NAMO's stats
- Review count157
- Helpfulness votes1,087
- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewJune 25, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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- Answer count16
- Helpfulness votes13
- First answerJune 2, 2017
- Last answerDecember 9, 2021
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Small, light, and comfortable, Echo Buds are designed to feel great and sound even better, no matter what you're listening to. Active noise cancellation limits background noise while Passthrough Mode lets you hear what's going on around you. Enjoy up to 5 hours of music playback on a single charge and get hands-free access to Alexa—no tapping required.
Customer Rating
4
Good Sound with Built-In Alexa Assistant
on November 14, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL SET-UP
Set-up of the Echo Buds is accomplished with your Amazon Alexa app available via the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Folks that already have another Alexa device in their household will have no trouble setting up the Echo Buds with their Amazon account. Set-up is very similar to other Amazon devices, and I had no issues linking and setting up the Buds with either my iPad or my Android smartphone. The included directions are simple and covered all aspects of initial configuration.
Set-up of the Echo Buds is accomplished with your Amazon Alexa app available via the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Folks that already have another Alexa device in their household will have no trouble setting up the Echo Buds with their Amazon account. Set-up is very similar to other Amazon devices, and I had no issues linking and setting up the Buds with either my iPad or my Android smartphone. The included directions are simple and covered all aspects of initial configuration.
USE
The Echo Buds have performed flawlessly since initial set-up. These Echo Buds had one thing going for them, that I haven’t experienced in some time. That is a product without the immediate need for a firmware update prior to use. Wow, that alone is particularly impressive. Amazon claims battery life of up to 5 hours of music listening and 4 hours of phone calls. But, those times vary depending upon volume levels, active noise cancellation, etc.
The Echo Buds have performed flawlessly since initial set-up. These Echo Buds had one thing going for them, that I haven’t experienced in some time. That is a product without the immediate need for a firmware update prior to use. Wow, that alone is particularly impressive. Amazon claims battery life of up to 5 hours of music listening and 4 hours of phone calls. But, those times vary depending upon volume levels, active noise cancellation, etc.
The Echo Buds include 3 different sized tips (Small, Medium, and Large) to help fit nearly anyone’s ear. A unique feature to the Buds’ app is a custom test to ensure you have selected the correct tip size for your ear, thereby ensuring you get the best possible sound and noise cancellation properties from the device. The sound test works extremely well. In addition to the ear tips, Amazon includes a product in the box they refer to as: Wing Tips. The wing tips are a silicone sleeve just like the ear tips, but go around the actual Echo Bud itself making for a “grippier” surface in your ear. This helps to prevent the Bud from falling out during exercise or if sweaty. Though, it feels quite odd at first, the Wing Tips really do work well and make the Buds much more secure during workouts. Well done!
The main attraction to the Echo Buds, as opposed to other products on the market, is the inclusion of the Amazon Alexa assistant that is built into their functionality. Microphones built into the Buds not only work for answering phone calls, but with the Alexa app running on your phone, allow you to speak to your digital assistant anytime you say her name. I find this much handier than my other home-based Echo products. It’s much more intuitive to add stuff to your shopping list, ask Alexa to play music, make a call, etc. If Alexa is not your choice of virtual assistants, Amazon wisely allows your Buds to be able to access either Siri or the Google Assistant, should you so choose.
Audio quality is very good with these new 2nd generation Echo Buds. While I don’t find the audio quality as good as I do with my Jabra ear buds, the Echo Buds still have very good audio quality. Whether I’ve used them for music, movies, or phone calls, I have not found a situation where the Buds don’t produce clear and intelligible audio. The Echo Buds are manufactured with 3 microphones built into each ear bud and they do a great job of picking up audio for calls, but also at detecting the Alexa wake word. In quiet environments, you don’t have to speak much above a whisper to active Alexa.
I must also give a shout out to Amazon’s implementation of their Active Noise Cancellation. The ANC works extremely well, better than most ear buds, some at even much higher price tags. The Echo Buds can nearly eliminate the noise from the fan on my nightstand in a completely quiet bedroom. This is something that most all my other ear buds or actual headphones struggle with. The Echo Buds handle the cancellation superbly.
NEGATIVES
I haven’t found a lot to dislike about the Echo Buds, but there are some areas where I think they could be improved upon, some I’m sure would be as easy as a firmware update.
I haven’t found a lot to dislike about the Echo Buds, but there are some areas where I think they could be improved upon, some I’m sure would be as easy as a firmware update.
First – Noise Floor. While the Echo Buds do a very good job at audio reproduction, there is quite a bit of noise during quiet passages in movies and music. While not a deal breaker by any means, I do notice that ever so slight hint of hiss in quiet environments. Something not present in my Jabra’s. To be fair to Amazon, this is nearly inaudible in most environments, but when it is quiet time, you can hear it. However, I think it could be remedied with a simple firmware update.
Second – Bass Response. While not totally lacking in this department, it isn’t the most bass heavy of ear buds. You do get some bass response from the 5.7mm drivers, but it won’t leave your jaw dropping. Again, this isn’t a deal breaker and should I not have ear buds from different manufacturers, I would probably not have given it a second thought. However, similar products from other manufacturers do give a fuller, more dynamic response.
Lastly – Privacy. If you are concerned about your privacy and what Amazon hears and retains, this may not the product for you. Amazon states they do not sell your private information and supposedly does not record any information until you say the magic Alexa word. Amazon allows you to mute the microphones in the Alexa app should you want total privacy and the app also allows you to view, hear, and delete any recordings.
CONCLUSIONS
At the end of the day, these are a very good set of ear buds at an attractive price. The audio quality is very good whether it be for music, movies, or phone calls. The Echo Buds are light weight, and the inclusion of different sized tips ensure they are comfortable and appealing to a wide range of people. In addition to the audio quality, the addition of the Amazon digital assistant is just an added win for the users already invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
At the end of the day, these are a very good set of ear buds at an attractive price. The audio quality is very good whether it be for music, movies, or phone calls. The Echo Buds are light weight, and the inclusion of different sized tips ensure they are comfortable and appealing to a wide range of people. In addition to the audio quality, the addition of the Amazon digital assistant is just an added win for the users already invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
As much as I like the audio quality and performance of the Echo Buds, there are rivals out there that have better audio and call quality. While some are much more expensive, some are similarly priced. Like I mentioned earlier, should you not have the option to hear them back-to-back with a competitors’ product, the difference is minimal enough that you would be hard pressed to notice.
I give the Echo Buds a solid 4 stars. Anyone that is looking for a good set of ear buds at a reasonable price and already invested in the Amazon ecosystem, these would be a no-brainer. Though other products do a better job at being a true ear bud, none I’ve found offer the convenience of the Echo Buds with Alexa built-in. Recommended.
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![Adobe - Photoshop Elements 2022 - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6475/6475048_sd.jpg)
Bring out your creativity to share your life stories. Adobe Sensei AI technology* and automated options do the heavy lifting so you can instantly turn photos into art, warp photos to fit any shape, and more. Add moving overlays or 3D camera motion to take your photos to a whole new level, and save them as MP4s for easy sharing on social. Grow your skills with 60 Guided Edits that step you through how to create perfect pet pics; extend, remove, or replace photo backgrounds; and more. Effortlessly organize your photos, and craft personalized creations like dynamic photo and video slideshows with all-new styles and inspirational quote graphics. Transform your favorite photos into gallery-quality wall art, beautiful prints, and unique keepsakes with the built-in prints and gifts service. †And enjoy an updated look that makes the software even easier to use and navigate. *Adobe Sensei is the technology that powers intelligent features across all Adobe products to dramatically improve the design and delivery of digital experiences, using artificial intelligence and machine learning in a common framework.†FUJIFILM Prints & Gifts service is available in the U.S. only.
