BeingHonest's stats
- Review count238
- Helpfulness votes434
- First reviewFebruary 18, 2014
- Last reviewJune 20, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentJune 25, 2016
- Last review commentJune 25, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count9
- Helpfulness votes9
- First answerAugust 27, 2015
- Last answerApril 9, 2019
- Featured answers0
- Best answers2
Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are an incredibly advanced pair of Hi-Resolution wireless earbuds. With up to 26 hours of total play time off of one charge, you can experience your favorite music at all times of the day. Purenote technology allows for a higher quality listening experience, active noise cancelling technology cancels out up to 90% of outside noises, while HearID provides EQ customization. All three come together to make sure your listening experience is truly yours.
Customer Rating
5
Great sound and noise canceling
on February 16, 2021
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
good sound
Noise canceling works well
App has good sound settings
Battery life
Wireless charging
good sound
Noise canceling works well
App has good sound settings
Battery life
Wireless charging
Cons:
fitting can seem loose
Can only power off with case
fitting can seem loose
Can only power off with case
Overall a really good set of ear buds. The sound is very good for its size while being able to have good noise canceling. At first the fitting can feel loose, even with the right ear insert, but once I angled them in the right way, they stayed in my ear while I was moving about. The case is compact, smaller than any other cases I’ve owned and has wireless charging. One thing that I didn’t like was that to fully turn them off, you need to put them back in the case. So you need to always have the case on you.
The sound is clear. It’s not as good as the really premium earbuds, but these also have noise canceling and more compact. The sound can be tuned with the EQ in the app. Out of the box, the sound didn’t impress me but once I messed with the EQ, it sounded much better.
The ANC is really good. It lowers background noise significantly. I could hardly hear the tv while on. Depending on which mode (commute, outside, and inside) it will block certain frequencies more than others. For instance, on commute, the wind will have crackling sounds but barely audible on outside.
The app has more features than expected. The touch functions can be customized, three ANC modes, and the EQ has a lot of presets as well as a feature that measures which frequencies you can hear and calibrate for it. It also has a fitting test that tells you if you have a good seal.
Battery life is pretty good. With ANC on, it lasted about 5 hours. The case provides a few more charges as well.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![H&R Block Tax Software Premium 2020 - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6440/6440231_sd.jpg)
This H&R Block Premium Tax software provides everything a homeowner, investor, rental property owner, or self-employed Schedule C filer needs to easily complete federal and state taxes. It includes a free online chat with a tax professional, step-by-step assistance on hundreds of credits and deductions, in-person representation in the unlikely event of an audit, and tax calculators to help determine the cost basis of a home sale, dividend, gift, and inheritance assets.
Customer Rating
4
Gets the job done, but a bit confusing sometimes
on February 7, 2021
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
This is the first time I’m using H&R to do my taxes, but getting started was easy as I was able to import my info from the other tax software. Overall it was easy to use, but I found a few things that were either a bit confusing or time consuming. Presentation and the way it was organized, you have to go through each section step by step, regardless if you need to or not. There should have been a skip button. There were also a couple of parts that confused me with its wording. It seemed to have been asking for the same info in different sections, so I wasn’t sure if I filled it in correctly. There was also a time that I needed to change some things and it was supposed to direct me to the right section but didn’t. In the end, it accomplished the same results, but I did find using the other software a bit easier. However H&R may be cheaper, depending on what forms you need.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Nanoleaf Shapes Mini Triangles elevate the concept of smart lighting into a creative journey of design. A combination of smart technology and sleek ultra-thin design, the modular LED light panels open limitless possibilities for you to explore, create, and play.
Customer Rating
4
Bright colors and cool effects, but small.
on December 23, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-simple setup
-Alexa integration
-Improved connection tabs
-simple setup
-Alexa integration
-Improved connection tabs
Con:
-big bezels
-small coverage
-power brick is big and needs a lot of space from the outlet
-big bezels
-small coverage
-power brick is big and needs a lot of space from the outlet
The Nanoleaf Shapes are small, but provide cool lighting effects. The bezels are somewhat thick, so there’s a gap between the lighted panel. These panels are small, so all together, you only get about a foot worth of coverage. The power brick is really big and takes up a lot of space.
