Shark SmoothStyle is designed to style and smooth hair with heated comb technology for a healthy, voluminous finish. Use Blow Dryer Brush Mode for wet-to-dry volumizing with no heat damage and Heated Comb Mode to style, align, and smooth.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
My wife was so excited when she found out I was able to get this product.
For reference her hair is medium thickness and shoulder length. Her hair is very manageable, and she normally blows it dry and then uses a straight iron. The whole process takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
Upon opening the shark SmoothStyle she was very pleased, loving the fact that is a supposed all-in-one tool, since it dries and straightens. The instructions are very basic but it very easy to use. There are three settings for heat on the drying side and one to straighten. Her biggest complaint is that you are supposed to have your hair almost dried before using the tool.
She did like how easy the Smooth Style was to use, putting her hair up and drying it in clusters. It made her hair straighter and smoother than her normal blow dry process. She stated how the Shark left her hair very silky feeling, impressing her from the get-go. The hottest setting does get very warm, with my wife preferring to use the medium heat setting most of the time. While the heating element gets very hot, the handle and end of the Shark never felt too hot or uncomfortable to hold. Excellent work isolating the heat and keeping it at the end where it belongs.
I thought the Shark felt awkard, but she disagreed, stating the wand is easy to hold, but she doesn’t like the fact that she cannot change settings on it while holding it. Like most hair care products, there are no physical buttons on the wand, changes to the Shark are made by twisting the dial at the bottom of the device, making on-the-fly changes, a two-handed affair.
After her hair was dry, she gave the straightening part a go. It took 2 minutes and 3 seconds to heat up and have the light turn green, indicating it is at the appropriate temperature and ready for use. It did take her a few tries to get the hang of the Shark, as it is quite different than her normal hair straightener, but she quickly got the hang of it.
At the end of the day, she really loves the Shark Smooth Style. However, because of time constraints, she won’t use the Shark daily, relegating it to days off and weekends. Having to leave for work pretty early in the morning, there isn’t time to just wait for her hair to dry. If she does want to use the Shark, she would have to get out her normal blow drier to get her hair dry enough to where she could use the Shark. She tries to be up and out of the house within 30 minutes with the hair process being about 10 of those minutes. Unfortunately, relying solely on the Shark Smooth Style would take longer to do her routine in the morning, thereby necessitating getting up even earlier just to do her hair. This isn’t a big deal on the weekends where there aren’t the same sleep and time constraints that a busy schedule produces throughout the week. With that, she does enjoy using the Shark on the weekends, without the weekday time constraints, it is her go-to appliance.
Cut the competition down to size and dazzle them all with the Razer Cobra Pro—a wireless gaming mouse powered by Razer Chroma RGB. Featuring Razer HyperSpeed Wireless and 11 individually programmable lighting zones, color your play with an illuminating level of freedom and immersion.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
TLDR: The Cobra Pro has a premium feel, high quality switch gear, and RGB overload.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS 3 Connection Options: Bluetooth, Razer Hyperspeed, Wired 30,000 dpi Optical Resolution 11 Zones of RGB Lighting
CONNECTIVITY The Cobra gives the user 3 options for connecting to their PC. Low power Bluetooth is available for the ultimate in connectivity and long battery life. After hours and hours of work and general computing, the battery life is still 95%.
Come game time, the user can switch easily to using Razer’s 2.4GHz Hyperspeed connection for the best in low-lag wireless performance. Thankfully, Razer has made the ability to switch connection methods as simple as a 2-way switch on the bottom of the mouse. Awesome. I found no discernible input lag while gaming using the Hyperspeed connection. The Razer Hyperspeed connection is one of the best performing implementations of the wireless connection available.
Lastly, is the tried and true USB-C wired connection. No lag, no interference, and the ability to charge the mouse while playing.
USE Like I stated earlier in my post, this mouse has a great feel to it. Much better than any other mice I own. The plastic top side has just a little amount of texture, while the sides have a thin, rubber texture making for excellent grip.
Razer’s investment in their 3rd generation optical switches has paid off. The switches have a unique feel specifically to the Razer line. They are, by far, the most satisfying and precise switches to have been installed in any mouse I currently use or have used. Excellent work Razer.
SYNAPSE To this day, I am still no fan of the Razer Synapse software. In my opinion, it is overly bloated and cumbersome. While it has improved over the years, it is still nowhere near as refined and feature rich as Razer’s competition.
Unfortunately, to fully customize your Cobra, you have to use the Synapse software. As much as I dislike the software, I will admit, that there is a ton of customization options it unlocks. Nearly everything is customizable. Report rate, sensitivity, button assignments, lighting, lighting effects, etc.
NEGATIVES Without installing additional modules to the Synapse software (adding even more bloat) the amount of RGB customization is limited. For example, you can select the wave pattern which scrolls through the rainbow’s colors, but you cannot control the speed at which it changes. Annoying.
Using the Bluetooth connection, I noticed considerable lag after the mouse goes to sleep from not being used. Razer’s competition wake up and snap to attention significantly faster. While not a deal breaker, I know it is something that can easily be tweaked via a software / firmware update.
