NAMO's stats
- Review count233
- Helpfulness votes1,289
- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewNovember 2, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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Questions
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- Answer count16
- Helpfulness votes13
- First answerJune 2, 2017
- Last answerDecember 9, 2021
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Introducing the CSTM80: an enthusiast desktop centerpiece that~s doing customization differently. Introducing a never-before-seen component, purpose-built decorative top case, and it fits magnetically~and seamlessly~onto the CSTM80~s specially designed polycarbonate case. Designed with a refined aesthetic that~s both minimalist and classic in the ever-popular tenkeyless layout. The CSTM80~s sleek keycaps with front-facing shine-through legends to complement the enthusiast specified south facing per-key RGB lights. Inside this case, the CSTM gasket-mounted system with easily replaceable gasket pegs and a full array of foam for the best sound performance. The CSTM80 is a performance keyboard with plenty of room for customization.
Customer Rating
3
Exquisite Mechanical Keys / Too Quirky
on October 16, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Corsair has purchased boutique keyboard maker Drop. As of now, it feels like a Beta endeavor. The CSTM80 lacks iCue support, is quirky to program, and requires too much effort to update firmware or other basic functions.
SET-UP
The new CSTM80 is not fully integrated into Corsair’s ecosystem. Therefore, anyone who currently owns and games with Corsair products will not be able to update their new keyboard without downloading Drop’s proprietary programming software.
The new CSTM80 is not fully integrated into Corsair’s ecosystem. Therefore, anyone who currently owns and games with Corsair products will not be able to update their new keyboard without downloading Drop’s proprietary programming software.
I have keyboards and mice from every major vendor in the market. While I don’t love Corsair’s iCue software, it isn’t the worst. But the new Drop configurator is on a whole other level. First, it is incredibly difficult to find. You can’t go to the website and intuitively find it. You must dig into the manual to find the address and then, the actual download triggers warnings with Windows Defender. Not a big issue, but that is how rare the Drop products are software are. It would go a long way if Drop would provide easy to find links to their software on the product’s website.
Once I downloaded the new Drop Configurator, I honestly thought about sending Corsair an apology letter for having knocked their iCue software over the years. iCue software looks like a polished masterpiece compared to the Drop offering. The Drop Configurator is spartan and minimalistic. So much so, that there are functions and features it lists as available but gives no reference to what they do and why you need them. In this day and age, that is unacceptable. To further complicate the whole process, you can’t update the keyboard like EVERY other gaming keyboard. You must put it into a special bootloader mode and make changes, reboot, etc. The whole process is time consuming and very cumbersome. I’m still not sure my keyboard is using the latest available firmware or even if there is a new firmware update available. The software doesn’t tell you what version you are using or what version is available.
TYPING EXPERIENCE
This is the area where the Drop keyboard shines brightly. The “Milky Yellow” Gateron mechanical keys are amazing. They have the feel of a mechanical key, but the smoothness and ease of depression like a membrane key. Silky and smooth without the loud clicky clacks of traditional mechanical switches. Drop sound dampening is good.
This is the area where the Drop keyboard shines brightly. The “Milky Yellow” Gateron mechanical keys are amazing. They have the feel of a mechanical key, but the smoothness and ease of depression like a membrane key. Silky and smooth without the loud clicky clacks of traditional mechanical switches. Drop sound dampening is good.
The RGB backlighting is superb. Even if it isn’t your thing, the color saturation is great. Colors are bright and vibrant. Some lighting looks washed out and bland, not the Drop. The colors are rich and bold.
The keyboard has an amazing heft to it. Nearly 4 pounds, the best I can tell. It feels far more substantial than any other keyboard offering I’ve used to date. One thing that I do find quite surprising is the absence of a tilt mechanism. EVERY other keyboard I own has the ability to adjust the tilt. Not the Drop. The typing angle is fixed and non-adjustable.
The CSTM80 is one of the new additions on the market that allows the buyer to customize the keyboard to their liking. Gone are the boring, black appliances of yester-year. The CSTM80 is part of the new generation of keyboards that allow you to change both the keys and the cover plate. The Drop website has a large selection of key colors and configurations, as well as many different options for cover plates.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In my opinion, the CSTM80 supports an extremely narrow target audience. I think very few people outside the Linux community that require QMK, VIA, or Vial support will have any real desire or necessity for this product.
In my opinion, the CSTM80 supports an extremely narrow target audience. I think very few people outside the Linux community that require QMK, VIA, or Vial support will have any real desire or necessity for this product.
Corsair is billing this as a new mechanical gaming keyboard. While it is, I don’t think it is ready for primetime release. Looking at Steam, most gamers are Windows users. Because the CSTM80 doesn’t support Corsair’s Windows iCue software, it just adds another layer of complexity and frustration to something that doesn’t need it. Even as cumbersome as I find the iCue software can be, I can easily and quickly remap buttons or change profiles.
I would choose one of Corsair’s other excellent mechanical keyboards over this keyboard any day. There is no need for additional software. I can fully program any one of my iCue keyboards in 1/10th the time and effort it takes me to configure this keyboard. Should the Drop keyboards finally add iCue support, then I might change my mind.
Unless you are a Linux gamer or specifically require VIA, Vial, or QMK support, there are as good or better options available with less hassle and frustration. Corsair has many other options that are equally as good as the Drop, but also fit into their already established iCue ecosystem. This product just doesn’t fit in.
NOT RECOMMENDED
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Skip salons with the world~s 1st smart IPL hair removal device that learns and adapts. Whether you look for bikini hair removal, flawless facial hair remover, or pubic hair removal, Braun PL7243 IPL is our fastest way for long-lasting hair removal. Like laser hair removal salon, Skin i~expert tailors the treatment to your needs, provides real-time guidance and tracks progress in the free mobile app in the privacy of home. Safe and effective, the only IPL* that automatically adapts to your skin tone. *shared technology with Cyden.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent At-Home Alternative
on October 13, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
I have been wanting to try laser hair removal for a while but was putting off spending the time and money at a salon. I have fair skin and dark hair which is a suitable for this device. So, I was very excited when I had the opportunity to try Braun’s new Pro 7 IPL!
A treatment schedule is included for optimal results, the device should be used once a week for 12 weeks. After the initial treatment phase (12 treatments), it is recommended the device is used once a month or as required.
It came in a beautiful blush suede case, and included a Gillette Venus Embrace razor for you to shave with before treatment to ensure there is no hair on the surface area. Also included are 3 heads, the standard head, the wide head and the precision head - ideal for smaller & sensitive areas. The tips/heads are very easy to swap out. The unit is corded so you never have to worry about a battery.
Prior to starting a treatment, you need to ensure that all visible hair has been removed from the area. You also need to make sure you have no lotions or cosmetics on the area to be treated.
There are two methods to use this laser, stamping and gliding. You would use the stamping method for hard-to-reach areas. The stamping method is achieved by pressing and instantly releasing the treatment button, permitting a single flash. For fast and efficient treatment of large areas, you would use the gliding method, pressing and holding the treatment button. The skin contact sensors ensure that the device can only be triggered when in full contact with the skin.
The laser generates a warm sensation when the device flashes. The first few times I used it, I felt a little bit of a "zap" feeling but after a few uses it was almost pain free. I did notice a slight burning smell as well. There was no irritation or redness present.