The setup is easy, done by connecting each piece with a small linking tab. These tabs have been improved over the earlier generations. They are thicker and snap together making them less likely to break. You finish the setup in the app, where you assign the configuration of the panels. For iOS, the app connects to HomeKit.
You can use the control bar to cycle through color schemes, but the app, which requires an account, allows more customization. With the app you can create moving colors, rhythm based, or interactive scenes. While they look nice, I wish by now they would have added a way for me to create my own fully custom motions and effects panel by panel. You can also download what other people have created.
The Alexa integration works fine, but sometimes it would lose connection. In the Alexa app, you’re limited to changing the basic color, but you can create a scene in the Nanoleaf app and command Alexa to switch scenes.
The colors are bright and the effects really draw attention. The bezels could have been thinner, and I still wish for more custom motions. If your space is limited or looking for a small flashy accent on your wall, then these would look cool. If you have more space, I would go with the bigger sizes.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance your creativity potential with this Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 and Premiere Elements 2021 bundle. The Adobe Sensei AI technology powers automated options to get a starting point for creative exploration, and step-by-step Guided Edits let you create double exposure and animated mattes.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use. Enough features for basic edits.
on December 21, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-Easy to use for beginners
-Enough features for basic needs
-No additional cost
-Easy to use for beginners
-Enough features for basic needs
-No additional cost
Con:
-**Possible conflict with other Adobe apps causing no audio in Premiere
-**Possible conflict with other Adobe apps causing no audio in Premiere
For both Photoshop and Premiere, it is user friendly to new users. There’s a quick mode for simple edits, a guided mode that shows step by step, and an expert mode which is closer to the layout of the full Photoshop and Premiere Pro. The UI is easy to navigate, with helpful thumbnails for effects and settings that are easy to understand. Some settings are tucked away under other panels, but nothing complex.
Photoshop Elements
The Elements version of Photoshop has changed quite a bit since I last used it. For photo editing, it has enough features to do most basic edits. It still has layers, blending modes, and layer styles along with the most used adjustments such as color correction, level adjustments, blurs, and various other filter effects. There are also smart edits that automate the enhancements, such as making the sky more vivid and adjusting the color tone of the picture, with good results. I haven’t tried them all the fullest, but from what I’ve seen it gets the job done and should be enough for common edits.
The Elements version of Photoshop has changed quite a bit since I last used it. For photo editing, it has enough features to do most basic edits. It still has layers, blending modes, and layer styles along with the most used adjustments such as color correction, level adjustments, blurs, and various other filter effects. There are also smart edits that automate the enhancements, such as making the sky more vivid and adjusting the color tone of the picture, with good results. I haven’t tried them all the fullest, but from what I’ve seen it gets the job done and should be enough for common edits.
For drawing and sketching, it’s somewhat limited. You have the various brush and pencil tools and some brush settings, but you won’t find the more advanced tool sets in the full Photoshop. It’s not meant for full scale artwork, but enough to do sketches and line work,
Premiere Elements
** I had an audio issue with Premiere Elements. I tested this on three different computers, and two of them would not play any audio even though the audio hardware settings are right. The only common factor between the two is that I have other Adobe apps (Audition, Premiere Pro, and After Effects) and OBS installed. It’s only Premiere Elements that is affected, even the older version now no longer works. So it might be one of those that is causing conflict. It doesn’t seem to be a common issue so I won’t factor that in my review, but I’ve seen other users with the same issue.**
** I had an audio issue with Premiere Elements. I tested this on three different computers, and two of them would not play any audio even though the audio hardware settings are right. The only common factor between the two is that I have other Adobe apps (Audition, Premiere Pro, and After Effects) and OBS installed. It’s only Premiere Elements that is affected, even the older version now no longer works. So it might be one of those that is causing conflict. It doesn’t seem to be a common issue so I won’t factor that in my review, but I’ve seen other users with the same issue.**
I mostly used this for quick trimming, when I don’t want to bother setting up Premiere Pro. For doing simple home movies or quick projects, this is good. You can do basic keyframing with effects and transforms, add preset adjustments, and do some audio work. It’s also easy to add titles and transitions as well. One of the things I really like is the audio library included. There’s some nice background music and clips. There’s some clip arts and short animations you can add in, too.
