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    June 21, 2013
  • Last review
    June 24, 2025
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    December 10, 2014
  • Last answer
    November 4, 2021
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emiliosic's Reviews
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The electric kettle that pours as good as it looks! Uniting stunning design with thoughtful features and a simplistic user interface, Fellow’s Stagg EKG packs a powerful punch. Since different coffees and brew methods require different water temperatures, a home brewer needs complete control in order to perfect recipes. Simply press down on Stagg EKG’s dial to turn the kettle on and twist the dial to set your goal temperature. With a 1200 watt quick-heating element and a unique PID sensor system, Stagg EKG’s to-the-degree temperature control lets you select the exact temperature from 135°F to 212°F. The base also has two switches to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit, as well as a toggle for HOLD mode to keep your water hot for 60 minutes. To engage the Brew Stopwatch on the high-res LCD screen to time your pour-over, press and hold on the dial. A counterbalanced handle and fluted spout tip make imprecise pouring a thing of the past.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Functional design, precise temperature control
on June 30, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
This kettle is much form as it is functional.
Let's just say it looks great (And it comes in several color options), so it's something people would like to 'show off' in the kitchen.
The base is a perfect square, very minimalistic with a matrix display on one corner that is barely noticeable when off, and a single control knob on the other. On the rear of the base there's the power cable and two switches: One for the hold function and other for the F/C reading setting.
The kettle is all metal, except for its base where it holds the heating element, and the handle is a high-quality plastic (for my black model) or real wood for other color options. The manufacturer also sells replacement handles in walnut or maple if you feel like splurging on a wooden handle.
The gooseneck design and the balanced handle allows for a very precise and steady pouring. This design manages to make it comfortable to hold while pouring, and the narrow gooseneck lets pour the right volume of water.
The precise temperature control is incredible, with precision up to a single degree. It uses a 'PID Controller', which is a system used in industrial applications. Basically, it continuously measures the current water temperature and adjusts the power level appropriately to reach the target temperature, without 'overshooting' like conventional kettles.
Why is this precision important? Coffee burns acid at the boiling temperature of 212 degrees, but is much less acid if brewed around 190-195 F.
So this kettle is ideal for pour over, which is basically pouring the coffee beans into a (paper) filter, let it bloom with a bit of water (this is key to control acidity), wait about 30 seconds to let the beans air out the acid chemicals and then slowly pour in circles for an even brew, into a decanter or mug.
I can now consistently get brew my coffee without heartburn and tastes great.
The hold function (switch on the back) sets it to keep the water temperature for up to 1 hour.
Also note that holding on the knob activates a brewing stopwatch. They though of everything.
Now the tea drinker in the house also loves this kettle, so much that we put away the tea kettle and just use this exclusively. The temperature control also works great for different teas that need to brew at different temperatures (212 F for black tea also works great with this kettle).
There are a couple of considerations however: Because it's all metal, the body of the kettle gets uncomfortably hot, and particularly, the cover has vent holes so it gets too hot to remove without using kitchen mittens. Also pressing the on button sometimes does not turn on the kettle. I found that pressing the button, lifting the kettle and pressing it again works. Not sure if this quirk is a safety feature, but I did not find an explanation for it on the manual.
Overall, if you're nearly obsessed about good coffee, a precision kettle makes a big difference, and reduces the acidity of the brewed coffee, and let's be honest, it looks great.
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The Shark Air Purifier 6 with Anti-Allergen Multi-Filter uses Clean Sense IQ technology to constantly track air quality and auto-adjust power. It delivers clean air with 6 powerful, quiet fans and anti-allergen HEPA filtration with advanced odor & fumes protection.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Quiet and powerful, automatic
on June 26, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
We have air purifiers in different parts of the house, due to allergies, so I've seen a few models.
The unique factor with this is that instead of using a single fan, that is either very large or spins fast, this has six small fans spread through the body of the unit.
The first benefit is that is much quieter, so I can leave it running all night bedside, and it's barely audible.
It's also compact, width-wise, although taller than many others. Being short in width allows me to leave it close to the wall, between windows and does not protrude as much.
It has an air quality sensor, measuring different particle sizes, and provides and overall 'air score' where 100 is the most clean. The display shows different measurements, and a color ring changes from blue (clean) to yellow (moderate) to red (bad) depending on the air quality.
With this data, in auto mode, it adjusts four different speeds on the fans (all at the same speed) depending on how much air if needs to circulate.
The air intake is through the filters, on the back of the unit and spreads the cleaned air on both left and right sides.
The front is polished plastic. (This model is black, they also have it in white). The top is also glossy with a clear plastic on top of black, where it has the main screen and touch controls. I don't find it aesthetically pleasing. It's rather utilitarian looking, but this all depends on how and where it's used.
The touch controls are actually very responsive. I had other appliances that are a pain to operate touch controls but this got it just right. There's an on/off, speed level or auto, timer and screen brightness. Also a filter reset.
The filter is one piece with three layers: Dust filter, HEPA filter and carbon filter. It's single piece with all the filters bonded together and it goes in one way only. It's very easy to swap the filter.
Screens: For some inexplicable reason, this fan has two screens that shows a clean score and the color ring. The screen on top also has the controls and the one in the front has the same information without the controls. It's a feature so it can be seen from any direction but it's really a design quirk. It's fine and very useful, but I don't like that the unit has no light sensor. It can be set to bright, medium and off. The medium setting is distracting at night, so after a few days I turned the screens off. Other units have a light sensor that adjusts the screen automatically. It's a small detail in these high-end purifiers but this, that has two screen doesn't have it.
Remote control: It has a nicely designed remote control, with a big on/off button and all the other controls. Looks modern and works well, with nicely arranged buttons. It comes with its bell (watch type) battery, which I'd expect would last for years. It has no app or phone/cloud connectivity (And frankly, does not need to).
I noticed that if the unit is on, unplug it and then plug it back on, it returns to it's previous setting. This is great so I could use an appliance switch if I want to with this.
Packaging was good, without excess of cardboard, the necessary amounts of bag and no Styrofoam (Which regardless of not being recyclable, invariably makes a mess when removing, with irritating noises). So props for thought-of packaging.
The unit was manufactured in China, however SharkNinja operates from, and designs its own products in Needham, Massachusetts.
Overall it's a great unit. Seems well built and it is exceptionally quiet. It's also not bulky although it's wide and tall. I'm happy so say I can keep this bed-side running all day, being quiet.
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+28points
31of 34voted this as helpful.
 
