AlanInHouston's stats
- Review count41
- Helpfulness votes571
- First reviewMarch 21, 2014
- Last reviewAugust 11, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.8
- Review comment count27
- Helpfulness votes48
- First review commentFebruary 2, 2015
- Last review commentAugust 7, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
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- Answer count21
- Helpfulness votes16
- First answerSeptember 22, 2014
- Last answerJuly 16, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
Samsung Galaxy Avant No-Contract Cell Phone: A soft, leather-like back makes this phone easy-to-grip during long phone calls. Simplify phone operation by using voice commands to answer calls or send text messages, and streamline your home screen with Easy Mode that enlarges icons.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
This version of the Samsung Avant is a very nice 4g LTE phone for people with a MetroPcs monthly plan. There is a slightly different version for people with a T-Mobile monthly plan, so make sure to buy the version for your provider. Both T-Mobile and MetroPcs has regular promotions when they sell the Avant for half off list price.
The Avant is almost the same size as the smaller version of the new Apple iPhone 6, which makes the Avant much smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S5. The Avant is a perfect fit for smaller hands, yet has a large 4.5 inch screen.
The Avant has 4g LTE which enables it to download music or videos very quickly and to easily stream videos from Netflix. It has good call quality and it is easy for you to understand your callers and for them to hear you clearly. It has options for phone calling that include background noise reduction, boosting the volume and clarity of your voice, and balancing the speaker for people using hearing aids.
Both the front speaker and the rear speakerphone are a tad lower in volume than the average phone, so hearing a caller when you are in a noisy environment can be difficult.
Music sounds great through good headphones and bluetooth speakers. Netflix movies stream smoothly on 4g LTE and look good on the large 4.5 inch screen.
The Avant has 10gb of open internal memory to store apps and games, compared with only 1gb or 2gb of memory on most phones in its price range. That is a huge bonus because Android Kitkat forces you to leave most apps and games in the internal memory, even after you add a 32gb or 64gb memory card to store your music, photos, videos and movies.
The rear camera takes good photos outdoors in bright sunlight if you turn on manual focusing (the green circle) and hold the camera steady for the two seconds it takes for focus to lock. Indoor photos are of lower quality.
The front Skype/Selfie camera is low quality and produces poor photos even in bright sunlight.
The battery will last 12 to 14 hours on a charge with moderate use and 24 hours with light use. However, using GPS navigation or streaming movies over 4G LTE will drain the battery in just 3 or 4 hours, so keep a charger handy. Keeping the screen brightness at 40% or 50% indoors helps.
When your battery gets low, such as down to 10%, you can switch to a "SuperSaver" battery mode that extends battery life for an extra 12 hours or so, as long as you only use the phone for texting or short phone calls.
Samsung loaded up the Avant with most of the software that is on the Galaxy S5, most of which most people will never use. I deleted or disabled most of that extra stuff and then installed my own favorite apps and replaced the Samsung keyboard and Samsung texting app with the Google keyboard and the Textra app.
The Avant provides 90% of the features of the Galaxy S5 in a more compact size that fits well in smaller hands, for 20% of the price.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+20points
20of 20voted this as helpful.
With 34x optical zoom, this Nikon Coolpix L830 digital camera makes it easy to capture stunningly clear images of faraway subjects. The 3" LCD features a tilting design to provide a clear view of images at a variety of angles.Memory card sold separately.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
This is the only Super Zoom camera in its price range that can be set on "Easy Auto" mode and most photos will look good. The auto focus is fast and reliable. The anti-shake mode makes it possible to zoom in on a bird 100 yards away and get a sharp photo.
It uses AA batteries which are easy to find. A set of Ultimate Lithium batteries would last many people a year (about 2,000 photos).
The display screen tilts to useful angles and is twice as sharp as most screens.
The lack of manual modes is the only weak point.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Kyocera Hydro Life 610214636867 No-Contract Cell Phone for MetroPCS: Designed for those who love the outdoors, the Kyocera Hydro Life can handle nearly anything life throws at it with a waterproof and shock-resistant design that meets Military Standard 810G and is IPX7 certified. If you lose your way on one of your many adventures, just use the built-in GPS to get back on track.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
The Hydro Life is the best waterproof phone on MetroPcs, with a nice 4.5 inch screen, good call quality, a large amount of storage for apps and games, and a camera that takes adequate photos in bright sunlight.