Customer Rating
5
More Intuitive Than Its Competition
on November 7, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL SET-UP
Initial set-up and download are typical of most all software these days. Adobe provided an installer link that once opened, phones home and pulls down the required files for installation. Unfortunately, Adobe requires you to create an account to use their software and for installation. You can choose to sign out after installation, but doing so deactivates the software on the computer, but will allow you to install it on a different computer. However, only one computer can be signed into your Photoshop account at a time.
Initial set-up and download are typical of most all software these days. Adobe provided an installer link that once opened, phones home and pulls down the required files for installation. Unfortunately, Adobe requires you to create an account to use their software and for installation. You can choose to sign out after installation, but doing so deactivates the software on the computer, but will allow you to install it on a different computer. However, only one computer can be signed into your Photoshop account at a time.
USE
The Photoshop software continues Adobe’s long-running dominance in the photo editing software field. The program is intuitive to use and the flow and feel of the opening splash screen are well thought out and easily manipulated by a seasoned user or a newcomer to the Adobe family.
The Photoshop software continues Adobe’s long-running dominance in the photo editing software field. The program is intuitive to use and the flow and feel of the opening splash screen are well thought out and easily manipulated by a seasoned user or a newcomer to the Adobe family.
Adobe has put some time in studying peoples’ needs and it shows. The software allows new users to easily create memories or manipulate photos with an ease not experienced in others’ software. The software isn’t doesn’t stop at the novice user. Photoshop Elements also allows a more experienced photographer a very thorough suite of adjustments, in addition to the basics. While nowhere near as comprehensive as the full Photoshop program, Elements fills the bill nicely of not being too basic, but also not bombarding the average user with so many options for photo adjustments that it becomes cumbersome and frustrating.
Photo adjustments and creative ideas are easily located, and Adobe even includes guides on how to make common adjustments that all people have experienced or will experience at some point. Simple things that can ruin a photo like closed eyes, red eye, under exposure, over exposure, etc. are easy to fix in Elements 2022. If you aren’t sure how to fix your photo in question, Adobe probably has a guide to help walk you through it. Most importantly, those guides are presented front and center, not something you have to dig through the program to find or watch YouTube videos.
CONCLUSIONS
I’ve been a Paint Shop Pro user for many years. Corel has a very nice product with a ton of great features. Quite frankly, I use PSP because of the price. It’s easy to find the previous year’s release at a steep discount around the holidays. Those discounts are often 75% less than a comparable Adobe product.
I’ve been a Paint Shop Pro user for many years. Corel has a very nice product with a ton of great features. Quite frankly, I use PSP because of the price. It’s easy to find the previous year’s release at a steep discount around the holidays. Those discounts are often 75% less than a comparable Adobe product.
After straying from the Adobe family for many years, it is nice to come back and see just how far Adobe has come with their entry in the photo editing world. I will reluctantly admit that even though the price is higher than what you can get Corel’s PSP for on sale, it is well worth the extra money. The new Adobe user interface is much easier to learn than Corel’s. The handy placed guides and tutorials are great and really make using Photoshop much easier than PSP.
Let’s face it, unless you are a professional photographer, most folks probably don’t need a full-blown photo editing software suite. Adobe Photoshop Elements strikes a fantastic balance of not being too stripped down on features and not giving the average consumer too much to make their projects overly difficult and burdensome to produce. I think most folks just need a few key abilities in their photo software. These features need to be easy and intuitive to use and locate in the app. Adobe has done that terrifically. Those features I use and need on a regular basis are far easier to use in Photoshop Elements than they are in my Paint Shop Pro software. Not only are the features easier to find and use, I feel that the Photoshop software produces a much more pleasing final product than the Corel software does with less steps and less time.
Comparing Photoshop to Adobe’s primary competitor makes Photoshop an easy application to recommend. Even though it costs more than Corel’s Paint Shop Pro, it is worth the extra bucks for convenience and ease of use. I just wish Adobe didn’t require you to be logged in to your account while using its products.
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Extend your PC’s RGB lighting with the CORSAIR iCUE LT100 Smart Lighting Towers Starter Kit, part of the iCUE Smart Lighting Ecosystem. 92 RGB LEDs light up your room with ambient lighting that dynamically integrates with your games and media for a truly immersive experience. Cycle through 11 lighting profiles out of the box with push-button control or connect to CORSAIR iCUE software to synchronize your RGB lighting effects across all compatible CORSAIR devices in your system and all external iCUE Smart Lighting devices. The Starter Kit includes two lighting towers with 46 customizable LEDs each, housed in light-diffusing casing that softens and blends light. With an included removable headset holder, LT100 Smart Lighting Towers add convenient, versatile, and stunning RGB lighting to any setup.
Customer Rating
5
Nothing Except Bling, But Oh So Cool!!
on October 27, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & SET-UP
Initial unboxing and impressions of the Corsair Light Towers is impressive. The towers and stands appear to be very well made. The towers are slender and have a nice, substantial heft to them. The bases are equally appealing and appear to be made from aluminum. The towers snap into the bases and are held in place by 2 expanding pieces of plastic. Once together, the set is held together tightly and feels very robust and expensive.
Initial unboxing and impressions of the Corsair Light Towers is impressive. The towers and stands appear to be very well made. The towers are slender and have a nice, substantial heft to them. The bases are equally appealing and appear to be made from aluminum. The towers snap into the bases and are held in place by 2 expanding pieces of plastic. Once together, the set is held together tightly and feels very robust and expensive.
As with other Corsair products, the towers are controlled by the Corsair iCue software. I find that the software consumes roughly 2 – 3%, on average, of the CPU resources on my i7-9700 based gaming computer. Even so, I would rather use the Corsair iCue software over the Logitech GHub software. I also find the iCue software a breath of fresh air compared to the Razer Synapse software. The iCue is no where near a burden on my system as the Synapse software and offers way more functionality and customization options.
If you are reading this review trying to figure out the purpose of the Light Towers, let me tell you, they really serve no purpose other than offering a cool light show. Yes, Corsair does include a plastic clip that affixes to the top of one of the towers to hold your headphones, but really, they just offer up bling to your workstation or gaming rig. This isn’t a knock against the product. They won me over after powering them up.
USE
Corsair’s iCue software has several different lighting presets built in. With the software, you can sync the light towers to your other Corsair peripherals, or customize each peripheral to your liking, making each Corsair product unique. One thing that the iCue software has over many of its competitors is the ability of the software to read sensor information of your system’s motherboard. You can customize the software to report back on numerous different parameters in your system. For example, the iCue software installed on my HP Omen desktop read sensors for my motherboard temp, CPU load and temp, GPU load, temp, and fan speed, and my memory information and current performance levels and settings.
Corsair’s iCue software has several different lighting presets built in. With the software, you can sync the light towers to your other Corsair peripherals, or customize each peripheral to your liking, making each Corsair product unique. One thing that the iCue software has over many of its competitors is the ability of the software to read sensor information of your system’s motherboard. You can customize the software to report back on numerous different parameters in your system. For example, the iCue software installed on my HP Omen desktop read sensors for my motherboard temp, CPU load and temp, GPU load, temp, and fan speed, and my memory information and current performance levels and settings.