FINAL THOUGHTS I am fortunate to own gaming mice from nearly every major provider, even other Razer mice. Frankly, of all the mice I own and have been able to test, Razer was never my favorite. Not that my other Razer mice are bad, I just preferred the feel, behavior, weight, and design of Razer’s competitors. However, this Cobra Pro has finally changed my opinion.
The Cobra Pro is a fantastic product. While not as light as other gaming mice, it strikes a great balance. I have never cared for the ultra-light mice. There just isn’t enough substance, often leaving them feeling cheap. The Razer strikes a near perfect balance of weight and aesthetics. Razer’s 3rd generation optical switches are fantastic, rewarding the user with a nice, precise and premium feel.
The Cobra Pro has finally earned Razer the top spot as my favorite gaming mouse.
Tackle tough pet spills and stains - like muddy paw prints and dropped food - with the power of HydroSteam Technology. Proven to clean sticky messes up to 20% better, this machine uses a combination of specialized cleaning formula with HydroSteam Technology to clean across multiple surfaces. Additionaly, Two-Tank Technology ensures you always clean with fresh water and formula. Plus, it features a self-cleaning cycle that allows for ease of clean after the clean up. And this machine doesn't just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
PROS Almost completely self-cleaning Great with hair Much less maintenance than a carpet cleaner
CONS Limited range of motion in tight spots Not so much steam as hotter water
INTRODUCTION I’ve owned Bissell products for many years. Everything from vacuums to carpet cleaners, Bissell has been a go-to brand when I needed something more than a vacuum. I’ve owned my Bissell carpet cleaner for over a decade now and was excited to see what amounts to a cleaner / shampooer for hard surfaces. I had to give it a go.
USE Included with the purchase of the product is a multi-surface microfiber brush roll, 3 trial-sized samples of Bissell’s Floor Sanitizer, Floor Cleaner, Vacuum Cleaning solution, and a storage / cleaning base for the product. Bissell sells larger bottles of their cleaners, as well as offers a variety of brush rolls that may be more tailored to your needs. These include the Pet Roll, Hardwood Floor Roll, and Carpet Roll. The Multi-Purpose brush roll included with the cleaner does an admiral job at filling all the roles (pun intended) without neglecting specific surfaces. A jack of all trades, master of none so to speak.
The Hydrosteam includes 3 different cleaning modes: Steam, Area Rug, and Hard Floors. Area Rug and Hard Floors allows you to use the product as a lightweight vacuum, while the steam option allows the user to dispense a heated cleaning solution on sealed floors that makes spills and other sticky messes easier to clean.
How well does the Hydrosteam clean? Surprisingly well. We consider ourselves clean people. We thoroughly clean our house every 2 weeks and lightly clean in between. Every 2 weeks includes washing the hardwoods and tile floors throughout. Having just done a good cleaning this past Thursday, I was doubtful the Hydrosteam would give much of a return. After all, we had just cleaned and we don’t wear our shoes in the house.
Well, that theory went out the window. I’ve included a picture of the water returned from cleaning just the tile floors. DISGUSTING. The steam cleaning function and cleaning solution picked up a bunch of junk that our mop / wet cleaning stick just smeared around. UGH. Time to rethink how we clean house. Embarrassing. Great job Bissell. The tile floors have NEVER felt cleaner.
CLEAN-UP One thing that has kept me from ever wanting a steamer is my experience with my Bissell carpet cleaner. While the carpet cleaner does a decent job, it absolutely SUCKS to clean up after you are done. Figure a good 30 – 45 minutes cleaning the cleaner after use. Cutting hair, cleaning the inside of the vacuum, rinsing the parts and hoses. You name it and I hate it. Too awkward, too time consuming, too messy.
Bissell has done a very good job eliminating the mess of owning this machine. While there is some stuff to do, it is nothing like owning a carpet cleaner. Once done with your cleaning, bring the machine back to the plastic storage base. Fill the recessed brush roll area with some of Bissell’s citrus cleaning fluid and sit the machine in the storage base. Plug it in and the machine knows it has been placed in its home. The self-cleaning light comes on and in about 30 seconds the machine has run, cleaned itself and sucked nearly all the water out of the storage base. EASY.
You still must pull both the clean and dirty water tanks after use and clean them, but it isn’t horrible. I was able to pull the tanks, rinse them out, and clean out the storage base in less than 10 minutes. Not bad. Bissell has done their best at trying to eliminate the cleaning the cleaner chore.
NEGATIVES I found the range of motion of vacuum very short. Working in a tight space like a bathroom you can easily get the handle just a little too far vertical. I’m not talking perpendicular to the ground either. Once you do, the protection device kicks in and blocks suction. While I get that it is supposed to protect the cleaner, it is just too fast at blocking airflow. When it does, you MUST shut the cleaner off and let the suction stop to resume cleaning. Annoying.
While marketed as a Hydrosteam, I would consider it more of a hot water cleaner. I never really ever saw any true steam from the cleaner. I could see a little, but a true steam cleaner, it is not. A true steam cleaner sanitizes during use due to the extreme temperature. This machine will sanitize, but only using the Bissell Sanitizing formula and only if it is allowed to remain damp on the surface for more than 5 minutes. The steam I see in Bissell’s videos and photos seem to be overly dramatic.