Acer’s Intel® Evo™ platform-based Chromebook Spin 713 is ideal for heavy multitasking since it comes with powerful specs, long battery life, plenty of storage and enough ports for external monitors and accessories. Designed to give users a premium experience with increased speeds from the 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, this sleek convertible features a vivid, 13.5” 2K IPS VertiView touch display with vivid Intel® Iris® Xe graphics, a long-lasting and quick-chargeable battery, and speedy Chrome OS performance. At just over 3 lbs., this sleek machine is faster than ever. It features a built-in HDMI port, two USB Type-C™ Ports with Thunderbolt™ 4, a backlit keyboard and a unique 3:2 ratio display—that delivers an extra 18% more vertical space—making work and play more fun and extra easy on the eyes! The 360° durable hinge provides four different modes for you to enjoy. And this awesome Chromebook is fitted with a high-quality, military-grade tested aluminum chassis!
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Premium Hardware
on June 10, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
This is by any means a premium machine with state of the art specs, that happens to run Chrome OS:
• The screen is a high-resolution: 2256 x 1504 pixels, giving it a 3:2 aspect ratio, with a 2K resolution. This is the same as newer Surface laptops and others that are moving away from 16:9 (1080p) form-factor, which is much better for editing documents, and while watching movies, I appreciate the controls remain outside the viewing area.
• Tablet mode: The 'Spin' in the name indicates this is a convertible laptop, so when folded with the screen on top, the keyboard becomes disabled, and one uses it via touchscreen. The screen has a gorilla glass (like phones), and the OS detects this mode by maximizing every window and showing the touch keyboard when necessary.
• The keys are island style, backlit, with the ChromeOS distribution: No command/windows key, and the caps-lock becomes the search key. It's very comfortable to type with.
• Trackpad is large and responsive, with a smooth glass surface. Very nice to work with.
• Ports: On the left, there are two thunderbolt 4, one HDMI and audio jack. On the right, the power, USB-A 3, Micro-SD slot and volume keys (To use mostly in tablet mode)
• The sound (With DTS label) comes from two speakers on the underside – front. It took me a while to get used to hear the sound coming from the bottom but it works.
• Charging is via one of the thunderbolt/USB-C ports. It comes with a large, typical laptop-size charger that has an USB-C port, and also worked by charging from an USB-C dock.
• Wi-Fi: Supports WiFi 6. I was able to get around 300 Mb up and down on a gigabit internet, using SpeedTest from the Play Store.
• Storage is via an M2 type SSD: 240 GB.
• RAM is 8 GB.
• Bluetooth 5.0.
• The CPU is an 11th gen Intel Core i5, and is 'Evo' compliant: Evo is an approval mark by Intel for systems that support current state of the art specs like higher-end Intel embedded graphics, Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6, with over 9 hours battery life.
Because the ports are Thunderbolt, I was able to use two 1080p monitors connected to a single thunderbolt dock (which uses USB-C Alt mode, like Macs) and also, separately, used a portable generic USB-C dock to drive an external display, keyboard and mouse.
The laptop also has a web camera. I didn't find it to be too impressive, but works. I used it with Zoom (Chrome app) and it works well as long as there is adequate lightning.
ChromeOS:
Although initially it was basically a way to run the chrome web browser, within the last few years it can also run Android apps. Many android apps work well within a laptop screen, and with Intel 64-bit CPUs.
And now in beta, it also runs Debian Linux within a Virtual Machine, which also supports complex GUI applications like Microsoft Visual Studio Code. This works by either using apt-get from the Linux console or by downloading a .deb package.
So within Chrome apps, Android and Linux there isn't much it cannot do.
ChromeOS is generally very secure, and is fairly straightforward to restore the laptop to like it came from the factory. Much of the system is 'read-only', and that makes it more resilient.
Keep in mind that ChromeOS, for much of its functionality requires internet connectivity, although there's plenty that can also be done offline as well.
Also keep in mind that Google collects plenty of data from Chrome. In return, a lot of what’s done on the device is backed up and synced into Google's cloud, so working on different devices or replacing a Chromebook is also a lot simpler.
Overall, I'm very impressed with this laptop and how capable ChromeOS is while being very secure.
The multiple-personality of the system running Chrome and web applications, Android and Linux is great but there are occasionally some rough areas in how these coexist, although it's been very good overall and it keeps improving.
So in this way I'd prefer ChromeOS to an Android tablet.
The hardware in this laptop is top of the line. Consider this if looking for a premium Chromebook or a high-end Android tablet.
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+8points
14of 20voted this as helpful.
 