The iCue software is feature rich and very powerful. Because I already owned a Corsair keyboard and mouse, the iCue software identified them along with the light towers and I was able to sync all my lighting within a minute or two. I also like to keep an eye on my systems’ vitals while working and gaming. So, I was able to configure the iCue software to display current CPU temps on my mouse. The temperature reporting ranges are fully adjustable, and I have the iCue software monitor my CPU’s temp and report back via a red, yellow, or green indicator on my mouse. Sweet!! I never have to worry about vitals during even the most demanding gaming sessions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I consider myself, for the lack of a better word, a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to PC’s. If the product doesn’t improve functionality, it isn’t worth it. I’ve never been a bells and whistles person, always choosing function over form.
I consider myself, for the lack of a better word, a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to PC’s. If the product doesn’t improve functionality, it isn’t worth it. I’ve never been a bells and whistles person, always choosing function over form.
I justified these light towers as being able to use them as a static-colored light for working or gaming in the evening (and you can set them as a single, static color for task lighting). After opening the packaging and seeing the quality construction, I was impressed. But, after getting them configured with the iCue software and taking them for a spin, I was won over. No Bells and Whistles for me was impressed. I was thoroughly enjoying the light show. The towers are entertaining, and software and games can override personal settings and help create a bit of ambience with their lighting effects as you game. Super cool!!
If you are looking for a way to liven up your gaming rig or even just need something to cast some additional task lighting on your desk while working, these Corsair LT100 Light Towers should be on your short list of options. The colors are vibrant and the LED’s are bright. Whether you purchase them for fun or function, they are easy to recommend.
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The Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is a versatile, cordless upright vac with the power and cleaning of a full-size vacuum (tested in Boost mode vs. ZU630). Lift away the detachable pod to clean above the floor and under furniture.
Customer Rating
4
Powerful, Lightweight, Versatile
on October 26, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & SET-UP
The Shark comes well protected and packaged in its box. Shark must have paid someone a good deal of money to figure out how to fit all those pieces in a box as small as it is. However, it was money well spent as its dense packaging not only saves space, but the parts are wrapped in heavy paper and do a good job at protecting them from abrasions during shipment.
The Shark comes well protected and packaged in its box. Shark must have paid someone a good deal of money to figure out how to fit all those pieces in a box as small as it is. However, it was money well spent as its dense packaging not only saves space, but the parts are wrapped in heavy paper and do a good job at protecting them from abrasions during shipment.
Because of the packaging, the Shark requires a little work to assemble before using, but it is nothing hard or intimidating. The only difficult part of assembly is waiting for the battery to charge before use. That took about 3 hours for me, as it was fairly discharged, and the battery is good sized.
USE
The Shark is a nice change from the traditional stick vacuums that are common throughout. With the Shark, you can use it like a traditional upright vacuum, or detach the power section and use it like a canister vacuum. While this may not be as convenient as a dedicated stick vacuum, it has allowed Shark the ability to install a huge battery pack. The Shark also comes with several attachments, such as a furniture brush, a crevice tool, and my new favorite attachment: a ceiling fan and blind cleaner. That small tool alone is great!!! I found myself using it far more than I ever thought I would. I no longer reach for Swiffers to clean my ceiling fans and shutters. The Shark sucks up that dust and traps it all in the HEPA filter, something no Swiffer can offer. AWESOME!!
The Shark is a nice change from the traditional stick vacuums that are common throughout. With the Shark, you can use it like a traditional upright vacuum, or detach the power section and use it like a canister vacuum. While this may not be as convenient as a dedicated stick vacuum, it has allowed Shark the ability to install a huge battery pack. The Shark also comes with several attachments, such as a furniture brush, a crevice tool, and my new favorite attachment: a ceiling fan and blind cleaner. That small tool alone is great!!! I found myself using it far more than I ever thought I would. I no longer reach for Swiffers to clean my ceiling fans and shutters. The Shark sucks up that dust and traps it all in the HEPA filter, something no Swiffer can offer. AWESOME!!
Shark claims this Vertex has the power of a full-size vacuum in Boost Mode. Boost Mode does make it a very powerful vacuum, but that power comes at the price of major battery usage. Shark recommends limited use of Boost mode because of the power consumption, and I can see why. Luckily, the default Medium setting power is more than sufficient for most day-to-day cleaning chores. Battery life on Medium and Eco are on par with recent vacuums from other manufacturers. But, none of the other manufacturers I’ve tried have the performance of the Shark on its Boost mode.
A feature that I feel is worth pointing out, as it doesn’t apply to many other vacuums on the market is the Shark’s ability to go nearly horizontal to floor while cleaning. While I like my other stick vacuums, you must put them at an odd angle to get them under things like beds and dressers. You can’t just natively push them under a bed for cleaning, as they get closer to horizontal, the power head lifts off the floor, rendering the vac useless. Shark’s approach eliminates this pet peeve. While using the Vertex like a canister vacuum, you can simply push the power head directly under something to clean it. You don’t have to act like a contortionist to get the angle just right for cleaning. A true game changer. That has always frustrated me about others’ stick vacuums.
NEGATIVES
While I praised the Shark for its unique design in the previous section, it is also a negative. Using the Vertex as an upright just feels odd. I still haven’t fully come to grips with the vacuum in this configuration. Also, if you do need to use the vacuum to clean under something, you must remove motor assembly, making it an item you now must also carry, therefore tying up both hands while you sweep. I’m not trying to be a whiner, but I feel it is something that should be considered prior to purchasing. The Shark’s unique design doesn’t feel as natural as an upright or isn’t as convenient as a stick vac. It is like an odd hybrid.
While I praised the Shark for its unique design in the previous section, it is also a negative. Using the Vertex as an upright just feels odd. I still haven’t fully come to grips with the vacuum in this configuration. Also, if you do need to use the vacuum to clean under something, you must remove motor assembly, making it an item you now must also carry, therefore tying up both hands while you sweep. I’m not trying to be a whiner, but I feel it is something that should be considered prior to purchasing. The Shark’s unique design doesn’t feel as natural as an upright or isn’t as convenient as a stick vac. It is like an odd hybrid.
The odd placement of the LED lighting seems more of an afterthought than an actual design element. The are 3 LED’s each placed at the end of the brush head. Those LED’s do help light up the floor but leave an odd dim area directly in front of the brush head. Shark would be wise to study Tineco’s implementation of LED’s on the brush head, as Tineco’s solution does a far superior job at lighting up the floor during use and spotting dust and dirt.
CONCLUSIONS
The Shark Vertex is a unique approach to everyday vacuum selection. Shark has spent a great deal of effort studying the market and designed a product that strays from the norm, in both good ways and in some, not so much.
The Shark Vertex is a unique approach to everyday vacuum selection. Shark has spent a great deal of effort studying the market and designed a product that strays from the norm, in both good ways and in some, not so much.
While the Shark doesn’t quite of the natural, ease of use, feel as a stick vacuum for basic, day to day messes and cleaning, it does offer a much greater selection for cleaning options. The detachable motor assembly puts the Shark in a league all by itself. While stick vacuums can be multi-purpose machines, the excel in basic floor care. The Shark not only does great at floor care, but the ability to separate the motor assembly and turn it into a canister vacuum is a truly novel approach and makes the Shark far more versatile than ANY cordless stick vacuum. I would never have thought about cleaning ceiling fans and shutters with a stick vacuum, the Shark makes it a no-brainer.
