Balthazar2k4's stats
- Review count157
- Helpfulness votes354
- First reviewJune 13, 2014
- Last reviewMay 13, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentOctober 23, 2013
- Last review commentOctober 23, 2013
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- Answer count11
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- First answerSeptember 22, 2016
- Last answerOctober 26, 2020
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Perceive every detail of your music with this pair of JBL wireless headphones. The 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response lets you enjoy the full range of sound, while the in-line microphone provides an effortless switch to hands-free calls. Featuring 5.6mm dynamic drivers, these JBL wireless headphones supply rich, resonant bass for your enjoyment.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
The JBL FREE wireless headphones are one of the tougher headphones I have reviewed (and I have reviewed quite a few headphones). Let's get the important part out of the way, they sound really good. They have a nice balanced sound with adequate bass (assuming you can get them sealed) and good extension in the highs. Mid-range is solid and vocals sound true. That said they do tend to distort above 75% volume. So, if you like your music really loud these might not be for you.
I have two gripes with the headphones. Each one was a star deduction because that is how much each issue matters to me (and probably you too). First, the fit. They are pretty large and getting them in and set is far more difficult than it should be. I look at the Jabra Elite 65t as a guidepost of compact and great fitting. I will also admit the JBL sound better though once you can get them in tight. That all said, the situation gets truly ridiculous when you install the rubber jackets to make them sweatproof. Now I understand what JBL was trying to do here. The rubber not only helps repel water, but allows an even more secure fit by upping the friction. Unfortunately, I can't really get them in my ears once the jacket is on. So it is all for not in my case. I think JBL should have looked at a more in-device solution to accomplish their goal. Others have created sweatproof headphones without resorting to a jacket. Second gripe is the connection itself with my iPhone. The right ear piece connects almost immediately, but the left one usually ends up requiring me playing a game with turning it off and on until they finally sync up. It's a real drag as both my AirPods and Jabra Elites work immediately. I would like to think this could be solved by a firmware update, but for the life of me I don't see a way to accomplish that as I have found no information as to how. It would really blow my mind if JBL didn't allow for it though.
The included case is nice and provides magnetic slots to seat the earpieces into and contains a battery to rapidly charge the headphones. The case is a tad large in my opinion, but still very manageable. Battery life seems pretty good as a whole, but given the size of the earpieces I would have liked to have seen better battery life per session. I got about 3 1/2 hours my first go round and almost 4 hours the second time all at about 50% volume.. Overall, they should get about 24 hours with the case included and that is probably more or less accurate. I should also point out that the battery in the case tends to drain if it sits for long periods so keep that in mind if you only use them when traveling. You will probably need to charge it up before hitting the door.
I really wanted to like the JBL FREE more than I did. They really have potential and I can only hope that a revised pair maybe for 2019 will solves some of my quibbles. If you are in the market for truly wireless headphones than these should be on your list. The fact is they sound great and that is not so easy to come by in the truly wireless category.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance your home audio with this Class D Sonos amplifier. Its 125W of power per channel lets you enjoy high-resolution sound from your bookshelf speakers, TV and other passive components, and Wi-Fi connectivity supports multiroom setups and wireless streaming via AirPlay and the Sonos app.
Customer Rating
5
A Nice Upgrade Over the Connect Amp
on December 24, 2018
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
Previously I had been using the Sonos Connect Amp in my bedroom to power my Sonus Faber Venere 2.5s for music. The Connect Amp is a great product so when I heard that Sonos had added an HDMI input and gave it more power I had to give it a try. I'm not disappointed. The new Sonos Amp provides the same great sound with the added bonus of receiving the Audio Return Channel (ARC) via HDMI from my TV. Now I get my typical on-demand audio driven by the Sonos app and it will automatically switch to the TV when I start watching. I was really pleased with the auto-switching characteristic as I was a bit afraid that I might have to manually switch in the app and that would really take a hit on the convenience factor for me. Plus you can pair the Sonos Amp with some Sonos bookshelf speakers for the rear and go surround sound thanks to the phantom center it can process.
Despite the extra power I wouldn't say the Sonos Amp sounds much different than the Connect Amp. The two have a very similar sound signature thanks to their digital amps. Both offer subwoofer line-outs which makes sub pairing pretty painless. Plus, the Sonos Amp (like the Connect Amp before it) is great because you get to bring your speakers to to the Sonos party. All of the benefits of Sonos and potentially better sound (depending on the speakers). In my case, I had my Sonus Faber's sitting in storage until I got the Connect Amp. Instantly brought them back to life and now they get more usage than they ever had before.