Both of these are great for beginners or users that need to do basic editing and not wanting to pay monthly fees for the full versions. A lot can be done with them and most of the common tools in the full versions are here. Overall good.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Thrustmaster is thrilled to offer a brand-new piece of gaming gear for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC (Windows 10): its professional gamepad, designed for gamers looking to take their gaming to the next level, reach new heights of performance and achieve the best possible rankings. Featuring next-generation modules and cutting-edge T-MOD technology, the ESWAP X PRO CONTROLLER has been designed to adapt to all gaming styles thanks to its completely modular ergonomics, industrial-grade components, free configuration software for Xbox and PC (Windows 10) gamers, and an endless ecosystem of additional modules (sold separately). This product is an officially-licensed Xbox Series X|S device, and is also compatible with Xbox One, as well as PCs running Windows 10.
Customer Rating
4
Love the customizability, but some design flaws.
on November 11, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
At the time of this writing, the software was not available to download so I didn’t get the chance to try that. But from what it says, you’re able to adjust the sensitivity and dead zones for both the sticks and the triggers, as well as the rumble strength.
Pro:
-Interchangeable sticks, cursor, and side grips
-Feels premium
-Triggers have good response
-Button mapping on the fly
-Interchangeable sticks, cursor, and side grips
-Feels premium
-Triggers have good response
-Button mapping on the fly
Con:
-Sticks are higher than normal controllers
-Bumpers feels soft
-Back buttons are awkward to press
-Can’t adjust tension in the sticks
-Not wireless
-Sticks are higher than normal controllers
-Bumpers feels soft
-Back buttons are awkward to press
-Can’t adjust tension in the sticks
-Not wireless
This controller is definitely unique in its customizability, and most of it works, but there are a few flaws that they couldn’t have done better to really push this further. It has some heft to it and feels like a premium product. This controller allows for you to swap out the sticks and cursor essentially allowing it to be more like either the Xbox or Playstation controller. Most of the swappable parts are held on by strong magnets and can be removed just pulling it out. The exception being the triggers that require the included screwdriver. The other swappable parts are the side grips and the pads on the sticks.
Most of the buttons feel good and clicky, more like a mouse. The triggers feel great and solid, better than other controllers I’ve had. There’s a good balance between resistance and the weight of it. There’s a toggle that will allow each trigger to be fully depressed or capped at 50% for hair trigger actions. The bumpers are not as good. They feel like hollow plastic and there’s a spongy feel after the click. It feels more like they belong on cheap third party controllers. Then there are the back buttons. For me, as someone who has small hands, they are awkward to press and mostly slows me down more than clicking the actual front buttons. I have to change my grip to feel around for the right buttons using the corner of my fingers. They should have used paddles like the XBox Elite controllers or the PS4 attachment.
The sticks are taller than the standard controller, and for me feels too high. They don’t feel stiffer than a normal controller, but it has less of a wiggle. I was hoping to be able to adjust the tension like with the Xbox Elite Controllers, but you can only do adjustments in the app. With the app, you will be able to adjust the dead zone and sensitivity, but I didn’t have the chance to try that out. The thumb pads can be changed between round on concave.
On the bottom of the controller, you have the volume control and mute button along with the 3.5 headset connection. Next to that is the profile buttons and the Map button that allows you to customize the back buttons. You can remap the buttons instantly without the app by hitting the map button and holding the button you want to remap.