The laser is extremely bright and makes it difficult to watch where you are "zapping". Even with the device fully pressed against your skin the laser light is dangerously bright. The manual warns of not looking at the device, but you need to see what you are doing. A pair of red laser blocking safety glasses should be considered a must have while using. I am not sure why they did not include any eye protection, but I am going to buy some just to make the process easier and safer.
The app was very easy to set up and has some cool features. You set a schedule for the selected areas you want to laser. You can even set reminders which is a huge help for me. Then as you continue with the treatments it will show you the progress you have made. I have noticed some improvements in unwanted hair growth, but I am very early in the recommended 12-week program. I am excited to see the end result.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Own the moment, online and offline, with an open ring design that~s comfortable for all-day wear. With convenient smart features, it~s easier than ever to access and enjoy your entertainment.
Customer Rating
4
All-Day Comfort / Lightweight / Poor Bass Response
on October 11, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: I have a love / hate relationship with the LinkBuds. I love the fit, love the weight, and the clarity, but hate the near complete lack of bass. These LinkBuds have great mids and highs, but without any real form of bass response make them disappointing for music and movie buffs.
SET-UP
The LinkBuds are set-up using Sony’s SoundConnect app. I find it works well for the most part with minimal frustrations. However, there are too many submenus after initial set-up making certain features more difficult to find than it should.
The LinkBuds are set-up using Sony’s SoundConnect app. I find it works well for the most part with minimal frustrations. However, there are too many submenus after initial set-up making certain features more difficult to find than it should.
Initial set-up though, couldn’t be easier. The SoundConnect app will walk you through the entire initial set-up without issue. Sony has taken a great deal of care designing the app to ensure that the LinkBuds sound their best and fit correctly to nearly anyone and everyone. Between equalizer settings, profiles, fitment guides, etc. the customization options are extremely thorough and nearly endless.
USE
Bottom Line Up Front – The LinkBuds are the lightest, most comfortable ear buds I’ve ever used. They fit great, are much more stable and secure than normal ear buds, and have outstanding audio clarity, but they have nearly zero low-end bass response making them less than ideal for music and movie lovers.
Bottom Line Up Front – The LinkBuds are the lightest, most comfortable ear buds I’ve ever used. They fit great, are much more stable and secure than normal ear buds, and have outstanding audio clarity, but they have nearly zero low-end bass response making them less than ideal for music and movie lovers.
Unlike traditional ear buds that stick down into your ear canal, the LinkBuds rest inside the dent in your ear without protruding into the ear canal. An interchangeable “tail” makes sure they are correctly positioned in your ear and secure as to not fall out. But, how do you know if you have the ear buds set correctly? Easy. The SoundConnect app uses your phone’s camera to measure your ear and pick the correct tail piece for the bud. Slick and effective! Once I selected the proper sized “tail” for the LinkBuds, I found them far more secure and resistant to falling out than normal earbuds.
Like I said above, the LinkBuds are impressively light, impressively comfortable, and impressively small. Unlike normal earbuds that stick into the ear, these are the first buds that don’t wind up getting itchy and annoying after an hour or two. As a matter of fact, these are the ONLY earbuds I’ve used that I can tolerate in my ears for hours without annoyance. This has never happened before, and Sony hit it out of the park with the comfort.
BATTERY LIFE
Battery life, even with noise cancellation is excellent. Up to 8 hours of continuous use. This seems about right, as I was just under 50% after about 4 hours of constant use. While the LinkBuds technically might not make it a whole workday without a recharge, it isn’t a problem, as a simple 3-minute rest in the case gives you an extra 60 minutes of playtime.
Battery life, even with noise cancellation is excellent. Up to 8 hours of continuous use. This seems about right, as I was just under 50% after about 4 hours of constant use. While the LinkBuds technically might not make it a whole workday without a recharge, it isn’t a problem, as a simple 3-minute rest in the case gives you an extra 60 minutes of playtime.
SOUND PROFILES & EQ
I like the way Sony has implemented their equalizer settings in the SoundConnect app. There are your traditional equalizer settings like: Bright, Exciting, Bass Boost, etc. But Sony goes a step farther and includes a sound profile section in the app. This helps tailor all playback to your liking.
What I appreciate about it, is that it doesn’t indicate what functions you are attempting to manipulate. Instead, you put on some of your favorite tunes and start selecting numbers based on which sound profile you prefer. Not until you are done, does the app tell you what adjustments it is making to the EQ. Well done!
I like the way Sony has implemented their equalizer settings in the SoundConnect app. There are your traditional equalizer settings like: Bright, Exciting, Bass Boost, etc. But Sony goes a step farther and includes a sound profile section in the app. This helps tailor all playback to your liking.
What I appreciate about it, is that it doesn’t indicate what functions you are attempting to manipulate. Instead, you put on some of your favorite tunes and start selecting numbers based on which sound profile you prefer. Not until you are done, does the app tell you what adjustments it is making to the EQ. Well done!
The LinkBuds utilize the same audio processor contained in Sony's excellent XF-1000 headphones. The processor is extremely effective at audio reproduction and active noise cancellation. Combine that with Sony’s DSEE tech and 360-degree audio with head tracking and you would be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive feature set on any set of earbuds or cans. Noise cancellation is surprisingly effective for an earbud that doesn’t protrude down into your ear and technically has a big hole in the middle of it.
Owners of Bravia TV's can get even more benefit with the LinkBuds, as they can be paired with the TV to get 360-degree spatial sound. Sort of a quasi-Dolby Atmos set-up. I wish I had a TV to test the surround with, as these are the first and only earbuds I would actually consider using in conjunction with a TV.
DISLIKES
While I was extremely pleased at the comprehensiveness of the set-up process, I find the SoundConnect app difficult to navigate and many of finer details and settings too buried in sub-menus. Things that should be easy to find often require many different taps and even searches to find where they should be more intuitive and readily accessible. Furthermore, the firmware update process is painfully slow and tedious. Where other manufacturers take only a couple of minutes, a firmware update on these Sony's can take up to 60 minutes to complete. OUCH!
While I was extremely pleased at the comprehensiveness of the set-up process, I find the SoundConnect app difficult to navigate and many of finer details and settings too buried in sub-menus. Things that should be easy to find often require many different taps and even searches to find where they should be more intuitive and readily accessible. Furthermore, the firmware update process is painfully slow and tedious. Where other manufacturers take only a couple of minutes, a firmware update on these Sony's can take up to 60 minutes to complete. OUCH!
The MAJOR drawback of the LinkBuds is their nearly complete lack of low frequency response. It is unfortunate too. This product excels at mid and high frequency reproduction. These frequencies are crystal clear, even clearer than many other more expensive headphones and earbuds I own. There’s an openness and I’ve never experienced before. But drop below 250Hz and the audio just gets lost. There is no large mass transducer to reproduce those lows. Movies and music like hip-hop just become boring and bland.
CONCLUSIONS
There is still plenty to love about the LinkBuds. These are, by far, the most COMFORTABLE earbud I’ve ever used. Leaps and bounds more comfortable than any of the competition. They sport excellent battery life and have many useful features not found on many similar products. Things like gestures to control functions and not having to physically tap the earbud to change functions are slick. Things I wish more manufacturers would adopt.
