TechnicallyWell's stats
- Review count146
- Helpfulness votes1,845
- First reviewDecember 6, 2009
- Last reviewJune 30, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count21
- Helpfulness votes28
- First answerDecember 6, 2009
- Last answerNovember 27, 2021
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- Best answers5
Connecting virtually with friends and co-workers gets a major upgrade with the monitor’s built-in camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. You’ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound. Versatile USB-C connectivity delivers video, audio and data, and charges your laptop. Plus, with just one cord, you'll have a clutter-free desk space. A super clear 5MP IR pop-up camera features facial recognition through Windows Hello for convenient, instant sign-on to Windows. The best part? The camera stays hidden until you're ready for video chatting or selfies. A height-adjustable stand and a monitor that tilts, swivels and pivots so you look your best and feel your best for all-day conferencing.
Customer Rating
5
Monitor and USB-C Hub in one
on October 21, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Features
Probably the standout feature for this monitor is the fact that it basically has the functionality of a USB-C hub built into it! With just one USB-C cable (included), you can connect this monitor to a compatible laptop in order to:
- Extend the display to this monitor
- Charge your laptop
- Add a Windows Hello-compatible webcam and microphone
- Add speakers (built-in to this Dell monitor)
- Add two USB devices (such as a keyboard or mouse) using the 2 USB ports on the monitor
- Extend the display to this monitor
- Charge your laptop
- Add a Windows Hello-compatible webcam and microphone
- Add speakers (built-in to this Dell monitor)
- Add two USB devices (such as a keyboard or mouse) using the 2 USB ports on the monitor
This is extremely convenient for hybrid work and learning from home, as when you want to work from home, you can simply connect the USB-C cable to your (hopefully) compatible work laptop and get a full desktop experience. Then if your significant other or child needs to connect their (hopefully) compatible laptop to work at the same desk, swapping is just a matter of unplugging the USB-C cable from one laptop and plugging in the next.
So which computers are compatible? You’ll probably need to Google the technical specs of your laptop to see if it supports DisplayPort 1.2 via USB-C. Most modern Dell laptops with a USB-C port seem to work, but there is no rule that states that a manufacturer must support DisplayPort if they include a USB-C port on a machine.
The USB-C cable also supports charging via the Power Delivery standard up to 65 watts. Even if your laptop came with a more powerful charger (such as a 100-watt charger), it might still accept a smaller charge over USB-C at a slower rate. Again, you may need to Google the specs of your laptop because there is no definite rule that a USB-C port must support charging.
## Performance
The display on this monitor is vivid and clear and both photos and movies look great on it. The IPS panel allows the display to look sharp even when it is at an angle. And the monitor can be set to a low 4ms refresh rate for casual gaming. Just note that this is not a 4K monitor as it maxes out at a 1080 resolution.
I tested this monitor with the Dell G15 gaming laptop (which came with a 100-watt charger) and although it didn’t seem to indicate that it was charging, it seemed to discharge at a slower rate. The display, camera, and USB devices connected to the monitor all worked correctly regardless. Testing this monitor with the new Surface Pro 8 tablet produced similar results and did indeed activate the charging indicator in Windows.
The built-in webcam can be lowered into the monitor for privacy when not in use. When you’re ready to make a video call, simply press down on it to pop it up. The video quality is great in bright lighting conditions but does become very grainy in low light. If you have a relatively dark home office, you may need to add a light ring to your setup to get the best picture quality.
The speakers are fine for online meetings, but they can sound tinny and are not great for music due to their lack of bass.
## Summary
Although this monitor is pricier than many other 24-inch monitors, it does include a USB-C hub and Windows Hello hardware that could cost a couple hundred extra if purchased separately. The display, charging, webcam, and USB ports work great, but you’ll need to make sure your laptop supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery via USB-C in order to take advantage of all of the features.