While this won’t make you instantly better at gaming, the more responsive button presses, especially the triggers at 50% should give you at least faster reactions in shooters. I don’t like the feel of the bumpers, and I didn’t find the sticks to be noticeably different from a standard controller (at least not without adjusting them in the app). And unless I learn to get used to the back buttons, I find them not that useful and would have preferred paddles instead. Still for the feel and the ability to use all the functions of the Xbox controller on my pc with the PS4 configuration is a great plus. It's a toss up between this and the Elite controller.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Alienware RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - AW410K - is an allround gaming keyboard that blends function and immersiveness while still offering industry leading components in an iconic design. Incorporating Cherry® MX keys in a floating key architecture with anti-ghosting and on-board memory, this keyboard is designed for responsive, immersive gaming in a compact form factor. Gamers can now enjoy greater precision thanks to industry leading Cherry® MX Brown keys which combine tactile feedback and quiet-click keys with a low actuation force. They can also fully customize their setup and get the most immersive gaming experience with the AlienFX per-key RGB lighting, choosing from approximately 16.8m colors for a fully bespoke gaming experience. Designed for personalization, this gaming keyboard features fully programmable keys for macros and key assignments, while dedicated audio controls allow for quick and accurate adjustments to be made. The Alienware RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is also ergonomically designed with 3 height adjustment settings for greater comfort.
Customer Rating
4
Good mechanical keyboard but with some flaws
on November 10, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-Even lighting
-Solid caps and sturdy frame
-USB port
-Even lighting
-Solid caps and sturdy frame
-USB port
Con:
-No wrist rest
-Feels bulky
-Alienware command center is clunky
-No wrist rest
-Feels bulky
-Alienware command center is clunky
TL;DR This is a good no frills keyboard with stable keycaps and nice even lighting. The downside is that there’s no wrist rest, and the extra plastic on the body makes it look outdated and bulky. The Command Center app (at least in conjunction with an Alienware PC) is somewhat clunky, but gets the job done. However, for the full price, it would not be my pick.
The keyboard itself is good. The frame is sturdy and the Cherry Browns feel responsive and tactile, and the lighting has a nice even glow without bleeding through. The cable is a nice thick braided cable. It has dedicated volume keys, but the rest of the media controls are FN keys. There’s also a USB passthrough on top. It has a metal faceplate bordered by extra plastic, which is one of the downsides. The angular design makes it feel extra bulky and outdated. There’s no wrist rest included and with the keyboard sitting at about half an inch high, it’s not a pleasant experience for my wrists especially after coming from more streamlined and thinner keyboards.
The software controlling the lights and macros is the Alienware Command Center, which was already on my Alienware PC. However if you need to download it from their website, it takes way too many steps to get it. The app is clunky to use and the UI isn’t as intuitive as other apps I’ve used. The lighting effects are your standard fare effects, ranging from solid to various pulsing and waves. On top of that, you can add keypress effects, adding more reactive lighting to it. One of the quirks is that you would either have to select preset key groups, or do it one key at a time. There’s no drag and select. Also when you reselect a group, it resets back to the default color. Once done, you can store up to four profiles on the keyboard and switch with them on the fly with the profile button.
You can record macros and setup keystrokes with pretty much any key. Again the navigation is a bit quirky. With the macros, you can reorder keys and add/remove delay but can’t insert a new key.
Other than the quirky software, the 410K is a good basic mechanical keyboard. There’s no extra keys or fancy media rocker. It’s a bit bulky and has more plastic than I would have liked, and the exclusion of a wrist rest was big negative for me. While these negatives aren’t too terrible, I have other gaming keyboards from other brands which didn’t have these issues and were either cheaper or have more features for similar price.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance your conference calls with the 360° All Around Webcam. This all-in-one virtual meeting device combines HD video with business-grade audio clarity, to help run your video conferences smoothly. This high-definition, plug-and-play webcam, is ideal for any space. Capture a 360° panoramic view of the room or focus on specific presenters with the various display modes. The 360° All Around Webcam is equipped with a USB-C cable and a USB Type-A connector to work with both your older and newer devices.
Customer Rating
4
Picture could be better, but overall a cool camera
on November 10, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
Even 360 view without distortion
Multiple camera modes
Easy set up
USB A or USB C
Even 360 view without distortion
Multiple camera modes
Easy set up
USB A or USB C
Con:
A bit of lag
Mic isn’t great
Picture has noise and jaggy
A bit of lag
Mic isn’t great
Picture has noise and jaggy
This is a nice camera for conference calls or to capture a large area. For the majority, it works really well. The 360 degree mode is just cool. It has some distortion for close ups and background, but the mids look fine. You can switch between a single wide shot, a split screen, or a one or dual host mode. You can adjust the position of the hosts with the touch bar letting you focus on one or two people. You can switch to a normal single view camera which has a standard and wide angle mode. The wide angle has some distortion around the corners.