There is still plenty to love about the LinkBuds. These are, by far, the most COMFORTABLE earbud I’ve ever used. Leaps and bounds more comfortable than any of the competition. They sport excellent battery life and have many useful features not found on many similar products. Things like gestures to control functions and not having to physically tap the earbud to change functions are slick. Things I wish more manufacturers would adopt.
Call quality is excellent. As good or better than any other product I have used to date. The clarity and noise cancellation rivals speaking directly into my phone. Honestly, it’s better on a windy day.
The new Sony LinkBuds have become my new go-to earbud. They may lack nearly any form of bass reproduction, but they are so light and comfortable that I won’t stop using them. I can barely stand to use most earbuds for the duration of movie before they get itchy and annoying. Not the LinkBuds. I’ve used them up to 4 hours at a time and quite honestly, they are so light and comfortable, I actually forget I had them in. This is something I could never say about any other can or earbud I own.
The only thing holding the LinkBuds back from a perfect 5-star rating is the bass response. It's unfortunate too, because they do everything else so well.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the Crucial~ P310 Gen4 NVMe~ SSD, delivering read speeds up to 7,100MB/s, making it a gaming storage leader in the Gen4 space. Engineered with the latest Micron~ 3D NAND technology, the Crucial P310 can level up your gaming experience in generous capacities and offers backward compatibility, performing 2x faster than Gen3 SSDs.
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The P310 is a speedy drive for not having DRAM. Most speeds are excellent, but its achilles heel is random read speeds.
The P310 does a great job at masking the limitations of QLC NAND and no DRAM. Using a portion of the drive for caching along with the HMB, sequential read and write speeds are very good. Easily keeping pace with other higher priced DRAM/TLC-based SSD’s on the market.
While the P310 can easily keep up with the latest PCIe Gen 4 x 4 speeds. Crucial claims read speeds of up to 7100MB/s and write speeds up to 6000MB/s. Those appear to be honest speeds and not some special optimized scenario. My install it and test it results matched Crucial’s speed claims (7009 / 6384), keeping pace with my P3 Plus and my T500. Well done.
NEGATIVES
First. Crucial claims up to 20% faster load and boot times. Comparing a fresh competitor’s drive in a new HP Omen 35L, real world speed improvements were minimal, at best. I could not tell any discernible difference in load and/or boot times.
First. Crucial claims up to 20% faster load and boot times. Comparing a fresh competitor’s drive in a new HP Omen 35L, real world speed improvements were minimal, at best. I could not tell any discernible difference in load and/or boot times.
Second. The real drawback of the drive is the random read speeds. Sequential read / write speeds are great for testing & allows manufacturers to put out huge numbers and speeds, but the real meat and potatoes is random read / write. That is what a majority of the drive will do. With this, the random reads are slow. Averaging only 60MB/s, less than ½ its random write speeds. This is a noticeable difference and the P310 will lag behind compared to its higher end competition.
CONCLUSION
A QLC NAND based, DRAM-less drive was once something that I would never recommend for purchase. There were just too many shortfalls impeding performance. Improvement to the firmware and controllers have closed the gap with TLC drives containing a DRAM cache. Most users nowadays won’t notice any real performance differences between these QLC drives and higher prices premium units.
A QLC NAND based, DRAM-less drive was once something that I would never recommend for purchase. There were just too many shortfalls impeding performance. Improvement to the firmware and controllers have closed the gap with TLC drives containing a DRAM cache. Most users nowadays won’t notice any real performance differences between these QLC drives and higher prices premium units.
The P310 falls into this category. It is a good drive with low power consumption to maximize battery life, an excellent 5-year warranty and should deserve a look for system upgraders.
RECOMMENDED.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy all of your favorite espresso beverages at home with the push of a button. Personalize and store your own recipes based on strength, length and temperature for premium handcrafted, quality espresso made to fit your taste.
Customer Rating
5
Versatile / Low-Maintenace / Excellent Results
on October 11, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: I’ve got similar machines from competing brands. This KitchenAid produces a hot drink far better than any other machine I’ve used. While labeled as a “Fully Automatic Espresso Machine” this machine does far more than just espressos.
INTRODUCTION / SET-UP
The KitchenAid KF7 handles all aspects of the coffee brewing process. From measuring the beans, grinding, extracting with water, frothing milk, rinsing, etc. The KF7 does it all with little to no human intervention.
Assembly is straightforward with minimal requirements. Set your machine on the counter, remove some packing material, add water, add beans, and turn it on. A machine with this many features and options and this amount of complexity has an intimidatingly large owner’s manual. Large and thorough enough that I’m sure some folks would find it off-putting. Not to worry. With the KF7, the onscreen display walks you through the entire set-up process. It is concise, but not frustratingly complicated. EVERYTHING required to get the machine up and running and making coffees and espressos is included in the first start-up menu. KitchenAid should be commended for making a machine so complicated so easy to set-up and get working.
USE / EXPERIENCE
You don’t have to be a coffee “connoisseur” to appreciate the quality of beverage produced in the KitchenAid. The problem with owning this machine is that other in-home appliances do not live up to the standards produced by the KitchenAid.
I know I’ve already sung high praise for the KF7, but so far it has deserved it. I’m far from a connoisseur. Honestly, I use my “pod” coffee maker nearly every morning. The ease and simplicity, especially when tired, is just hard to beat. Users of the pods will likely agree that no matter what brand, flavor, or strength, most just leave you wanting. It’s coffee, but it isn’t the greatest.
A short time ago, I was provided another model similar to the KitchenAid to test. While not as sophisticated as the KF7, it too grinds its own beans and makes fresh ground coffee. Users are more or less committed to Americanos with some form of milk available, but the selections are limited. While this machine produced better results than ANY pod I’ve ever tried, I still felt like there was something weird about it. No matter what bean I tried, it just was off. I tried different strengths, water amounts, etc. It was good, but just not great.
I’ll go ahead and say it now. The first cup of coffee (Americano) I made with the KitchenAid KF7 tasted better than any cup of coffee I’ve ever made in my pod machine or the competitor’s coffee grinding machine. The hardest part I’ve found with the machine is the amount of customization available. You can customize any available drink to your liking. Strength, temperature, water amount, milk amount, milk frothing, foaming, everything is customizable. You would be hard pressed to find a coffee drink this thing can’t make to your liking.
CONCLUSIONS
I find no real issues with the KitchenAid KF7. It makes a great cup of coffee or espresso or nearly any other form of coffee-based drink imaginable, even some I didn’t know existed.
The touchscreen display is intuitive and self-explanatory. First time users will have no problem finding their desired drink. KitchenAid claims 20+ different “recipes” are built-in. I haven’t tried them all, but the drink list is extensive. Even some lesser-known coffee drinks are included.
Being fully automatic, there isn’t much to do, and I REALLY like that. Keep a sufficient supply of water, keep the beans filled in the sealed hopper, and after 10 or so drinks, empty the used grounds bin and water that’s been flushed from the system. The machine takes care of cleaning itself after use. Even the milk tube and reservoir are easy to use and clean. KitchenAid has spent a TON of time and research to make a machine that is user-friendly and easy to maintain.