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Next-level versatility comes in the perfect pair — Surface Slim Pen 2 stores securely and recharges in the premium keyboard, featuring a large glass touchpad and luxurious, Alcantara material covering. Ready to pair with Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X.*
Customer Rating
5
Perfect companion to the Surface Pro 8
on October 20, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
This is the keyboard to get with the new Surface Pro 8. The Surface Pro Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 is comfortable to type on, although it feels somewhat delicate due to its thinness, so if you need to write an angry email, don’t take it out on this keyboard. The built-in trackpad is responsive and works well for pointing, scrolling, and tapping. The keyboard also includes a space to store the Slim Pen 2 in the section that normally faces up against the tablet, so you can be sure the pen doesn’t fall out. The Slim Pen 2 works well for doodling or marking up a PDF, and there is an adjustable tactile engine for the pen that can make it “feel” like you’re writing on paper (although, I had to adjust the tactile feedback to the max of 100 to really notice it).
When not in use, this keyboard cover folds up against the screen to protect it with a light magnetic closure that helps keep it closed.
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Unlock more possibilities than ever with the Pro designed for a Pro like you. The first consumer laptop-to-tablet PC designed on the Intel Evo platform⁹ and designed to light up the best of Windows 11, Surface Pro 8 combines the power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, and every angle in between. Do great things with a larger 13” touchscreen, faster connections with Thunderbolt 4 ports, and extra speed when you need it.
Customer Rating
5
Sleek, thin design; powerful performance
on October 20, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Design
In previous generations of the Surface line, the popular opinion seemed to be that people liked the design of the Surface Pro X, but wanted the beefier processor of the Intel version such as the Surface Pro 7. Well, thankfully, the Surface Pro 8 features the best of both worlds: the slim, sleek design of the “X” with the power of an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.
The Surface Pro 8 features an aluminum exterior available in a new graphite color of which I’m a big fan. The kickstand is still located on the back and works great when using the Surface Pro 8 on a desk, but it’s less ideal for using on your lap since you need to keep your legs in the proper position to support the stand.
## Performance
The power of the Intel Core i7 processor in the particular model I’m reviewing is definitely noticeable. Applications and web pages open in a flash and even ad-heavy websites don’t seem to bog down Edge or Chrome. The 16GB of RAM included in this model handles multiple browser tabs and applications with ease. Microsoft Word only takes about 1 second to load! The built-in 256GB SSD should be sufficient for most people, but note that it only had about 190GB of space available out of the box.
The display on the Surface Pro 8 is simply gorgeous. It has a 2880 x 1920 resolution with vivid colors and even features a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be reduced to 60Hz to prolong battery life. So while the display is not quite 4K, movies and videos still look great on this screen.
You’ll likely want to get the keyboard for the unit, so figure on adding a couple extra hundred dollars to the cost of the unit. The Surface Pro Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 is comfortable to type on, although it feels somewhat delicate due to its thinness, so if you need to write an angry email, don’t take it out on this keyboard. The built-in trackpad is responsive and works well for pointing, scrolling, and tapping. The keyboard also includes a space to store the Slim Pen 2 in the section that normally faces up against the tablet, so you can be sure the pen doesn’t fall out. The Slim Pen 2 works well for doodling or marking up a PDF, and there is an adjustable tactile engine for the pen that can make it “feel” like you’re writing on paper (although, I had to adjust the tactile feedback to the max of 100 to really notice it).
Even the webcam and microphone perform much better than your typical Windows laptop, which is important in this day and age of the hybrid work environment. Webcam images look sharp (and support Windows Hello for fast logins) and the microphones pick up my voice well while doing a decent job of filtering out background sounds.
## Windows 11
The Surface Pro 8 includes Windows 11 out of the box… sort of. It seems there is an early release version installed on the tablet as the initial setup process requires a long download and installation to finalize Windows 11. Therefore, be aware that you’ll need a good internet connection to initially set up the device.