One thing that does remain in this vacuum, as it does other products, is Shark’s magic self-cleaning brush rolls. I’m not sure how they do it, but I still don’t have a single hair wrapped around the rolls in the Shark. This can’t be said for any other vacuum in my house. How they figured out that bit of magic is great.
In the end, this is a product that should be on your list of options for those wanting a cordless vacuum. While it doesn’t do everything perfectly, it creates a unique niche that others either can’t or haven’t. This is one product that achieves the ability to do more than its competitors’ products.
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It’s easy to transform your home into a safe haven with SimpliSafe’s award-winning security system. Everything is simple to set up, effortless to use, and designed to do one thing only: keep your home and family safe. Indoor and outdoor security cameras let you see everything happening in full HD. So you can spot trouble before it comes knocking and capture the evidence if it does. And if someone tries to break in, the burglary sensors will sound the alarm right away. But that’s not all. Whenever your alarm goes off, we’ll call you and send police, firefighters, or ambulances to your door in a snap — and stay on the line with you until they arrive. So no matter where you are or what you’re doing, your home is protected 24/7.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding with a Top-Notch User Interface
on October 7, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
Easy to Use and Set-Up
1080p Resolution Cameras
Near Infinite Expandability
Cellular Backup
1080p Resolution Cameras
Near Infinite Expandability
Cellular Backup
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
My house is an average U.S. spec house, built approximately 6 years ago. Included with the house was your average state-of-the-art security system that has remained relatively unchanged since the late 80's to early 90's. At some point over the past couple of years, the alarm and control board stopped functioning & even after hours of searching online, I was unable to find a compatible replacement for my hard-wired alarm. My only option was contacting a private party or one of the big-name vendors and shell out big bucks for installation & a mandatory monitoring contract. I hoped that there had to be a better option available. Could SimpliSafe really make a superior product to my hard-wired, land line mandatory alarm system?
My house is an average U.S. spec house, built approximately 6 years ago. Included with the house was your average state-of-the-art security system that has remained relatively unchanged since the late 80's to early 90's. At some point over the past couple of years, the alarm and control board stopped functioning & even after hours of searching online, I was unable to find a compatible replacement for my hard-wired alarm. My only option was contacting a private party or one of the big-name vendors and shell out big bucks for installation & a mandatory monitoring contract. I hoped that there had to be a better option available. Could SimpliSafe really make a superior product to my hard-wired, land line mandatory alarm system?
I have installed several different security systems and products over the years. This includes cameras, NVR's, DVR's, setting up user accounts, configuring remote access, configuring alarms, schedules, etc. It has been a learning experience (to put it nicely) to figure out the various systems' nuances and idiosyncrasies. Once I was able to figure the products out, trying to get the spousal acceptance buy-in always seemed to allude me.
INITIAL SET-UP
Quite honestly, SimpliSafe had an impossible chore of winning me over. No matter what system I've tried, there is always something that does not go just right. Some issues are easier to resolve, while some issues require nothing short of a network engineering degree to remedy.
Quite honestly, SimpliSafe had an impossible chore of winning me over. No matter what system I've tried, there is always something that does not go just right. Some issues are easier to resolve, while some issues require nothing short of a network engineering degree to remedy.
To thoroughly test SimpliSafe's product offering, I used both an Android phone and iPad to configure the user account and set-up the devices. How did SimpliSafe do on their user interface and ease of use and configuration? EXCELLENT!!!
The key to the entire system is the SimpliSafe Base Station. About the size of a 1-liter bottle of soda, all devices connect and communicate through the Base Station (along with containing a speaker for audible feedback and the system's siren). The hardest part of the installation was creating your SimpliSafe account. When the most difficult part of your installation is making sure you correctly type your email, THAT'S GREAT!!!! A simple scan of the QR Code on the Base Station starts the process and the rest of the set-up is just as quick and painless. You select what you want to set-up in the app. In the case of the interior camera, the app shows a QR Code that camera scans. The QR Code programs the camera to your account, sets the Wi-Fi, and activates it. The exterior camera is just as easy. Plug in the battery, open the SimpliSafe app, press a button on the camera and the app takes care of the rest (access, Wi-Fi, activation), etc., same with the entry sensors. ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH!!!
USE
As easy as it was to set-up this system, using the app is even easier and more intuitive. A person can view live images from any camera right from the app's main screen, as well as check the status of the system and arm or disarm as needed.
As easy as it was to set-up this system, using the app is even easier and more intuitive. A person can view live images from any camera right from the app's main screen, as well as check the status of the system and arm or disarm as needed.
Events and motion notifications are very quick to be sent. Much quicker than my MyQ garage notifications and as good as, if not better, than my notifications from my Eufy products.
The main reason I have not switched to a wireless home security system in the past is because they rely on your Wi-Fi or ethernet network for communication. Take out a person's home internet and the security system is next to useless as its ties to the home monitoring center and emergency services are severed. It neuters the system and renders it useless. SimpliSafe has addressed this vulnerability by incorporating a pre-installed cellular back-up into the Base Station. Mine came with a Verizon sim pre-installed and upon initial account creation and Base Station activation, the cellular modem phones home with a test message ensuring a quality cellular back-up connection. The entire process is painless, and all takes place behind the scenes without the user needing to do anything.
SimpliSafe has created a huge and comprehensive infrastructure for its products. SimpliSafe has nearly any product an end user could need to create a comprehensive home security and monitoring system. Options include: water detectors, temperature sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, indoor and outdoor cameras, door locks, sirens, key fobs, panic buttons, keypads, etc. If you need it, SimpliSafe probably makes it and it everything works cohesively with their app and base station.
CONS
There are only a couple of negatives I can think of. The first is that by default SimpliSafe does not allow for on-device storage of video. Without paying for their service, SimpliSafe cameras will send you a notification of motion, but it will not record that motion. If you do not subscribe to their service, you can log in and view live video from any of the cameras, but you cannot go back and review events.
There are only a couple of negatives I can think of. The first is that by default SimpliSafe does not allow for on-device storage of video. Without paying for their service, SimpliSafe cameras will send you a notification of motion, but it will not record that motion. If you do not subscribe to their service, you can log in and view live video from any of the cameras, but you cannot go back and review events.
Plans start at $10/month for basic camera recording but does not include any form of security monitoring. Basic monitoring costs 50 cents/day or Interactive monitoring costs 83 cents/day. Interactive Monitoring says that it ensures you get the fastest response time from SimpliSafe operators, as well as allows those operators access to your security feeds to determine if the alarm is legitimate or an accidental trigger. Furthermore, Interactive Monitoring also gives the operators permission to share your video feeds to law enforcement.
After using security products from other vendors, I would like to see SimpliSafe offer the ability to locally store motion events on their cameras or Base Station. My Eufy cameras allow this. I like Eufy's business model in that you can either use the device to store and review events or pay for cloud storage for those said events.
FINAL THOUGHTS
SimpliSafe should be highly commended for their attention to detail and ease of installation and use. The products are smartly packaged, and all documentation is thorough, concise, and detailed.
SimpliSafe should be highly commended for their attention to detail and ease of installation and use. The products are smartly packaged, and all documentation is thorough, concise, and detailed.
Homeowners are no longer tied to the "Big 3" security system providers. While those folks had the market cornered for years, they need to take notice and I'm sure more than one CEO has been losing sleep. Installation really is simple and easy. So easy, even the most technologically challenged folks would have no trouble with installation and configuration. That is something that I cannot say about a lot of products on the market.