CONCLUSIONS The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam is a good cleaning tool. As long as the user knows this isn’t a “true” steaming machine, they won’t be disappointed. The Bissell does a very good job at cleaning hard surfaces. My tile floors look and feel great. Most importantly, they dried very quickly, as the Bissell leaves little to no water behind.
The Crosswave Hydrosteam is easy to care for and you can tell Bissell has devoted a lot of time making the machine user friendly and easy to maintain. That is a huge and welcome addition to their product line. While this is not a replacement for either my existing carpet cleaner or my carpet vacuum (it cannot compare to either one), it is a keeper compared to my current hard floor cleaning products, whether they be my cleaners for tiles or my sealed hardwoods.
The Crucial P5 Plus SSD with integrated heatsink delivers remarkable speed and data protection with sequential reads up to 6,600MB/s for transformative computing. Designed specifically for intensive workloads, high-quality creative content, and gaming, the P5 Plus with heatsink is ideal for use with PlayStation 5, supports Microsoft DirectStorage, and is also backward compatible with most Gen3 systems for ultimate flexibility. Engineered by Micron with Gen4 NVMe technology, the Crucial P5 Plus includes advanced features like full hardware-based encryption, dynamic write acceleration, and adaptive thermal protection to keep your data safe while enhancing system reliability.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
INTRODUCTION The P5 Plus is a new offering from Crucial / Micron. Sporting a PCIe 4.0 interface, integrated heat sink, and a DRAM cache, the drive has a lot going for it. Crucial backs the drive by a good 5 year manufacturer’s warranty, which is decent in this day, considering some manufacturer’s offer only a 3 year warranty, 5 is a welcome benefit. Crucial claims speeds up to 6600MB/s, more than enough to satisfy the PS5’s minimum read/write speed requirements.
INSTALLATION The Crucial P5 installed into my older i7-9700k based desktop PC without issue. The older PCIe Gen 3 desktop required no drivers and was instantly recognized and Windows 11 installed with no fuss. If you are installing this on a newer computer like my 13th gen i5, you will most likely need a VMD driver to get Windows to recognize the drive in the PCIe Gen 4 interface. The VMD driver is readily available from Intel, and once I installed the driver, Windows recognized the drive, formatted it and installed quickly, quietly, and without any issues.
PERFORMANCE The Crucial P5 Plus offers average performance compared to similar PCIe 4 drives. The P5 had no problems sending and receiving data from my older desktop’s PCIe 3.0 interface. The 3.0 interface could not even begin to reach the limits of the 4.0 interface. The P5 handled all the data as fast as my old workhorse could throw at it.
However, once I pulled the drive from my older desktop and installed it into my current desktop, speeds were not nearly as impressive. Crucial touts speeds up to 6600MB/s, but I was not able to reach their claimed performance numbers. It wasn’t a fault of the desktop, as my current PCIe 4.0 drive from another manufacturer handily beats the Crucial offering. My current NVMe 4.0 drive outpaces the Crucial by over 900MB/s, roughly 6900MB/s vs 6000MB/s.
The integrated heatsink is a nice feature and may pay dividends in the future. However, repeated read/write tests of this drive compared to my faster NVMe drive, which is not equipped with a heatsink, showed little difference in overall temperatures. The Crucial P5 maintained its cool, running only around 41C during testing. My non-heatsink drive was only 3 – 4 degrees warmer after repeated tests, so the addition of the heatsink may not be an absolute necessity with decent airflow in your machine.
FINAL THOUGHTS The P5 Plus is a solid offering from Crucial. I have always had excellent luck with Micron memory and have no reason to believe this drive won’t be nothing but reliable.
The P5 Plus isn’t the fastest drive on the market, but it is a solid choice. An integrated heatsink and a DRAM cache should ensure any user will be able to get the most from their drive. Whether you are shopping for desktop drive or a PlayStation 5 drive, this one should be worthy of your consideration.
Body Comp offers a total body assessment with weight precise up to 50g, plus full body composition metrics (body fat and water percentage, plus muscle and bone mass), cardiovascular assessment (Standing Heart Rate, Vascular Age), and an Electrodermal Activity Score, providing the most complete and accurate overview of body metrics ever offered. Every weigh-in appears in the Withings app automatically, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth sync. And unlike many smart scales, with Wi-Fi sync, you don’t have to have your phone with you when you weigh-in to synchronize your data.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
TLDR: While the Withings is an interesting take on health, it is just another product that doesn’t do much more than you can get with your phone and/or smart watch.
INTRODUCTION The Withings Body Comp Scale packs a bunch of features and tech into a product most probably never give 2 thoughts about. The scale wants to be your one-stop place for health and fitness information and offers insights into not only your weight, but your body’s overall health and condition. The Withings scales measures: Body Composition, Heart Health, Electrodermal Activity, Nutrition, and even includes the weather forecast and air quality.