Unlike my competitors’ products, KitchenAid includes a water filter, a measuring spoon for using ground coffee, cleaning tabs, and even a hard water test strip with purchase. Aside from some beans and water, the product is complete and ready to go.
My Americanos, my espressos, my cappuccinos have all turned out excellently. While it did take me a couple of times to get them just right, once I did, the drinks have been great. So far, everyone I’ve made drinks for have all agreed that they tasted great, many saying that if they had this, they wouldn’t need to spend $8 on their name-brand drink anymore. That’s high praise in my book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customizable performance awaits. Play with an AMD Ryzen processor and NVIDIA RTX graphics for powerful performance. Plus, toolless access and an industry standard form factor make it easy to upgrade and customize.
Customer Rating
4
Decent Power & Quiet. Questionable Choices
on October 7, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
KEY SPECS
Ryzen 5 8500G (6C / 12T)
16GB DDR5 5200MHz RAM
1TB NVMe SSD
nVidia RTX 4060 w/ 8GB
Ryzen 5 8500G (6C / 12T)
16GB DDR5 5200MHz RAM
1TB NVMe SSD
nVidia RTX 4060 w/ 8GB
PORTS
USB-A 3.0 x 4 (5Gb)
USB-C x 2 (10Gb)
USB-A 2.0 x 4
1 RJ-45
1 HDMI / 3 DP
3.5mm HEADPHONE / LINE / MIC
3.5” HDD Drive Tray x 1
USB-A 3.0 x 4 (5Gb)
USB-C x 2 (10Gb)
USB-A 2.0 x 4
1 RJ-45
1 HDMI / 3 DP
3.5mm HEADPHONE / LINE / MIC
3.5” HDD Drive Tray x 1
DESIGN
HP has come a long way with their Omen desktops. I was fortunate to receive an Omen 30L desktop several years ago for review. The 30L Omen case was abysmal. Air flow management was so horrible, that the processor and graphics card rapidly reached 100C and thermal throttled. Even with an old nVidia 1660 graphics card and 9th generation Intel processor, the PC was nearly unplayable.
HP has come a long way with their Omen desktops. I was fortunate to receive an Omen 30L desktop several years ago for review. The 30L Omen case was abysmal. Air flow management was so horrible, that the processor and graphics card rapidly reached 100C and thermal throttled. Even with an old nVidia 1660 graphics card and 9th generation Intel processor, the PC was nearly unplayable.
I spent several hundred dollars on the Omen just to make it usable. I had to buy an AiO and multiple case fans for cooling. Even then, you could tell that the results were adequate, at best.
Fast forward 3 generations later and HP has finally brought out an acceptable redesign. Gone are the gimmicky designs, going back to what works, a box with a lot of fans. 2 in the front drawing in air, 1 in the back exhausting air, and 1 on the AMD Boxed cooler. Combine that with airflow vents on the top, bottom, and back and HP has finally given the enthusiast market a case that allows for sufficient airflow and low noise levels, even after hours of gaming.
Going along with that re-design are honest, off-the-shelf compatible parts. Even with HP specific part numbers and builds, the installed items are standard sized components. Standardized items include: mATX motherboard, standardized 500W power supply, cooling fans, etc. Excellent. Should something fail, or should the end-user want to upgrade, he/she is not forced to ditch the entire PC and can upgrade when the need, budget, and time allows without being limited to vendor-specific parts.
GAMING PERFORMANCE
TLDR – On most AAA games, this PC is severely GPU bound. Some games like Forza are optimized pretty well for the CPU / GPU combo, but for most games, the GPU is running at nearly 100% while the CPU chugs along at a leisurely 35% (give or take). Not saying the Omen 35L can’t turn some decently respectable numbers, but there is quite a bit left on the table with pairing a base 4060 with this Ryzen processor.
TLDR – On most AAA games, this PC is severely GPU bound. Some games like Forza are optimized pretty well for the CPU / GPU combo, but for most games, the GPU is running at nearly 100% while the CPU chugs along at a leisurely 35% (give or take). Not saying the Omen 35L can’t turn some decently respectable numbers, but there is quite a bit left on the table with pairing a base 4060 with this Ryzen processor.
My go-to games for testing are usually Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, and F1 2023. Most are games I play on a fairly regular basis, but are also games that will demand a great deal from the GPU if you have it (Starfield). My test monitor is a 48” LG Ultra Gear 4k OLED 120Hz gaming monitor. My testing of the various games returns the following:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
4k – 42fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p – 106fps with DLSS / 117fps without DLSS
4k – 42fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p – 106fps with DLSS / 117fps without DLSS
Forza Horizon 5
4k Ultra – 77fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p Ultra – 93fps without DLSS / 101 with DLSS
4k High – 78fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p High – 118 fps with and without DLSS
4k Ultra – 77fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p Ultra – 93fps without DLSS / 101 with DLSS
4k High – 78fps (Native monitor resolution, no DLSS option)
1440p High – 118 fps with and without DLSS
Starfield
4k High – 27fps without DLSS / 62 with DLSS
1440p High – 55fps without DLSS / 109fps with DLSS
4k High – 27fps without DLSS / 62 with DLSS
1440p High – 55fps without DLSS / 109fps with DLSS
F1 2023
4k Medium – 37fps without DLSS / 63fps with DLSS
1440p High – 86 without DLSS / 127fps with DLSS
1440p Ultra – 51fps with DLSS (Unplayable without DLSS)
4k Medium – 37fps without DLSS / 63fps with DLSS
1440p High – 86 without DLSS / 127fps with DLSS
1440p Ultra – 51fps with DLSS (Unplayable without DLSS)
I did not test lower than 1440p resolution. For me, these framerates are more than enjoyable even if they aren’t competition level. Enabling the DLSS option at 1440p makes a discernible difference in video quality, sharpening images and reducing on-screen artifacts.
NEGATIVES
First – HP has no provisions to access the integrated graphics of the AMD processor. Unlike most manufacturers, there isn’t a separate HDMI connection on the rear header, forcing sole use of the RTX 4060. There is no way to save power and disable the discreet graphics card.
First – HP has no provisions to access the integrated graphics of the AMD processor. Unlike most manufacturers, there isn’t a separate HDMI connection on the rear header, forcing sole use of the RTX 4060. There is no way to save power and disable the discreet graphics card.
Two – I seriously question HP’s included selection of ports. Port selection feels like a desktop from 4 years ago. There are no Thunderbolt ports, no USB-C 4.0 ports, just basic USB A & C ports. In this day and age, there is no reason not to provide high-speed USB-C style ports. A simple USB-C 4.0 or Thunderbolt port to provide 40Gb output and access to the integrated GPU would be welcome and quite frankly, should be a standard addition for any desktop wanting to appeal to enthusiasts.
CONCLUSIONS
The Omen 35L is a decent entry-level gaming computer from HP. It has more than enough power for everyday workloads. Streaming 2 independent 1080p videos, while downloading games at more than 500Mb/s, reading emails, and updating some drivers in the background barely taxed the PC. CPU and GPU utilization was at a reasonable 40%. Not bad at all.
The Omen 35L is a decent entry-level gaming computer from HP. It has more than enough power for everyday workloads. Streaming 2 independent 1080p videos, while downloading games at more than 500Mb/s, reading emails, and updating some drivers in the background barely taxed the PC. CPU and GPU utilization was at a reasonable 40%. Not bad at all.