My only complaint is that it is a much bigger footprint than the Connect Amp and only comes in black which makes it a real dust magnet. Neither of those are significant enough for me to deduct a star though.
If you already have some great speakers and want to jump into the world of Sonos then the Sonos Amp is the way to go. Especially if you want to meld this in a room with a TV too. I am already thinking about buying another one for my office now...
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Exercise to a soundtrack with these Jaybird Tarah Pro wireless sport headphones. Featuring a comfortable secure-fitting design and reliable waterproofing, these headphones stay in place during vigorous activity and stand up to sweat and bad weather. These Jaybird Tarah Pro wireless sport headphones last through the longest workouts with up to 14 hours of battery life per charge.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
The Jaybird Tarah Pro represents a pretty average entry into the wireless sport headphone arena. They seem well-built and are lightweight with a good ear fit (for me at least). Battery life seems good, but my first gripe is the custom magnetic charger. This means that you MUST have it to charge them as there is no generic alternative. Next the connecting cable between the two earpieces is too short and noisy. The cable resonates a fair amount of noise which is a bummer if you are moving around a lot.... which I thought was the point. Last, but most importantly, the sound itself is just OK. I was able to get a secure, sealed fit and yet bass was almost non-existent. I fiddled in the app to adjust the EQ for more bottom end, but that didn't really help. Overall, it would be tough for me to justify purchasing these headphones at the list price. There is just too much competition in the space at this price range to not consider the alternatives first.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Lenovo Yoga C630 WOS Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Stay productive all day with this Lenovo Yoga laptop. The QualComm Snapdragon 850 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth operation of programs and apps, and the battery lasts up to 22 hours between charges. This Lenovo Yoga laptop has a 13.3-inch FHD display for clearly viewing photos and videos.
Customer Rating
5
Great Laptop with Limitations
on December 16, 2018
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
I vacillated back and forth as to how to score the Lenovo Yoga C630. Do I compare it against all laptops or just the class it is in? I decided to look at it from the niche product that it is. The laptop checks off the boxes you would want for a thin & light machine on the surface: light, thin, nice screen, good keyboard, responsive trackpad, great connectivity, and most importantly great battery life. For the money, the C630 nails it on paper. Honestly there is only one BIG reason to potentially shy away from it: Snapdragon 850 processor. For the unitiated the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 is based on ARM processor designs and is a very different beast than the typical Intel (or AMD) x86 processors you see in 99% of notebooks. It is effectively a cell phone processor for larger scale computing requirements. It is lower power and can be very fast when the programs are written to take advantage of it. Fact is, most desktop computing apps for Windows are developed for x86 though. Why is this a problem? Well, unless the application you need was written directly to perform on ARM processors then Windows will run the application in an emulation mode. Of course, even that is not as simple as it might sound as only 32-bit x86 apps are currently supported so that is something else to keep in mind. The real problem with running in emulation mode is that you lose basically all of the things that the Snapdragon brings to the table. The processor goes from feeling like a Core i5 to a Pentium almost instantly. Desktop Chrome for instance is not presently compiled to support Windows on ARM directly. Therefore, Chrome must run in emulation. Let's just say that the experience is far from pleasant. The other problem with running in emulation mode is the hit in battery life. Because of the overhead of emulating x86 on ARM the processor must work harder than ever to keep things going. This has a very direct and obvious effect on battery life. Last, but not least, emulation mode is not the silver bullet for app compatibility that Microsoft would like you to think it is. It is still very much in development and there are still 32-bit x86 applications that don't play nice so keep that in mind if you decide to take the plunge.