Subscribing to Withings+ unlocks even more features within the app and allows for tracking trends, nutrition, and exercise guidance, etc. Withings has wisely chosen to integrate their scale with (according to their website) over 100 different fitness apps. This includes the heavy hitters like Apple Fitness, FitBit, and in my case, Samsung Health. Great job Withings.
USE The best & worst part of the Body Comp scale is the ability to measure your body composition, including Fat Mass, Muscle Mass, Bone Density, and Visceral Fat. In addition, the scale can give you an overview of your cardiovascular health by giving you an estimate of your vascular age determined from body fat, heart rate, etc. This is great and with the Withings+ app you can see trends and improvements in your health as time moves along. However, as great as the measurements are, they are also a curse. I’m sure if the scale could say I was fat & lazy, it would. Ugh. Time to get off the couch.
Set-up of the scale is completed through the Withings app available on your iOS or Android device. It is a simple process and walks you step-by-step through the set-up and it never seems daunting or difficult. It is a well-designed process and includes everything you need to get started from account creation, WiFi configuration, firmware updates, etc.
A full measurement, minus the Withings+ plus features takes about a minute total. There is nothing to do but stand on the scale during this time. It doesn’t get any easier. During this minute, your weight is recorded, your heart rate measured, your electrodermal activity (sweat glands) recorded and your data is uploaded to the Withings app. Once all measurements are taken and uploaded, the scale gives you the weather forecast and the air quality index all on the color display. It is quite elegant.
APP AND WEBSITE Once the initial set-up is completed, that is where things go downhill, rapidly downhill. The app and website are not intuitive or user friendly. I fully admit that it may get easier, the more I use it, but as a new owner, it is not easy to get to what I want immediately.
Furthermore, the app, while it says is fully compatible with Samsung Health is WAY off. As of this moment, I have recorded 6611 steps according to my Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Samsung Health. The Withings app shows I have taken 14392 steps today. While I like that number much better, it is inaccurate and I’m not sure where the data is being pulled from. Other metrics being pulled from Samsung Health also appear to be off target as well.
FINAL VERDICT At the end of the day, I cannot give the Body Comp Scale a recommendation. The scale itself looks very upscale (pun intended) and the color display is clear, easy to read, and looks very high end. But, as of now, that is where my endearment for the product ends.
The Withings app is clunky and difficult to navigate. Settings that should be easy enough to find seem to take multiple button taps to get to and only after trial and error. The website is also just as cumbersome.
To put it quite frankly, this scale has little to offer that you don’t already have available with a smartwatch and phone.
Deco BE85 is the next-gen Wi-Fi 7 whole home multi-gig mesh Wi-Fi system that combines the technologies and premium hardware. The powerful BE22000 Wi-Fi 7 with TP-Link Mesh technology delivers strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your home and even connects up to 200 devices. Tri-Band technology reduces lag that originates from network congestion. The Mesh system automatically connects your devices to the least crowded Wi-Fi band depending on the devices' data usage. Achieve all the performance benefits with peace of mind with TP-Link's HomeShield protection. Stay secure with WPA3 encryption and provide a safe online-playground for your kids with parental controls.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
INTRODUCTION The Deco BE85 ships with 3 identical devices. Whichever one you hookup first becomes your main unit and the others are satellite devices. TP-Link has endowed each unit with a tremendous amount of tech, not seen in many consumer-grade devices to date. Included, and most obvious is Wi-Fi 7. The latest generation of the Wi-Fi standard. Wi-Fi 7 supports the ability to transmit data at speeds better than 4x the current Wi-Fi 6 standard. Additionally, each unit is equipped with two 2.5Gbe ports, two 10Gbe ports, as well as a combo port that can be used with fiber, and the obligatory USB 3.0 port. Wow!!!
Most important to me, is the Deco BE85 is the first consumer mesh Wi-Fi system I have really given any consideration to, simply because it is one of, if not the only unit, to support what TP-Link refers to as MLO (Multi-Link Operation). This means the nodes all can communicate with one another on all available connection methods. No longer is the consumer tied to a single 5GHz backhaul channel for communication between nodes. Get those nodes just a little too far apart and their communication speed plummets. Not with these BE85’s. These can use the 2.4Ghz, 5GHz, 6GHz, and Ethernet for backhaul. Not only can they pick and choose which one to use, the BE85 can use all the bands, including ethernet, simultaneously for communication. OUTSTANDING!!!!!
INITIAL SET-UP The TP-Link Deco BE85 does its best to make setting up a new Wi-Fi network a piece of cake. But, make no bones about it, if you are doing it yourself, it helps to have a decent understanding of networking and most importantly, make sure you know how to access your existing equipment before starting the installation. I consider myself decently adept at networking and thankfully I have some experience as there were several hiccups getting everything up and running properly with my existing AT&T Fiber Internet.
My most important recommendations prior to beginning installation of the TP-Link system are as follows: 1. Make sure you go into your existing modem (often provided by your ISP) and disable the Wi-Fi radios for all bands, including any guest networks. This will prevent it from competing with the new Deco kit after hookup. 2. It isn’t necessary, but I recommend changing the DHCP settings on the ISP modem to only allow for 1 DHCP address assignment. This will be for the main Deco unit. Let the main Deco unit handle the DHCP server responsibilities after that. 3. For the utmost ease in converting to a new system, make your Deco’s SSID and Wi-Fi password the same as your existing system (assuming you are satisfied with your current password security). This way, once the Deco comes online all client devices will find the network and automatically connect, eliminating the need to manually configure every single device. On my network this is close to 70 different devices.