I like the fact that Windows 11 appears to be more a cosmetic change than a complete overhaul of the operating system like Windows XP was. I haven’t noticed any major issues with any of my applications or drivers. While I primarily use macOS as my daily driver, having the icons centered in the taskbar helps me feel more at home on Windows. The windows have rounded corners and translucency is used throughout the operating system, not like Windows Vista, but more subtly.
I like having widgets and was somewhat sad when Vista’s “gadgets” were discontinued, but widgets are back in Windows 11 with a dedicated spot on the taskbar that is separate from the Start menu. However, the selection of widgets seems to be limited to those made by Microsoft at this time. Also, I wish the widget could “live” on the desktop instead of inside a dedicated taskbar icon. I could see a common use case where, when you’re closing all of your windows at the end of the day, it would be nice to see the traffic widget on your desktop so you know what your evening commute will be like.
## Battery Life
While Microsoft states you can get up to 16 hours of battery life, that might be a bit of a stretch. After about an hour of general web browsing and document editing, the battery dropped about 10%, so I would say you’re more likely to get 8-10 hours before you need to charge. This is still impressive and likely enough to get you through most of your workday, although meetings and video calls will presumably drain the battery faster.
I was happy to find the inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the side of the unit, allowing me to connect the tablet to my Belkin USB-C hub to use my keyboard, mouse, and ultra-widescreen monitor while charging the Surface Pro 8, all with just one cord. Windows 11 seems to handle docking and undocking with ease and doesn’t completely make a mess of all of my open windows.
## Summary
The Surface Pro 8 tablet features fast performance and a beautiful 13” display in a thin and sleek design. Two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports give you flexibility for docking with an external monitor and charging. Battery life should get you through most of your day. While the keyboard is comfortable to type on, be sure to factor in the extra cost as it is sold separately.
Mobile Submission: False
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Introducing MX Keys Mini, a smaller, smarter, and mightier minimalist wireless keyboard made for creators. The minimalist form factor provides improved ergonomics by aligning your shoulders and allowing you to place your mouse closer to your keyboard for less arm reaching, more comfort, and better body posture. Perfect Stroke keys are shaped for your fingertips with optimal key stability and tactile responsiveness to keep you oriented and in your flow. The backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach, and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions. Smart Dictation, Mic Mute/Unmute and Emoji keys streamline your workflow even further.
Customer Rating
5
Great for long typing sessions
on September 30, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Design
I’m a big fan of the full-size version of the Logitech MX Keys keyboard, so I was happy to see that Logitech makes a smaller version now as well. The MX Keys Mini drops the numeric keyboard and reconfigures the layout a bit, making the arrow keys smaller and shrinking the CTRL, FN and other related keys, while keeping the letters and numbers at full size.
The keys are backlit and impressively light up as your hand approaches the keyboard, making it easy to see where your hands should “land” in a dark room. On the row of function keys are dedicated media and volume controls.
## Performance
Like its larger sibling, the Logitich MX Keys Mini still has a satisfying feel when typing. It’s not “clicky” like a typical mechanical keyboard, but the keys do provide nice tactile feedback when pressed. I find the keyboard very comfortable for long typing and coding sessions.
Battery life seems to be very good as I’ve only had the keyboard for a few days, but I haven’t needed to recharge it yet, even with the backlight on.
## Features
Wireless: Oddly, there was no Logitech Unifying Receiver included with this keyboard (although the full size keyboard did include one). Therefore, your only option of connecting the keyboard is via Bluetooth. The USB-C port appears to be “charge only” as I was not able to use the keyboard via a wired connection.
Backlighting: As mentioned earlier, the backlight seems to sense that your hand is approaching and lights up before you even touch a key. There is only a white LED backlight, so there is no option to change between different colors.
Multiple machine support: There are 3 dedicated buttons for switching between devices. So you can pair the keyboard via Bluetooth to your laptop, phone and tablet and then switch between devices easily.
