfortable to wear and are meant to be worn for two days as finger size can fluctuate throughout the day.
The sample ring finishes look like actual rings and provide a great understanding as to what the product will look like when received. They all look outstanding so out was a little hard to choose from but I do not feel you will go wrong with any option.
Overall, a great fitting experience to ensure the user gets the correct size and a color which they will love.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Step into a new era of home Wi-Fi with the TP-Link BE9700 Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 Router. Powered by revolutionary Wi-Fi 7 technology, this tri-band router revolutionizes your home connectivity. It offers expansive wireless coverage and impressive Wi-Fi speeds of up to 9.7 Gbps using Multi-Link Operation across six simultaneous streams spanning the 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz bands. Wi-Fi 7 delivers even smoother connections with less interference, lower latency, and enhanced reliability. Plus, enjoy increased capacity to accommodate more devices simultaneously, making it the perfect router for 4K/8K streaming, lag-free online gaming, and seamless smart home connectivity. Designed for ultra high speed, multi-gigabit internet, the Archer BE9700 boasts a 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 3× 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, and a USB 3.0 port, catering to all your high-performance device needs. Experience the future of Wi-Fi today with the TP-Link Archer BE9700. †‡§
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Fast and reliable router
on May 16, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
This router has been extremely reliable in my testing while providing a great feature set. The looks are kind of plain, but so long as it provides good results, I am ok with that. I have no issues with my review unit, and it has worked perfectly since installation.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Fast
- Easy setup
- Great range
- Extensive admin options
Cons:
- Boring design
Setup:
The process is mainly completed through the TP-Link Tether app. It walks you through all the steps including setting a new admin password and setting up your Wi-Fi. The app is not too pushy about getting you to subscribe to anything, though options are there for advanced parental control and security features via their Security+ feature, which comes with a 30-day trial. Personally, I did not see the need as most advanced features are baked right in.
Initially I set up the network using bridge mode on my old modem / router from Xfinity with separate networks for 6GHz and a combined 2.4GHz and 5GHz. I then tested the network using the advertised Multi-Link Operation which uses all network bands for faster transfer speeds. I was surprised that there are also options for IoT networks in addition to the usual guest networks. In summary, on this device you can have a very high performing network, or split it up in many ways to your choice allowing for many subnets in an extremely easy walkthrough
Performance:
I attached a few screenshots. As the modem maxed out my 1gbps connection to Xfinity, I ended up doing a few tests in OpenSpeedTest to test my local area network performance. I used a Surface Pro 11 and a Asus Rog Zephyrus G16 which both support Wi-Fi 7. Using MLO, I was able to connect at 5764 Mbps on each device up and down. In network testing, the best speed I got was around 1430 Mbps down and 1250 Mbps up which was pretty good compared to what I was getting before. My speeds seemed to be more limited to 6GHz speeds and did not seem to combine bands as MLO advertises, but it did appear more stable at those speeds with less dips. My local ping varied from 6ms to 9ms. I am not fully sure to what level my two laptops support MLO which could have been the limiting factor here. But it is a nice feature to have for future proofing my network.
Gaming performance was overall good with a steady 55-60 ms ping. I never saw it go over 62. This speed is good for me with my cable connection as I get the same performance over ethernet, so it is likely related to the cable connection to my provider.
Connections:
The device is well equipped for connectivity. There is a USB 3.0 port on the side, 1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, and 3x 2.5 LAN ports. The USB port supports both Storage Sharing and Time Machine backups.
Parental controls:
I was excited that this is included as this feature can sometimes be a paid feature. It is possible to set up profiles within the IP address and via the app. Once you make a profile with age and selected limitations, just add the devices to the profile and set usage times.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the EcoTank ET-2980—The Perfect Family Printer. Say goodbye to expensive cartridges with the Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Combining simplicity with a modern design, the ET-2980 features advanced technology that enhances both performance and print quality, making it an ideal choice for everyday family printing – including content created by AI. Powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the ET-2980 delivers print speeds 50% faster than its predecessor (1). And unlike conventional thermal inkjet printers, its unique permanent printhead is engineered to last the life of the printer. Designed to be simple and error-free, refilling ink is a breeze with large ink tanks and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles that help prevent ink from drying out. And with enough ink included to last up to three years (2), you'll enjoy affordable color printing without the hassle of frequently replacing cartridges. Featuring built-in USB and Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity, along with the user-friendly Epson Smart Panel app (3), you can easily print, scan, and more directly from your computer or mobile device (4).
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great for home offices that don't print often
on May 11, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
This is a great overall printer for any home office. I am impressed by the ease of ink replacement. Print quality is good overall, and the form factor blends into any office decor. There are a few convenience annoyances I have which is the reason I took away a star, but it is minor overall.
Pros:
- Good design
- Easy and cheap ink refills
- Long lasting ink
- Good app support
- Decent print quality
Cons:
- Output tray needs to be opened to use
- No large input tray
Setup:
The printer has a QR code which takes you to a prompt guided chat window to set up the printer. It has you fill the ink (easy and not messy), connect it to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then do a test page followed by a scan to see the output quality.
Use:
I downloaded the Epson Smart Panel phone app and the Epson Print & Scan PC app for testing with the printer. The phone app is useful for all the features and monitoring of printer status. I feel the app puts a little too much emphasis on big graphics and is more form over function, but it does the job with lots of options and control. The Windows desktop app, not so much. It works for printing and scanning but is more function over form. It has a Windows 8 design language and only allows control of printing and scanning. Keep in mind, you can use other scanning or printing tools such as the OS built in print spooler or various 3rd party scanner apps.
I never had any print issues in my review testing with solid connections each time and no errors on the printer which is all I ask for in a modern-day printer, reliability.