After all of that why did I give it 5 stars? I'm sure most people would have stopped reading and moved on to a different product by now. Well, that was the point. If any of what I wrote above scares you in any way then this experiment isn't for you. If you stuck around let me tell you why this is such a great laptop (especially for the money). The laptop comes with Windows 10 in S-mode out of the box. This can be switched to standard 10 Home edition if you so choose. The primary Microsoft products such as Edge, Office, Skype, etc. run great and are ARM compiled. If your workflow is either web based or Microsoft app based than you will find a pleasant computing experience. The screen is bright and responsive. The keyboard feels great and the glass trackpad uses Microsoft Precision drivers so you get a great experience. The UFS based 128GB SSD is plenty fast and feels more akin to a standard SATA based SSD than an nVME one. The always on connectivity is great and I should warn that while this machine will accept SIMs from other carriers it is clearly favoring Verizon in what I can only assume is band support. I tried T-Mobile and it works, but it won't consistently use LTE as it will with Verizon. My cell phone is on T-Mobile and I never have issues with LTE where I live so there is definitely something going on with the band support provided by the X20 modem. The star of the show is really the battery life. The only laptop I own that even comes close to this thing is my 3 year old Dell XPS 13. On average I can get 12 hours out of it which I have always thought was incredible. The Lenovo C630 is capable of 16+ hours of real world use which is truly something to experience. If you have battery anxiety while using this than you might want to put the laptop down for a while and sleep or eat. This notebook is the closest I have found to fulfilling the promise of true all-day battery life. The additional upside is that the Snapdragon 850 is actually pretty fast with ARM compiled apps which is great too. The machine feels very much like my Skylake i5 notebook in terms of responsiveness which is really great. Things only get precarious when I have to run something emulated and the machine feels much more like my Surface Go. I figure with time more apps will support Windows on ARM directly. In fact, Chrome and Firefox are both coming in ARM variants 'soon' so that will help those that are diehard fans of those web browsers. Last, but not least, the laptop feels great with premium construction not generally seen at this price point.
Overall, this really is a great little machine and highly recommended for those that understand the current limitations it has. I suspect with time this will improve and the Snapdragon 850 is a very welcome improvement over the previous 835 efforts. For now, the Lenovo Yoga C630 is my full-time work machine (as my workflow is entirely Office-based). If you need an always connected laptop with stellar battery life and are willing to accept the application support compromise than this is the machine to buy. Period.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Play to your full potential with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop. Fluid gaming is ensured with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series graphics and an Intel Core i7 processor, running on Windows 10 Home. Make a statement with customizable RGB lighting and a transparent side panel, and perform easy toolless upgrades in adherence to micro-ATX standards with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
There really is no other way to put it with the HP Omen Obelisk.... it's overpriced for what you are getting. Now I don't begrudge anyone for not wanting to build their own PC and go the way of a system integrator, but there are better options out there than what HP is delivering. HP took the cheap route about every way they could. Single channel memory, undersized power supply, H370 motherboard with zero expansion possibilities, and non-K processor are the highlights of what went wrong.
This machine scored 6103 Passmark rating with a MemoryMark of 2695. I switched out the single HyperX 2666 16GB module for two Ballistix 2400 8GB DIMMs (what I had on hand) and the MemoryMark shot up to 3076 despite being slower memory. How much more could it have possible cost to use two 8GB modules as opposed to one 16GB?
The power supply is 500W which is right on the edge of what an 8700 and RTX 2080 would need. Given that there is almost no expansion capability in the system I guess I see what HP was doing, but other integrators are using larger units on similar systems.
The mATX H370 motherboard has no additional PCIe expansion slots so I hope you don't want to add anything like say a capture card for streaming gameplay (if you are not so inclined to use Nvidia's solution). There are only four USB-A ports on back and two on front. Thankfully, they have added a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port so you can pickup a USB hub for those who have VR such as an Oculus Rift. If you have a gaming keyboard and mouse and headset you can use 4-5 of the ports before even considering anything else.
The fact that HP provides an 8700 vs 8700k speaks volumes about what they think about overclocking. I grant that they provide a stock CPU cooler so overclocking would be out of the question, but if someone was so inclined they could provide their own cooling solution and then overclock. Fact is, overclocking is not an option.
The 256GB nVME drive is a Toshiba variant and the 3.5" HDD is Seagate for those curious. Oh, and the case is nice and small with selectable RGBs if that is what you are in the market for.
The system is fast and is a solid gaming experience so HP has provided that. My problem stems from the fact that the competition offers more at the same price. If this machine were $!500-$1600 I would give it a pass on many of the issues I have, but at $2k I simply cannot. It all looks like cost cutting measures to increase margins and still deliver a 'gaming' system. Just don't look too close. If you are in the market for a pre-built machine, please consider all of your options before buying this one. HP is simply leaning on the Omen name like Dell with Alienware. Neither are what they used to be.