Emoji key: Maybe one of my favorite new features, there is a dedicated key for emojis on the F7 key that allows you to easily bring up iOS’ Emoji keyboard.
Screenshot key: There is also a dedicated screenshot key that invokes iOS’ screenshot function.
Dictation key: There is also a key for voice dictation that invokes iOS’ dictation feature.
USB-C Recharging: You can use the included USB-C to charge the kayboard, but not to connect it to your computer as a wired keyboard.
## Summary
Overall, the Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard is great for using your laptop in “clamshell” mode, or for connecting to your phone, tablet, or any device with Bluetooth keyboard support. The backlight feature works very well and the dedicated Emoji, screenshot and dictation keys are very convenient. Unfortunately, a wireless USB adapter is not included with this version of the keyboard, so it will need a Bluetooth connection.
Mobile Submission: False
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The myQ Smart Garage Camera is the only smart camera optimized for the garage. It works alone or as an upgrade to your existing myQ connected garage door opener to easily add streaming video, recorded events, motion detection and 2-way audio communication in one single myQ app experience. With a magnetic mounting base, and 360 degree swivel camera lens, you can see what is happening inside your garage 24/7.
Customer Rating
5
Great if you have a myQ Opener
on September 21, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Setup
The setup process was fairly easy. I was happy to learn that the myQ Camera has a magnetic base and can easily be attached to the bottom of your garage door opener (assuming it has a metal cover, which it likely does). I simply stuck the camera to the bottom of the garage door opener and used some twist-ties to tuck the power cord out of the way of the moving parts.
The myQ camera requires an outlet, as does the myQ opener and, obviously, your garage door opener. So if you’re mounting them all in the same location of your garage door opener, make sure you have enough outlets (or a safe outlet extender) handy as you’ll need at least 3 outlets.
The myQ app walked me through the setup process, connecting to the camera via Bluetooth and then transferring over my WiFi information to the camera. I was then able to associate the camera with my existing myQ garage door opener, and now I can see both the camera feed and the status of the door on one screen in the myQ app.
## Performance
Although the app indicated the WiFi signal was only “fair” in my garage, I’m still able to see the image in HD. Picture quality is great and I clearly see what is happening. There is also a push-to-talk feature in the app so you can talk with anyone in the garage through the camera. Night vision also works very well, allowing me to easily see the inside of my garage at night (in black and white).
You may be wondering why you would want a camera in your garage? I used another brand of garage door sensor in the past that would occasionally indicate the garage door was open when in reality it was closed. So I would waste a trip back home to verify it was indeed closed and that the sensor was just shaken enough by the wind to make it “think” that the garage door had opened. With the camera, I can get a visual confirmation of the garage door’s status.
It’s also nice for Amazon Key deliveries! I totally understand that the idea of Amazon opening your garage door to deliver a package makes a lot of people uncomfortable. However, I keep the door to the house locked and I have a separate security system inside the house, so I’m not worried about a delivery person going inside as I (and all of the neighbors) would soon know if that happened. The myQ camera provides extra reassurance that the delivery person did not go rummaging through my old garden tools. In reality, in the video clips I’ve watched, the driver does not care one bit about what’s in my garage: they drop off the package, close the door, and quickly move on to their next delivery.
The one downside to the myQ camera is that there is no local storage on the camera. You can live stream the camera and get motion alerts for free, but if you want to record video clips or see a history of motion events, you must pay for cloud storage. It’s not terribly expensive, but most of us are experiencing “subscription fatigue” and don’t want yet another monthly charge on our cards. Therefore, you must watch the Amazon delivery as it happens; you can’t see a clip of the delivery later unless you’re paying for cloud storage.
## Summary
If you have an existing myQ garage door opener, the myQ Camera system integrates nicely, especially if you use the Amazon Key in-garage delivery option. However, the lack of local storage makes it less attractive if you’re not already in the myQ ecosystem.