Ink quality:
The Eco Tank system is outstanding for convenience. The included Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow inks are rated to last for three years by Epson’s testing estimate compared to a cartridge system. Ink is relatively cheap and has no DRM like cartridges can have. The quality is fine for regular office work, but I would not depend on it for photos. Anyone who needs high quality photos as a photo printer might work better for this purpose. Photo quality is not bad for a simple 4x6 or 5x7 photo on photo paper, but it has enough dithering that I wouldn’t display them around the house. For a simple 8.5x11 print for work purposes I feel this printer is just fine for text and color graphics or charts with decent quality and great print speed.
Issues:
- This printer feels like it is not meant for frequent use. It has a great design that is clean and minimal, but to print you need to load paper in the rear feeder with the paper sticking out and open the output tray which is kind of ugly.
- The only paper tray is on the back rear input. There is no paper cartridge on the bottom so the paper is limited to how much you can load by quite a bit. Again, it feels like it is not meant for frequent printing.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience the height of gaming innovation with the ROG Zephyrus G16. Featuring an all-new premium aluminum chassis with customizable lighting, this laptop merges style and durability. Its ultra-slim 0.59” profile and lightweight 4.30lbs 16” chassis redefines portability, but does not compromise on performance. Powered by Windows 11, Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285H processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, the Zephyrus G16 seamlessly aligns with your lifestyle, meeting all your gaming and creative demands. ROG Intelligent Cooling features liquid metal for reduced CPU temperatures and upgraded Arc Flow Fans for improved airflow to sustain peak performance on the Zephyrus G16 no matter the task. Immerse yourself in the OLED Nebula Display and enjoy rapid 0.2ms response times, vivid 2.5K resolution, and a smooth 240Hz refresh rate.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
My all time favorite laptop
on May 9, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
This laptop is amazing in almost every way. Besides being a powerhouse, it has a great screen and exceptional battery life (for an X86 CPU) making it perfect for gaming and productivity. I only encountered a few hiccups explained in my review, but overall, this laptop is one of the best on the market. I only removed one star due to the issues at the bottom of the review, but they are not deal breakers.
Pros:
-Thin and lightweight design
-RTX 5080 GPU
-Fast and efficient processor
-Excellent battery life
-Impressive speakers
-Stunning screen
-Comfortable keyboard feel
-Upgradable and repairable
-Fan is not too loud
Cons:
-A few driver bugs
-Oversized trackpad
-No touchscreen
-Low-power NPU
Setup and unboxing:
The packaging is minimal, containing a 240W power brick and the device. Setup is the standard Windows installation process, but it was nice to see that there is pretty much no bloatware aside from the usual ASUS Armory Crate and MyAsus software for updates. I don’t personally see those as bad as they serve a function for device control. Everything worked well out of the box.
Benchmarks:
Being a new computer, I was eager to test the new Intel Processors given the brand’s reputation recently. I can happily say it is a great processor along with all the other specs. The RTX 5080 has 16GB of VRAM and is very speedy. Additionally this machine has PCIe 5.0 for faster hard drives and 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM. Here are a few numbers I was able to test.
Unless stated elsewhere, all tests are on Performance mode / best performance when plugged in and Windows mode / balanced when on battery.
All games are at native resolution and full settings, DLSS on when able.
Browserbench 3.1 Chrome: 25.6 (plugged in) / 13.3 (battery)
Cinebench R23 Multi Core: 16310
Geekbench 6 CPU: 2816 Single, 15455 Multi (plugged in) / 1500 Single, 11860 Multi (battery)
Geekbench 6 OpenCL: 148145 (Plugged in 4080) 42244 (plugged in Intel) /
123468 (Battery 4080), 36062 (battery Intel)
Geekbench AI OpenVino NPU Quantized: 14968 (plugged in) / 13032 (battery)
Lightroom: 159 24MP Raw exports to JPEG in 59 seconds
Handbrake: 4K MKV HDR to H.264 2160P60 conversion 1:18 1806 frames
CrystalDiskMark: Read 6753 MB/s Write 5935 MB/s
Overwatch 2: 200 FPS avg
Doom Eternal: 140 FPS avg (with ray tracing)
Horizon Zero Dawn Bench: 110 FPS
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bench: 81 FPS
Forza Horizon 5 Bench w/DLAA: 129 FPS
Homeworld 3 bench: 52 FPS (ray tracing on), 57 FPS (ray tracing off)
Performance was consistently top-notch, and as far as gaming laptops go, the fan was loud but never too loud in my opinion. Keep in mind, on battery this is a silent mode as well which works as advertised but at reduced performance.
Speakers:
I enjoyed listening to music on the four large speakers on the side of the keyboard. They put out a full loud sound with no distortion that I could tell. They support Dolby Atmos and natively support 24-bit 48000Hz. I did not get a chance to try it out with wired headphones but it is supposed to be Hi-Res certified.
Display:
The display is a stunner. Supporting 100% DCI-P3 and Pantone Validated, the OLED is great for work or play. Dolby Vision HDR is also supported and looks great in video and games. I have absolutely no concerns here for photo editing or gaming. Being 16” it is a large laptop, but the bezels are minimal and it easily fits in my bag.
Connectivity:
The Intel BE201 card supports Wi-Fi 7 and BT 5.4. Physical ports consist of a proprietary power input, 1 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 A, 1 Thunderbolt 4 and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 C port. Additionally the USB C ports support power delivery. My favorite port is the full sized SD card slot which supports UHS-II at up to 312 MB/s.
Battery:
Battery life depends on your usage, but the 90 WHrs battery will hold up well to most demands. The Arrow Lake processor is very efficient by X86 standards and I was able to get a full day of work on this thing. Heavy use such as the benchmarks I did earlier will drain the battery as using all cores or the discrete GPU is very power intensive. I am very happy with the battery life personally. If using the integrated ARC graphics, the battery is much better as it is much more efficient, yet still powerful.
Upgradability:
For anyone who wants to later do some upgrades, this is a great laptop. There are 11 screws on the bottom I was able to undo with a T6 torx screwdriver (two are hidden under rubber tabs at the top). The bottom comes off very easily with one captive screw on the bottom right allowing a gap after unscrewing. Inside, the layout is very clean with a lot of thermal tape and heat dissipation. The installed hard drive can be upgraded and there is a second empty slot on the other side (pictured) along with the Wi-Fi adaptor. That is it as I believe the RAM is soldered onto this model. If one day you need to replace a fan or the battery, all are easy to access and replace. I would say repairability is high on this laptop.
Issues Encountered:
Nvidia Optimus glitches - There were times where nVidia Optimus had issues switching between the RTX 4080 and the Intel Arc GPU. In these instances, I had to restart the computer to prevent any freezes it might have caused.