The camera has an overall solid heft to it. It stands about 8 inches tall, and has a metal base. It has a very long USB C cable along with a USB A adapter attached at the end. It does get warm after using it for a while but I think it’s still within the norm.
The picture is alright. There’s some compression noise and banding in the colors which seems to vary between different apps. In 360 mode, it’s on the darker side and seems to need really bright overhead lighting, while in standard mode, the same lighting can make it look washed out. There’s also a bit of lag and fast movements don't look great. While I probably wouldn’t use it for content creation, it’s not bad and should be fine for a typical video call.
The mic is no better or worse than what you would expect from a webcam. It works, but it’s far from being crisp and clear.
If you do a lot of group meetings, conference calls, or maybe even teaching, I can see this being very useful. While the image can be grainy and compressed, the various 360 modes is a nice feature.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
Customer Rating
5
Charges my phone in an hour
on November 7, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-Fast charging
-Power adapter included
-Charges through my case
-Fast charging
-Power adapter included
-Charges through my case
Works great. Fully charges my phone from 20% in about an hour. My case is about 3mm and it charged fine. Comes with a power adapter for fast charging.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The A20 Wireless headset Gen 2 is designed to give you gaming audio freedom on several levels. Its 2.4 GHz signal provides an extended wireless range and with the flip-to-mute microphone you can easily choose if you want to be heard or not. Additionally, the headset’s long lasting comfort and battery life allow you to game through those marathon sessions.
Customer Rating
4
Sounds good. Lightweight. Mic is too quiet.
on October 23, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-Lightweight
-Good audio
-Battery life
-Lightweight
-Good audio
-Battery life
Con:
-Few adjustments
-Mic is a little quiet and muffled
-Feels plasticy and cheap
-Few adjustments
-Mic is a little quiet and muffled
-Feels plasticy and cheap
Build and Comfort
These are one of the lightest headsets I have, but the all plastic build is hollow and makes it feel cheap even though it’s overall solid with no flex. The headband is soft rubber, which I actually prefer to the fabric foam, but there’s a notch cutout in the middle with sharp corners which press down on your head causing some discomfort. The clapping force is very light and I had no issue wearing them for a long session. The foam padding is fine, but it’s not very dense and I wonder how long they’ll last. There’s practically no adjustments other than vertical adjustment and a very slight pivot for the cups. The mic is flexible, stays in place, and is the right length.
These are one of the lightest headsets I have, but the all plastic build is hollow and makes it feel cheap even though it’s overall solid with no flex. The headband is soft rubber, which I actually prefer to the fabric foam, but there’s a notch cutout in the middle with sharp corners which press down on your head causing some discomfort. The clapping force is very light and I had no issue wearing them for a long session. The foam padding is fine, but it’s not very dense and I wonder how long they’ll last. There’s practically no adjustments other than vertical adjustment and a very slight pivot for the cups. The mic is flexible, stays in place, and is the right length.
Audio
The audio is overall good. The high and mids are clear and the bass has a good amount of boost to it. Subtle noises like footsteps are distinct and easy to discern directions from. There’s three EQ presets, balanced, tremble boost, and bass boost. I find them all alright, but the bass boost lowers the other sounds a bit too much.
The audio is overall good. The high and mids are clear and the bass has a good amount of boost to it. Subtle noises like footsteps are distinct and easy to discern directions from. There’s three EQ presets, balanced, tremble boost, and bass boost. I find them all alright, but the bass boost lowers the other sounds a bit too much.
Mic
The mic is ok for voice chat, but it’s too quiet and muffled, yet is sensitive enough to clearly pick up my breathing. Even with the mic right next to my mouth, it still sounds like I’m speaking with my mouth covered.
The mic is ok for voice chat, but it’s too quiet and muffled, yet is sensitive enough to clearly pick up my breathing. Even with the mic right next to my mouth, it still sounds like I’m speaking with my mouth covered.