CONFIGURATION 99% of all Deco configuration is handled through the nicely designed Deco app available for both Android and iOS. I found the Android app my preferred method of accessing and configuring my system, as the iOS app seems to lag slightly behind, with the Android version providing much faster refreshing and near real-time statistics.
TP-Link has really done a good job at making the system set-up possible for even the tech challenged. While it is entirely possible to have little or no experience in networking and still set-up the system, if a problem does arise (I had numerous issues) a good networking background is needed to avoid unwanted calls to family members and/or TP-Link Tech Support. The Deco app will attempt to guide you through the installation and configuration, but there are some things that you will just want the experience for. Not a knock against TP-Link, that is just the way it is when configuring a new whole home Wi-Fi system. Honestly, TP-Link deserves applause for trying their best to make the set-up as intuitive and pain-free as possible. Their hard work really shows.
TESTING I have an older home that is approximately 4600 square feet. It has been reliably served by a TP-Link Archer AX11000 router since 2020, just as Covid was ramping up and things began to become scarce. The single Archer AX11000 covered every part of my home and most of my yard without issue. Granted, speeds weren’t the best at the fringes, but the main part of the living areas were covered great. Even the far ends of the house could reliably achieve 30 – 50Mbps downloads even during the worst of times.
Because I have a single-story house, I placed the main Deco nearly dead center in the house and a satellite node toward each end. After buying the house, I made sure to run Cat5e throughout, so I was able to utilize the tried-and-true copper connection for backhaul. The Deco’s recognized the copper connection instantly, but because of their proximity and transmit/receive efficiency, each Deco also states it is connected to each other by the 2.4, 5, and 6GHz bands too.
Those exact same clients that were getting only 30 – 50Mbps down, are now averaging more than 300Mbps down. Places in my house that would cause my phone, in particular, to change from the 5GHz band to the 2.4GHz band causing a brief interruption in performance are now fully blanketed in Wi-Fi and the phone maintains not just a Wi-Fi 5 connection throughout the entire house, it is able to maintain a full Wi-Fi 6 connection throughout the home. EXCELLENT!
NEGATIVES I wish each unit, or at least one of the units, had 8 ethernet ports instead of just 4.
There are still some bugs that need squashed in the TP-Link app and firmware. While the firmware is drastically better than it was initially, there are still random hiccups, slow connections, and inexplicable data freeze ups where nothing seems to be getting sent or received (even though my modem shows a connection to my ISP).
I would like to be able to manage my device configuration from the actual Deco’s webpage versus using the app. I find it cumbersome to manage the intricate details of the device from my phone. I like to be able to use a full-size monitor to see more information at once. Give the users and Advanced tab where they can make configurations to the Deco’s via a computer like I can on my AX11000.
Not sure if I received an old unit, or refurbished unit, but mine was shipped by the RMA department and is version 2.0. TP-Link has already released a hardware revision to V2.6. There is no way of telling what changes have occurred, but something has changed to warrant a hardware revision.
The HomeShield protection suite is not included in the purchase price of the unit and available only through a monthly subscription after the 30 day trial period.
SUMMARY This is the current cutting edge for Wi-Fi. The addition of the MLO option to the Deco’s make it a true game changer in the world of consumer mesh devices. It eliminates the trial and error needed to make sure each node is in just the perfect position, or it doesn’t work right.
My Wi-Fi coverage has never been broader or as seamless. Weak and dead spots have been all but eliminated and every device has a much more reliable, stable connection. While it is true there are no Wi-Fi 7 client devices readily available, there will be. In the interim, the Deco BE85 will ensure you can wring every last bit of performance out of your existing devices and ready your home for the future.
The only thing holding this back from getting a 5-star review is the random bugs that I still experience from time to time (surely to be squashed by a firmware update in the future) and the inability to perform what amounts to be Network Administration duties from a computer browser. This is HUGE to me, as I feel it would have immensely helpful in helping pinpoint the initial installation issues I experienced trying to get the Deco's to work properly with my AT&T Fiber.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
INITIAL CONFIGURATION & INSTALLED APPS Like many Dell products, this Inspiron proved to be issue free during initial set-up and configuration. Between Windows update and the Dell Owner Website, any initial configuration, set-up, or driver issues were easily rectified. I highly recommend browsing the Dell driver update website based on your Dell Service Tag, as Windows update failed to identify the most recent bios update. Windows update found 1 bios update, but Dell had an updated one on their website.
The first bios update to 1.2.1 was extremely nerve racking and took nearly 10 minutes. Most of that with no movement on the progress bar. Fortunately, the update installed without issue & there have been no performance or driver issues.
