pinkoos's stats
- Review count159
- Helpfulness votes260
- First reviewJanuary 6, 2015
- Last reviewApril 23, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.8
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentFebruary 26, 2016
- Last review commentFebruary 26, 2016
- Featured review comments0
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HyperDrive DUO PRO is a 7-port, form-fitting USB-C hub designed for MacBook Pro & MacBook Air and is compatible with any MacBook from 2016-2022. This form-fit hub instantly provides Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A 5Gbps, USB-C 5Gbps, MicroSD 104 MB/s, and a 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack. It also features HDMI 4K 60Hz display support and a Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Compatible Port (40Gbps, 100W PD, 6K 60Hz video). Additionally, the universal USB-C adapter provides compatibility with Chromebook, PC or USB-C iPad, and the extended USB-C connectors allow for compatibility with or without a protective case.
Customer Rating
2
Poor ethernet port, can't close MacBook lid
on December 15, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
I guess I don't understand some of the design decisions manufacturers make. I'm sure there are reasons why this product is designed the way it is but I don't know how said design passed testing / quality control. The ethernet port is so poorly designed I just can't get past that to appreciate the other qualities of the dock. Not only is it difficult to swing the port thingy up / open to plug in your cable, but it's nearly impossible to unplug said cable. I literally thought I was either going to break the swing up part of the dock and / or break my cable.
The other issue I have is that with the supplied adapters (depending on what kind of MacBook you have) you can't close the lid. And, if you forget this fact and try to quickly close the lid, you will most likely damage the screen, possibly even cracking it depending on how much force you use.
For the audio port, since the dock doesn't actually have an audio pin that plugs into the MacBook's native audio port, it shows up as a generic USB audio doohickey in system settings. I don't know if there are any drawbacks to this, but it's just another reason I wouldn't recommend this.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+3points
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The 4K60 Elite Pro USB4 Hub with MagSafe Kit expands your computer’s connectivity. Seamlessly connect peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, or USB flash drive to this pocket-sized multi-adapter, which has two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports and one USB-C port. Data transfer is quick and easy with the included Gigabit Ethernet port to access a wired network. Transfer files from one media to another with the 10Gbps USB connections. You can use the HDMI port to connect to a 4K UHD HDTV, monitor, or projector. Equipped with a USB4 port it provides 6K60 resolution, 40Gbps data transfer, and charging up to 100W of power for charging your computer when a USB-C power adapter is connected. You can connect your headphones or speakers to the audio/mic combo jack. The MagSafe dongle is a convenient way to store your original MacBook MagSafe charger. For Intel MacBook models, the audio/mic combo jack may be removed.
Posted by: pinkoos
So this is a pretty good dock in my opinion but, at least for my use case scenario, it has one fatal flaw. I'll get into that in a bit. Build quality seems pretty solid, though it does come across a bit light in the hand. For a dock like this I would prefer it actually have a bit of heft. You can see in the specifications what all it can and can't do so I won't go into that. The MagSafe adapter thing is pretty ingenious though I question the decision to make it white rather than the same silverish aluminum color of the rest of the dock. Even if it couldn't be made out of metal for charging or magnet reasons, I would have preferred that it at least have been painted to match the color of the rest of the dock. As it is it sticks out like a sore thumb and also gives the whole dock a cheapish feel unfortunately.
Okay, now what I really dislike about this dock and caused me to drop it down to 3 stars (I would have given it 4 stars) is the location of the audio port. Again, this may not be a concern for you if you don't connect external speakers etc. to your Mac but, for me, I have a nice pair of JBL desktop speakers that I connect to my 14" MacBook Pro and with the location of this audio port, the wire has to come out from the speakers and then awkwardly plug into the front of the dock. That just gives the whole thing an ugly look - speakers are generally to the side or behind the laptop on the desk and with this port location you have an ugly wire that has to loop to the front of the dock. I just don't like the way this looks day in and day out. There are better options out there.
Okay, now what I really dislike about this dock and caused me to drop it down to 3 stars (I would have given it 4 stars) is the location of the audio port. Again, this may not be a concern for you if you don't connect external speakers etc. to your Mac but, for me, I have a nice pair of JBL desktop speakers that I connect to my 14" MacBook Pro and with the location of this audio port, the wire has to come out from the speakers and then awkwardly plug into the front of the dock. That just gives the whole thing an ugly look - speakers are generally to the side or behind the laptop on the desk and with this port location you have an ugly wire that has to loop to the front of the dock. I just don't like the way this looks day in and day out. There are better options out there.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Add flair to your flow with Logitech Crayon,L, a versatile digital stylus pencil for iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Air (3rd & 4th gen), iPad mini (5th gen), and iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th gen) that lets you use hundreds of Apple Pencil supported apps in dynamic new ways. Unleash your creativity and productivity with a seamless writing experience that’s as natural as pencil and paper. Need a thicker or thinner line? Just tilt and the smart tip dynamically adjusts line weight automatically. Logitech Crayon is built tough with 4 ft drop protection and a roll-proof shape. USB-C charging offers up to 6.5 hours of writing time, with power level indicator lights to show battery level.