Speaker volume bug - After prolonged standby, the sound output occasionally became very quiet. Upon troubleshooting I looked in the device manager and saw that the Cirrus Logic Awesome Speaker Amps had an error. This was easily fixed each time by disabling and reenabling the device but it is an issue rampant on pretty much all Asus laptops I have used, this one included. I believe it is a driver issue but time will tell.
Weak NPU - With only 13 TOPS, the NPU is on the weaker side. This is not a huge deal if you use the GPU for NPU purposes, but it does mean the laptop will not be CoPilot+ certified even though there is a copilot button which just opens up the app.
Trackpad - It is not necessarily bad but in my opinion it is oversized. Palm rejection works well when typing but there were times I accidentally moved the mouse or clicked when working. While gaming it is a non-issue as I use a mouse and turn off the trackpad. Also, this trackpad is a traditional diving board design with no haptic feedback. It is very accurate when used though.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Transfer photos and videos to a different device with the Insignia 7' USB-C to USB-C Braided Charge-and-Sync Cable. The cable connects two USB-C ports to offer high-speed data transfer up to 20 Gbps. It also will quickly charge devices with 60W of Power Delivery. The 7 ft. cable offers plenty of length between the two devices with a durable white and gray braided cable jacket.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A few issues but overall good
on January 29, 2025
Posted by: psyclopps
If you need a good, well-built cable, this is a great option. If you need reliability for professional work, I might look elsewhere.
I tried this cable with my Surface Laptop Studio 2 which has USB 4 / Thunderbolt 4 ports which should support up to 40gbps speeds. I used two external hard drives and quickly ran into some compatibility issues. Specifically, I could never get reliable connections to my Samsung T7 Shield 4TB. It worked great with my Samsung T7 Touch 2TB.
The issue with my T7 Shield is that it would often lose connection or get stuck in a transfer freezing the test or process. I never experienced this issue with my T7 Touch hard drive so I assume it is either due to the form/size of the plug not fitting properly or the fact there is no certification for Thunderbolt or USB4 that I could find on the product.
To specify, devices need to claim USB4 or Thunderbolt version certification if they want to put that branding on the device. I did not see any such branding on the website for this product, so I do not think it has been certified with either of those standards.
This is not a deal breaker. If you want to use it to charge your phone or transfer files with your device, it should work great. Both hard drives I used were rated at 10gbps transfers which I was able to get on the T7 Touch. I also got quick charging on my S24 Ultra which is rated for 45 Watts.
I do some photography on the side, and I would not rely on this cable to transfer files that I might make money off of though.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Discover the magic of Meta Quest 3S and get ready to experience your favorite apps in a totally new way. The possibilities are endless when you can blend digital content into your physical space. Watch movies and shows on a vibrant screen that turns any room of your house into a giant theater. Bring games to life in your living room, or step right into the action with full immersion. Hang out with friends from anywhere, but feel like you’re in the same place, watching a concert or meeting up in Meta Horizon. Wireless and light, enjoy out-of-this-world workouts with Quest 3S that make fitness fun. With unreal experiences at an unreal price, where will you begin? See child safety guidance online; Accounts for 10+.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great entry level VR
on December 10, 2024
Posted by: psyclopps
This is a great entry level VR headset. It has a few issues, but it is forgivable as the device is meant for value. I would highly recommend this if this is your first VR set or would just like one for casual use.
Pros:
- Good battery life
- Comfortable
- Great performance
- Good UI
- Lots of apps
- Great hand and controller tracking
- Great pass through camera
Cons:
- Lower resolution screen
- Only 3 optic positions
- Controllers use AA batteries
- Low quality plastic lenses
First impressions:
The design of the 3S is great. It looks very high tech with cameras all over the headset. The build is all plastic and cloth but it feels high quality and durable. The fit is great for most heads as the strap is adjustable on the sides and top. The controllers are comfortable to hold and also feel high quality.
Setup:
You will need a Meta account to set this device up. This will allow you to make purchases, redeem coupons (3 month trial of Quest+ and Batman in this case). The account also lets you setup security features such as a PIN for use in the device. It is kind of weird using the headset and setting it up via your phone at the same time as the pass through camera is good, but not good enough to read a cell phone screen. After a quick update and installing some apps, I was good to go.
UI and general use:
The device is much better than previous versions. Hand tracking is amazing without a controller. Controller tracking is also great. The UI feels much more mature in this model. Grabbing and moving windows is easy now and there are plenty of experimental features such as Meta AI allowing for great voice control. My main concern is that as a cost saving measure, the optics only allow for three positions. I had my best results in the widest setting but it was never great as there were always blurry patches. The lenses are also plastic and have a sweet spot for focus which is a bit annoying. Speakers are great with good audio separation.
Gaming:
I primarily tested on the new Batman game. It is amazing on this device! I did not have any issues with motion sickness and any issues I had was with positioning of the optics. The set up boundaries work great in VR with virtual walls appearing when you get close to an edge.
The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor is amazing for on device gaming and the illusion of being in Gotham was outstanding with detailed textures and great frame rates. The device is truly capable of high end gaming on the go. You can get even better results with the USB cable to game on your PC using the GPU to do the processing of higher end games. The controller inputs are extremely accurate and the visor blocks out all light with the exception of a tiny bit near your nose (depending on your nose size).
Fitness games are great as well with the speakers providing good music output and the headset being relatively lightweight.
Entertainment:
Watching YouTube, Amazon or Netflix were great for me. The strap is minimal so you can wear it comfortably when lying down while watching a show. 1080p video looks great on with a large simulated screen.
Work:
There are plenty of apps for work using a virtual desktop in the store. I think the main issue here is that this model has a lower resolution compared to other models so it works for this use, but might not be the best device for that job.
Battery:
It is rated at 2.5 hours of use. I think this is fairly accurate as a 1:30 session in Batman used about 60% of my battery. There is an optional battery back strap you can get if you want more time.
The controllers have great battery life but need replaceable batteries. I recommend you get optional controller charging station which uses rechargeable batteries
I would recommend this to a friend!
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psyclopps's Review Comments
 