The Kyocera phones sold by MetroPcs in the past were buggy, lacked adequate memory, and had inconsistent call quality. The Life is Kyocera's best phone to date and its large amount of storage for apps and games raises it above the MetroPcs phones in its price range.
The Metro/T-Mobile HSPA+ 4G network is fast enough to stream Pandora or Spotify or watch YouTube videos. Use the coverage map on the MetroPcs website to verify the strength of the Metro network in your neighborhood.
The mediocre camera is a weak point, but none of the MetroPcs phones in this price range have cameras that are much better.
Music sounds great with high quality headphones and you can add a 32mb microSD card to store your favorite songs.
MetroPcs stores sell a gel case for the Hydro Life that fits perfectly and it gives you a more secure grip on your phone.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
LG Realm No-Contract Cell Phone for Boost Mobile: You can multitask with ease using the LG Realm, which features QSlide, so you can use 2 different apps simultaneously. Snap a quick photo using the 5.0MP rear-facing camera, then personalize it with notes and doodles using QuickMemo. If you accidentally drop your phone, the 4.5" Gorilla Glass 3 touch screen is built to withstand the impact.See coverage maps to determine whether service is available in your area.
Customer Rating
3
Nice Phone Held Back By Boost 3G Network
on September 22, 2014
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
Age:55-64
Phone size:Just right
The LG Realm had the potential to be a GREAT phone, but Boost limited the Realm to the Boost 3G network, which is by far, the slowest data network in America. That makes the Realm a poor choice for people who want to surf the internet or watch videos on their phone. Boost Mobile offers phones with 4G LTE for a similar price.
But, many people want a phone simply for making phone calls and sending text messages, or reading email. The Realm does those things very well. It has a big and bright screen and music sounds great through good headphones or bluetooth speakers. Callers sound clear when you are in a strong signal area.
The Realm can be upgraded by adding a 32gb microSD card to carry your favorite music and videos with you. Its low price makes a better choice for music than the Apple iPod Touch.
What's great about it: Good Call Quality and Big Screen
What's not so great: Slow, Slow, Slow Boost Mobile 3G Network
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Picture Quality
3
Battery Life
4
Sound Quality
4
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+15points
15of 15voted this as helpful.
Easily access the Web on the go with this MetroPCS ZTE Concord II 610214635327 cell phone that features 4G speed and Wi-Fi calling and 4G mobile hotspot capabilities for flexible Internet connectivity. The 4" touch screen simplifies navigation.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
Phone size:Just right
Lots of people need a phone just for phone calls and texting and the Concord II does a good job. There are two almost identical versions, one for T-Mobile and one for MetroPcs. Both share the T-Mobile 4G HSPA+ network that currently reaches about 70% of American homes. The 4G HSPA+ network serves the fifty largest American cities and is fast enough to stream videos.
Phone calls sound very clear if you live in an area with a strong T-Mobile/MetroPcs signal. The rear speakerphone is also loud and clear. Music sounds great through good headphones or bluetooth speakers.
The four inch screen is not very sharp, but colors are natural looking and videos look very good over Netflix and Vevo. The battery charge will last about four hours if you are watching videos over wifi, streaming music, and constantly looking at web pages. It will last 16 hours to 18 hours if you are just making short phone calls and sending text messages. A nice wall charger is included with the Concord II.
The camera takes just average photos outdoors in bright sunlight, and rather poor photos indoors with flash. There is NO front camera for "Selfies" and Skype calling.
The tiny amount of internal memory limits your ability to install new apps or games. You must delete or disable the pre-installed apps that you will never use (Google Magazines, Google+, Google TV, etc.) to have room for new apps. You can add a 16gb or 32gb microSD memory card for music, videos and photos, but most apps and games must remain in the tiny 1gb of internal memory.
If the only thing you do with a phone is make phone calls, send texts, and maybe listen to Pandora Radio or watch YouTube videos, the Concord II is a good phone at a good price. If you need a zillion apps or want to play high powered games, it is not the right phone for you.