For those curious, the machine scored the following in the Passmark Performance Suite:
Passmark = 6103
CPU Mark = 13405
2D Mark = 948
3D Mark = 16566
Memory Mark = 2695
Disk Mark = 9323
Passmark = 6103
CPU Mark = 13405
2D Mark = 948
3D Mark = 16566
Memory Mark = 2695
Disk Mark = 9323
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Stream lifelike sounds from your Bluetooth device with these Skullcandy Crusher VRA headphones. Immersion35 Tech and Supreme Sound deliver stereo-quality audio and powerful bass, and the memory foam ear cushions provide comfortable use. These Skullcandy Crusher VRA headphones collapse to fit into the included protective travel case for easy portability.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
I am not overly familiar with Skullcandy aside from having heard of them for years, but never experienced any of their headphones. If the Crusher 360 is an indicative representation of their products I can see why they have earned a good reputation among bass heads.
Let's just jump straight to the star of the show: the bass. I have listened to a LOT of headphones in my life. Ranging from cheap earbuds to expensive magnetic planar and I can say without a doubt that I have never experienced the amount of bass the Crusher 360 delivers. At the highest level it really is crushing (they have 5 levels of bass control plus off). It is the equivalent of stick my head next to my 15" home theater sub. While a fun trick it really isn't listenable for long periods as I became quickly fatigued. I have found level 2 and sometimes 3 to be the sweet spot. It can still rattle my head, but not make me fear rapid hearing loss. Unfortunately, all of that bass seems to have sacrificed midrange. The highs are there and have reasonable extension and smooth roll-off, but the mids are a bit recessed for my taste. This makes vocals take a backseat to the music in many cases. Depending on your musical taste that may be an acceptable trade-off. In short, the Crusher 360 is anything but a balanced sound. Additionally, the Crusher are marketed as a big, immersive sound field and I would say it is about average really. I have certainly heard better (re: wider) even in this price range.
The headphones themselves are actually quite nice looking with the black/tan color combo and certainly exude a premium feel. They are well built and comfortable to wear for long sessions. My only real gripe is that I have a farily large head and they just fit. I am at the end of the telescoping headband on both earcups. So, big heads beware.
Battery life is rated at 29 hours and after a few days I haven't come close to draining them so I would guess that is a reasonable accurate estimate. The Crusher 360 have no active noise cancelling so keep that in mind if you plan to use them extensively for travel. The controls on the earcups are pretty straightforward. The right earcup has a physical volume up and down, as well as, play/pause button. The left is a gesture swipe up or down to control the bass. I would have preferred a physical set of buttons like on the right earcup myself. The gesture control is hard to gauge what level I am on without taking the headphones off and looking at the indicator lights.
Overall, they are fun headphones and can definitely deliver some energy to your music, but they are not a general all-around performer in my book. If you are in the market for some skull-crushing look no further as the Crusher 360 are the king of bass.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Experience smooth performance and flexibility with this 13.3-inch HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop. Featuring a 13.3-inch Full HD touch display and HP Digital Pen, this flexible laptop lets you write, draw and navigate the interface with precise touch controls. This HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop easily handles a variety of software with the power of an Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
The 2018 refresh of the HP Spectre X360 is a bit of a mixed bag for me. It checks the right boxes, but doesn't completely execute on many of them.
DESIGN
This falls straight into "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" for me. The gem cut edges are an interesting stylistic touch. Not exactly my preference, but it definitely helps HP stand out in a crowd. Also makes opening the lid more difficult than I expected as my finger couldn't quite find and edge to grab. The aluminum bodywork feels very high quality and the copper/bronze color is a nice change from the more traditional silver or black. The downside to the finish is it is a fingerprint magnet. I swear it gets smudged just looking at it. So if you have an OCD about that sort of thing keep it in mind. The machine is also very thin and svelte so lugging it around should not be a problem.
This falls straight into "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" for me. The gem cut edges are an interesting stylistic touch. Not exactly my preference, but it definitely helps HP stand out in a crowd. Also makes opening the lid more difficult than I expected as my finger couldn't quite find and edge to grab. The aluminum bodywork feels very high quality and the copper/bronze color is a nice change from the more traditional silver or black. The downside to the finish is it is a fingerprint magnet. I swear it gets smudged just looking at it. So if you have an OCD about that sort of thing keep it in mind. The machine is also very thin and svelte so lugging it around should not be a problem.
The display has some pretty healthy bezels around it. At the top it allows for the Windows Hello camera, but the bottom is probably more for balancing out the top bezel. It looks a tad dated in my opinion, but isn't a deal breaker by any means for me.