SynopsisThe last time the earth was ravaged, animals were saved two by two in a massive ark, peacefully sailing to a new beginning, or so the story goes. This time, we're not so lucky. With a massive asteroid hurtling toward the planet, a select few were chosen to inhabit modern-day arks — pods buried deep within the earth's core. You were chosen. You were buried alive. And you rose from the ground to face your worst nightmare. Hordes of mutants killing without a thought, bandit gangs wreaking havoc throughout the already defunct wasteland, a looming Authority seizing maniacal power and holding secrets — this is what remains of humanity. The world as you know it is gone, but if any world is to stand in its place, there's only one person left who can raise it up from the ashes — you. That is, if you can survive the Rage.Step up to the challenge and climb into the wasteland in the first-person shooter that flings you to the edge of the earth and the brink of extinction. Rage pits you against the odds in a desolate world in which you were selected for survival — just to face death at every turn. To redeem humanity, you must master a massive arsenal of exotic wingsticks, sentry bots, bomb cars and other powerful weapons and fearlessly wage war against the evil forces overtaking your planet. Fire through heart-pounding first-player shooting action, rip through the wasteland in high-octane vehicle chases and turn your car into your most deadly weapon — you have to play dirty if you want to live. Experience the mass decay with every painfully realistic detail with the id Tech 5 engine and Megatexture technology, firing at 60 frames per second to make you feel as if the world has crumbled around you. And when you take the battle online, the devastating action really does stretch around the world. You've survived the apocalypse. Now comes the real battle.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Game was not tested properly
By skullboy88 from Los Angeles, CA
First of all the reason for such a low rating is that the game is not playable. Right out the box. Now, I have been building pc's for over 10 years and have sunk hundreds of dollars into my rig to play the most demanding games. And I do. The problem is that ID software sent out a game to the public that is not finished. Google, rage graphics problems and you will find a magnitude of arcticles about poor graphics bad drivers and other issues. AMD and Nvidia have been working for a driver patch but reports from many say they do not work to fix the tearing and poor rendering . People are paying $60.00 for a pc game. Dont you think it should work right away without having to wait for a patch?
Customer Avatar
psyclopps
San Diego, CO
Updates
October 14, 2011
To be fair, a patch has since been release which fixes many of these PC problems including better support for video cards and settings.
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Rock out during your workout with these Sony Balanced Armature Sports XBAS65 earbud headphones that feature water-resistant housing with a waterproof film to stand up to sweat, rain and rinsing. Balanced Armature drivers deliver clear, detailed audio.
 