What's great about it: Good Quality For Phone Calls And Texting
What's not so great: Limited Memory For Apps & Games, Mediocre Camera
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
2
Battery Life
3
Sound Quality
4
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
With a 4" TFT touch screen, this T-Mobile Prepaid ZTE Concord II Z730 no-contract cell phone delivers clear images and makes it easy to navigate content. The Qualcomm dual-core processor features a 1.2GHz processor speed for lightning-fast performance.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Houston, Tx
Age:55-64
Phone size:Just right
The Concord II is available in models for both T-Mobile and MetroPcs, and both run on the T-Mobile/MetroPcs 4G network. The Concord II is a basic android phone, designed for people who just want to make phone calls and send texts.
It has only a tiny bit of internal memory, which limits how many apps and games you can install. You can open up some space by deleting or disabling the apps you never use. You can add up to 32gb of memory with a MicroSD card for music, photos, and videos.
The camera takes average photos in bright sunlight and poor photos indoors. There is no front "Selfie" camera. Music sounds great with good headphones or bluetooth speakers. Voices sound clear through both the rear speakerphone and the front phone speaker.
The four inch screen is not very sharp, but it has natural looking colors so videos from Netflix and Vevo look very good. The battery charge will last only three hours or so if you are watching videos over wifi, but it can last 16 hours to 18 hours on a charge if you are just making short phone calls and sending text messages.
Voice quality on phone calls can be excellent, almost landline quality, if you live in a neighborhood with a strong 4G signal from T-Mobile./MetroPCS. Their 4G signal reaches about 70% of American homes.
The Concord II is a good phone if you just want to text and make phone calls. If you need lots of apps and games or a really good camera, it is not the best choice.
What's great about it: Good For Phone Calls And Texting, Good For Music
What's not so great: Limited Memory For Apps & Games, Mediocre Camera
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
2
Battery Life
3
Sound Quality
4
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+13points
13of 13voted this as helpful.
This MetroPCS LG Optimus L70 610214635211 cell phone features 4G speed, so you can access the Web on the go. The 4.5" touch screen simplifies content navigation, and the 5.0MP rear-facing and VGA front-facing cameras allow clear image capture.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
The LG Optimus L70 is a good phone locked to the MetroPcs network. Its big weakness is a tiny 1gb of storage for apps and games, which limits you to a small number of apps. Strong points are the big 4.5 inch screen, smooth Kitkat Android software, good voice quality on calls, wi-fi calling, and a camera that works well in bright sunlight. It lacks 4G LTE but its 4G HSPA is fast enough to stream music and videos in a strong signal area.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+39points
41of 43voted this as helpful.
Stay connected with this MetroPCS LG Optimus M+ LGMS695-R no-contract cell phone that features 3G speed for fast data transfer and built-in Wi-Fi for access to e-mail, apps and more. The 3.5" capacitive touch screen simplifies navigation.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Texas
Phone size:Compact
Three years ago, this would have been a good choice for MetroPcs customers. A lot has happened over the years. Gingerbread software was replaced by Ice Cream Sandwich, which was replaced by Jelly Bean, which was replaced by Kitkat. This phone is THREE generations behind.
The 3.5 inch screen was okay in 2010, but 4.5 inches and 4.7 inches are the 2014 standard. Slow 3G data speeds have been replaced by much faster 4G and 4G LTE data speeds.
MetroPcs is selling new 2014 models with 4.5 inch screens and Android Kitkat for as little as $50. Who would pay MORE than $50 for a phone that is three years old, using out of date software with slow 3G speeds?
What's not so great: The Software, Screen and 3G data speeds
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Picture Quality
3
Battery Life
2
Sound Quality
3
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
View Web sites, check your e-mail and more on the go with this MetroPCS Alcatel ONETOUCH Evolve 610214634283 cell phone that features 4G LTE speed for fast Internet access. The 4" touch screen helps simplify content navigation.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Texas
Phone size:Compact
There are people for whom a very basic phone is perfect. If you are giving a phone to a ten year old child or to your 80 year old grandmother, they may be happy with a phone that can be used only for phone calls and texts. The Evolve is a good phone for such people.
For the rest of us, the Evolve would be frustrating. It has very slow 3G data speeds which limit its ability to download music or stream videos. It has a tiny amount of storage for apps. You can add a 32GB micro SD memory card, but most apps can NOT be moved from internal memory. When internal memory is filled, the Evolve stops working. Just ONE large game will totally fill the Evolve's tiny memory.