Battery
Battery life is great. I can play for at least 10 hours on a charge.
Battery life is great. I can play for at least 10 hours on a charge.
PC
I did a quick test on the PC, and it worked right away. You do have to click the button on the receiver to switch modes. The mic is still quiet on the PC as well.
I did a quick test on the PC, and it worked right away. You do have to click the button on the receiver to switch modes. The mic is still quiet on the PC as well.
If you’re looking for an entry level wireless headset, I think these are really good. It’s light and mostly comfortable to wear for a long time, with the exception being the sharp angle on the band. The adjustment is limited, but it gets the job done. The audio is good with the games that I’ve tried them with and the battery should last you through most of the day. The mic isn’t great, being somewhat quiet and muffled, but good enough for voice chats.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This excellent CODi Full HD 1080p Webcam lets you gratify yourself in professional-quality videos for conference calls, streaming, and recording. It performs wonderfully with its 1080p high-definition video capture. With these features, you can produce magnificent and crystal clear videos in any kind of environment. You can stream and record a vibrant, true-to-life Full HD 1080p video that captures the most exciting details.
Customer Rating
2
Grainy, overexposed, and bad mic.
on October 14, 2020
Posted by: BeingHonest
from austin, tx
Pro:
-Plug and play
-Plug and play
Con:
-Grainy
-Overexposed
-Bad auto focus
-Terrible mic
-Grainy
-Overexposed
-Bad auto focus
-Terrible mic
For the price, this camera is not worth it. The picture is grainy and overexposed in a lit room, and dark in low light. The mic is bad. It barely picks up anything and when it does, it sounds like someone is talking through a wall. If this was a cheap sub $40 camera then maybe it’s fine in a pinch, but the price is the same as other more reliable brand names. My old c615 is better than this.
Build
The camera feels light. It’s on a fold out stand that can convert to a clamp or attached to a tripod. It can pivot up and down but not side to side. It includes a clip on lens cover and a 5’ usb cable. It’s plug and play, so no software is needed, but you don’t have a way to adjust the image settings either.
The camera feels light. It’s on a fold out stand that can convert to a clamp or attached to a tripod. It can pivot up and down but not side to side. It includes a clip on lens cover and a 5’ usb cable. It’s plug and play, so no software is needed, but you don’t have a way to adjust the image settings either.
Video
I tested this in a typical well lit home office with a window. WIth the lights on, the video is grainy and overly white. The edges look like they’re overly sharpened. If the light was in the shot, there’s a pink halo around it. WIth the lights off, not even enough to be considered low light, the image is dark looking like a night cam. I tried it with Windows Camera, Discord, and OBS, all had similar results. By comparison, my old 6 year old webcam and laptop camera provided more true to life color. .
I tested this in a typical well lit home office with a window. WIth the lights on, the video is grainy and overly white. The edges look like they’re overly sharpened. If the light was in the shot, there’s a pink halo around it. WIth the lights off, not even enough to be considered low light, the image is dark looking like a night cam. I tried it with Windows Camera, Discord, and OBS, all had similar results. By comparison, my old 6 year old webcam and laptop camera provided more true to life color. .
The auto focus is also bad. It will not focus on anything too close to the lens. You can tell that it’s trying to focus, but it’s slow and barely makes a difference.
Mic
The mic is terrible. I’m about 2 ft away from the camera and it can barely pick up my voice. It’s so low that it sounds muffled like I’m very far away. I have to get right in front of the camera for it to pick up, and it’s still below average level. If you’re using this for a call, you’ll need a dedicated mic. I tested this on 2 different pc’s and against other cameras just to make sure.
The mic is terrible. I’m about 2 ft away from the camera and it can barely pick up my voice. It’s so low that it sounds muffled like I’m very far away. I have to get right in front of the camera for it to pick up, and it’s still below average level. If you’re using this for a call, you’ll need a dedicated mic. I tested this on 2 different pc’s and against other cameras just to make sure.
I don’t recommend this camera. The price to quality is not worth it, even when webcams are in short supply right now. For the price, I would either wait till I can get the better brands or just buy a cheaper alternative.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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BeingHonest's Review Comments
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5HP's take on MacBook Air, and it's good!