The new Omen design is a marked improvement over Omens from the past. Even after long, strenuous gaming sessions, CPU and GPU temps remained good with no signs of thermal throttling. Even better, even when being fully taxed, the whole system remains quiet and composed. I was shocked at how quiet the new PC is. Compared to my older Omen, the 35L is a night and day difference. You can hear the fans, but they are not obnoxious and considerably quieter than most desktops. HP should be commended for their improvements.
In the end, there are 2 things holding this desktop back. One is the underpowered graphics card compared to the CPU. A 4060Ti would go a long way in improving overall system effectiveness. Two is the anemic selection of ports. Even though there is a sufficient quantity of ports, they are substandard. Too slow for modern times and severely inhibit hooking modern devices to the desktop.
However, the desktop is still a decent entry-level gaming rig.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Elevate your vehicle~s safety and functionality with the REXING M2 Max Pro Mirror Dash Cam. This advanced system integrates seamlessly with your rearview mirror, featuring a 12" IPS touchscreen that displays high-quality video from the rear camera. Capture detailed footage with dual cameras, offering 4K resolution at the front and 1080p at the rear, ensuring comprehensive coverage from multiple angles. The M2 Max Pro is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Warning, and Parking Assistance, enhancing your driving safety. It also boasts a built-in GPS Logger to record precise time, location, and speed data, alongside Blind Spot Detection and Lane Change Assist to facilitate safe driving maneuvers. Additional features include enhanced night vision for clear recordings in low light conditions, Wi-Fi connectivity for easy video management, and a G-sensor that locks videos upon detecting impacts. Loop recording ensures continuous coverage by overwriting old footage, while the included smart hardwire kit activates the Parking Monitor, providing round-the-clock surveillance by recording when vibrations are detected. This mirror dash cam not only improves your driving visibility but also offers crucial safety features, making it an essential upgrade for any vehicle.
Customer Rating
4
Feature Rich Dash Cam without a Subscription
on September 13, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The Rexing M2 Pro Max has ton of features and built-in safety features perfect for an older car, but not so much for a truck.
KEY FEATURES
Advanced Driver Safety Suite
4k Front Camera Video
1080p Rear Camera Video
Wide Angle Cameras with HDR Support
Advanced Driver Safety Suite
4k Front Camera Video
1080p Rear Camera Video
Wide Angle Cameras with HDR Support
INTRODUCTION & SET-UP
The M2 mounts over your vehicle’s existing rear-view mirror. It takes just seconds to mount it via the 2 silicone straps and while they don’t appear very sturdy, don’t have any issues keeping the dash cam in place. Simple and effective.
The M2 mounts over your vehicle’s existing rear-view mirror. It takes just seconds to mount it via the 2 silicone straps and while they don’t appear very sturdy, don’t have any issues keeping the dash cam in place. Simple and effective.
Being a Best Buy exclusive, the M2 Pro Max includes 2 options for power: hard-wire and 12V plug. The 12V plug option is convenient and easy and what I’m sure most folks will use to power the M2. It is just too easy not to use. But, unlike Rexing’s competition, their 12V adapter does NOT include a USB pass-through for power. So, the included hard-wire connection kit is a welcome addition, as using the included 12V plug will completely tie-up a 12V outlet. Not a wise decision on Rexing’s part.
This Best Buy exclusive model also benefits from a full 18-month warranty, compared to other models and competitors’ 12 months warranties. The 18-month warranty is a welcome addition.
USE
Once installed and powered up the Rexing M2 is extremely easy to configure, adjust, and program. The Rexing GUI (Graphical User Interface) is simple and self-explanatory. All camera functions are baked into 5 different on-screen icons. There are no hidden menus and no extra pushes and swipes, everything is easy to find and operate. With an advertised resolution of 1920 x 380, I find the screen very detailed and legible in all lighting conditions, as well as responsive to user inputs with minimal lag.
Once installed and powered up the Rexing M2 is extremely easy to configure, adjust, and program. The Rexing GUI (Graphical User Interface) is simple and self-explanatory. All camera functions are baked into 5 different on-screen icons. There are no hidden menus and no extra pushes and swipes, everything is easy to find and operate. With an advertised resolution of 1920 x 380, I find the screen very detailed and legible in all lighting conditions, as well as responsive to user inputs with minimal lag.
The real attraction to this dash cam is Rexing’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). It uses built-in logic to monitor items it “sees” in its cameras. This system can help warn a driver of impending forward collisions, rearward collisions, inadvertent lane departures, blind spot detection, and help to identify pedestrians and bicyclists around the vehicle.
The 2 cameras support up to 170 degrees field of view, sure to see nearly anything in front or behind the vehicle. Using the included on-screen icons, the driver can configure the detection zones to their liking. Using a series of on-screen boxes, the operator can tell the camera where the blind spots on their vehicle are and where the front and rear of the car is. The detection zones are overlayed on actual camera images on the mirror’s screen. Each detection box can be individually adjusted by moving one or all the 4 corners, with the front being just 2 simple lines to delineate the hood and the horizon. The camera takes care of the rest. Simple and intuitive.
The ADAS system works surprisingly well. I took a 4-hour road trip after installing the camera. Using the mirror primarily as a rear-view camera, the system goes about its business with no interference. However, should a car come up from behind, like on the interstate, the camera will show a yellow warning on the side of the detected vehicle warning the driver of a possible object in that blind spot, or if falling too closely, a potential for a rear end collision. It works well and it quick to respond to perceived “threats”.
Reviewing events on the dash cam can be accomplished in one of 3 ways. The least convenient is to pop out the SD card and look at the files on your PC. Second, you can use the mirror and its touch screen to scroll through the files and play them back on the mirror itself. Or you can access the mirror via the Rexing app and transfer the files to your phone via the mirror’s included wi-fi. I find myself just reviewing events on the camera more than any other, as the Rexing app is kind of flaky at times and not always rock solid. It’s just easier to scroll through and look for a specific time code than open the app, connect to the camera, etc. just to get to a file.
NEGATIVES
First. The Rexing app still has a couple of random bugs that could be squashed on my Android phone. They are random hiccups and lock-ups. Not horrible, but the app still needs a little more polish.
First. The Rexing app still has a couple of random bugs that could be squashed on my Android phone. They are random hiccups and lock-ups. Not horrible, but the app still needs a little more polish.
Second. Using the included driver assist features of the camera disables 4k video recording. The mirror doesn’t have enough processing power to cope with a 4k video stream and a 1080p rear stream while simultaneously looking for potential hazards. Using the ADAS features lowers resolution on the front camera to just 2.5k. Not a deal breaker by any means. 2.5k is still plenty sharp. Just a note.
Third. There is not enough wiring included for the rear-view camera and American trucks. There is enough to get the camera to the rear window on a crew cab truck, there isn’t enough to get the camera out to the back bumper. On a plus note, there is ample wiring with both the 12V plug and the hard-wire kit to reach any power source I needed on my full-size truck.