Battery life is poor. You can get through a 16 hour day with a few short phone calls and texts. But, if you watch videos over wifi, or use GPS navigation, the battery drains to zero in just two or three hours. Just reading the news on the internet drains the battery by 10% or 15% in just thirty minutes.
The camera takes okay photos in bright sunlight, but has NO flash so your photos indoors will be poor. Music sounds great through high quality headphones or bluetooth speakers, but thin and weak through the Evolve's rear speaker. A plus: The Evolve connects reliably to wifi and to Bluetooth for streaming music. Add a 32GB micro SD card and the Evolve is a terrific way to listen to your music. The weak battery means you need to keep a charger handy.
The Evolve sells for a very low price, so you can feel good about giving it to a child or taking it on a camping trip. But, it is too limited for most adults to enjoy using as their primary phone. Best Buy sells MUCH better phones for MetroPcs customers than the Evolve.
What's great about it: Low Price, Compact Size
What's not so great: Slow 3G speeds, short battery life, limited apps storage
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Picture Quality
2
Battery Life
2
Sound Quality
3
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+5points
6of 7voted this as helpful.
This Verizon Wireless Prepaid LG Optimus Exceed 2 LG-VS450PP cell phone's touch screen makes it easy to navigate features. A 5.0MP rear-facing camera lets you capture clear images to share with friends and relatives.
Posted by: AlanInHouston
from Texas
Age:55-64
Phone size:Just right
The LG Exceed 2 is the best low priced 3G phone on Verizon. And THAT is the problem, as the Verizon 3G data network is painfully slow. The Exceed 2 does NOT have 4G data speeds although some ads may incorrectly include 4G.
The large 4.5 inch screen has good color and contrast. The battery lasts 12 hours with moderate use and 24 hours with light use, impressive for an Android phone.
WARNING: it has a tiny 1gb of storage for apps and games and most apps and games can not be moved to the external micro sd card. You must delete or disable apps before you can install a new app. If you fill up the internal memory, the phone will malfunction or freeze up. The largest games are too large to install.
The camera is just okay in bright sunlight but mediocre indoors. Call quality is excellent in strong signal areas.
Music is fine with headphones or bluetooth but thin and shrill through the rear speaker. You can add a 32 GB micro sd card to hold your music.
The Android Kitkat software ensures the Exceed 2 can use even the newest 2014 apps.
The Exceed 2 is sold by MetroPcs as the LG L70. The Metro version has 4G HSPA+ 21, which will give it 400% faster data speeds than the Exceed 2.
What's great about it: Large 4.5 Screen In A Compact Body At Good Price
What's not so great: Slooow 3G Data Speeds Only - No 4G On Verizon
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Picture Quality
3
Battery Life
5
Sound Quality
3
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+17points
18of 19voted this as helpful.
Samsung Galaxy Avant No-Contract Cell Phone: A soft, leather-like back makes this phone easy-to-grip during long phone calls. Simplify phone operation by using voice commands to answer calls or send text messages, and streamline your home screen with Easy Mode that enlarges icons.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Don't be fooled: This is NOT an Unlocked Phone
By gfinnov
I learned about this phone from another seller, but BestBuy.com's price for it was so much better that I bought it here. I have a pay-as-you-go plan from T-Mobile, and this seemed like the perfect device for someone who would like to have smartphone capability, but doesn't make or receive many cellphone calls. After installing my T-Mobile sim card, this phone asked for an Unlock key. It turns out that this phone is locked (owned?) by MetroPCS, and they will not provide an unlock key for it--unless you buy MetroPCS service, of course. The service rep at my local Best Buy made a valiant attempt to get this to work, but MetroPCS was unyielding. How bestbuy.com can promote this as an "unlocked" phone when it is not is beyond me. (Apparently you can buy a truly unlocked version of this phone from other vendors, but at $70 above bestbuy.com's locked phone price.)