Overall2 out of 52 out of 5
Horrid Sound
By DELienz from Delaware
I had pair of Sony Headphones that I bought a few years ago for approx. $50 dollars... Sounded Amazing, but I recently ran then over with my car... Anyway bought these assuming the sound would be similar and also compensate for my only complaint with my other heardphones which was falling constantly out of my ear during workouts. Turns out these are more expensive but that sound terrible. Tried changing the setting on my IPOD and there is no overcoming the lack of bass. I am a auidiophile and I do listen to music a lot of double bass and drums so bass is something I must have in a headphone. If that's what you looking for don't buy these. I'm confident cheaper headphones with the same quality sound can be obtained so I would not recommend these to anyone...
Customer Avatar
psyclopps
San Diego, CO
Balanced Armature
June 28, 2012
Balanced Armature headphones are designed to sound like the original recording. Most headphones these days are "dynamic armature" which are designed kind of like a hardware equilizer where bass is usually most important. Any of these balanced armature headphones are aimed specifically at audiophiles as they repoduce very true to original sound with detailed mid ranges and highs.
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psyclopps's Questions
 
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psyclopps's Answers
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Lenovo Yoga 710 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Take your work or play with you with this Lenovo Yoga convertible laptop. The Intel 7th Gen Core processor and Windows 10 Home operating system keep you moving through tasks quickly. An edgeless 15.6-inch UHD display lets you see intricate photo details when you view websites or downloaded media on this Lenovo Yoga convertible laptop.
 