The SimpliSafe system is modular and easily expandable. Items can be purchased at once, or as time and money permit. The flexibility in the system is truly impressive. In addition, the SimpliSafe app and user interface has garnered a victory in the spousal acceptance factor. That alone is far more difficult and harder to achieve than any review of mine.
Easily Recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Create, control, and champion your playstyle with the new Razer Basilisk V3—the quintessential ergonomic gaming mouse for customized performance. With 10+1 programmable buttons, a dual-mode tilt scroll wheel, and a heavy dose of Razer Chroma RGB, it's time to light up the competition your way.
Customer Rating
5
Accurate and Excellently Weighted
on September 30, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
Fully Customizable
26000 dpi Resolution
Up to 1000Hz Polling
Fully Customizable
26000 dpi Resolution
Up to 1000Hz Polling
INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION
My opinions of the Razer Synapse software stated in my review of the Huntsman keyboard carryover to the Basilisk mouse. I won't rehash all the details, but I do not like the Synapse software. Like the keyboard, the freshly downloaded Synapse software would not recognize the Basilisk mouse without first downloading a 100+MB software update. Additionally, Windows 10 did not recognize the device after plugging it in either. So initial set-up is definitely WAY MORE cumbersome than most any other mouse on the market.
My opinions of the Razer Synapse software stated in my review of the Huntsman keyboard carryover to the Basilisk mouse. I won't rehash all the details, but I do not like the Synapse software. Like the keyboard, the freshly downloaded Synapse software would not recognize the Basilisk mouse without first downloading a 100+MB software update. Additionally, Windows 10 did not recognize the device after plugging it in either. So initial set-up is definitely WAY MORE cumbersome than most any other mouse on the market.
USE AND PERFORMANCE
The mouse is great! It is weighted perfectly and glides smoothly and precisely. The mouse has a premium texture and feel about it. The left and right buttons have the same odd texture that the new Huntsman keyboard has. Like the keyboard, it feels odd at first, but after a couple of minutes, you wonder why other mice don't have the same texture.
The mouse is great! It is weighted perfectly and glides smoothly and precisely. The mouse has a premium texture and feel about it. The left and right buttons have the same odd texture that the new Huntsman keyboard has. Like the keyboard, it feels odd at first, but after a couple of minutes, you wonder why other mice don't have the same texture.
The Synapse software allows for full customization of the mouse. Buttons, Macros, sensitivity, scrolling, precision, it is all there and fully adjustable to your liking. Similar to Razer's other products, the lighting is bright and vibrant. The colors are rich and true, unlike some other manufacturers' products that tend to look dull and washed out. One unique feature that is a gimmick, but I find thoroughly enjoyable is the LED strip a the bottom of the mouse. It is recessed just enough that it makes the mouse appear like it is levitating on the mousepad. Cool!
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's hard to write a huge amount about a mouse. But final thoughts are that I seriously doubt anyone would be disappointed. It is a precise and well-made piece of hardware that manages to satisfy what gamers' want as well as what business and casual users need.
It's hard to write a huge amount about a mouse. But final thoughts are that I seriously doubt anyone would be disappointed. It is a precise and well-made piece of hardware that manages to satisfy what gamers' want as well as what business and casual users need.
If you are already invested in the Razer infrastructure and in need of a new mouse, this should be a no-brainer. If you are not already invested, but need a mouse and have been curious about Razer's qualities, you won't be disappointed and may very well win you over to their universe.
Like my review of other Razer products, this is a 5 star mouse hampered by 3 star software. I don't see how this mouse wouldn't serve any buyer well.
Like my review of other Razer products, this is a 5 star mouse hampered by 3 star software. I don't see how this mouse wouldn't serve any buyer well.
Mobile Submission: False
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If all-out advantage is more your speed, arm yourself with responsiveness that’s second to none. Meet the Razer Huntsman V2—an optical gaming keyboard with near-zero input latency and fully geared out with other high-end features to make it the complete package.
Customer Rating
5
Mechanical Feel with Membrane Quietness
on September 30, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
Per Key Re-mapping
Numerous Lighting Options
Up to 8000Hz Polling
Per Key Re-mapping
Numerous Lighting Options
Up to 8000Hz Polling
INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION
I will say right up front, that I am in no way a fan of the Razer Synapse software. It is slow to load and often consumes a significant amount of system resources. Especially considering the negative attention Razer has garnered over the past few months with its security and the Synapse 3 software, it is time for an overhaul.
I will say right up front, that I am in no way a fan of the Razer Synapse software. It is slow to load and often consumes a significant amount of system resources. Especially considering the negative attention Razer has garnered over the past few months with its security and the Synapse 3 software, it is time for an overhaul.
I downloaded and installed the latest version of the Synapse software prior to connecting the Huntsman V2 keyboard. Upon initial plug in, the Synapse software failed to detect and install the drivers for the keyboard. I had to go to the Synapse software and manually check for an update. Not only did the software weigh in at over 350MB on initial download, upon connecting the keyboard, the software required an additional 100+MB update to recognize and install the necessary drivers for proper operation.
USE AND PERFORMANCE
This keyboard is quite unique compared to my others. The additional sound damping material applied by Razer goes a long way to taming the loud clack of the switches. The dampening allows you to carry on a conversation or hear a TV or music where other keyboards constantly interrupt with their loud switch engagement. It's obvious Razer put a great deal of thought into improving this keyboard over the first generation and that R & D has payed off. It offers the consumer the best of both worlds, really. The tactile feel of a mechanical keyboard dulled down to the point it sounds like a membrane keyboard. Very nice.
This keyboard is quite unique compared to my others. The additional sound damping material applied by Razer goes a long way to taming the loud clack of the switches. The dampening allows you to carry on a conversation or hear a TV or music where other keyboards constantly interrupt with their loud switch engagement. It's obvious Razer put a great deal of thought into improving this keyboard over the first generation and that R & D has payed off. It offers the consumer the best of both worlds, really. The tactile feel of a mechanical keyboard dulled down to the point it sounds like a membrane keyboard. Very nice.
The construction is top notch. The machined aluminum top feels robust and extremely sturdy with a nice heft to the piece. The keys have a unique texture to them, unlike any of my other keyboards whether they are mechanical or membrane. At first use, the texture seemed quite odd, but after only a couple of minutes, now feels great! The lettering and illumination are also top notch. This is easily the most legible keyboard that I own. Even better than my Logitech Carbon. The lighting is also far superior to not only my beloved Carbon, but also my Corsair keyboard as well. The colors are rich and vibrant and combined with the font on the keys, make for an excellent typing experience.
While I thoroughly dislike the Synapse software, it does allow for a great deal of customization for this keyboard. It seems as the owner's customization options are nearly endless. Each individual key, knob, and button is customizable and re-mappable. There are so many options available for customization, that it would be hard to get them all into one review. With polling options up to 8000 times per second, this keyboard is VERY responsive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The keyboard is a great piece of hardware. The look, feel, performance, design, etc are all top notch and make the keyboard a worthy competitor for a premium keyboard. The font and back lighting are the best I've ever experienced on a keyboard to date. Way better than my Corsairs' and even better than my Carbon (I didn't think I'd ever say that). The colors are bright and vibrant. Some of my other illuminated keyboards seem washed out and the RGB colors are dull and not true looking. Not with this Razer keyboard. Every aspect of the unit itself feels high end and luxurious.