The power button placement also took me a bit to find. It is located just adjacent to the left hinge on one of the 45 degree angles. At least you probably won't bump into it.
PERFORMANCE
The only thing to say is this notebook is FAST. The Core i7-8565U is a speed demon and coupled with the 8GB of DDR4 RAM it zips though most activities like a hot butter knife to butter. The processor is far more robust than the older dual-core ULV processors of yesteryear. Also, 8GB RAM should be good for most people. If you are doing heavy duty activities such as video editing you might consider more. The 256GB NVME SSD is from Western Digital which is a bit of a surprise as Samsung is usually the go-to OEM supplier for such things. Read/Write sequential performance is 1970/771 MB/s which is pretty average for an NVME drive.
The only thing to say is this notebook is FAST. The Core i7-8565U is a speed demon and coupled with the 8GB of DDR4 RAM it zips though most activities like a hot butter knife to butter. The processor is far more robust than the older dual-core ULV processors of yesteryear. Also, 8GB RAM should be good for most people. If you are doing heavy duty activities such as video editing you might consider more. The 256GB NVME SSD is from Western Digital which is a bit of a surprise as Samsung is usually the go-to OEM supplier for such things. Read/Write sequential performance is 1970/771 MB/s which is pretty average for an NVME drive.
DISPLAY
The 13.3" display is nothing extraordinary. It can get very bright if needed and has good color. The touchscreen layer is responsive to touch and also has a digitizer layer for the included pen. Display has good uniformity and no backlight issues. This notebook also comes with Windows Hello capable camera. A nice touch and works very well for quickly logging in to Windows. The notebook also has a handy switch on the right side to disable the camera if you are of the paranoid variety.
The 13.3" display is nothing extraordinary. It can get very bright if needed and has good color. The touchscreen layer is responsive to touch and also has a digitizer layer for the included pen. Display has good uniformity and no backlight issues. This notebook also comes with Windows Hello capable camera. A nice touch and works very well for quickly logging in to Windows. The notebook also has a handy switch on the right side to disable the camera if you are of the paranoid variety.
KEYBOARD & TRACKPAD
Keyboard feels very good, spacious layout, and is backlit. The trackpad is a touch small, but responsive and has gesture control. I only wish HP would ditch the Synaptics setup for the Microsoft Precision trackpad. Maybe next year. There is also a fingerprint sensor that is Windows Hello capable too. So if the camera isn't your thing you have a second option.
Keyboard feels very good, spacious layout, and is backlit. The trackpad is a touch small, but responsive and has gesture control. I only wish HP would ditch the Synaptics setup for the Microsoft Precision trackpad. Maybe next year. There is also a fingerprint sensor that is Windows Hello capable too. So if the camera isn't your thing you have a second option.
PEN
The included pen is a nice touch and I am glad to see it included especially at this price point. The pen is responsive and writing feels very good. I would say it is on par with the Microsoft Surface in terms of latency. I do have some nags though. The buttons are nearly flush to the pen surface making grabbing the pen more of an exercise than it should be. Also, there is no place for the pen on the notebook. No holder. No magnetized clip. Nothing. At least it comes with extra tips to fine tune the writing experience. Overall, HP still has room for improvement in this area to make it feel like less of an afterthought.
The included pen is a nice touch and I am glad to see it included especially at this price point. The pen is responsive and writing feels very good. I would say it is on par with the Microsoft Surface in terms of latency. I do have some nags though. The buttons are nearly flush to the pen surface making grabbing the pen more of an exercise than it should be. Also, there is no place for the pen on the notebook. No holder. No magnetized clip. Nothing. At least it comes with extra tips to fine tune the writing experience. Overall, HP still has room for improvement in this area to make it feel like less of an afterthought.
CONNECTIVITY
The Spectre X360 comes equipped with 802.11ac wi-fi with Bluetooth, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A. There is also a headphone jack and MicroSD card reader. Charging is handled by USB-C which is great.
The Spectre X360 comes equipped with 802.11ac wi-fi with Bluetooth, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A. There is also a headphone jack and MicroSD card reader. Charging is handled by USB-C which is great.