Why is this computer so cheap with all these features?

Good question. The only areas I can see where they skimped out a bit are a bit in the trackpad and battery life. Everything else seems as advertised and it performs very well to match the specs. There is little to no bloatware installed. Lenovo is making some great stuff these days!
8 years, 7 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Lenovo Yoga 710 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Take your work or play with you with this Lenovo Yoga convertible laptop. The Intel 7th Gen Core processor and Windows 10 Home operating system keep you moving through tasks quickly. An edgeless 15.6-inch UHD display lets you see intricate photo details when you view websites or downloaded media on this Lenovo Yoga convertible laptop.
 

Does this model have a fingerprint scanner on it?

Yes it does, it uses Windows Hello fingerprint which is very fast and accurate.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
 

Can it read audible audiobook from amazon ?

Unless you have an app that can "cast" audio then the answer is no. Amazon is much more integrated with it's own Echo. I own both and Echo is much better for this task than the Google Home. From what I can tell, Audible apps do no throw audio to other Chromecast devices such as Google Home.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
 

Does the Google Home have to be set up with your cell phone provider?

No it does not, it is a wifi only device but works great with any phone or device that has google play music or youtube installed.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
 

Will it work with Samsung SmartThings?

According to Google, yes. It lists Smart things on the box and website.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Bring the power of Google directly to your fingertips with the Google Pixel. A large 32GB of storage keep data secure, while unlimited cloud storage transfers data as needed, and it's completely automatic. The large 5-inch screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4 to ensure the Google Pixel remains scratch-free.
 

If I have T-Mobile, will this phone work with it, or is it just for Verizon?

I have tried my Verizon Pixel with my T-Mobile SIM card and it works perfect. The device is actually unlocked if you buy it outright. I had full LTE connectivity in the Seattle area on T-Mobiles network.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Bring the power of Google directly to your fingertips with the Google Pixel. A large 32GB of storage keep data secure, while unlimited cloud storage transfers data as needed, and it's completely automatic. The large 5-inch screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4 to ensure the Google Pixel remains scratch-free.
 

Is this version of Google pixel phone a unlock version and will it work in a country like Malaysia ?

I am not sure if it will work in Malaysia but I have used this Verizon Pixel with my T-Mobile SIM card. It is unlocked but ensure you have paid off the device to ensure it is not stuck to Verizon through a contract.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
psyclopps
 
Get your own workout coach with the Fitbit Blaze in blue. PurePulse heart rate tracking ensures you reach optimal heart rate for maximum calories burned, and the all-day activity tracking notes every step you take, whether you're climbing stairs or running for a taxi. The Fitbit Blaze in blue even features sleep tracking and can wake you up each morning.
 

How does the GPS feature work?

It requires your phone to be within bluetooth distance (in your pocket). You press run, it syncs with the phone and the phone tracks your GPS distance while the fitbit tracks heart rate and steps
9 years, 1 month ago
by
psyclopps
 
Get your own workout coach with the Fitbit Blaze in blue. PurePulse heart rate tracking ensures you reach optimal heart rate for maximum calories burned, and the all-day activity tracking notes every step you take, whether you're climbing stairs or running for a taxi. The Fitbit Blaze in blue even features sleep tracking and can wake you up each morning.
 

does it let you know if you have a call coming in and if so how far away can the phone be from the fitbit

It does let you know if you are paired via bluetooth. As you are using bluetooth, you get the usual limitation of 30 feet or so from your phone.
9 years, 1 month ago
by
psyclopps
 
Get your own workout coach with the Fitbit Blaze in blue. PurePulse heart rate tracking ensures you reach optimal heart rate for maximum calories burned, and the all-day activity tracking notes every step you take, whether you're climbing stairs or running for a taxi. The Fitbit Blaze in blue even features sleep tracking and can wake you up each morning.
 

How do you tell how many steps that you have

Two ways you can tap until you see steps displayed or you can look at the ring around the time display. The ring is a graphical version of how many steps you have until your goal.
9 years, 1 month ago
by
psyclopps