The keyboard is a great piece of hardware. The look, feel, performance, design, etc are all top notch and make the keyboard a worthy competitor for a premium keyboard. The font and back lighting are the best I've ever experienced on a keyboard to date. Way better than my Corsairs' and even better than my Carbon (I didn't think I'd ever say that). The colors are bright and vibrant. Some of my other illuminated keyboards seem washed out and the RGB colors are dull and not true looking. Not with this Razer keyboard. Every aspect of the unit itself feels high end and luxurious.
The only thing holding the overall experience back is the Synapse software. It is just too much of a resource hog and every single device I've plugged in needs over a 100MB update to get it to work properly. I wish Razer would have spent as much time on the Synapse software as they did on the keyboard. Studying the Corsair iCue software or the Logitech GHub software would pay huge rewards for Razer.
In conclusion, this is a 5 star keyboard with 3 star software. I don't see how the keyboard wouldn't serve any buyer very well.
In conclusion, this is a 5 star keyboard with 3 star software. I don't see how the keyboard wouldn't serve any buyer very well.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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GeoBook 120 is a 12.5-inch Windows 10 laptop complete with a 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal. Powered by an Intel Celeron Dual Core Processor and 4GB RAM, this lightweight laptop makes easy work of essential tasks, browsing and more. 64GB eMMC storage is built in and can be expanded with the addition of a MicroSD card (up to 64GB). GeoBook 120 also features a 2MP webcam, dual microphones and integrated speakers, plus reliable AC Wi-FI.
Customer Rating
4
Chromebook Power Running Windows OS
on September 11, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
Intel Celeron Dual Core Processor (2Cores / 2 Threads)
1366 x 768 Screen Resolution
4GB RAM / 64GB eMMC Hard Drive
Micro SD Card Expandable
Intel Celeron Dual Core Processor (2Cores / 2 Threads)
1366 x 768 Screen Resolution
4GB RAM / 64GB eMMC Hard Drive
Micro SD Card Expandable
INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION
Initial set-up did not go as smoothly as I had expected. The laptop failed to start up on initial power on. Windows attempted to load, but I got the dreaded “blue screen of death”. The computer rebooted and insisted that I connect to a wireless network. Upon doing so, the computer did manage to reach out and download the necessary drivers to right itself. After several minutes, the Geo rebooted once again, had to “think” for a little while, and then finally managed to start up.
Initial set-up did not go as smoothly as I had expected. The laptop failed to start up on initial power on. Windows attempted to load, but I got the dreaded “blue screen of death”. The computer rebooted and insisted that I connect to a wireless network. Upon doing so, the computer did manage to reach out and download the necessary drivers to right itself. After several minutes, the Geo rebooted once again, had to “think” for a little while, and then finally managed to start up.
After this initial hiccup, the Geo appears to function properly and I’ve encountered no further errors since, but this behavior is not what was expected of a product from a company that prides itself on its relationship with Microsoft.
USE AND PERFORMANCE
You really need to temper your expectations for this little laptop. It is basically a Chromebook running the Windows 10 OS. For kids in elementary or middle school, or even senior adults that need the basics for web surfing, emails, or Google classroom, this little laptop will work just fine. However, if you need anything more than the bare minimum, this would not be a worthwhile consideration.
You really need to temper your expectations for this little laptop. It is basically a Chromebook running the Windows 10 OS. For kids in elementary or middle school, or even senior adults that need the basics for web surfing, emails, or Google classroom, this little laptop will work just fine. However, if you need anything more than the bare minimum, this would not be a worthwhile consideration.
The Geo ships with an older image of Windows 10 (it ships with the 20H2 update). After initial start-up, the first Windows update takes a substantial amount of time. Set aside a good hour to be safe. After that, the laptop works admirably at its intended purpose. With Windows 10 being locked in S-Mode, it will limit what apps can be installed. For example, it would not let me install the Chrome browser for my son. But that is also a good thing, as it can help limit the chances of getting a virus or other forms malware.
After the initial Windows start-up and Windows update, there wasn’t a lot of room left on the 64GB drive. I went through and deleted as many unwanted programs as I could. Thankfully, Geo doesn’t ship with bloatware. However, after uninstalling all unnecessary apps, doing a good disk clean up, and optimization, I was left with only 28GB of usable space. That isn’t much left if I did want to install Office or some other programs.
The screen isn’t the greatest. It is fairly low resolution at 1366 x 768, but due to its small size, doesn’t look too pixelated. The display is clean and clear enough for the easy reading of schoolwork and/or websites without excessive eyestrain.
After the initial issues during first power up, the laptop has worked without issue. The Wi-Fi connects without fuss and all the ports work perfectly. Speaking of ports, the Geo has a limited selection, but hits the necessary marks (1 USB-A, 1 USB-C, mini-HDMI, headphone, and charging port). Again, minimal, but more than adequate. The inclusion of a mini-HDMI port to allow the connection to a larger monitor is a great feature!
Battery life under heavy use is right around 5 hours. Not bad and should go considerably longer with lighter use. The laptop is small, lightweight and easily fits in a kid’s backpack. The blue color is a nice change from the standard blacks and grays, but the white lettering on the keyboard, makes it hard to read.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of the day, this laptop does exactly what it is intended to do. It makes a good first laptop for a kid, or a good laptop for an older adult that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of a true Windows 10 laptop costing 2 – 3x more money. Worst case, if you find Windows performing poorly, there is nothing that would prevent you from installing the Chromium OS.
At the end of the day, this laptop does exactly what it is intended to do. It makes a good first laptop for a kid, or a good laptop for an older adult that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of a true Windows 10 laptop costing 2 – 3x more money. Worst case, if you find Windows performing poorly, there is nothing that would prevent you from installing the Chromium OS.
Additionally, the laptop includes a free year of Office 365. If you already have Office 365 Family (like I do) it converts from a full year for one device, to a 9-month extension to your existing Family membership. That is a deal that is hard to beat. Recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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In competitive gaming, every frame matters. Introducing Acer's KA242Y gaming monitor - the Full HD resolution monitor that can keep up with your game play. Through AMD Radeon FreeSync technology, the game’s frame rate is determined by your graphics card, not the fixed refresh rate of the monitor, giving you a serious competitive edge. Plus, users can enjoy comfortable viewing experience while gaming via flicker-less and low dimming display. The design saves space on your desk and lets you place multiple monitors side by side to build a seamless big-screen display.
Customer Rating
3
Inexpensive / Color Adj. Didn’t Improve Images
on August 18, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
Key Features
1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution
AMD FreeSync Compatible
1 HDMI 1.4 Input
1ms VRB (Visual Response Boost)
1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution
AMD FreeSync Compatible
1 HDMI 1.4 Input
1ms VRB (Visual Response Boost)
SET-UP
The monitor comes well packaged and protected. Installation is simple and straightforward. Assembly involved nothing more than tightening 1 screw and snapping the base into the monitor. Note, that this monitor does use a proprietary Acer mount on the back and not the standardized VESA compatible mounts others use. Thankfully, Acer did provide threaded mounting holes for a compatible VESA mount, but neither the VESA mount or mounting screws were included. From unboxing to use took about 2 minutes (it took longer to tidy up my cables than assemble and connect the monitor).
The monitor comes well packaged and protected. Installation is simple and straightforward. Assembly involved nothing more than tightening 1 screw and snapping the base into the monitor. Note, that this monitor does use a proprietary Acer mount on the back and not the standardized VESA compatible mounts others use. Thankfully, Acer did provide threaded mounting holes for a compatible VESA mount, but neither the VESA mount or mounting screws were included. From unboxing to use took about 2 minutes (it took longer to tidy up my cables than assemble and connect the monitor).