Dell doesn’t deliver the laptop to you with a pure, unaltered version of Windows 11. Instead, there is a moderate amount of bloatware. Included in the unnecessary bloatware is McAfee Anti-Virus (installed by default & always has issues being totally wiped clean), numerous Dell assistants and software, 3 full versions of Office 365 (English, Spanish, and French), as well as McAfee Web Advisor. While this may not normally be an issue (other than McAfee), but with only 512GB of NVMe space, every little bit counts.
DISPLAY AND KEYBOARD The 14” display is very crisp and clear. The touchscreen supports a better than full HD resolution of 1900 x 1200. The display has quite a bit of glare, as it is a very reflective surface, but it is very nice to look at once you get the color adjusted.
Speaking of the display, initial color accuracy is way off. Honestly, when I first got the laptop, I was kind of put off by the out of the box color reproduction. It was yellowy and unpleasant to look at. After several hours of use, I finally got tired of the colors and grabbed my colorimeter. Using the colorimeter and profiling software, the color accuracy was VASTLY improved and almost dead on. Now the display is bright, crisp, clear, and very pleasing to look at. Colors are now much truer to life.
The keyboard is equally as pleasing to use. Even with a more compact size than I am used to, the keys have a nice, responsive feel, without a lot of the membrane style mushiness. Overall, the keyboard and display provide for a premium feel, better than its current price point.
UPGRADEABILITY This is one of the few areas that leaves the consumer wanting. The specs for this machine are what is considered entry-level at this point. 512GB of hard drive space and only 8GB of RAM. Not that it is a bad thing, as most computers can be upgraded as time progresses and users’ needs increase. Unfortunately, the Inspiron 14’s RAM is not upgradeable, as confirmed by the Dell associates. The NVMe drive and Wi-Fi adapter are upgradeable. The NVMe drive shipped with the Inspiron is a 2230 drive, but Dell has wisely opted for the ability for an end-user put a normal 2280 sized NVMe drive. Wi-Fi card is a standard Key A or E card and replaceable as well, but I have experienced no issues with the RealTek Wi-Fi 6E card installed from the factory, as Wi-Fi connections have proven consistent and reliable with good speeds.
BATTERY LIFE Battery life has been averaging around 3 hours, more or less. I’m sure this could be increased by using the Battery Saver function built into Windows 11 or by lowering the brightness down from 120 nits as recommended by my monitor calibration software. However, the display is so crisp and natural looking at these settings, I hate to reduce overall brightness.
CONCLUSION This would make a good laptop for anyone needing a basic and dependable machine. This display is nice to look at (once calibrated) and the overall feel and functionality of the 2 in 1 design is quite good. Battery life is decent for being such a small battery, but I still wish it had more reserve capacity. The only thing holding this back from a 5-star rating, is the inability to add more RAM and the McAfee Anti-Virus installed an active immediately from start-up. Speed and responsiveness have never been an issue.
A small, lightweight laptop with good performance, crisp display, and excellent ergonomics.
Introducing the Outdoor Premium Full-Motion TV Mount - Designed to handle the elements, this weatherproof mount is built with a corrosion-resistant coating and stainless-steel hardware for durability. 25-inches of extension offers flexible cable access, and the perfect viewing angle so you get the best seat wherever you are. Motion lock knobs keep your TV securely in place to prevent unwanted movement. With Virtual Axis(TM) fingertip tilt technology, you can tilt and swivel your TV to reduce glare and improve the viewing angle. The slim profile of this mount blends seamlessly into your décor, placing your TV just 2.74 inches from the wall for a sleek and stylish look. Upgrade your outdoor entertainment space with the perfect mount. For TVs 40"-85"
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Like my intro states, this mount is made like a tank. Crafted from heavier gauge steel than most ordinary mounts, the Sanus is made to withstand the extreme conditions of the outdoors. How much stronger is the Sanus steel than other cheaply made mounts? Considerably. This mount can support up to 120 pounds and weighs in at a hefty 20 pounds without the TV. It is so sturdy, that it weighs as much as the TV I have it mounted to.
Included in the box with the mount is the requisite hardware to mount the TV to its bracket. Sanus includes a good variety of mounting hardware and spacers, that will surely accommodate most, if not all TV’s made in the past decade. To ensure a long life in even the most extreme conditions, the Sanus kit includes all stainless-steel mounting hardware. No cheap galvanized or painted fasteners here. Also included, are 4 large lag bolts to and washers to screw the mount to a standard 2x4 or better wall.
The mount can extend to a maximum length of 25 inches but sucks in to a svelte 2.75 inches when tucked up against the wall. I have numerous articulating mounts in the past, but none have ever been so smooth and effortless at moving. The Sanus glides with a smooth and confident precision that no other mount I’ve used to date can match. All my previous mounts were either too stiff and felt like you were about to break the TV when you wanted to move it or were so flimsy, they failed to hold the TV in my desired position. Not sure what Sanus has done, but like Goldilocks and her porridge, this mount is “just right”. No matter what position you want your TV, the Sanus mount will accommodate. It rotates, swings, tilts, and maybe most importantly has a spot for a padlock to help deter theft and damage when not in use.