Dyson's latest purifiers combine intelligent sensing with an advanced filtration system. Three phases of purification sit within a fully sealed filtration and airflow system. So what goes inside, stays inside. A solid-state formaldehyde sensor and a unique catalytic filter detect and continuously destroy formaldehyde¹, an activated carbon filter removes gases and odors and a HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size. Then powerful Air Multiplier technology purifies, heats the whole room and cools you.²
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
The smartest purifier, but mechanics needs work
on May 12, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
Dyson fans and air purifiers have a distinctive look with a 'bladeless' diffuser with a fan hidden in the body. It's as much practical as it is a statement.
Besides the distinctive looks, I'm impressed on how much it does and how well the design is in respect to the logic in its functions:
- At the same time it purifies the air, it can also work as a heater, by setting the desired target temperature via it's remote control (and only via the remote control).
- Extensive air quality monitor, including amount of small particles (allergens, etc), larger particles like pollen, Formaldehyde (from decaying plastics), VOCs (Like sprays) and NO2 (Anything that generates smoke).
- Accurate temperature and humidity sensors.
- It can oscillate or rotate it via the remote or phone app, with several angles to choose from.
- It can blow air either from the front or the rear sides, and can be changed from the remote or app.
- It can also tilt up and down (manually).
- Extensive controls via phone app.
I was eager to use this in our older, but extensively remodeled home for its Formaldehyde sensor, and I'm glad it did not detect anything noticeable (Have occasionally severe allergies so our central heat has MERV13 filters, so it likely already picks up most allergens).
However, while using a spray in another room to clear a glass table, it immediately picked up the fumes from it and spun into a faster speed.
There is a small circular screen on the center (Slightly larger than a watch) which is very easy to read and provides air quality charts and everything else. It also has a light sensor so the screen dims depending on the lighting, and also has a night mode that turns it off while the purified goes into its quietest mode.
The phone app is excellent. It provides very nice graphics of the various sensors with great detail. Also it can control everything on the purifier except the heat, which is unfortunate (because of an US regulation -- See image on the review).
While the purifier works stand-alone, using the phone app requires registering with a Dyson account. Pairing the unit with the account is very simple, via Bluetooth getting the phone near it.
It also integrates well with Amazon Alexa, which can voice control several functions and most of the controls (Except heat) are available via Amazon Echo screens or the Alexa app as well.
Other integrations leave a lot to be desired: For Google Home it only allows on or off. SmartThings is not supported. For Apple, HomeKit is also not available but it does support Siri shortcuts.
Local home automations integrations are not officially supported but within hours of setting up the purifier, found that it actually works with MQTT, and there is good information online.
The filters are very easy to replace. They come in two halves that go around the base of the unit, so two semi-circle HEPA filters with integrated carbon filters and two catalyst meshes (that are removable but not consumable). I found it very easy to remove the filters. Note that the HEPA and carbon filters are in one single piece.
The biggest drawbacks, and important is that the internal fan is very small, and so while it jets the air out, it doesn't produce as much of a breeze as a fan. Other air filters seem to move much more air.
It can also get very noisy: It's usually very quiet, but sometimes, even at one of the lowest speeds, it makes a high pitch rattle that I can hear from another room.
Also, a minor peeve: The power plug is 3 inches long, and because of the heater, the power cable is very thick and stiff, so the power cable cannot be hidden behind furniture if plugging it directly onto the wall (which it should).
This unit was made in Malaysia.
Overall, It's a great machine, but I expected it would be quieter, with better airflow at this price.
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+29points
31of 33voted this as helpful.
 