BATTERY LIFE
This is probably the single most important aspect of the notebook for me. I am seeing about 9 hours with it doing basic tasks. My workflow usually consists of Excel and Word with some Chrome sprinkled in. Important to note this is at the suggested 40% brightness too. Not exactly best-in-class, but gets me through a day so I can't really complain. Obviously, cranking up the brightness should you need it or doing more complex tasks will exhaust the battery faster.
This is probably the single most important aspect of the notebook for me. I am seeing about 9 hours with it doing basic tasks. My workflow usually consists of Excel and Word with some Chrome sprinkled in. Important to note this is at the suggested 40% brightness too. Not exactly best-in-class, but gets me through a day so I can't really complain. Obviously, cranking up the brightness should you need it or doing more complex tasks will exhaust the battery faster.
SOUND
I just don't understand HPs partnership with B&O. The speakers on this machine are passable at best. They get mighty loud, but don't sound real good doing it. Bass is almost non-existent so keep that in mind if you see yourself using this without headphones regularly. Lenovo and Apple both offer a more refined experience.
I just don't understand HPs partnership with B&O. The speakers on this machine are passable at best. They get mighty loud, but don't sound real good doing it. Bass is almost non-existent so keep that in mind if you see yourself using this without headphones regularly. Lenovo and Apple both offer a more refined experience.
Overall, the HP Spectre X360 is a nice notebook with enough speed and storage for most people. I can see why it remains popular each year and most of my quibbles are not deal breakers. If you are in the market for a thin-and-light notebook, put this on your short list.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Feel confident in your smile with this Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush. The precision brush head and five brushing modes promote gum health and get rid of plaque and stubborn stains. This Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush features smart timers to help you brush for the optimal length of time.
Customer Rating
5
Quite Simply The Best
on November 12, 2018
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush is the gold standard of electric toothbrushes. Philips has been producing Sonicare toothbrushes for years now and the DiamondClean is the ultimate expression of their design. The tooth brush feels great in the hand is well balanced. The toothbrush offers 5 different modes from standard cleaning to a sensitive mode and gum care. The DiamondClean head does an outstanding job of removing plaque and helping to maintain white teeth and healthy gums. My mouth feels clean and refreshed after using it which is always a great feeling.
Battery life is great for travel. I haven't gone more than a week thus far without charging, but Philips says it can go two weeks between charges. A deluxe travel charging case is included in the higher end model, but is nothing more than a carrying case for this model. There is also an included charging glass to hold the tooth brush and wirelessly charge it too.
My only real complaint is that it only comes with one brush head for $200. Extra heads can also be a fairly pricey, but that is fairly common across all electric toothbrushes.
If you want the best, then this is it. I really can't recommend it highly enough.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy the rich, full-flavored coffee you love or delicious coffeehouse beverages from the Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition single serve coffee, latte, and cappuccino maker. Featuring metal details and a premium nickel colored finish, the K-Cafe Special Edition brewer is a stunning addition to your kitchen. Whether brewing coffee, or making lattes, and cappuccinos, the K-Cafe Special Edition brewer works with any K-Cup pod so the options are endless. Use the coffee SHOT to brew a concentrated shot of coffee and froth your choice of fresh milk to create a creamy latte or frothy cappuccino. Enjoy your latte or cappuccino hot or use the COLD setting to froth cold milk for a wonderfully refreshing iced latte or cappuccino. Brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz of your favorite coffee, tea, or cocoa, select Strong Brew when you want a bolder cup of coffee. The dishwasher safe frother makes clean up a breeze – enjoying delicious specialty beverages at home has never been so easy. Just brew, froth, enjoy!
Customer Rating
4
Outstanding for the niche it serves
on November 11, 2018
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
I have been using Keurigs for years so when the opportunity came along to try out their new specialty coffee maker I jumped at the chance. It is relatively compact and very well made. Feels very robust and looks great in the kitchen. Lets get the only real sticking point I have with this out of the way. It has no display. No display in this case means no auto-on timer. I like to have my coffee maker on when I get up in the morning so I am not waiting around for it to heat water. My larger Keurig does this and I appreciate the function very much. That said, the K-Cafe does also have a smaller reservoir (60oz) than my big one (75oz) so the reality for me is that I will not be using the K-Cafe as my standard 'cup of coffee' maker. My wife and I drink too much coffee and we don't like filling it up more than necessary. The K-Cafe can pour standard cups in 6oz to 12oz sizes if you are willing to make it your one and only coffee maker.