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Bestbuy Correctly Labels As Locked to Provider
February 2, 2015
Bestbuy's website makes clear that the Avant is sold in two versions, one locked to T-Mobile and one locked to MetroPcs. If you buy the incorrect version, Bestbuy staff will be happy to exchange it or to refund your money.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good, not great, budget phone
By LovinTech
I needed a quick, low cost replacement for my old phone and this one fit the bill, albeit only just. It is a great looking device and feels high quality in the hand despite the plastic case, has a decent display, and is reasonably speedy for most tasks. The big downer is the paltry 8gb of onboard memory, which at the time of purchase I thought would be plenty with the 64gb SD card I added. Unfortunately, I cannot port app install to the SD card, meaning the internal storage is used up fairly quickly. Not a big deal most days because I am not a mindless app junkie, but when a large OS update comes through it is necessary to uninstall a number of apps. It's a pain that I am willing to live with given the low cost of entry. With 16gb I would have given it a 5 star rating.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Move Apps To SD Card
October 22, 2015
Install a MicroSD card and select "store apps, music, photos, videos" on SD card. Delete any app you think requires a large amount of storage. Then reinstall the app and it will go to the SD card. I have about 50 apps and still have 2.8gb of open internal memory.
Windows 10 will let me move my maps to the SD card, boosting my open internal memory to 3.2 GB.
+7points
7of 7voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good choice, good price
By OnAbudget
Fast, clean interface, overall functionality is excellent. The only drawback is that the app store is barren, and the only web browser is Internet Explorer.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Browser Choices
October 22, 2015
There are a variety of browser choices in the Windows sore, including Opera. Due to Google's ongoing war against Microsoft, most Google apps are not in the Windows store. But, Microsoft maps, unlike Google maps, enables you to use GPS navigation even when you are not near a cell tower, a life saving feature.
I have downloaded about 50 apps, including Netflix, Pandora, and the New York Times. If your bank lacks a Windows app, just pin their internet sign in page to your start page.
On both T-Mobile and AT&T, the 640 has provided better phone call voice clarity than any android phone I have owned, as well as fast and reliable texting and email. Android may have better games selection. Windows provides a premium quality experience for business use.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall
5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent windows phone
By smartphonelover
This is an excellent phone with all the features that you are looking for in a smartphone. The screen is 5 inches with 720p display. It has 1 GB memory and 8 GB storage and can be extended to 128 GB with an SD card. It has 8 MP rear camera with flash and 1 MP front camera. The rear camera takes more than enough quality pics in the day light and reasonably good in low light conditions. The touch is smooth and the performance is seamless, although it has 1 GB RAMl. And coming to the apps on windows, we all know there are a fewer apps compared to android and apple stores, but you can find most of the useful apps on windows store, too.
AT&T can unlock the phone for free even if you are non AT&T customer. Follow the link below and select "Non-ATT customer" and submit the form.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/?partner=LinkShare&siteId=lw9MynSeamY-27Cz9Cgob5cKAapkeNF7Bw?partner=LinkShare&siteId=lw9MynSeamY-JmYnh6m0nmMTxxW1su5HNg#/
AT&T can unlock the phone for free even if you are non AT&T customer. Follow the link below and select "Non-ATT customer" and submit the form.
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/?partner=LinkShare&siteId=lw9MynSeamY-27Cz9Cgob5cKAapkeNF7Bw?partner=LinkShare&siteId=lw9MynSeamY-JmYnh6m0nmMTxxW1su5HNg#/
Once you unlock, it can be used on any GSM network that takes a SIM in the world since it is a quad band phone. But, it may not have LTE speeds for all the networks.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Unlocking Lumia 640 LTE
October 28, 2015
Yes, AT&T will email you the unlock code for the Lumia 640 GoPhone IF you do NOT activate the phone before unlocking it. However, the LTE bands of the GoPhone are matched to AT&T and the GoPhone lacks the Band 12 LTE required by T-Mobile and MetroPcs, so they will NOT activate an unlocked GoPhone. T-Mobile and MetroPcs customers should buy the version of the Lumia 640 sold at MetroPcs stores with Band 12.
Likewise, people who unlock the GoPhone to use it in South America or Europe may find that they can make phone calls and send text messages, but they can not connect to their local 4G LTE network. The GoPhone is designed ONLY for the AT&T LTE network.
I am using a GoPhone on the AT&T network and I also am using the T-Mobile version on the MetroPcs network. Both are terrific phones, but the T-Mobile version seems to have slightly better phone call quality, perhaps due to the use of Band 12 LTE.
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Have had issues with this product
By polknbeans
Does not provide good directions to fix problems you have.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Download The Owner's Manual
October 28, 2015
You can download a massive and detailed owner's manual for the 640. Just Google for "free download pdf manual Lumia 640". Work your way through the manual page by page with the phone in your hands so you can try out each feature that is explained in the manual.