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AND DETAILS
The monitor has a total of 2 inputs, 1 VGA and 1 HDMI. Nothing more. There are no provisions for DisplayPort, USB, nothing. That is a sore omission for me, as with my previous Dell monitor, I used its built-in USB hub for my keyboard, mouse, and any thumb drives I may want to plug in. Those extra USB ports were a welcome addition and are sorely missed.
The monitor has a total of 2 inputs, 1 VGA and 1 HDMI. Nothing more. There are no provisions for DisplayPort, USB, nothing. That is a sore omission for me, as with my previous Dell monitor, I used its built-in USB hub for my keyboard, mouse, and any thumb drives I may want to plug in. Those extra USB ports were a welcome addition and are sorely missed.
The lack of vertical height adjustment is also a bummer. While this monitor does tilt, its height is fixed. While not a deal breaker, the ability to adjust the height of a monitor is a nicety.
USE
Overall picture quality of the display is good, especially at this price point. I am not a fan of Acer’s Super Sharpness enhancement (it is like an old school sharpness control). I find it just adds undesired artifacts to images. Luckily, this feature can be quickly and easily disabled.
Overall picture quality of the display is good, especially at this price point. I am not a fan of Acer’s Super Sharpness enhancement (it is like an old school sharpness control). I find it just adds undesired artifacts to images. Luckily, this feature can be quickly and easily disabled.
Text is clear and legible. However, Windows 10 cannot recognize this display by default and only reads it as a Generic PnP monitor. Even drivers downloaded directly from Acer don’t provide Windows with the necessary files to properly identify the display. Luckily Windows can get enough information via the HDMI connection that it does know the resolution and refresh rate capabilities. I can get a 74.973Hz refresh rate that is flicker free.
This Acer monitor is compatible with AMD Freesync which allows the monitor to match the refresh rate of the graphics card, helping to eliminate tearing. But, gamers need to take note that this is only a 75Hz monitor, so those super high framerate refreshes are not this monitor’s cup of tea.
Acer did put a blue light filter on this monitor, and they did some nice work getting the monitor to dim in a dark room. These two features are a nice and thoughtful feature that can make a difference for late night WFH sessions. It really does help relieve eye strain.
NEGATIVES
1. My biggest gripe with this monitor is its lack of accurate color reproduction. While the monitor has a total of 8 different viewing modes, sadly none of them can get the color temperatures very close. While I was able to achieve a near perfect D65 color temperature, the colors quickly diverge and the monitor’s color temperature becomes cooler and cooler, as can be seen in the results from my calibration.
1. My biggest gripe with this monitor is its lack of accurate color reproduction. While the monitor has a total of 8 different viewing modes, sadly none of them can get the color temperatures very close. While I was able to achieve a near perfect D65 color temperature, the colors quickly diverge and the monitor’s color temperature becomes cooler and cooler, as can be seen in the results from my calibration.
2. There-in lies my 2nd gripe. The monitor has numerous options to fine tune the display to your liking. Between the numerous presets and gamma tweaks, etc. there are options galore. However, none of them seem to work other than the presets. I spent a great deal of time trying to tweak the monitor’s tendency to err towards blue, but no matter what I did in the Gain and Bias adjustments (or as Acer calls it: six-axis color adjustment) mattered in the measurements. You could see the display menu change, but the image being projected on the screen did not change in any way. No matter what I turned on, off, or changed improved the accuracy of the image.
CONCLUSIONS
This is a nicely priced monitor. It offers just as many, if not more, options as its competitors at a price that undercuts many of them. What has me concerned, as I don’t have any similarly priced competitors to compare this monitor to, is did Acer cut too many corners to achieve their price point? For example, this is the first display (monitor or TV) that I’ve ever calibrated where the color controls don’t make any measurable difference in image reproduction.
This is a nicely priced monitor. It offers just as many, if not more, options as its competitors at a price that undercuts many of them. What has me concerned, as I don’t have any similarly priced competitors to compare this monitor to, is did Acer cut too many corners to achieve their price point? For example, this is the first display (monitor or TV) that I’ve ever calibrated where the color controls don’t make any measurable difference in image reproduction.
I also really miss those USB ports on the side of my Dell monitors. They are just super handy to jab a thumb drive into without the need to go over to your desktop. But, as a trade-off you do get a super narrow bezel on the sides and top. It is attractive and modern looking.
In the end, I have to give the monitor just 3 stars, an average rating. Even with the average rating, I would recommend this monitor for someone who just needs a decent display with a tight budget. As far as value goes, this Acer is a good value. You get a lot of features (even though some didn’t make any difference) and performance for the money. The blue light filter and ability to get nice and dim make for easier marathon work sessions. However, if your needs require a monitor for more than the basics like emails, Word docs, etc. I would advise looking for a monitor with a more accurate display, a fuller feature set, or a higher refresh rate if you are a gamer.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Yes, it's that powerful: Play with performance with a powerful AMD processor and mighty graphics. All that power stays cool with our frosty OMEN Tempest Cooling. We can't stop others from feeling a little envy. Gaming shouldn't feel this good: Feast your eyes on this 16.1 diagonal inch machine, boasting a high resolution and fast refresh rate. The floating hinge design and Audio by Bang & Olufsen show it off while you go off. And the long battery life lets you play even longer. One place. All play. OMEN Gaming Hub is your one-stop shop to elevating your play. From getting rewards just by gaming, to controlling every little performance and lighting option of your machine, the list goes on. Every game, every play, every moment is now in your control.
Customer Rating
4
EXTREMELY POWERFUL, YET QUIET UNDER PRESSURE
on July 26, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6e
1TB WD SN730 NVMe SSD
16GB DDR-4 RAM
Ryzen 7 5800H Processor (8 Cores / 16 Threads)
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6e
1TB WD SN730 NVMe SSD
16GB DDR-4 RAM
Ryzen 7 5800H Processor (8 Cores / 16 Threads)
INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION
This was a mixed of success and epic fails. Initial boot-up and loading went hassle-free. Windows walks you through all steps, as always, to create your account, get online, etc. However, once Windows update kicked in and went online, things were not as smooth. The initial Windows image appears to have been created prior to May 2021. The computer received a May 2021 update, but only received the 20H2 feature set. No biggie. I installed the May 2021 update, restarted, got the July 2021 update, installed it, restarted the laptop, then it all stopped. I got continued warnings that my PC was missing important updates and security fixes, but no matter what I tried, Windows would not update the PC any further. The Windows Update Assistant said the PC was compatible with 21H1, but it would not install. Hmmmm. Every time I’ve encountered this issue, it has been related to some form of bloatware. Time to dig in.
This was a mixed of success and epic fails. Initial boot-up and loading went hassle-free. Windows walks you through all steps, as always, to create your account, get online, etc. However, once Windows update kicked in and went online, things were not as smooth. The initial Windows image appears to have been created prior to May 2021. The computer received a May 2021 update, but only received the 20H2 feature set. No biggie. I installed the May 2021 update, restarted, got the July 2021 update, installed it, restarted the laptop, then it all stopped. I got continued warnings that my PC was missing important updates and security fixes, but no matter what I tried, Windows would not update the PC any further. The Windows Update Assistant said the PC was compatible with 21H1, but it would not install. Hmmmm. Every time I’ve encountered this issue, it has been related to some form of bloatware. Time to dig in.