Having said all of that, I will absolutely keep this K-Cafe in my kitchen as a secondary machine for cappuccinos and lattes. Why? Because it does an outstanding job with minimal cleanup required. The frother is a joy. Works quick and the magnetized spindle means that all I have to do is pull the cup when done and clean it. No other mess to deal with it. Brilliant design. I will be drinking a lot more cappuccinos in my future thanks to the simplicity and convenience of the K-Cafe. Special pods are not required either. I just use the same coffee pod for my specialty drinks as my regular coffee and the machine does a bang-up job extracting a delicious shot out of it.
Overall, I really love the K-Cafe and I am only dinging it one star because it doesn't have the capacity or timer function of my Elite despite costing $40 more. Meaning for me I have to have both on my counter, but I am willing to deal with it. If you want to make hassle-free lattes or cappuccinos then look no further. If you don't need an auto-on timer or drink multiple cups a day then I would say this is the only single-serve coffee maker you need. Keurig nailed it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Stream your favorite media on the go with this HP Chromebook touchscreen laptop. The notebook has 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor so it's easy to use Google Play apps for everyday productivity. This HP Chromebook touchscreen laptop has a modern 360-degree design and 13-hour, 30-minute battery life for work on the go.
Posted by: Balthazar2k4
from Longmont, CO, USA
The new HP 2-in-1 14" Chromebook is an absolute pleasure to use. It features great build quality, outstanding speed thanks to a 8th-gen Core i3 processor, fantastic display, and great battery life. I believe Chromebooks are a product where you get what you pay for... to a point. The HP is nearly on par with Google's PixelBook at a significantly lower price making it a great value in the Chromebook space.
Here are the positives:
- Nice aluminum finish and white plastic lid that feels refined and not cheap at all.
- Fast, fast, fast. This is a combination of ChromeOS, the Core i3 processor, and 8GB RAM. You really don't need more than this.
- Runs Android apps and Chrome apps side-by-side.
- Display has good color reproduction, above average brightness, and responsive touch layer. Also being 1080p is a big plus for a Chromebook.
- Battery life has easily been 10+ hours before reaching 10%. I used it most of Sunday while watching football and found it with 40% charge left.
- Solid Wi-Fi and comes with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
- Nice aluminum finish and white plastic lid that feels refined and not cheap at all.
- Fast, fast, fast. This is a combination of ChromeOS, the Core i3 processor, and 8GB RAM. You really don't need more than this.
- Runs Android apps and Chrome apps side-by-side.
- Display has good color reproduction, above average brightness, and responsive touch layer. Also being 1080p is a big plus for a Chromebook.
- Battery life has easily been 10+ hours before reaching 10%. I used it most of Sunday while watching football and found it with 40% charge left.
- Solid Wi-Fi and comes with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
My only real cons:
- It's kinda heavy
- Android app support is still a little flaky. Ran into a few Android apps that didn't want to play nice, but this is a ChromeOS issue not the notebook itself. Android support continues to be a work in progress.
- Speakers are fairly thin sounding. They do the job, but headphones will be the better bet for music listening.
- It's kinda heavy
- Android app support is still a little flaky. Ran into a few Android apps that didn't want to play nice, but this is a ChromeOS issue not the notebook itself. Android support continues to be a work in progress.
- Speakers are fairly thin sounding. They do the job, but headphones will be the better bet for music listening.
Coming from WIndows and Mac machines primarily, the Chromebook is a breath of fresh air. Runs fast, no fuss, and allows me to do most of what I do already thanks to Chrome and Android. The inclusion of Android support last year in ChromeOS really changes the game for Chromebooks.
Yes, you could spend less, but you will be compromising somewhere (less screen, less speed, or less battery life). You could also spend more, but why? This is a fantastic secondary computer and possibly even primary depending on your needs. It is a great deal at MSRP and a screamin' deal when found on sale. If you have never used a Chromebook before this is the entry point in my opinion. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot. I think you will be as impressed as I am.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Balthazar2k4's Review Comments
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Tablet: More capable than your average tablet but lighter and smaller than a laptop, the Surface Pro 2 features hands-on productivity with the ability to fully support Microsoft Office (sold separately). Multitask with side-by-side apps, prop up your tablet with the built-in kickstand, or connect accessories via the USB and display ports for a work-efficient desktop setup.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best tablet for work and play
By jb78
from Woodland Hills, CA
Microsoft shows why its preferred over mac for business and productivity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Balthazar2k4
Pointless
October 23, 2013
Thank you for the hollow, non-review of an unreleased (at the time) product.