It is very difficult to hurt your 640 by experimenting with settings. You can go into the settings menu and start at the top and work your way through the settings item by item. I discovered that I could customize the look of my lock screen (including having the current weather on the lockscreen) and the look of my start page. I was able to make the text of menus larger and the default screen brightness even brighter.
I have a friend who is age 96 and who finds cell phones confusing. I was able to customize her 640 so that the ONLY thing on her start page is a large "PHONE" symbol. When she presses on the phone symbol the phone speed dial opens up with the list of her five essential phone numbers with the names and numbers in a VERY large font. She just presses on the name of the person she is calling.
In contrast, I have put all of my favorite apps and internet links on my start page. It looks like a jig saw puzzle, but it lets me do anything I need to do with a single tap.
After you spend a few hours "playing" with settings, you will be able to customize your 640 to be as simple or as complicated as you want. It is BY FAR the easiest phone to adjust to your personal needs.
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Need To Give Full Info
By Careful
This phone is great but what this ad doesn't mention is, if you buy it here, it can only be used with AT&T. It would be nice if this was stated in the ad.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Yes, the GoPhone Is For AT&T
October 28, 2015
Yes, the GoPhone is for AT&T only. The ad could be more clear. Best Buy has always exchanged phones for me, no questions asked, for a 14 day period. Just return the phone and all of the contents of the box in "like new" condition.
If you have NOT yet activated the phone, AT&T will send you an unlock code that lets you use it on other carriers. I was unable to activate an unlocked GoPhone with T-Mobile or MetroPcs as the GoPhone lacks Band 12 LTE, required by T-Mobile. It works fine on Cricket wireless where I currently use a 640 on a $25 per month plan with unlimited phone calls, unlimited long distance, and unlimited texting. Heck of a deal, a $59 phone with unlimited phone calls for just $25 per month.
+6points
7of 8voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Best value for money
By LenJon
You get lot more than what you pay for, if you like windows phone. Decent perfrormance
Cons:
Display not as contrast as the LED versions like lumia 925)
Feels very light in hands like a toy phone and the plasticky back is not very impressive
Cons:
Display not as contrast as the LED versions like lumia 925)
Feels very light in hands like a toy phone and the plasticky back is not very impressive
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Screen's Contrast, Color & Brightness Are Adjustab
November 3, 2015
If you dig down through the settings menu you will find a menu to "fine tune" the screen by adjusting color, contrast, saturation and brightness. I think the default colors are exceptional for a $60 phone, but I used the menu to slightly boost brightness and saturation to enhance Netflix movies.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5It don't let you get apps
By Shay
I don't like this phone because it want let me download apps.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Windows Store Has A Zillion Apps
November 9, 2015
The Windows Store has a zillion apps, and many of the best apps are free. Just set up a Microsoft account for your phone and sign into the store. Because some apps use a huge amount of data to download, your phone may be set to download apps only when you are connected to wifi.
I enjoy the Here navigation app, MSN News, MSN Weather, MSN Sports, Spotify, Pandora and Netflix. All of them free.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft 640 Prepaid Cell Phone for AT&T Prepaid: Stay connected and productive wherever you are with this Prepaid cell phone, which features 4G LTE speed and Wi-Fi for flexible Internet connection options. Easily browse Web sites and flip through features using the 5" touch screen, and snap photos with the 8.0MP rear-facing camera.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Windows is awesome!
By fighted
from Miami, FL
I bought this phone wanting to mess with the Windows phone OS. It was a great experience. The BOOST mobile service has issues with the phone but overall it is easy to use and will recommend over any iPhone.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Which Phone Are You Reviewing
November 13, 2015
I am unsure which phone you are reviewing. This page is for the Lumia 640 LTE on AT&T. Your review mentions Boost Mobile and implies you are unhappy with Boost Mobile. THIS PHONE does not work on Boost Mobile. And, Boost Mobile does not sell the Lumia 640 LTE. If you are on Boost Mobile, you have some other phone.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Dell Inspiron Laptop: Get the efficiency you need in a portable design with this 14" laptop. You can wirelessly link with other devices using the Bluetooth 4.0 interface and connect to the Web with built-in Wi-Fi. Plus, view content on your HDTV by plugging into the HDMI output.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5Patience must be your virtue.