The only real quibble I can find with this mount is that for the price it does not include mounting hardware for any other wall types than wooden studs. They provide you with the instructions for mounting it to other types of material, like concrete, but do not include the hardware. I get that 95% of us will mount the TV to wood studs, but it would be a minimal cost to manufacturer to give out a few concrete anchors with the mount.
The PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset was designed with the world’s best pro players to remove any barrier between you and the win. Engineered for comfort and confidence with award-winning PRO design, 50mm Graphene drivers for advanced sound quality, LIGHTSPEED wireless with up to 50-hour on a single charge, multiple connection options, clear communications with a 6mm cardioid microphone on a detachable boom arm, DTS Headphone:X 2.0 Surround Sound, improved comfortable design, and durable aluminum and steel frame.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
SYNOPSIS The Pro X2 has potential, but needs a firmware update to fix the odd sound quality using the lightspeed connection, until then, look elsewhere.
INITIAL SET-UP I am fortunate to own several Logitech G products. As with any other of my G products, initial set-up is simple and straightforward. Once you download and install the G Hub software, you plug in the device and are good to go. The G Hub software is simple and gives you full information on your products including battery level, onboard memory settings, current profile, and firmware. It is slick and reliable.
USE Like all my other G branded Logitech products, these headphones continue to impress with their premium look and robust design. Logitech has wisely chosen to stray from the rest of their competition and omit all traces of RGB lighting?!?! Just when you thought a premium product couldn’t be found that didn’t have some form of EDM lightshow, Logitech comes through. Nice touch Logitech. Much appreciated.
The new Pro X2’s have just about any and every connection you could think of, or need, covered for use. They can be hooked up via an old school 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C, Bluetooth, and via their Lightspeed dongle. As a bonus, if you don’t have a 3.5mm connection & desire its use, there is one built-in to the Lightspeed dongle. Super thoughtful!
The Pro X2’s feature the requisite 50mm drivers that are now standard and expected in premium headphones. The sound quality is good without being bass heavy like many of Logitech’s competitors. Logitech has done a good job of tuning the headphones for accuracy vs bass heavy sound reproduction. It works well for gaming, keeping the audio clearer without muffling footsteps and ambient noises during FPS games, but leaves a little on the table for music.
The mic plugs in via a single 3.5mm connection but does not flip up and down. Some like that feature where flipping the mic up shuts it off and pulling it back down turns in on. Whatever your tastes are there is no argument that the sound quality of the mic is very good. Voices come through clear, clean, and intelligible and Logitech’s Blue Sound algorithms do a great job at evening out and cleaning up spoken words even during the most intense battles.
NEGATIVES As far as negatives, I’ll get right to it and the reason I can’t recommend the headphones – It’s the weird audio quality using the Logitech Lightspeed dongle. The G Hub software says it is using DTS audio processing with the Lightspeed dongle, but if it is, something is amiss. Audio is muffled, muted, and is often hard to understand spoken words from games or other players. This problem can be alleviated by plugging in the included 3.5mm audio cable, but at that point what is purpose of buying a wireless set of headphones? No matter what setting I tried in the G Hub software, I could not get decent audio quality from the Lightspeed connection. Even turning all audio processing off failed to correct the issue.
This odd sound quality is only exhibited while using the Logitech Lightspeed connection. The sound quality is restored to normal when using any of the other available connections: Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio or USB. The Lightspeed dongle is supposed to provide a high-speed, wireless connection between the headphones and the PC eliminating the dreaded Bluetooth audio lag. Unfortunately, the sound quality is so poor, I resorted to using my PC’s Bluetooth connection and letting my DTS Sound Unbound app (which includes DTS Headphone X) to control the audio processing.
Thinking it surely was a user error or computer issue, I installed the G Hub software on my son’s computer and let him try the Pro X2’s. After about an hour into a gaming session and multiple different attempts at using the G Hub software, he came out and gave them back to me. He was not impressed. Said the sound quality was terrible and went back to using his much less expensive headphones from a Logitech competitor.
Lastly, and this is only a matter of preference, not a necessarily a ding on Logitech, is the fact that the mic doesn’t swing up and down. Like my son, I also like the convenience of being able to swing the mic arm up and down to quickly disconnect the mic. Not a deal breaker by any means, but a matter of preference.
CONCLUSIONS The Pro X2’s have a lot going for them. They have a premium look and feel. Come with 2 different ear cup materials and are light enough that they would surely satisfy any gamer. In addition, they offer an impressive 50 hours of battery life.
These headphones have the ability to reproduce good audio quality, but the Lightspeed dongle and connection that Logitech wants you to love and use isn’t ready yet. Plugging in the dongle deactivates any form of PC audio processing, relying solely on the Logitech software and it doesn’t work correctly. Quite honestly, audio quality using the Lightspeed dongle and Logitech software is quite poor whether it be for games, movies, or music.
Fortunately, the Pro X2’s have many different connection options and you can defeat the Lightspeed dongle and enjoy that premium Logitech sound, but that also defeats the purpose of these headphones. I have no doubt Logitech can fix the issues with a firmware update, but until they can, I would look elsewhere.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The Hylands ear drops work decently for mild, non-medical related ear pain. They have provided temporary relief for my son that gets earaches after gym class and other sports. He normally just toughs it out and, in an evening, or so, his ears don’t bother him, but he commented that these drops did provide for some relief during the evening hours when his ears would normally bother him the most. He states that they provide a soothing effect when applied, and while the drops don't eliminate all his discomfort, they do help take the edge off.