Enjoy astonishing sound with this breakthrough portable speaker. Stream music and more over WiFi at home and listen on the go with Bluetooth. Get up to 10 hours of battery life. Easily control the sound with the Sonos app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2. Create a whole-home sound system with multiple Sonos speakers.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best portable speaker
on April 23, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
We already have a Sonos soundbar, so I'm already familiar with the Sonos S2 system.
First, this speaker is smaller than what I expected. It's easy to hold with one hand.
It does everything other Sonos speakers do in terms of controls, it has an all-day battery (about 10 hours), and also works like a Bluetooth speaker when outside the house.
Sound quality: Excellent; having used many speakers and headphones over the past few years, this speaker truly punches above it's size. A single speaker can fill a regular-sized room at a comfortable level. The tonal quality is comparable to other Sonos speakers: When in sync, the sound, accounting for output volume, is comparable in quality to larger speakers. It does not have the tinny metallic sound that plague other portable speakers. It's sound is warm with a good amount of bass that's not overpowering.
Charging: USB-C or wireless (Qi) charging. It comes with an USB-C to USB-A cable, and works fine with the cables we already have. Qi charging works fine placing the speaker vertically on the charger's base. Sonos has a dedicated charger shaped like a triangle matching the speaker with magnets, but it does not come with the speaker. That's extra.
Audio sources: Bluetooth, like any other portable speaker, and Wi-Fi, as part of the Sonos S2 system, which works directly with Apple's Airplay, the Sonos controller, which is practically universally compatible with every single music service, including all the major sources and everyone else I can think of, and local network sources (via Sonos controller on a computer).
Voice assistants: Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google. It can be changed from the phone at any time, and the mic can also be muted. Alexa can play any source including from Apple Music, when linked.
Controls: Besides controlling it from a phone or PC, has simple built-in controls: Mic mute, volume up/down and play. Pressing play twice skips, pressing it three times goes back to the previous sound.
On the side there is a power button. Here's where it becomes a bit more complicated: Press it once, and turns on or goes into sleep mode. Hold it a bit longer and goes into bluetooth pairing mode. Keep on holding it and turns off.
The 'sleep' mode is a bit tricky, and it draws about 10% of the battery overnight if not turned off. The difference is that it can be woken up from the Sonos app, so the WiFi is not completely off, but in low-power mode. This doesn't seem to be configurable, at least not yet.
Trueplay: It uses the microphones to adjust sound settings based on the room or area where it is located. It works even when the voice assistant is muted. For example, moving it inside a shelf, it adjusts how it sounds.
Handoff: Sonos had this feature from the app for some time and it works great, but now with this speaker, it works seamlessly by holding the play button while next to another Sonos S2 speaker. It works without skipping a bit transferring whatever it's playing to the other speaker. I was impressed how well it works.
Hold the play button again and both speakers are now playing.
Move away and Hold play again and it transfers back to this speaker.
Waterproof: IP67 rating means it plays even while under water.
Bluetooth works well with my iPhone. Pairs with no problem. However it's limited to playing music, and the mic on the speaker does not work for phone calls, so it cannot be used as a table speakerphone. Also it does not seems support stereo pairing via Bluetooth.
Overall: This is excellent. Great sound at a tiny footprint. It's not just a portable speaker, it's a full member of the Sonos system that is portable and also works as a Bluetooth speaker.
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+13points
19of 25voted this as helpful.
 