By Shana
I purchased this device while my other computer was being fixed. I only needed SKYPE and access to my email. I did not fully comprehend the limitations of the very slow computer. Perhaps this computer is fine if you do not have any sense of urgency for e-mail or internet. If you have the patience to cope with slow...........this is your product. If so, it is a great deal for the amount of money.
AlanInHouston
Houston, Tx
Speedy After Windows 10 Update
November 15, 2015
The first three days that I had the Inspiron 14 it was plugged in to wall power and connected to the internet for five or six hours each day. Things ran slowly because the computer was downloading and installing a long series of Windows 10 and software updates. After that, it ran swiftly and smoothly.
This week, a HUGE Windows 10 update came out and the Inspiron seems to be struggling again as the update process disrupts other computer functions. I expect that after this update is completed, it will run smoothly again.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
AlanInHouston's Questions
AlanInHouston has not submitted any questions.
Samsung 3 Chromebook: Get compact power with this Samsung Chromebook laptop. Its 11.6-inch HD display provides clear graphics with anti-reflective technology, and its 4GB of RAM and Intel Celeron processor keep multitasking operations moving smoothly. This Samsung Chromebook laptop includes a 720-pixel camera and a 32GB flash drive to store documents, photos and programs.
Can you do videos Skypes on this chromebook?
Yes, but the camera is not the sharpest. It blurs away fine details so I look about fifty, instead of about seventy. I'm okay with that. The speakers are not very loud so headphones or plugging in a speaker such as the JBL Flip would be a good idea.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Samsung 3 Chromebook: Get compact power with this Samsung Chromebook laptop. Its 11.6-inch HD display provides clear graphics with anti-reflective technology, and its 4GB of RAM and Intel Celeron processor keep multitasking operations moving smoothly. This Samsung Chromebook laptop includes a 720-pixel camera and a 32GB flash drive to store documents, photos and programs.
Can you have the google play store and use it to download apps on this laptop?
No. Chromebooks currently use a special Chromebook store for apps, with apps designed specifically for Chromebooks. The Chromebook world is notable for a lack of malware and virus infections and the tightly controlled Chromebook app store is a primary defense against such problems.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Samsung 3 Chromebook: Get compact power with this Samsung Chromebook laptop. Its 11.6-inch HD display provides clear graphics with anti-reflective technology, and its 4GB of RAM and Intel Celeron processor keep multitasking operations moving smoothly. This Samsung Chromebook laptop includes a 720-pixel camera and a 32GB flash drive to store documents, photos and programs.
I need to have microsoft office on my computer for school. I am taking graduate courses and my papers have to be submitted using word not on the google drive. Is it possible to download Microsoft products like Word on this laptop?
Chromebooks use Google Docs to create and edit documents. Google Docs now has the ability to save a document in Microsoft Word format and to edit a document that was created in Microsoft Word format. In addition, Microsoft provides a free online version of Microsoft Word so a Chromebook connected to the internet can use the online Micosoft Word to edit documents. It is my impression that all of these alternatives to the FULL version of Microsoft Word have very simplified formatting options. So, the simple versions are fine for note taking or writing a letter, but they are not designed for a complex document such as a legal brief or a document with footnotes.
It is NOT possible to install the full version of Microsoft Word on a Chromebook. There are $200 Windows 10 laptops from Lenovo that can handle the full version of Microsoft Office and some of them are sold with a free one year license to Microsoft Office, a license worth $70, reducing the net cost of the laptop to about $130.
It is NOT possible to install the full version of Microsoft Word on a Chromebook. There are $200 Windows 10 laptops from Lenovo that can handle the full version of Microsoft Office and some of them are sold with a free one year license to Microsoft Office, a license worth $70, reducing the net cost of the laptop to about $130.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
I'm am wondering if I can run outlook on this? I would be using this for real estate and need this running smoothly.
I have not used Outlook, but the Lenovo has worked well with any ONE app that I have tried, such as LibreOffice, a heavy duty Office replacement. When you have two or three apps running and five or six tabs open on the Edge browser, the computer will slow down or freeze up. The solution is: use only ONE or two apps at a time, and things run smoothly.