After poking around and getting the Microsoft Store and all its associated programs updated, I discovered that HP graced me with several undesired programs. Included in this list are: McAfee, ExpressVPN, and LastPass. Programs are personal choices and I prefer not to use these programs. I tried uninstalling the 3 biggest offenders, hoping it would fix my failure to update issue, but it did not. So, I grabbed my trusty flash drive and went to the Windows Media Creation Tool to download a pure, un-adultered version of Windows from Microsoft.
The clean version of Windows installed without issue. But, with this being a new computer, there were tons of updates and drivers that needed installed. Therein lies my 2nd issue with set-up. I downloaded the Omen drivers from HP’s website and used the self-extracting files to install the drivers for the laptop. The HP files didn’t work. They didn’t extract and install correctly on my machine, leaving me driverless and the laptop operating horribly. Luckily, Windows recognized the NIC after installation and I was able to get to Windows Update via an ethernet cable. From there, Microsoft took care of the rest and properly identified the correct drivers. At last, everything finally worked correctly, and all the latest security updates and patches were installed, but not without a couple of hours’ worth of work.
USE AND PERFORMANCE
Is this machine powerful? Yes, it is. My favorite go-to game for testing is Forza Horizon 4. While it may not be the flavor of the day for most. I enjoy the mindless racing simulator. I set the Power Management feature to balanced using the Omen Command Center and proceeded to benchmark. Forza returned recommended settings at either High or Ultra. With everything cranked up to max or near max levels, the machine returned a respectable average of 42fps. Lowering those levels down could ratchet up the framerates considerably, but the game plays fine at 42fps. The computer could technically be considered GPU bound, if you are a hard-core gamer. At 100% GPU utilization, the CPU was only being taxed at roughly 36%. While not a huge mismatch, there is still a little room for improvement. Further driver refinements may extract more performance from this new graphics chipset over time.
Is this machine powerful? Yes, it is. My favorite go-to game for testing is Forza Horizon 4. While it may not be the flavor of the day for most. I enjoy the mindless racing simulator. I set the Power Management feature to balanced using the Omen Command Center and proceeded to benchmark. Forza returned recommended settings at either High or Ultra. With everything cranked up to max or near max levels, the machine returned a respectable average of 42fps. Lowering those levels down could ratchet up the framerates considerably, but the game plays fine at 42fps. The computer could technically be considered GPU bound, if you are a hard-core gamer. At 100% GPU utilization, the CPU was only being taxed at roughly 36%. While not a huge mismatch, there is still a little room for improvement. Further driver refinements may extract more performance from this new graphics chipset over time.
Speaking of taxing the CPU, just how powerful is the new Ryzen compared to its competition? It is quite impressive. To find out the true compute power, I put it up against my Omen desktop that has a liquid cooled i7-9700 (8 cores / 8 threads) clocked at 3.0GHz. I found a home video that was 26 minutes and 36 seconds in length. It was recorded at 1080p / 30 fps and measured in a little over 7GB. Using Handbrake, my i7 Omen desktop converted my home movie from 1080p/30 to 720p/30 in 7:08. The Ryzen put that i7 to shame. Converting the home video on the Omen laptop took only 5:19. WOW!!! A huge difference. This was strictly using CPU rendering and not using GPU.
Raw compute power is quite impressive. But even more impressive is the quietness of the cooling solution HP created. Handbrake stressed the CPU. During the 5 minute encode test, utilization ranged from 70% to 99% and temps spike momentarily up to 91C. VERY HOT. At the end of the test, the average temp stabilized to 88C. Surprisingly, using a laptop cooler didn’t help the thermals. Even at this temperature and the fans at 100% the laptop remained relatively quiet and was pleasant to use. Unlike my similar Acer Nitro that is distractingly loud and annoying while gaming. I find the annoying whine of the Acer quite tiring after just a few minutes of gaming. Not so with the Omen. HP has done a very good job balancing cooling, airflow, and noise levels.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a very attractive option for a gaming laptop. The screen looks nice and calibrates very well, accurately reproducing colors and textures. The keys will take a little while to get used to. I don’t like them as well as some of my other laptops I’ve had, but they work well enough, and the customizable backlighting is a bonus.
This is a very attractive option for a gaming laptop. The screen looks nice and calibrates very well, accurately reproducing colors and textures. The keys will take a little while to get used to. I don’t like them as well as some of my other laptops I’ve had, but they work well enough, and the customizable backlighting is a bonus.
Battery life is not very good. Others have been reporting very good battery life, but I’ve found only about 2 – 3 hours of battery life with casual use and less than 1 hour of life while gaming. The power brick charges the laptop back up quickly, but it is HUGE. Much bigger than any power brick I’ve used to date.
There are plenty of expansion ports to satisfy nearly everyone. These ports include: LAN, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 A, 1 x USB C, SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone, full-size HDMI, and what appears to be a mini display port (I didn’t have a mini-DP cable to test it).
At the end of the day, this is a very powerful laptop that rivals most desktops. While the Radeon 6600M graphics may not be quite as powerful as the latest nVidia options, it still works well and satisfies my graphics needs. My recommendations: HP removes their bloatware from the initial load (as it appears it prevented my laptop from updating correctly), improve their driver support on the website, and lastly find a way to squeeze in a better battery. Still, this is a very satisfying product, that is only held back by the initial configuration woes.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
How many cores are there in this pc
8 Cores / 8 Threads. Intel has disabled hyper-threading on its i7 processors.
5 years ago
by
NAMO
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
The advertisement and stated processor says its a 9th gen i7-9700 however if you click on the pdf information for this computer it states that it is an 8th Gen i7-8700? Also indicates that graphics are onboard and not the GPU?
It is the 9th Generation 9700 processor with an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. I believe all the Intel processors include onboard graphics.
5 years ago
by
NAMO
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
can a windows 7 computer boot from this drive ?
You should have no issues as long as your bios supports this feature.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
NAMO
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
Is this compatible with a Surface Book?
Mine did not work correctly with a Surface Pro, even with a powered hub. It has worked perfectly with every other computer and/or laptop I've tried it with, though.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
NAMO
Relax and enjoy your favorite films, sporting events or shows on the expansive 65-inch screen of this LG 4K HD TV. Active HDR with Dolby Vision creates an immersive experience with clear images. This LG 4K HD TV features a thin OLED design, giving the television a slender silhouette that doesn't take up much space.
Difference between the 2016 vs 2017 models? Any one what the pros/cons?
From my research, it appears the big differences are that the 2017 models come with LG's latest OS installed (WebOS 3.5 vs WebOS 3.0). LG has also worked some magic on the video processing too. They are now able to get more detail in the very darkest portions of an image, where the 2016 models would sign off on the darkest details earlier & just represent them as total black. Lastly, they able to tweak the light output on the panels to improve overall brightness, which was a common complaint of the 2016 models that were installed in fairly bright rooms from what I have heard.
Thanks. Hope this helps.
Thanks. Hope this helps.
7 years ago
by
NAMO
Relax and enjoy your favorite films, sporting events or shows on the expansive 65-inch screen of this LG 4K HD TV. Active HDR with Dolby Vision creates an immersive experience with clear images. This LG 4K HD TV features a thin OLED design, giving the television a slender silhouette that doesn't take up much space.
When is bestbuy going to sell the LG B7 65 inch model?
I don't think they will. It is my understanding that the B7 is identical to the C7, but intended for Costco and/or Sam's only.
7 years ago
by
NAMO