Enjoy espressos, lattes and cappuccinos, just the way you like, with the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother Attachment. This is the first residential espresso machine that features dual, smart temperature sensors, that maintain the perfect brewing temperature shot after shot. The fast-heating thermocoil technology heats water up to the ideal brewing temperature in less 45 seconds. And, the low pressure pre-infusion and 15-bar Italian pump work together to make a deliciously rich, thick crema.The included Automatic Milk Frother Attachment, attaches to the KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and prepares milk for delicious lattes and cappuccinos. Programmable dosing and a variable micro-foam adjuster allow you to adjust the milk amount and texture to match your taste and preference.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Consistent espresso with lots of crema
on April 15, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
Espressos that taste as good as the neighborhood coffee shops.
For comparing the results on this machine, I'd like to use either Illy or Lavazza coffees.
For reference, I'm using Lavazza's 'Crema e Gusto' classico.
Two shots produce a smooth but strong coffee with plenty of crema.
As advertised, this machine claims to have a more precise temperature control, and indeed the coffee has a smooth taste without the bitterness that's produced when the water is too hot.
The crema is a byproduct of the oils in the coffee. The machine first moist the basket, lets it simmer and then applies pressure.
Because the beans are already ground, used the double-wall portafilter, resulting in an excellent cup.
For frothed milk, can either use the steam wand or the fully automatic milk frother, which has adjustable froth levels.
The machine itself is nicely built, and looks in the right place near a KitchenAid mixer.
The espresso basket has a hefty feel to it, and inside has coffee guides to control the drip.
It comes with four portafilters: One and two shot traditional filters and a set of double-walled portafilters which add pressure and are recommended for pre-ground coffee.
The press also has a nice weight to it with a flat polished base and a textured handle.
For milk, as mentioned earlier, comes with a fully automatic frother, the traditional steam wand, and it also comes with a stainless steel jar I use when frothing milk manually. It's all removable and simple to wash.
The milk container can be removed and stored separately in the fridge, or can connect the milk hose directly into a milk container, which I prefer by putting a small amount of milk in a glass to make cleaning easier.
I was impressed how quickly is warms up within a few seconds. Out older machines needed several minutes. This turns on right away.
The controls are a few buttons that are very easy to understand: One button for mode: Espresso, steam or hot water. Then the shots button (Also amount of milk before it stops): 1 or 2. A cleaning button and the start/pause.
Water tank is on the back, removable and holds a good amount of liquid.
It's also programmable by holding different combination of buttons as per the manual. The amount of coffee and water can be set for each 1 or 2 position. Water temperature and water hardness also have three settings each.
The dedicated clean button starts the descaling cycle (which requires a descaling solution). Normal clean the frothing wand by running it without milk. Daily cleaning is fairly simple as the wand and frother are removable.
The frother can be fully disassembled and all the parts in contact with milk are washable.
However keep in mind that the water tray doesn't hold as much water. It does come with a handy water level to know when it's getting full. I find that very practical.
It's an easy to use machine, quick to warm up, solidly built, simple to clean, and most important, espressos come out great. More crema than other machines I used years ago.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The world of electric scooters is proud to welcome the Hover-1 Blackhawk eScooter. This powerful scooter is a comprehensive mobility solution that features a beautiful display, removeable battery and LED display. With speeds of up to 18mph and a range of almost 30 miles, this scooter will keep you going all day long. The built-in kickstand makes it easy to hop off your scooter and hop back on without skipping a beat. Not to mention, this scooter comes fully loaded with large 10” tires to give you a smooth and comfortable ride on nearly any surface.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Fun and fast full-size kick scooter
on March 15, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
This is a very capable scooter with some interesting features:
- 10" air-inflated wheels
- The 40-Cell Li-Ion battery is removable and held on the stem.
- Brushless motor is on the front-wheel, rated 350 Watts.
- Disc brakes on the rear wheel, and can also brake kicking the rear wheel.
- Aluminum construction. Weights about 33 Lb.
The scooter comes ready to use, only requiring to screw the handlebars by hand and attach the brake handle with a simple hex wrench (included).
It has a simple display showing the speed an charge remaining. The only controls are the electronic accelerator and the brake. On the accelerator there is a power button and a mode control, which is a speed limiter: Training: 6 mph, kids: 10 mph and full speed up to 16 mph.
It comes with its own charger which is a proprietary switching power supply with a barrel connector.
Holding the speed button also turns the lights on or off: One headlight and rear lights on the rear wheel cover, which also blinks when braking.
There is no phone app on this scooter. Just turn on and go. No phone tracking, nothing else to set up. It's very simple to use.
Our teen kids picked it up right away. Learning to use takes a couple of minutes.
To start it, turn it on, kick on the base (So it knows you're actively using it), roll it about 2 mph and start accelerating (this so it doesn't take off by mistakenly pressing the accelerator).
It had a good amount of torque, and goes up to 16 mph. It does struggle with hills, but it worked on its own on relatively steep roads around the neighborhood.
It's fairly simple to fold: One clip protects a lever on the bottom of the mast. It then clips to the rear wheel. To unfold it, press the rear wheel, lift the mast and the lever at the hinge. There is a clip so it doesn't unlock with vibration.
The driving range for this would be about 25 miles (ideally) on a single charge. I was not able to test it completely, as my range anxiety made me charge it when the charge indicator shown a bit over half capacity, and I must've driven well over 10 miles.
IPX4 rated which means it can resist splashes (poodles, etc.).
It carrier an UL safety label for US/CA, which is reassuring.
This is a branded version of the Kixin X8 Scooter.
Caveats:
The warranty on this is only 3 months, which is disappointing for an expensive model.
Since this is a full-size scooter with a larger battery pack, it's somewhat heavy and kind of bulky to carry, but there is no secure way to lock this on the street. Not much we can do but having a way to lock it with a chain would've been useful.
Overall, I think the speed and power are adequate. More power is always nice but this works surprisingly well.
I like that the battery is removable and on the front stem instead of the bottom, which makes it much more protected, particularly over poodles of water. The battery can be charged in or outside the scooter.
The disc brake is smooth. Quick stops that are not sudden.
While it doesn't have a suspension, the air tires make up for it, keeping it relatively light.
It's a lot of fun. My kids like it, and even got compliments from neighbors on the fun factor.
Don't be discouraged by the lack of app connectivity. To me it's a plus. It works without a fuss. Turn it on and it goes.
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+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
 