The exception would be graphics heavy programs and games. The 2gb of RAM memory and basic graphics chip are a poor match for Photoshop, a video editor, or fast action games with complex graphics.
The exception would be graphics heavy programs and games. The 2gb of RAM memory and basic graphics chip are a poor match for Photoshop, a video editor, or fast action games with complex graphics.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
This laptop will be used to connect with my 94 year old mother via skipe and others. Will be a fast connection with good quality picture/video? what mouse can be added
Skype works well if your home has a strong wifi signal. The camera on the Lenovo requires VERY bright light to produce a good image, and the image is a bit soft. That means your 94 year old mom will look 30 years younger, as the softer image makes everyone look wrinkle free.
You can add a wireless usb mouse if you prefer. The trackpad on the Ideapad is easy to use so most folks will not miss having a mouse.
You can add a wireless usb mouse if you prefer. The trackpad on the Ideapad is easy to use so most folks will not miss having a mouse.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
Can it be fixed easily here in the US
Yes. You would contact Lenovo, get a return authorization number, send it to a USA service station, and then they would return it to you after it is repaired. Lenovo has on line web "chat" so that a tech can help you solve problems at home and also has a toll free number so you can talk with a tech.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
does this computer have a warrenty on it if so how long
One year parts and labor, with mail in to Lenovo. You can purchase extended service contracts from either Best Buy or Lenovo.
In my experience, if a computer has a problem, it will show up during the first week of regular use. When I get a new computer, I leave it plugged in and running 24 hours a day for the first week, and I use it every day. If a problem occurs the first week, Best Buy will exchange it or give you a refund.
In my experience, if a computer has a problem, it will show up during the first week of regular use. When I get a new computer, I leave it plugged in and running 24 hours a day for the first week, and I use it every day. If a problem occurs the first week, Best Buy will exchange it or give you a refund.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
Is this package new or refurbished and what accessories are included in the package? (Cord, charger, manuel, etc...)
Best Buy offers computers as both a NEW computer and as an "open box" computer, which has a lower price. If the "open box" computer is missing any component, that is noted on a label on the box.
The new Lenovo Ideapad 100s includes the computer, its enclosed battery, the charger with attached charging cord, and a sheet of information on how to start up the computer. After you start up the computer, you find that a highly detailed owner's manual is included on the computer itself as a document you can open and read. There are also links to Lenovo websites with answers to standard questions and you have the ability to open a "chat" with a Lenovo technician if you have questions.
The new Lenovo Ideapad 100s includes the computer, its enclosed battery, the charger with attached charging cord, and a sheet of information on how to start up the computer. After you start up the computer, you find that a highly detailed owner's manual is included on the computer itself as a document you can open and read. There are also links to Lenovo websites with answers to standard questions and you have the ability to open a "chat" with a Lenovo technician if you have questions.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Only at Best BuyLenovo Ideapad 100s Laptop: This laptop features a compact design and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect to the Internet, stream videos, type up notes or view photos wherever you go. USB ports let you connect a variety of accessories.
On the box says "this product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm" SHOULD I BUY THIS LAPTOP? what does this mean Explain.
ALL computers contain dangerous chemicals and materials. Those materials are INSIDE the computer and inside the battery, so there is ZERO risk when you use a computer in a normal way. However, the folks who recycle batteries and computers must be carefully trained so that they do not harm themselves when removing components and they must avoid putting those components into landfills where rain runoff could take chemicals into the local water supply.
Some people let kids play with/take apart broken computers to learn how they are made. Bad idea. In particular, misuse or abuse of a laptop battery could expose the child to chemicals or even the risk of fire or explosions.
Some people let kids play with/take apart broken computers to learn how they are made. Bad idea. In particular, misuse or abuse of a laptop battery could expose the child to chemicals or even the risk of fire or explosions.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
AlanInHouston
Dell Inspiron Laptop: Get the efficiency you need in a portable design with this 14" laptop. You can wirelessly link with other devices using the Bluetooth 4.0 interface and connect to the Web with built-in Wi-Fi. Plus, view content on your HDTV by plugging into the HDMI output.
Can this computer run Rosetta Stone?
Does this computer meet the requirements to run Rosetta Stone?
Yes. It will run fine. You may need to add a 32gb MicroSD card to avoid using the tiny 8gb of open memory in the Inspiron.
8 years ago
by
AlanInHouston