Forth. Because there isn’t enough wire to move the camera to the rear bumper, mounting the camera in the rear window of my full-size truck throws off the rearward ADAS alerts. My mirror constantly warns me of issues behind my truck when it is just the truck bed. The blind spots detection zones are horribly small, and you can’t fully exclude the truck bed, thereby increasing false positives. Along with that, the rear end collision alerts boxes must be so high to avoid the bed, that it makes the rear sensing collision feature nearly unusable.
Fifth / Last. Quality control. This Rexing M2’s front facing camera suffers from too much slop to be effective. Fine adjustments are impossible to achieve. When the front camera is dead center in its housing, there is a nice resistance to movement. However, move the camera slightly off center and there is nearly no resistance. The front camera either must be facing dead center or completely over to one side to keep it from moving and bouncing around. To compensate, I’ve had to place the mirror at a weird angle so that I can get the front facing camera all the way to its furthest position to keep it from moving and still pointing forward.
CONCLUSIONS
If I had a SUV or a car and was in the market for a dash cam, the Rexing M2 is tough to beat. It has a ton of features and if your car is a few years old and lacking some of the latest safety tech being offered today, the Rexing M2 is a great option. Front and rear cameras, plus a full suite of driver aids make for a very compelling product. To make it even more compelling, you get all these features fully unlocked and available immediately without the need of paying a subscription fee like one of Rexing’s primary competitors is now doing.
If I had a SUV or a car and was in the market for a dash cam, the Rexing M2 is tough to beat. It has a ton of features and if your car is a few years old and lacking some of the latest safety tech being offered today, the Rexing M2 is a great option. Front and rear cameras, plus a full suite of driver aids make for a very compelling product. To make it even more compelling, you get all these features fully unlocked and available immediately without the need of paying a subscription fee like one of Rexing’s primary competitors is now doing.
Truck owners still get a great dash cam, but the ADAS features are not quite as beneficial to them as small SUV and car owners.
I haven’t touched on all features of the camera, like GPS logging, audio recording, etc. there is just too many too much to list in a reasonable amount of space. I give this product a recommended rating and 4-stars, but just make sure you test the front camera prior to install to ensure it has adequate resistance throughout its range of motion. I’ve had other dash cams like the M2 and none have had as much slop in their front cameras as the M2.
RECOMMENDED.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Boost Wi-Fi like never before with the all-new TP-Link BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Range Extender (RE655BE), the ultimate fix for expanding your Wi-Fi 7 coverage with ease. With Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link Operation, wider 320 MHz channels, and a powerful 6 GHz band, enjoy tri-band Wi-Fi speeds up to 10.8 Gbps. Say goodbye to Wi-Fi dead zones and effortlessly boost your signal throughout your home. Whether you're a gamer, streamer, or have a busy household, the RE655BE has you covered. EasyMesh compatibility ensures a unified network for smooth roaming. Plus, the 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port offers lightning-fast stability for direct connections to smart TVs, computers, and game consoles.
Customer Rating
5
Wi-Fi 7 Speeds with Outstanding Range
on September 10, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The TP-Link BE11000 Range Extender is a must-have for those with spotty Wi-Fi coverage. The external antennas make a huge difference in coverage and the dedicated 2.5Gb ethernet port makes for rock solid communications.
KEY SPECS
Tri-Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
1 x 2.5Gb LAN port
Easy Mesh Compatible
10.8Gbps Theoretical Throughput
Tri-Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
1 x 2.5Gb LAN port
Easy Mesh Compatible
10.8Gbps Theoretical Throughput
SET-UP
Initial set-up is relatively painless and straight forward. Even folks with limited networking skills can handle set-up of the BE11000. All configuration is handled via TP-Link’s intuitive Tether app. I find the Tether app very comprehensive and easy to navigate. There is next to no stress getting the BE11000 up and running. The Tether app walks you through the entire process. From copying your Wi-Fi SSID and password, to backhaul options, to firmware updates, the Tether app works and works well.
Initial set-up is relatively painless and straight forward. Even folks with limited networking skills can handle set-up of the BE11000. All configuration is handled via TP-Link’s intuitive Tether app. I find the Tether app very comprehensive and easy to navigate. There is next to no stress getting the BE11000 up and running. The Tether app walks you through the entire process. From copying your Wi-Fi SSID and password, to backhaul options, to firmware updates, the Tether app works and works well.
The BE11000 is EasyMesh compatible. For those unaware, EasyMesh is not a TP-Link protocol, it was developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance with the hopes of simplifying setting up a mesh network for the average user. End users are no longer forced to buy all their devices from one manufacturer to add to or set-up a mesh system in their homes or offices. Products compatible with the EasyMesh standard all (supposedly) play nice with each other regardless of the manufacturer. I did not have the opportunity to try this, as my BE11000 is being used in conjunction with TP-Link’s BE11000 Pro router.
One thing that I must mention, that always seems to burn folks, is the placement of the extender. Not just this BE11000, but any range extender. Unless you have a dedicated ethernet backhaul to your primary router, for a range extender to work its best, you need to put it ½ way between where you want Wi-Fi and where you have Wi-Fi. Moving it too far away from your main router ruins performance and throughput. TP-Link is one of the few manufacturers that explicitly spells this out and I applaud them for it. I’ve had dozens of friends and family call me through the years over this exact issue. They put their range extenders where they want Wi-Fi, not halfway in between and it is just too far away from the main router and the range extenders won’t work.
PERFORMANCE
As much as I love my BE11000 Pro router, it struggles to get strong Wi-Fi to my detached workshop / garage. My devices will connect via 2.4GHz to my main router but trying to squeeze a ton a data to a dozen devices in my shop, left me wanting.
As much as I love my BE11000 Pro router, it struggles to get strong Wi-Fi to my detached workshop / garage. My devices will connect via 2.4GHz to my main router but trying to squeeze a ton a data to a dozen devices in my shop, left me wanting.
Fortunately, when I built my workshop, I used my brain for once and ran hardwired ethernet to it. It was a perfect spot for the BE11000 range extender. I queued up the Tether app and went to work. The app found the range extender nearly immediately and began the installation process. I programmed the BE1100 to use the 2.5Gb ethernet port as a dedicated backhaul to the BE11000 Pro router, thereby freeing up all available bands for use by clients (without a hardwired, dedicated backhaul, the BE11000 will use part of its available Wi-Fi bands and bandwidth for backhaul to the main router).
Speeds are now what I always hoped they would have been. Instead of my computers and Roku talking to the main router on the 2.4GHz band, they can now all access the 5 and/or 6GHz bands. Speeds have increased 10-fold for me. My PC’s, tablets, and Roku were struggling to maintain 40 – 60Mbs before the range extender on a good day. Between the distance to the main router and the congested Wi-Fi bands in my subdivision, it just made it difficult to achieve good, solid throughput. Now, my PC has no problems hitting 700Mbs or more. Not only do I have a HUGE increase in throughput, but my other IOT devices are much happier now, as well. These low performance devices struggled to maintain their connection at the distances I have them placed at. Now, there is no issues. Everything just works better and more reliably now.
As a bonus, because this is now part of an Easy Mesh system, my SSID and password get carried over between devices and my phones, tablets, etc. all roam and switch seamlessly between router and range extender. The handoffs happen all in the background with no interruptions or issues.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The external antennas on the BE11000 range extender make a huge difference in coverage. I wish more Wi-Fi routers used them. If you are lucky enough to have a network port close to the BE11000 you can use for it to talk back to the main router, I think you will love the range extender. Speeds are very fast. Easily able to take full advantage of my gigabit ethernet.