Unleash your creativity with this all-in-one Dell Inspiron desktop computer. The 23.8-inch Full HD display delivers detailed visuals and offers smooth touch operation, while the 512GB SSD minimizes load times, letting you jump into work sessions quickly. This Dell Inspiron desktop computer has an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM for running multiple programs simultaneously. Built in webcam, microphone, and speakers to win at conference calls.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Fast and simple
on March 2, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
This model comes with a current 11th generation Intel Core i7, Intel graphics, 24-in 'Borderless' touchscreen, and can also be used as a TV or monitor, nice integrated speakers, 512GB SSD, 16 GB RAM.
I think this is a great value for a daily general-use computer, with one of the fastest mobile CPUs.
Looks: The computer is white on the front and painted silver on the back, with a metal A-Frame base that allows tilting the computer. Below the screen there is an integrated piece that is the sound bar, covered in a nice-looking gray mesh fabric.
It also comes with a matching wireless white keyboard and white wireless mouse.
The 'white' is closer to a very light cream. It is not the old beige. The white parts on the front are polished and looks nice in my opinion.
The stand is nice and allows resting the keyboard below the computer when not in use.
There are no visible buttons on the front, and the power light comes from behind the speaker mesh fabric.
The web camera pops-up by pressing the top of the screen, and also has IR functions to use with Windows Hello by logging in automatically with face recognition (Windows Hello).
(The face recognition is optional, and it's stored on the PC only. One can also log in via a PIN or a password). It's nice that the camera can be stowed away for privacy.
Screen: The screen has a matte finish (not glass) that's vibrant and does not reflect glare like glass screens do, so I prefer this type of screen personally for longer daily use. It's touch-screen (but doesn't seem to support pens). Keep in mind that this is a desktop computer so the touchscreen won't get much use. Resolution is 1920x1080
Speed: This should be fast for most tasks, including several web browser tabs. The 11th-gen (current) i7 CPU is plenty fast and I didn't feel it particularly needed more speed. The memory Is 16 GB of the type '2666 DDR4 SODIMM', which is very adequate for most uses.
The 512Gb SSD is an 'M2 PCIx4', which is also user-replaceable. However it has a slightly odd form factor: M.2 2242.
Keyboard: The standard keyboard and mouse are wireless and require an USB adapter that has to be attached to one of the ports on the PC. It's not Bluetooth. The keyboard is a full-size, with good travel. The mouse is basic but does the job just fine. The keyboard uses two AAA batteries while the mouse uses one AA battery. They're not rechargeable but should be able to use rechargeable batteries. In my previous experience with Dell keyboards and mouse, they should last a long time.
Camera: The resolution is up toy 1080p, 30fps, with IR for Windows Hello. Note that most built-in cameras are 720p. This is better, although it depends what you use to take full advantage of. The microphone remains on though and it's used for Microsoft Cortana (Windows voice assistant).
Network: There is an ethernet (wired) connector on the back, and the PC supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. (Bluetooth 5 devices have better range and batteries on Bluetooth 5 headphones should last longer).
We have a brand new Mesh WiFi 6 at home with Gigabit internet and while the computer connects at 'gigabit' WiFi (1024 mbps), although in real-life internet use, measured around 400 Mbps using Speedtest, which is comparable to what I can measure on an iPhone.
Buttons and ports: The power button is on the bottom of the case (on the sound bar section), and there is a small button next to it that allows to use the computer as a monitor with the HDMI input on the back.
All the ports are on the back. There are no connectors on the side.
The power is through a brick similar to a laptop, with a small DC barrel connector on the computer side.
Ports include: 1 security lock, DC power, HDMI Out (1.4), HDMI In (To use as a monitor or TV), one single USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet, 1 USB 2.0 port (To use with the keyboard/mouse adapter), 3 USB 3.1 ports (5 Gbps), headphone jack and SD card reader.
Serviceability: There are no screws to open the back, but the back cover can be easily pry away, with full access to the motherboard.
Inside there is an empty bracket to add a standard 3.5" hard drive. It has two memory slots and a single SSD slot. The WiFi/Bluetooth card is also on an M2 slot. Something that disappointed me here is that the SSD slot is half-size, and only supports the M.2 2242 form factor (42mm length). This is important because the standard form factor is M.2 2280 (80 mm length), and the M.2 2242 for this PC is half the size, thus severely limiting the choices for a replacement.
Things to consider: I wish it had a thunderbolt or USB4 port to be able to connect external video cards. There is only one USB-C port, which neither supports powering on the PC or video output.
The A-Frame legs are nice, but there is no way to remove them and use a VESA adapter. This is something that older Inspiron AIOs supported. Also no ports on the side or front, so connecting anything to it requires reaching the rear ports. It might look nice and de-cluttered but not practical.
Dell has been making Inspiron PCs for a long time and this model is a great value with most of what one would want in this type of all-in-one computer.
I'd be happy to recommend this for anyone looking for an all-in-one desktop for daily use and light gaming.