+3points
6of 9voted this comment as helpful.
Balthazar2k4's Questions
Balthazar2k4 has not submitted any questions.
Serve nutritious and easy home-cooked meals at a fraction of the time that conventional cooking requires. Enjoy all the same benefits you love about Express Crock—one-touch settings for quick pressure-cooked meals—now with a Crisping Lid that adds a delectable crisp to chicken, ribs, and more!
Does it have a removable liner for washing?
Yes, the internal cooking pot is removable for easy cleaning. It is also dishwasher safe, but the manufacturer recommends hand washing to preserve the non-stick coating.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Perceive every detail of your music with this pair of JBL wireless headphones. The 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response lets you enjoy the full range of sound, while the in-line microphone provides an effortless switch to hands-free calls. Featuring 5.6mm dynamic drivers, these JBL wireless headphones supply rich, resonant bass for your enjoyment.
is the jbl free earbuds waterproof?
No. They are sweatproof which is barely on the cusp of water-resistant. In other words, if you are working out they will be fine, but don't expect to use them in a downpour outside.
5 years, 4 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Perceive every detail of your music with this pair of JBL wireless headphones. The 10Hz to 22kHz frequency response lets you enjoy the full range of sound, while the in-line microphone provides an effortless switch to hands-free calls. Featuring 5.6mm dynamic drivers, these JBL wireless headphones supply rich, resonant bass for your enjoyment.
Are these noise cancelling for gyms that play really loud music?
They do not offer active noise cancellation. They do however provide pretty decent passive noise cancellation if you can get them snug in your ears.
5 years, 4 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Get work done or play games on this 24-inch Dell monitor. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution delivers a crisp display for images and text, and its wide viewing angle provides a clear picture whether sitting or standing. This Dell monitor has HDMI connectivity for use with gaming consoles or PCs.
Which adapter would work for this monitor if I wanted to mount it to a standard Vesa stand
Pretty much any non-VESA to VESA mounting kit will work that is designed for a display this size.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Get work done or play games on this 24-inch Dell monitor. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution delivers a crisp display for images and text, and its wide viewing angle provides a clear picture whether sitting or standing. This Dell monitor has HDMI connectivity for use with gaming consoles or PCs.
can this monitor be mounted?
Get work done or play games on this 24-inch Dell monitor. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution delivers a crisp display for images and text, and its wide viewing angle provides a clear picture whether sitting or standing. This Dell monitor has HDMI connectivity for use with gaming consoles or PCs.
is this a matt or gloss finish?
Glossy with an anti-glare finish. Does a reasonable job with reflections, but is no match for a matte screen.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Make your home a more welcoming hub with this Philips Hue white ambiance A19 starter kit. Whether you desire a warm natural glow or energizing color tones, customize it just the way you like with the accompanying app. For parties, easily sync your lights to music with this Philips Hue white ambiance A19 starter kit.
Can I access lights when NOT at home
Yes. Once you create an account you will have access to remotely control your lights.
6 years, 5 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Take your tunes anywhere with this LifeProof AQUAPHONICS speaker. This floating waterproof device is submersible in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes, and it deflects damage from snow, ice and dirt. Pair this LifeProof AQUAPHONICS speaker with up to eight Bluetooth devices, and use the included dry box for storing keys and cards.
Does an regular iPhone 7 fits in the aq10 dry box?
No. The AQ10 dry box is pretty small. Maybe an iPhone 4 or possibly a 5.
7 years ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
I have a Comcast modem going to a apple time capsule for wifi. Can this be installed after that and still give me access to time capsule and increase speeds?
Yes, the Orbi router can be placed into Access Point mode and used to extend your existing network.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
How much are the Satlelites and are/when they available? My home is 4200 square feet. W/2000 square feet of finished basementnd I need all 3 floors covered. I know 2 cant cover 6200sqft. But one on each floor might. Also can each work being cat6 wired in
Three units (including the router itself) should have you covered assuming you can place them roughly center on each floor. Unfortunately, the satellites cannot be wired in at this time, but I do believe Netgear is looking at the situation. I am using the router and a single satellite in a ~4000sq ft home with a finished basement and it works great even with the satellite being connected wirelessly. Keep in mind the Orbi system uses a dedicated 5ghz channel as a backhaul so it does not work like a conventional router/extender combo.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
Balthazar2k4