I found the Hylands drops particularly nice after wearing soft, foam ear plugs for extended periods of time. Whether it be for yard work, or long afternoon rides on the motorcycle, those soft, foam ear plugs irritate my ears, especially if sweating. A drop or two of the Hylands takes the discomfort away.
Just note, that these are not a substitute for actual doctor prescribed drops if you are experience ear discomfort due to a true medical condition.
What if a vacuum was so advanced it could sense the type of floor it’s cleaning? BISSELL SurfaceSense Pet vacuum can! Its intelligent SurfaceSense Technology can detect floor types and automatically adjust the brush roll speed to give you optimal cleaning performance on any floor type. It’s also our first vacuum with a Tangle-Free, Multi-Surface Brush Roll which has stiff bristles for cleaning carpet and soft bristles for vacuuming hard floors, so it can pick up everything from fine dust to larger debris across all floor types. SurfaceSense Pet vacuum has a One Touch, Easy Empty dirt tank and a SmartSeal Allergen System that traps fine dust and allergens while you clean. The LED headlights illuminate hidden dirt and debris while the Quick Release Extension Wand and above floor tools work together to clean hard-to-reach spaces, like upholstery and stairs. And this vacuum doesn’t just clean up after pets, it helps save them, too! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Is this a self-propelled vacuum? Is there a Bissell that is?
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.
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.
I don't believe so. Unlike other laptops, that have both integrated graphics for the main display and an aftermarket solution (AMD or nVidia) for an external display, this laptop appears to be use the onboard, integrated graphics at all times.
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.
About how long does the battery last from a full charge?
For on-the-GO peace of mind. Use UV light with or without a vacuum function so you can safely clean your phone, car and plane seat, hotel room, luggage and more.
Pure One S11 is a high-performance cordless vacuum. It features iLoop™ Smart Sensor Technology which senses hidden dirt, dust, hair, pollen, and dander, and automatically adjusts suction power in real-time for an effortless cleaning experience. Pure One S11’s full-size multi-tasker power brush ensures you get a deep, thorough clean of carpets, bare floors, fabric, and more. Get up to 130W of suction power in Max mode.
Good Afternoon, No, this vacuum doesn't come with 2 batteries. Just the one. One a positive note, the wall mount includes a spot to charge a 2nd battery and can charge a 2nd battery simultaneously while charging the battery in vacuum.
Pure One S11 is a high-performance cordless vacuum. It features iLoop™ Smart Sensor Technology which senses hidden dirt, dust, hair, pollen, and dander, and automatically adjusts suction power in real-time for an effortless cleaning experience. Pure One S11’s full-size multi-tasker power brush ensures you get a deep, thorough clean of carpets, bare floors, fabric, and more. Get up to 130W of suction power in Max mode.
DOES THE POWER BUTTON HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY CONTINUALLY HELD DOWN BY THE USER TO KEEP THE DEVICE IN THE RUNNING MODE ( AS WITH THE DYSON CORDLESS VACUUMS ) ?
Good Afternoon, No, you don't have to hold the trigger down the whole time like your Dyson. There is a small lever just above your thumb (assuming you are right-handed) that can be used to hold the trigger down while in use.
Enhance your TV experience without compromising your room’s design with the Sonance MAG SSTVAUDIO Sonos Powered 2.0-Channel Soundbar Alternative. This premium 2.0-channel TV audio solution combines LCR in-wall speakers, a Sonos Amp, and a behind-the-TV Sonance wall box, delivering stunning clarity and deep sound while keeping all electronics hidden from view. Designed as a discreet soundbar alternative, this system features two MAG6 LCR speakers with pivoting silk dome tweeters and dual 6.5" woofers, ideal for media rooms, living rooms, and TV audio upgrades. The included Sonos Amp powers your speakers, supports AirPlay 2, and connects directly to your TV via HDMI ARC, making it easy to control everything with your existing TV remote. The included PowerBridge kit and Sonance wall box conceal the Sonos amp, wiring, and even streaming devices like Apple TV®, Roku®, Amazon Fire TV Stick®, and Google TV Streamer®, eliminating the need for TV stands or exposed cables. Paintable grilles blend into your walls, making this system ideal for any TV in any room of your home. With a design-first approach, the MAG SSTVAUDIO is the ultimate in-wall TV speaker system for design-conscious homes.
Can you attach a sub to this system as well for extra bass, or are you stuck with just the 2 included speakers?
And is the amp powerful enough for a sub?
Good Evening. Yes, you can pair a sub with this system. Using the Sonos app, you can add a Sonos sub or the amp has a line out to add a sub via line out connection. The sub will have to be self powered, the Sonos amp will not supply power to drive the sub.
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.
Why in the graphics for the specs its says intel hd graphics is there not a gtx 1660 TI?
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.
Is there a gtx 1660ti installed or not? What size pwr supply?