Customer Rating
4
Great alternative at a great price
on November 24, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
So one may wonder why buy this instead of the official one put out by the maker of the iPad? Well, few reasons: (1) Price, (2) compatibility and (3) less confusion. I'll address these one by one. First, this is cheaper than the official versions. Yes, the official ones have some features that you don't get in this one, but you'll have to decide whether paying extra for those features are worth it. Next, reasons (2) and (3) kind of go hand in hand. What I mean is that this is basically compatible with any iPad that has a USB-C port, which I believe means any iPad released in or after 2018. So, you don't have to try and figure out whether this will work with your iPad or not - if your iPad was released in 2018 or later, this will work. This segues into reason #3 - regarding confusion...if you buy the real, official Pencil, you have to first figure out which one to get (1st or 2nd generation) because the 1st gen will only work with certain models and 2nd gen will only work with certain models. To make things even more confusing, an iPad model that was just released only works with the 7 year old 1st gen Pencil. That just seems so counter-intuitive to me! Anyway, you may ask if I like this so much, why only 4 stars? Well, talking about counter-intuitive, I believe the power switch on this doesn't make sense...and I still have to 'think' about it each time I turn it on/off. Does no color mean it's on and the red color mean it's off? Or vice versa? And, why red? Why not a simple green to indicate on and no color to indicate off? I just don't understand that design decision.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Charge your devices simultaneously and efficiently with this Best Buy essentials BE-MQ221W23 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with MagSafe for Apple Devices. It is compatible with magnetic charging and can charge up to two devices at once. Simply snap your iPhone on the stand and your AirPods on the below charging pad and let your devices charge up simultaneously. The built-in kickstand is adjustable so you can view your device at a comfortable angle and the LED light assures you your devices are charging. It is just a charging stand – until you need a comfortable and convenient charger that has it all.
Customer Rating
4
Works but wish it was more powerful and heavier
on October 30, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
This MagSafe charging stand does what it sets out to do - that is charge your MagSafe compatible iPhone or iPhone in a MagSafe compatible case but there are a couple of things that prevent me from giving it 5 stars. First, I wish it would charge at 15W rather than 7.5W. Since it's plugged into power, I don't see why the decision was made to provide less powerful charging. But, despite that, it will charge your iPhone well, just not as fast as I had hoped. Second, the base needs to be weighted down more. The reason for this is because the MagSafe attachment swivels up and down. That is a great feature so that if you keep it at your desk or on your nightstand, you can adjust the angle in case you want to be able to read what's on your screen at the same time (for example, with the always on iPhone 14 Pro display). But that feature requires a heavier base to keep the unit from moving on your desk, nightstand or table. I've found that I need to stabilize the base with one hand while adjusting the angle with the other - not ideal.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your new countertop convenience, this Bella Pro Series 4.2-qt. Digital Air Fryer will have you whipping up healthy versions of your favorites in no time (less oil, less fat). Enjoy features like circular heat technology, user-friendly touchscreen controls, and a stylish stainless steel design—you’ll love having it in your kitchen.
Customer Rating
4
Functions well; display misleading
on October 12, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
Our previous experience with an air fryer is one that was built into our microwave oven. We've never had a stand alone air fryer and so thought to give this one a shot. We are glad we did b/c it allowed us to realize what we had been missing, which is crispiness. According to my wife, the difference lies in the perforated plate at the bottom. Our combo appliance had a plate, but it was not perforated. This one has perforations which, I'm assuming, somehow allows more air and heat to circulate all around the food, allowing the food to get crispy during the air frying process. Whether this is correct or not, it is true that we can tell that this one produces excellent, crispy food. We've tried fries and nuggets so far and both did not disappoint.
What we were not pleased with is the display. This is marketed as a touchscreen, but not many of the 'buttons' are actually buttons or, for that matter, touch enabled. They are more like display 'buttons' rather than actual buttons. So, realize that going into your potential purpose.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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A minimalist keyboard mastered for Mac with extraordinary feel, precision, and performance. Low-profile mechanical switches deliver a satisfying and quiet typing experience. Dual colored keycaps with a key layout for Mac computers help improve precision through your peripheral vision. Plus, get a complimentary 1-month Creative Cloud subscription with your purchase of MX Mechanical Mini For Mac and create, make, and do like never before.