The external antennas on the BE11000 range extender make a huge difference in coverage. I wish more Wi-Fi routers used them. If you are lucky enough to have a network port close to the BE11000 you can use for it to talk back to the main router, I think you will love the range extender. Speeds are very fast. Easily able to take full advantage of my gigabit ethernet.
Add the Easy Mesh compatibility to the BE11000 and TP-Link has a solid winner on its hands. The Easy Mesh makes it so convenient for others that aren’t already on the TP-Link ecosystem to take advantage of their offerings.
The BE11000 Range Extender packs a plethora of features in one tidy package. Sporting all the latest Wi-Fi specs and tech, it is hard to beat this extender.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Congratulations~you hooked yourself up with a pair of Apple AirPods! Now protect them as best you can with the Best Buy essentials Silicone Case for Apple AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd Generations. Specifically designed for 1st and 2nd generation Apple AirPods Pro, this silicone case cradles and protects your AirPods Pro from drops up to 3.94 ft. A removeable carabiner ring attaches your case to lanyards, keychains and more. This case supports wireless charging, and precise cutouts allow constant access to your buttons and charging port. Finally, the classic black color looks matches your other accessories. Protect your AirPods with a silicone case that gets the job done and looks stylish while doing it.
Customer Rating
5
Inexpensive & Piece of Mind to Protect AirPods
on September 8, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
The Insignia Silicone case for the 1st and 2nd generation of AirPod Pros fits great. Even with the slick, white, Apple plastic, the silicone grips nicely and I have yet had the Insignia cover come off or loose from the Apple case.
A deal breaker for me would have been if the Insignia case prevented the AirPods from charging wirelessly. I am happy to report that even with the silicone case, the AirPods charge wirelessly, without issue, though it does take a wireless charger a couple seconds longer to register the AirPods.
There are only 2 minor drawbacks to the Insignia case. One is that the cover makes the status light on the front of the AirPods hard to see at times. The second is that I’m not sure of the longevity of the included key ring. It too is connected to the case with a just a bit of silicone, so I’m not sure of the long-term durability. But, I am happy to report with over a solid week of hard use, it shows no signs of failing yet.
The Insignia case is a solid value. Its fit is excellent and the price is reasonable.
Recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The first XPS CoPilot+ PC has powerful on-device AI that delivers cutting-edge responsiveness and unmatched speed for navigating demanding creative and multitasking workloads with efficiency.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent CPU / Outstanding Battery Life
on August 15, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
KEY SPECS
Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor 12C / 12T
16GB DDR5 RAM
512GB NVMe Drive
OLED 2880 x 1800 Panel with HDR
PORTS
2 x USB-C (40GB/s supports DP and PD)
Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor 12C / 12T
16GB DDR5 RAM
512GB NVMe Drive
OLED 2880 x 1800 Panel with HDR
PORTS
2 x USB-C (40GB/s supports DP and PD)
INTRODUCTION
The Dell XPS CoPilot+ 9345 ushers in a new era of laptops for Dell. This is the first generation of laptops incorporating the Snapdragon X Elite processor with a built-in Neural Processing Unit for AI assistance and an ARM based operating system. Everything is going AI now. That is the buzzword of the year. The Snapdragon X Elite processor in this XPS is unique in that it can perform basic AI tasks “on chip” without the need of a constant internet connection to send and retrieve data from. This “on chip” approach also frees the main CPU from dedicating computing resources for AI related functions.
The Dell XPS CoPilot+ 9345 ushers in a new era of laptops for Dell. This is the first generation of laptops incorporating the Snapdragon X Elite processor with a built-in Neural Processing Unit for AI assistance and an ARM based operating system. Everything is going AI now. That is the buzzword of the year. The Snapdragon X Elite processor in this XPS is unique in that it can perform basic AI tasks “on chip” without the need of a constant internet connection to send and retrieve data from. This “on chip” approach also frees the main CPU from dedicating computing resources for AI related functions.
USE
This XPS CoPilot+ PC is fundamentally different than the status quo x86 / x64 operating environment we have known for the better part of 3 decades now (I say 3, as I consider Windows 95 the first real user-friendly OS on the x86/x64 environment). It can be confusing deciding between a “normal” computer and an ARM based product. A “normal” computer is what we have all been using for decades. An Intel or AMD chip with Windows x86 operating system. An app store, Windows Update, and easy to find drivers via the manufacturers’ websites or Windows Update.
This XPS CoPilot+ PC is fundamentally different than the status quo x86 / x64 operating environment we have known for the better part of 3 decades now (I say 3, as I consider Windows 95 the first real user-friendly OS on the x86/x64 environment). It can be confusing deciding between a “normal” computer and an ARM based product. A “normal” computer is what we have all been using for decades. An Intel or AMD chip with Windows x86 operating system. An app store, Windows Update, and easy to find drivers via the manufacturers’ websites or Windows Update.
ARM based computers are not like that. The easiest way to describe them are like cellphones on steroids. The ARM based operating system looks like normal Windows for the most part but has a bunch of stuff happening in the background to make Windows work. Some apps, like most Microsoft apps, work natively on the ARM OS. Other apps must work through an emulator to bridge the app to the ARM OS.
This should not be a major concern for the most part, as it is mostly transparent in the background with no user issues to speak of. But it can be an issue because some apps just don’t work quite right with the emulators. Honestly, it has been hit or miss. Some Windows apps perform flawlessly on the ARM OS, others don’t. I’ve averaging about a 75% success rate with apps. Most of my common apps work without issue, but there are some I’ve been forced to find alternatives for.
Same can be said for driver updates. ARM / Snapdragon based computers don’t get driver updates like you would get off a normal x86 computer. You can’t just go to a vendor’s website or Windows Update to do a driver search and expect to find the latest driver. Most don’t exist. Most are geared natively to Mac and/or Windows and trying to install one of those drivers will not work with these Snapdragon-based ARM computers.
Instead, the computer receives a driver update package. Almost identical to your Android phone when a carrier issues an update. This package is unique to the computer and is not something you can pick and choose from. Think of it like when your normal x86 computer gets a bios update. The process looks and feels nearly identical.
I find this good and bad. Being a techie, it is bad. A user can’t just go out to the interwebs and get an updated driver for something that doesn’t work. The user must wait for a system update to fix an issue. Sometimes this happens quickly, sometimes it doesn’t. When I first got this laptop, if would not connect to my TP-Link Deco router. I went several days hot-spotting off my phone for internet connectivity. Why? Because I couldn’t go out to the Wi-Fi card manufacturer and get an ARM based driver, they don’t exist. However, after two or three days, Dell released a system update to the laptop, and it cured the issues with the Wi-Fi. Had I had a “normal” computer, I could have fixed it in minutes.
DISPLAY
The XPS 9345 display is gorgeous. The 3k (2880 x 1800) display is crisp, colorful, and just awesome to look at. Color reproduction appears very accurate, and the blacks are so crisp and inky. The added pixel count of 3k resolution on a small 13” display makes the pixels nearly imperceptible. The small screen is packed with a bunch of detail. It looks amazing.