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Quality is available on your countertops, thanks to an array of GE food processor options, crafted to suit your family's lifestyle. All GE Appliances food processors come with an extra large chopping jar that holds up to 12 cups of food and allows you to prepare enough for the whole family. The ergonomic handle will help you hold, carry, and pour from the jar easily without worrying about losing your grip, while the available Large Feed Tube can accommodate whole or large ingredients, eliminating the need for pre-cutting or additional prepping. Plus you'll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from buying from a brand you trust.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Large and easy to use
on January 23, 2021
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
This is one of the new line of small appliances introduced since GE Appliances became part or Haier.
It has a rather large bowl compared to other food processors we used before.
The bowl is sealed, with only a small attachments port on the center. It does not have the large column in the center like many other food processors, making it easier to clean and no spills.
The base is even wider than the bowl. The bowl has a lip on its base that covers where it meets the base, to cover potential spills.
Instead of rubber feet, it has four small suction cups, so the base that although is large but lightweight, stays firmly put in place.
There is a single knob with pulse mode to the left and two speeds to the right. That's it. Doesn't get simpler than this.
It comes with a chopping blade, which is very sharp, and two slicing disks.
The slicing disks are all metal, with a slicing blade on one side, and flipping it has two sections of shredding cutouts. One disk is for thin slices/shredding and the other for medium. The disks are about 1 inch or so shorter than the bowl.
The motor, although light, is rated for 550W, which is plenty.
It seems well built with a pleasing stainless steel cladding on the base.
Also I like that the piece that pushes the food through the slicer/shredder has two parts inside one another; so for example, leaving the wider part in as a cover it can be feed a carrot through the smaller opening slicing it straight.
It's easy to clean and very simple to use. We're happy with this appliance.
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Philips Norelco Shaver 7500, Rechargeable Wet & Dry Electric Shaver with SenseIQ Technology, Quick Clean Pod, Travel Case and Pop-up Trimmer, S7783/84
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Good features on a great shaver
on December 24, 2020
Posted by: emiliosic
from Wakefield, MA
I've used several Philips shavers and this improves all around.
This particular model is made in Netherlands (Philips home country), which is where usually the newer models are made.
The shaving heads are very flexible so they're much better than other shavers at following the contour of the face, and the surface around the shaving heads has a coating and pattern that makes it easier to glide. Those would be the most important features. It does a great job around the neck and cleans everything between nose and top lip. Those are the trouble spots on other shavers I used.
The engine is relatively quiet and did not pinch nor pull hair even with a one-week beard, which cleaned in about 3 minutes. Daily shaves take about 90 seconds.
The top shaving head can come off and Philips sells several accessories with their 'SmartClick' system (including different models of beard trimmers).
This model also comes with a built-in trimmer, which does not require removing the shaving heads. It's on the back of the shaver like in their older models.
The battery run time is rated to about 60 minutes, and I had over 80% charge after a week.
It charges in about 1 hour using the proprietary plug in most Philips products. While Philips uses this same plug on every battery-shaver I owned (Because I started shaving when one had to actually plug the shaver to a wall plug), it's perhaps a good time to move to an USB-C connector, or support wireless charging, so to avoid traveling with unnecessary plugs.
Compared to older Philips shavers, the handle on this one is longer and thinner. So it's a lot longer and doesn't fit as easily in a cabinet shelf as their older models.
This version also comes with a self-cleaning base that is more compact, and requires a new type of cleaning cartridge that lasts from 1 to 3 months depending on use. The cleaning formula has no alcohol and also keeps the blades lubricated. The cleaning base doesn't need any power, as the shaver itself produces the foam, and takes about 1 minute to run it's cycle. I find that is better if I then open the shaver and let it air dry, otherwise it's still slightly moist the next day.
Indicators along the body of the shaver include 3 bars for charge level, cleaning remined, and circular motion reminders (Which are hard to see while actually shaving).
And for the feature I didn't know I needed, this shaver has Bluetooth, which connects to a phone app that reports battery level, run-time charts and amount of time shaving in circular motions, or when applying too much pressure (There are sensors on the shaver for that). Thankfully, the phone is not required, and when paired, it doesn't need to be near the shaver. The app also has some other shaving tips. The thing I did not like about this is that the shaver advertises it's Bluetooth name all the time, unless the shaver is in travel lock mode (holding the power button 3 seconds), which I find wholly unnecessary and also drains a small amount of power, so now I would really need to remember to keep it locked when traveling.
It also comes with a semi-rigid traveling pouch that holds the shaver (but not the power adapter), but unlike every other Philips shaver I used, this has no plastic cover for the shaving head. I find this very weird. Had to go over the manual to confirm it was not missing, and the same model without the cleaning base does have a cover. Not sure why they would do this on a premium shaver.
Besides this small annoyance and the ill-featured 'always on' Bluetooth, it's a great shaver. Clean shaves every time, no hair pricking. Glides very well and the spring-loaded shaving heads work very well at following facial angles and works better than other shavers in the chin and neck areas. Did I say this is made in Netherlands?
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Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