Customer Rating
4
Clicky clacky with lots of customization options
on September 28, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
I think the first thing you should know going into this is that if you're used to using TouchID on your Mac via Apple's own keyboard, you will need to adjust to not having that available. With that out of the way, I can go on to say that this is a pretty good keyboard as an alternative to Apple's own offerings, especially if you like the longer, deeper travel of the mechanical keys and the (more) audible feedback of each key press (hence the click clack in the title of this review).
Moreover, you get a lot more customization options in the trade-off with the loss of TouchID. You can see all of that in the overview and specs of the keyboard, so I won't go into the nitty gritty details. There are already many built-in Apple functions in the top row, but you can even change those using the Logi software to pretty much anything you can think of.
The other nice thing about the keyboard is the ability to use it with multiple devices, simply by pressing one of the top left buttons to switch between them. I've found this feature nice (I have the keyboard paired with my Mac mini as well as my Mac laptop), though a little bit buggy (ie, the switch doesn't always occur with the first press).
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Don’t let the battery of your device die as you work throughout the day. The Insignia NS-PW365C2W22 100W Dual Port USB-C Compact Wall Charger for Business USB-C Laptops & One Device has a high, 100-watt output to quickly charge your business laptop, smartphone, tablet, and more. It has two USB-C ports so you can connect your cable (not included) and charge two devices simultaneously. Its compact and durable body with a foldable plug easily fits into a purse or pocket, ready for when you need it. A simple white design pairs well with your other accessories. Keep your laptop and phone both working as hard as you do with this dual port, easy-to-carry charger.
Customer Rating
4
Versatile charger, lots of options
on September 17, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
The best thing about this charger is the little pamphlet that came with it that shows you all the different ways to plug different items in...laptops, phones, tablets, etc. There truly are numerous combinations and permutations of plugging stuff in. The charger itself is fairly small and compact and has a kind of raised groove (or opposite of a groove) on both sides that make it easy to hold without it slipping out of your hands. In fact, the only criticism I have is that I wish it was textured, then there would really be no need for the raised edge or bevel (unless it serves some other purpose that I don't know about). I tried the charger out with a MacBook Pro 14, iPad Air, iPhone XS and various other USB C type devices and they charged up quickly. I didn't really track the time it took to charge as I'm sure there are specs out there that would provide that information in a more scientific fashion than I could ever do. Regardless, I don't see any major flaws with this device. I recommend it without hesitation.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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JBL 104-BT compact reference monitors with Bluetooth draws from seven decades of JBL Professional engineering to deliver the true sound. They’re perfect for recording musicians, producers, PC gamers, podcasters and vloggers, as well as professional audio engineers seeking an accurate portable reference with Bluetooth streaming. The black 104-BT version is a sleek, elegant design with compact form factors, making stunning statements in any studio while conserving valuable work space. Creative professionals, music lovers and anyone who wants the flexibility to stream both wired and wireless sound into high-quality studio monitors can count on JBL 104-BT to provide an accurate, reliable sonic reference and a truly enjoyable listening experience.
Customer Rating
4
Good to Great, Loud, Big and Solid
on September 1, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
Overall I think these are good to great speakers. Not perfect but still exceeded my expectations. They are big and heavy so keep that in mind when envisioning placement. They can get very loud without distortion, though I didn't want to risk pushing them to the limit to see just how loud they could get.
Setup is dead simple - plug the master into power and then connect the master to the secondary via the included speaker cable. There are multiple way to connect them to your source - the one I've used is bluetooth. Both my phone and Mac recognized the bluetooth broadcast easily and connected without a hitch.
Sound quality is pretty amazing, almost too good. I'm not sure I know of a situation for a pair of desktop speakers to need to be cranked so loud. One is literally sitting right in front of them but I guess if you're really using them as reference monitors then maybe you would have an appropriate use case scenario.
I haven't yet tried the other connection methods so can't comment on those, but I'm sure they would work just as easily as the bluetooth connection
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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The Homedics 21" drift sandscape elevates your space and mind, leaving you free to daydream, focus, and create. The metal sphere takes your eyes on a soothing journey through hundreds of ever changing patterns and colors. Customize your ambience with mesmerizing LED mood-lights that you can control from the app. The shifting sands allow you to drift whenever and wherever, to increase relaxation, inspire creativity, boost your mood, and enhance focus. Start to drift in 4 easy steps. After a quick and easy assembly, power up your sandscape by plugging it into an outlet near a desk or side table. Download the app and follow the simple setup instructions, then turn on your sandscape to drift and invite calm in.