Mobile Submission: False
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Experience the thrill of the game with the new Dell G15 gaming laptop. Featuring AMD® Ryzen processors, NVIDIA® GeForce® graphics improved thermal design and Game Shift technology.
Customer Rating
5
Nice entry-level gaming laptop
on September 20, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Performance
This Dell G15 gaming laptop features a fast AMD processor and decent graphics card that can accommodate most PC gaming needs while on the go. Now it won’t be as powerful as say a dedicated desktop gaming rig, but for a portable gaming station it definitely gets the job done.
I tested out the Dell G15 with Fortnite and allowed the game to set its own settings. It configured all settings to “High” (one notch below the highest setting of “Epic”). At the beginning for each match (after dropping from the bus), FPS varied between 20 and 60, but after landing and exploring the nearby land (allowing all textures and content to load), it settled around 50-60 FPS (I have the max set at 60). Gaming on this system looks amazing on the 120Hz IPS display panel.
## Specs
- 15.6” FHD 120Hz Display
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Processor
- 8GB Memory
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Processor
- 8GB Memory
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Graphics
## PROs
+ Speed: In the benchmark score image associated with this review, you can see that when compared to Novabench’s “High-end Laptop” baseline configuration, the overall score came out about 9% better on this unit and the GPU score came out 38% better on this unit.
+ Backlit keyboard: The keyboard has a red glow (with two brightness settings) which makes it nice for late night gaming.
+ Matte screen: The screen does a nice job reducing glare!
+ Plenty of ports: There’s an ethernet port and headphone jack on the left, two USB-A ports on the right side, and a USB-A, USB-C, power and HDMI port on the back side.
+ Minimal bloat: Dell added some support applications and it includes a trial of McAfee antivirus, but that’s about it for the added software.
## CONs
- No Windows Hello: There is no Windows Hello compatible camera or fingerprint reader on the device
- Size: As expected with a gaming laptop, the size is somewhat large and bulky (it reminds me of an early 2000s machine, before ultrabooks hit the scene). It weighs just over 5 pounds.
- Noise: The fans can get loud while playing, which probably isn’t much of an issue if you’re using headphones.
## Summary
Overall, the G15 isn’t a bad entry level gaming laptop. While you won’t get quite the performance of a full desktop rig, the Dell G15 is still ideal for students -- or even professionals -- who need the portability of a laptop with the ability to game after school or work.
Mobile Submission: False
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Portable and palm-sized with a built-in extension rod, DJI OM 5 is a versatile companion that unlocks the full potential of your smartphone. Enjoy flawless selfies, super-smooth video, automatic tracking, and much more. A new ShotGuides feature even provides creative tips, empowering you to get stunning shots wherever you go. With DJI OM 5, get ready to master every shot.
Customer Rating
5
I like the new selfie stick addition!
on September 16, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## What’s new?
If you’re coming from the OM 4, you’re probably interested in what’s new with the OM 5.
- Extension rod: There is now a built-in selfie stick in the DJI OM 5 to help you more easily capture selfies. The controls are still within easy reach so you can move the gimbal and snap a picture or video easily. The extension rod extends to about 8.5 inches.
- Smaller battery: Unfortunately, battery life has been reduced from 15 hours on the OM 4 to about 6 hours on the OM5.
- ActiveTrack 4.0: The ActiveTrack feature has been upgraded from version 3.0 found on the OM 4, which provides faster responsiveness when tracking people.
- Lighter design: The OM 5 is 25% lighter compared to the OM 4, with a slightly smaller design.
- No magnetic sticker: The OM 4 included a “sticker” for the magnetic mount that you could permanently attach to the back of your phone, which I’m assuming many people did not use. The OM5 includes the clamp magnetic mount only.