How much noise is made when running? How loud does it get?

It has a big fan, but it varies depending on the mode. So there is fan noise, but it's acceptable. Lower than a range hood
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Does it have a warm option, to keep cooked food warm, till you’re ready to put the food on the table?

The reheat mode starts at 100F, and the bake mode at 180F. The reheat mode at low temperature could be used for that
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Is the interior stainless steel and does it have California carcinogen warning?

The interior is metal, not stainless.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Meet the Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven, the extra-large toaster oven and air fry oven with True Surround Convection. You get up to 10X the convection power of a traditional full-size convection oven, so you can make quick family meals on 2 levels, no rotating required. Plus, it features 10 cooking functions: Air Fry, Whole Roast, Air Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bagel, and Reheat.
 

Does it have a warm option, to keep cooked food warm, till you’re ready to put the food on the table?

It does not have a 'keep warm' setting, but the lowest 'bake' temperature is 180F, if that works
4 years, 8 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

does the charge case support qi wireless charging?

No, it does not. Only USB-C charging
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Do these buds have the ability to use each one individually to Answer calls and play music? Thanks

They both work as a single unit
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Does these earbuds allow user to pick the call and talk using only one earbud, while the other earbud is laying in the case?

Yes, with the right earbud only, and it can answer the call as soon as it's in your ear
User submitted photo
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Bose Sport Earbuds are true wireless earbuds engineered to produce clear and balanced sound in any listening environment. StayHear Max tips mold these wireless earbuds to your ears with soft silicone and won’t fall out, no matter how demanding your workout is. Bose Sport Earbuds go through rigorous quality testing for durability and they’re rated IPX4 - designed to resist moisture from sweat and weather. And instead of buttons, a capacitive touch interface lets you simply tap to play or pause music, answer calls, and more. These earphones have a battery life of up to five hours get ready to beat your personal best, again and again.
 

Does the new Bose - Sport Earbuds work with Alexa?

At the moment, only the phone's assistant is supported.
User submitted photo
4 years, 9 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Gray, MX Keys for Mac features a Mac key layout and smart illumination.Perfect Stroke keys are shaped for your fingertips and increased key stability reduces noise while optimizing responsiveness. Tactile reference for hand positioning makes it easy to stay oriented and in your flow. The backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions.Type on multiple computers with Flow –and effortlessly transfer text, images, and files between computers –just copy on one and paste to the other.Requires Logitech Flow-enabled mouse and Options software, available for macOS and Windows.
 

How do I connect the power cord? It's USB-C on both ends. I do not have an adapter or a USB-C port. The specifications on the site state: "USB-C charging cable (USB-A to USB-C)". What can I do?

The USB-C port is only for charging. You can use any USB-C charger, like the ones on some iPhones or iPads. You can also get an USB-C to USB-A cable at BestBuy or elsewhere.
All Macs in the past few years have USB-C ports.
 
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Insignia™ - 4' USB Type A-to-USB Type C Charge/Sync Cable
4.7 out of 5(8,675)
 
 
 
 
 
4 years, 11 months ago
by
emiliosic
 
Protect and boost the functionality of your 7th, 8th, and 9th Gen iPad with this graphite Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case. The precision trackpad allows for easy navigation, while the well-spaced backlit keys ensure effortless typing, even in dark environments. This Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case has a smooth texture for easy handling, and the adjustable kickstand provides comfortable viewing angles.
 

Will this work for model#-MPF12LL/A iPad Pro 10.5in?

No, you need to get the iPad Pro case
 
Products from my answer
Logitech - Combo Touch Keyboard Case for Apple® iPad® Air 10.5" (3rd Gen 2019) and iPad® Pro 10.5" - Graphite
4.6 out of 5(211)
 
 
 
 
 
5 years ago
by
emiliosic