By BeingHonest
With an attractive design and lightweight portability, this laptop is a (big) tablet size package with full size laptop performance. The laptop is incredibly thin at a mere 10.4 mm and weighting at 2.45 lbs.
Build:
The exterior is a matte finish trimmed with gloss gold, which is reflected with the keyboard. This finish is nice since it doesn't leave fingerprints but the shinny gold is prone to marks. While personally I'm not a fan of the dark gray and gold, it does have a premium look to it. On the back is the headphone jack, 2 usb type C, and a power port, along with the exhaust along the bottom.
The exterior is a matte finish trimmed with gloss gold, which is reflected with the keyboard. This finish is nice since it doesn't leave fingerprints but the shinny gold is prone to marks. While personally I'm not a fan of the dark gray and gold, it does have a premium look to it. On the back is the headphone jack, 2 usb type C, and a power port, along with the exhaust along the bottom.
Display:
The Spectre comes with a 13 inch IPS 1080p display, and while not on par with a retina display, is clear and sharp. You really don't need a higher resolution for this size. The display setting is default to a custom setting in windows, which I find to be about right. The screen is glossy, which can be annoying. The viewing angle is great! I was surprised that this was an IPS panel.
The Spectre comes with a 13 inch IPS 1080p display, and while not on par with a retina display, is clear and sharp. You really don't need a higher resolution for this size. The display setting is default to a custom setting in windows, which I find to be about right. The screen is glossy, which can be annoying. The viewing angle is great! I was surprised that this was an IPS panel.
Keyboard and trackpad:
The keyboard is a typical chicklet type key and is responsive and easy to type with. It is backlit and with the gold trimmed keys, gives a nice glowing effect. The glass trackpad is nice and smooth and functions like a button with gesture controls (which I mostly disabled). It's essentially an Apple trackpad.
The keyboard is a typical chicklet type key and is responsive and easy to type with. It is backlit and with the gold trimmed keys, gives a nice glowing effect. The glass trackpad is nice and smooth and functions like a button with gesture controls (which I mostly disabled). It's essentially an Apple trackpad.
Speakers:
The speakers sandwich the entire keyboard, and while HP boast that it's custom tuned by Bang & Olufsen, it performs like what you would expect from tiny speakers on a tablet. Not so good, but considering its size, is adequate for watching videos. With music, it tends to crack at higher volumes and the bass is lacking. Still, the speakers can produce good volume and the individual channels stands out.
The speakers sandwich the entire keyboard, and while HP boast that it's custom tuned by Bang & Olufsen, it performs like what you would expect from tiny speakers on a tablet. Not so good, but considering its size, is adequate for watching videos. With music, it tends to crack at higher volumes and the bass is lacking. Still, the speakers can produce good volume and the individual channels stands out.
Performance:
With an i7 and 8 gb of ram, this laptop can handle any day to day task without a hitch. Just don't expect to do any modern gaming with this. Thanks to its PCIe SSD, this thing is fast. It boots up faster than my gaming desktop. But with only 256gb of storage, you might need an external drive. I'm used to gaming laptop so to me the battery life is very good. I can get at least 5 hours of use without optimizing the brightness and performance. It takes a few hours to fully charge and you should be good to go for a while. There doesn't seem to be a way to replace the ssd or battery so I'm hoping they last. I have one major issue with the performance, and is that it can get hot, not warm, but hot. Installing windows update, this laptop got too hot to be in my lap. Doing multitasking can get quite warm as well.
With an i7 and 8 gb of ram, this laptop can handle any day to day task without a hitch. Just don't expect to do any modern gaming with this. Thanks to its PCIe SSD, this thing is fast. It boots up faster than my gaming desktop. But with only 256gb of storage, you might need an external drive. I'm used to gaming laptop so to me the battery life is very good. I can get at least 5 hours of use without optimizing the brightness and performance. It takes a few hours to fully charge and you should be good to go for a while. There doesn't seem to be a way to replace the ssd or battery so I'm hoping they last. I have one major issue with the performance, and is that it can get hot, not warm, but hot. Installing windows update, this laptop got too hot to be in my lap. Doing multitasking can get quite warm as well.