## Performance
The OM 5 does a great job of stabilizing your phone’s camera to add smooth pans and movement to your recordings. The OM 5 seems to provide about the same stabilization as the OM 4 as there are still up and down movements when walking and it won’t completely smooth out a shaky hand. So don’t buy the OM 5 expecting “stronger” stabilization over the OM 4.
I tested ActiveTrack 4.0 on a stationary object (a small pond) while walking around it with the hopes of getting a smooth pan with the pond centered (something I do often with the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone). Unfortunately, the footage ended up jittery. I don’t believe this was a failure of the gimbal itself, but instead a failure of the ActiveTrack algorithms trying to keep track of the pond. When performing the same walk around the pond without ActiveTrack, the footage was smooth. Therefore, it appears the ActiveTrack feature works better when tracking moving objects, such as a person or a pet.
The Dynamic Zoom feature worked much better for me on stationary objects and I was able to create some really nice videos with it.
Each of the features show a nice introductory video on what the feature does and how to use it, although I sometimes had trouble with the videos loading when on a cellular connection.
## Battery Life
As noted earlier, battery life is somewhat reduced on the OM 5 to about 6 hours. I would likely never exceed this limit on a day trip (and don’t plan on storing 6 hours of HD video on my phone), so I’m actually in favor of the shorter battery life for the lighter design. In between shots, you can double-tap the power button to enter “standby” mode to further preserve battery life. Plus, you could always bring a power bank to charge the OM 5 while out and about.
## Summary
Overall, the biggest improvement found in the OM 5 in my opinion is the extension rod (selfie stick) that allows you to more easily get a group shot or simply get a higher view. The OM 5 does a great job of capturing smooth video much like the OM 4. Battery life is shorter at just over 6 hours, but I believe the lighter and smaller design make up for it.
Mobile Submission: False
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Linksys Atlas Pro 6 with Velop Intelligent Mesh is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers next-level streaming and gaming to more than 30 devices per node. Access to 160 MHz unleashes the true power of Wi-Fi 6 technology—these are the least congested channels available on the 5GHz band and offer incredibly fast connectivity. Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) provides access to more channels, reducing interference from neighboring networks. Velop Intelligent Mesh technology offers whole home mesh Wi-Fi coverage that’s easily expandable by adding additional nodes. With easy setup, advanced security and parental controls, Linksys Atlas Pro 6 is an essential upgrade to any home.
Customer Rating
5
Strong performance if you have a lot of devices
on September 16, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Setup
I like how Linksys implemented Bluetooth technology with the setup process. I remember just a few years ago when setting up a router involved setting up a temporary/default network, connecting to it, and then typing in a specific IP address to begin the setup process.
With the Linksys app, you simply connect one of the nodes to power and the Ethernet cable from your ISP’s modem, and the app then detects the nearby node and walks you through the process of creating a network and configuring a password. There was some waiting between screens, but overall it took less than 15 minutes.
## Design
The nodes of the Atlas Pro 6 are a little larger than the previous version of the Velop system. One thing I noticed is that the nodes now feature 4 Ethernet ports (an internet port and 3 LAN ports) instead of 2, which is good if you have some devices you would prefer to “hard wire” into your network.
## Performance
I did a test by only setting up one node at first, then testing the speed from the other side of my house. My maximum internet speed is 300 Mbps, and I was able to get about 100 Mbps from the far away corner. That’s really good by itself, but the beauty of a mesh network is that you can set up additional nodes throughout your house. They’ll connect to each other wirelessly and if you spread them out, no matter where you are, you are relatively close to a node.
One of the benefits of WiFi 6 is that it is more efficient at handling a lot of devices and the “Internet of Things” such as smart doorbells and WiFi cameras. We’re still in the early days of the WiFi 6 standard and there aren’t many WiFi 6 devices out there yet that would fully take advantage of it (I believe the iPhone 11 and newer support WiFi 6, as does the new M1 Macs). It’s OK if your devices are on an older version of WiFi as they’ll still work on a WiFi 6 router. The Linksys Atlas Pro 6 helps future proof your network somewhat as WiFi 6 support is included in more and more devices. Unfortunately, WiFi 6 typically requires new hardware, so your older devices cannot upgrade to WiFi 6 via a firmware update, for example.