The XPS 9345 display is gorgeous. The 3k (2880 x 1800) display is crisp, colorful, and just awesome to look at. Color reproduction appears very accurate, and the blacks are so crisp and inky. The added pixel count of 3k resolution on a small 13” display makes the pixels nearly imperceptible. The small screen is packed with a bunch of detail. It looks amazing.
CPU
This is what sets the XPS CoPilot+ 9345 apart from its brethren. The Snapdragon X Elite is a 12-core processor with an ARM-based architecture. It is different than traditional Intel and AMD chips. Between 12 cores and the very efficient ARM architecture, the Snapdragon processor is fast. As fast or faster than the latest Intel i7 based laptops it competes against. In fact, I find the Snapdragon processor feels superior to its Intel and AMD based competitors in terms of responsiveness. Even with heavy multi-tasking the Snapdragon hasn’t felt overburdened like my x86 laptops tend to do. The whole ARM based environment feels more efficient under intense workloads.
This is what sets the XPS CoPilot+ 9345 apart from its brethren. The Snapdragon X Elite is a 12-core processor with an ARM-based architecture. It is different than traditional Intel and AMD chips. Between 12 cores and the very efficient ARM architecture, the Snapdragon processor is fast. As fast or faster than the latest Intel i7 based laptops it competes against. In fact, I find the Snapdragon processor feels superior to its Intel and AMD based competitors in terms of responsiveness. Even with heavy multi-tasking the Snapdragon hasn’t felt overburdened like my x86 laptops tend to do. The whole ARM based environment feels more efficient under intense workloads.
BATTERY LIFE
This is one area that I absolute must touch on. The XPS 13 is the longest lasting laptop I have used to date. This is the one area where an ARM based laptops excel. The Snapdragon gives the user the power and performance of a high-end x86 based computer with the efficiency of a tablet.
This is one area that I absolute must touch on. The XPS 13 is the longest lasting laptop I have used to date. This is the one area where an ARM based laptops excel. The Snapdragon gives the user the power and performance of a high-end x86 based computer with the efficiency of a tablet.
This is the first computer I’ve ever used that gives me all the computing power I need of a full-sized laptop without any performance penalties for battery saving. It is really that amazing. The biggest power draw of most laptop is the display. Even at full resolution and 50% brightness, the laptop returns a good 9 – 10hrs of life, sometimes more. While I have other laptops or 2-in-1’s that can do this too, it is not without a significant performance penalty or viewing penalty. The XPS allows me to run the processor at optimum speed, the screen at excellent brightness levels and still returns all day battery life.
Again, this the FIRST laptop I’ve ever used that has returned these results. It is amazing.
NEGATIVES
Upgradability. I said this in another review, but 2024 is the beginning of the end of upgradeable laptops. This XPS is no exception. Aside from the SSD, the laptop is not upgradeable.
Upgradability. I said this in another review, but 2024 is the beginning of the end of upgradeable laptops. This XPS is no exception. Aside from the SSD, the laptop is not upgradeable.
ARM. I see the ARM architecture as a like it or hate it affair. It is a decision left up to the end user. There are pros and cons to the OS. While it is very power efficient, it is also not (for the lack of a better word) user-friendly. By that, I mean for those of us that are not afraid to go in tweak drivers and make changes, this is not for the tinkerers. But, for those that don’t want to worry about that stuff and just want a turn it on and forget it experience, this is your machine.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Users buying a new laptop to experience the greatness that is AI will be disappointed. There just isn’t a ton of features available currently. My biggest use of AI to date has been in CoCreator in Paint. It has helped turn my ideas and renderings into something that looks legitimate and not like a 2nd grader did it.
Users buying a new laptop to experience the greatness that is AI will be disappointed. There just isn’t a ton of features available currently. My biggest use of AI to date has been in CoCreator in Paint. It has helped turn my ideas and renderings into something that looks legitimate and not like a 2nd grader did it.
The XPS CoPilot+ is an undeniably great option for those that need all day battery life. I easily got more than a full workday out of it, with power to spare. Most importantly, no matter how hard I have tried to cripple it, the laptop maintained its composure and most importantly, did so nearly silently.
I said it before in this review. I have never had a laptop that has provided me with this much performance for this amount of time without some type of penalty attached. The XPS has exceeded my expectations in nearly every important aspect of my testing. The battery life is OUTSTANDING. The screen is gorgeous. The performance from the new Snapdragon processor is VERY impressive.
I said it before in this review. I have never had a laptop that has provided me with this much performance for this amount of time without some type of penalty attached. The XPS has exceeded my expectations in nearly every important aspect of my testing. The battery life is OUTSTANDING. The screen is gorgeous. The performance from the new Snapdragon processor is VERY impressive.
While I’m not completely sold on the ARM architecture, it is growing on me. There still is some work to do. Some of my favorite apps don’t work on the XPS and when I do have issue like I had with my TP-Link router, I can’t just go in and fix it myself. I must wait until Dell fixes it. Unfortunately, that could take some time.
However, as of now, the pros are outweighing the cons. I’ll admit that I’m a die hard x86 person, but the ARM OS is growing on me, and I can see the appeal for most people. The processing power of the Snapdragon X and power efficiency of the ARM architecture is unmatched by any x86 computer.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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?
Good Evening,
Unfortunately, no. This vac is not self-propelled.
Unfortunately, no. This vac is not self-propelled.
3 years, 10 months ago
by
NAMO
HP OMEN - Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 6600M - 1TB SSD
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.
Where is the camera located? At the top?
Good Evening,
It is at the top center of the display.
It is at the top center of the display.
4 years, 3 months ago
by
NAMO
HP OMEN - Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 6600M - 1TB SSD
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.
Does this laptop have a MUX switch?
Good Evening,
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.
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.
4 years, 3 months ago
by
NAMO
HP OMEN - Advantage Edition 16.1" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 - 16GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 6600M - 1TB SSD
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?
Good Evening,
I'm getting roughly 2-3 hours of casual use (watching videos, web surfing, emails, etc)
If I'm gaming, I get an hour or so, depending on the graphics needs of the game.
I'm getting roughly 2-3 hours of casual use (watching videos, web surfing, emails, etc)
If I'm gaming, I get an hour or so, depending on the graphics needs of the game.
4 years, 3 months ago
by
NAMO
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.
Is the filtration true HEPA or HEPA-like?
Good Afternoon,
According to Raycop, this unit has true HEPA filtration, with a Level 13 HEPA filter that comes pre-installed in the unit.
Thanks!
According to Raycop, this unit has true HEPA filtration, with a Level 13 HEPA filter that comes pre-installed in the unit.
Thanks!
4 years, 6 months ago
by
NAMO
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 it come with 2 batteries?
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.
Thanks.
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.
Thanks.
5 years ago
by
NAMO
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.
Thanks.
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.
Thanks.
5 years ago
by
NAMO
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.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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.
Why in the graphics for the specs its says intel hd graphics is there not a gtx 1660 TI?
It is the 9th Generation 9700 processor with an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. I believe all the Intel processors include onboard graphics too.
6 years, 4 months 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.
Is there a gtx 1660ti installed or not? What size pwr supply?
Yes, the system does include the 1660Ti. HP product specs say it is a 500W Power Supply.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
NAMO