Customer Rating
3
Cool concept, ugly setup
on August 23, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
Overall, this is a nice product and conversation piece with a couple of caveats that I'll go over towards the end of this review. The build quality seems pretty nice - the base is plastic and the top is glass. The 21" version is huge so keep that in mind when buying - know ahead of time where you are planning to place it lest you find out too late that it won't fit in your desired spot. It's true that watching it do its thing is truly mesmerizing and, in a way, feels magical.
So, that's the good stuff about it. Now, unfortunately here is the bad. Controlling it via the app is buggy. It's hard to fathom that at this price point, there's not wifi built-in. It only works via bluetooth with your phone, so when you need to do anything with it not only does it all have to be done via the buggy app, but your phone has to be in close proximity due to the bluetooth only connection. Really? For $500 this thing only has bluetooth? And, on top of that, the bluetooth doesn't work very well. It doesn't remember your bluetooth connection like every other bluetooth device you have paired to your phone (headphones, car stereo system, etc.). It has to be reconnected each time, not from the phone's bluetooth menu, but from the app. You are served a list of all these devices and you have to figure out which one the Drift is. Turns out my Drift is named 'KSXXXXXXXXXXX.' And, the only way I could figure that out was by guessing that KS stands for 'Kinetic Sand.' How is a non-techy person supposed to set this thing up and then actually use it? Okay, now that I've told you about the app and the connection woes, here's my next gripe. The Drift doesn't come with all the numerous patterns built into it. Yes, you heard me right. The Drift out of the box has to be paired with your phone and then the 10s and 10s of patterns have to be downloaded to the Drift via that slow and buggy bluetooth connection I just told you about. So, get ready to not only try and figure out the bluetooth connection but then waste a bunch of time hurrying up and waiting for patterns to download. What an unsatisfying initial experience. Why on earth did this not have the patterns preloaded into the Drift escapes me. Imagine your kids opening up a brand new gaming console on Christmas morning only to find out they have to spend hours to download software updates before being able to play their first game. That's how it feels getting the Drift up and running.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+2points
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Introducing Logitech MX Master 3S – an iconic mouse remastered. Designed for designers and engineered for coders, now with Quiet Clicks and 8K DPI any-surface tracking for more feel and performance than ever before. It’s ergonomic silhouette is crafted to support your palm and fingers and allows you to work comfortably for hours across multiple computers and operating systems in one fluid workflow. With MX Master 3S, you can truly master what you make.
Customer Rating
5
Great hardware, as usual, buggy software install
on June 16, 2022
Posted by: pinkoos
Logitech has pretty much cornered the market for excellent quality mice, trackballs and keyboards. I can't really think of any other brand to consider when I'm in the market for one of these devices. And, this holds true for the latest MX Master 3S mouse. I normally use a trackpad with my Mac, but wanted to give the Logitech mouse a spin. The build quality is excellent and the configurability options are almost endless. You can literally change every button and the scroll wheels to do almost anything you want when picking from a very long list of possibilities. Although the default options for each button/scroll wheel make the most sense, I changed a few to suit my needs and workflow better. The only real issue I had and I have with any of these Logitech products is the software. It tends to be a bit buggy, especially at the time of original installation. I already had Logitech Options installed on my Mac, but to use this mouse ones needs Options+. The Options software told me I needed to update to Options+, but didn't tell me how. Any other software will have an "update" option in one of the drop down menus, but Options did not. After about 15 minutes of trying to figure out what to do, I finally realized I just need to go the website and download the latest version of regular Options after which I would be guided to update to Options+. None of that made any sense, but I finally got it figured out. However, I can imagine someone who is not as techy as me would probably need to contact Logitech support.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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pinkoos's Review Comments
With 14.7 million pixels, the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is the most powerful iMac ever. It features quad-core Intel® processors, the latest AMD graphics, a 1TB Fusion Drive, and great built-in apps. All in the same ultrathin design that's just 5mm at the edge.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best iMac EVER
By My135
I had originally bought the 4K model since it was on sale but it just ran slow since it had the regular hard drive. I went home set it up and was eh ok with it. I then saw the 5K with fusion drive on sale for about $600 more... I basically packed the 4K model up and immediately returned it and got this one! This machine is so awesome! It is my first iMac purchase and I don't regret it at all! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!
pinkoos
Houston, TX
Speed difference between 4K hdd and 5K Fusion?
February 26, 2016
Hi,
Just wondering if you'd comment on the speed difference between the 4K you initially bought and the 5K Fusion you replaced it with? The Fusion only has a 24GB SSD tied to the 1TB hard drive, so I'm wondering how the smallish SSD works in terms of speed. Thanks.
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