If you have a lot of WiFi devices in your home and you can see many nearby WiFi networks from your neighbors (which can cause additional WiFi interference), here’s a little hack I learned from the previous version of the Velop network I own: you can connect the nodes together via an Ethernet cable to help reduce wireless interference. And I know what you’re thinking: I don’t want to drill holes in the wall to run Ethernet cable throughout the house. And you don’t necessarily need to. I found that buying a flat Ethernet cable, running it underneath the baseboard, and setting up the second node on the other side of the room of the first node really helped boost performance in my house. Even though the nodes were in the same room, my devices were divided up among the two nodes that in itself provides some efficiency in the WiFi handling. And by connecting the nodes via Ethernet, you’re eliminating the potential for WiFi interference between the two nodes (and your neighbors).
## Summary
Even though there are not many devices out there today (mid-2021) that support WiFi 6, the Linksys Atlas Pro will still work with your existing WiFi devices and help future proof your network as more and more devices include WiFi 6. Having multiple nodes around the house helps eliminate dead spots while providing strong streaming performance for Netflix, remote learning, and working from home. The additional Ethernet ports on each node is great for times when you want to wire a device to your network.
Mobile Submission: False
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The best bedroom Smart Clock just got even better. The Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 with Wireless Charging Dock keeps your nightstand clutter free. Charge up to two additional devices at once: your phone (using the wireless dock) and another accessory, like a smart watch (using the USB port). The 4“ color touchscreen showcases the time, weather and your family photos with a choice of customizable clock faces or check in on your smart cameras feeds before bed. Enhanced with a built-in nightlight when docked, the light is just bright enough to illuminate your way without waking your partner. With multiroom audio, you can add your Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 to a speaker group and play media across multiple devices and rooms.
Customer Rating
4
Great bedroom companion, but lacks streaming video
on September 3, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Design
The Lenovo Smart Alarm Clock 2 features a fabric exterior with a 4-inch display on front. This particular model includes a wireless charging base that you can set the clock on top of to provide power to the wireless Qi charging pad on the base. This way, you can wirelessly charge your smartphone beside the Smart Alarm Clock.
There is no camera on the device, providing a bit of piece of mind when placing it in the bedroom. There is a mute switch for the microphone located on the back of the unit.
The Qi charging base also has a simple LED night light that glows around the base of the alarm clock. This can be enabled by saying, “hey Google, turn on the night light.”
## Setup
The setup process is done through the Google Home app, so thankfully there is not yet another app to install specifically for this clock. In the Google Home app, you simply hit the + symbol to add a device, and your phone should automatically detect the Lenovo Smart Alarm Clock and walk you through the steps of joining it to your WiFi and customizing your music services.
Oddly, although I’m a YouTube TV subscriber, it did not show up as one of the Live TV choices and the clock doesn’t allow me to play anything on its built-in screen. Sure, I wouldn’t sit down to watch a 2 hour movie on the tiny screen, but it would be nice to have the news on while getting ready in the morning.
At the end of the setup process, the Smart Alarm Clock installed a firmware update and was then ready to use.
## Performance
While the screen is small, I’m able to clearly see the time from across the room. There are different clock faces available that you can swipe through on the device. I like the weather clock face as it shows a subtle image in the background of the current conditions along with the temperature. I also like the option to use a Google Photos album that cycles throughout the day. Oddly, the display settings cannot be accessed in the Google Home app and must be done through the small touch screen interface. Hopefully, this is corrected in the future.
The Smart Alarm Clock 2 also seems to do a good job of picking up my voice from across the room and it responds to queries very quickly, similar to a regular Google Nest Hub.