Overall this laptop performs to my expectations. It's thin and light and can handle everyday tasks smoothly. There's not much HP bloatware, which I find refreshing. It comes with a usb C adapter and a slip cover, but in my case is a tad too small and tight. Even with some of its shortcomings, I can't fault it too much given how much was packed into such a small form factor.
This laptop was provided to me for my honest review.
BeingHonest
austin, tx
Thanks for update
June 25, 2016
Thanks for letting me know about the ssd and battery. I didn't see any way to remove the cover, but good to know it's doable. And yes I no longer put it on my lap (laptop-the irony) due to the heat issue. The ventilation is one of the issue I have with this thing, but it's still a good machine.
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Enhance work productivity and gaming with this Alienware Aurora liquid cooled desktop computer. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM deliver optimal power to support efficient multitasking, and the 256GB SSD and 1TB SATA HDD keep files and apps organized. This Alienware Aurora desktop computer's high-definition audio and NVIDIA GeForce graphics provide an immersive media experience.
What motherboard is used
No brand name if that's what you're asking. It's a Dell made board.
5 years, 2 months ago
by
BeingHonest
Enhance work productivity and gaming with this Alienware Aurora liquid cooled desktop computer. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM deliver optimal power to support efficient multitasking, and the 256GB SSD and 1TB SATA HDD keep files and apps organized. This Alienware Aurora desktop computer's high-definition audio and NVIDIA GeForce graphics provide an immersive media experience.
Does this have a 850 w power supply? Which brand/ model video card is used for this rtx 2070?
Not sure about the power supply (not visible without taking it out), but with Dell you won't be getting any brand name parts. Just generic grade. The 2070 is a blower style.
5 years, 2 months ago
by
BeingHonest
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
Really wanna buy these headphones, but does the ANC from these (Sony) create an undesirable pressure to the eardrums? Tried the Bose, they hurt my ears after a while...
I think your case is unique. I haven't heard about noise cancelling causing pain. I have both the Sony and Bose and all I can say is that they are similar, but with the Sony you can adjust the level of NC so that it has less effect in their App. By default, the Sony has a bit of a hiss. It's worth a shot.
6 years, 8 months ago
by
BeingHonest
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
I am moving to Australia & hear different information about the power adapters. Do I need a converter to charge this HP laptop internationally? I have the adapter & a converter. Just want to be on the safe side. Thank you!
On the power brick, it says that it takes 100-240v so it should be fine internationally.
8 years ago
by
BeingHonest
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
Which available adapter is recommended for using with: HDMI screen Ethernet RJ45 network 2 regular USB ports (for wireless keyboard/ printer/ disk on key, not usb-c) Charging ?
There's no HDMI or ethernet out. It only comes with 2 usb-c so you'll just need an adapter to connect to non usb-c devices.
8 years ago
by
BeingHonest
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
has anyone else had a problem with the speakers?!?! will be playing something and speakers just suddenly cut out. wifi connection fine, tested on video downloaded on device as well but still same issue.
Seems like you have a defected item. I've had this for about a week and haven't experience such issues.
8 years ago
by
BeingHonest
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
Online, the estimated battery life is 9.5 hours. How accurate is this estimate?
Real world applications would probably get about half of that. I get about 4-5 hours of moderate use.
8 years ago
by
BeingHonest
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
What users is this directed towards?
Mainly target for everyday users or office workers that needs portability and good performance. For instance if you're looking to get a macbook air or surface pro (only without touch screen).
8 years ago
by
BeingHonest
Stay cool with this Honeywell Turbo Force HT-906 table fan that features 120° extra-wide horizontal oscillation to help keep a large area comfortable. The pivoting head can be adjusted up to 60° for flexible positioning.
How quiet or loud is this fan?
Tired of noisy fans; how is this one for noise? Thanks.
It's a bit quieter but really no quieter than any oscillating fan I've had. This is just smaller and has decent air flow.
8 years, 9 months ago
by
BeingHonest
austin, tx