The Smart Alarm Clock 2 also seems to do a good job of picking up my voice from across the room and it responds to queries very quickly, similar to a regular Google Nest Hub.
The Smart Alarm Clock 2 doesn’t seem to support streaming video as it does not even show as an option to Chromecast video content from my phone. It works fine with my Pandora and my free Spotify account, but my requests to play content from Apple Music come back with a, “sorry, I can’t do that right now,” which is odd because Apple Music works fine on my Google Nest Hub. Hopefully Lenovo can address this in a future update as well.
Sound quality is surprisingly good on this little device! Music comes through clear and doesn’t sound “tinny” as you would expect on a small speaker.
At night, the unit can be set to show a simple black and white clock face. The screen gets very dim making it ideal for a dark bedroom.
## Summary
Overall, the Lenovo Smart Alarm Clock 2 is a nice nightstand companion. The add-on base adds a subtle night light and Qi charging pad for your phone. It seems like there are a few kinks to work out with Apple Music, but Pandora, iHeart Radio and Spotify seem to work fine. However, if being able to stream video is important to you, you may want to consider a regular Google Nest Hub with a larger screen at a similar price point (minus the Qi charging pad and night light).
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Remove impurities and harmful germs from your drink with this 17-oz. LARQ self-cleaning bottle and water purification system. The button control lets you switch on the decontamination function with one click, while the compact design offers easy portability. This LARQ self-cleaning bottle and water purification system features a double-insulated construction to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Customer Rating
5
Water tastes great; exterior scratches easily
on June 3, 2021
Posted by: TechnicallyWell
from NY
## Design
The LARQ Bottle PureVis has a nice, clean design. The first thing I noticed is that the bottle definitely has some weight to it at around 13.5 ounces. The double-insulated wall helps keep your water cold for extended periods of time and also helps prevent the bottle from “sweating” on the exterior.
I was disappointed to find that there is no carrying strap or hole for a carabiner on the bottle, which makes it a little less convenient to carry. However, there are first party and even third party sleeves available.
I also found that the exterior of the bottle seems to scratch very easily after brushing my bottle up against a wall. You can see the scratch in the attached photos.
## Performance
The cap contains a UV-C LED light that shines down on the water to sanitize it. After filling the bottle and placing the cap back on top, simply tap the button on the cap to initiate a 1-minute light cycle (double-tapping the button initiates a 3-minute cleaning cycle for a more thorough cleaning, what LARQ refers to as “Adventurer Mode”). The bottle will automatically perform a 10-second cycle every two hours to help maintain the water and bottle’s cleanliness.
The manufacturer notes that adding ice or fruit to the bottle can reduce the effectiveness somewhat as the UV-C light can’t reach every nook and cranny to sanitize it. You can give the bottle a shake while the cycle is active to help make sure everything in the bottle gets exposed to the UV-C light. Therefore, non-clear liquids (such as coffee) are not ideal as the light can’t really penetrate them.
It's hard to test the effectiveness of the UV-C light without lab testing, but based on day-to-day usage, the bottle hasn't developed a musty smell or moldy spots like normal water bottles typically do if they're not regularly washed.
I’m a little lazy about keeping my water bottles clean, so I’m very happy to have a water bottle that cleans itself. The manufacturer still recommends washing the bottle from time to time, but it's nice not having to worry about it after every single use. Additionally, I feel a little more confident filling the LARQ water bottle from random water fountains as I know most bacteria and viruses are presumably neutralized.
## Battery Life
The battery recharges with a Micro USB cable (included) and virtually any USB charger (not included). It takes about an hour to charge and can last up to a month when using the “normal” 1-minute sanitation cycle.
## Summary
The self-cleaning technology in the LARQ water bottle makes it ideal if you’re a little lazy like me and don’t wash your reusable water bottle as often as you should. It’s also handy if you get your water from some iffy sources from time to time and want to make sure it is bacteria and virus free.
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PA