explore42's stats
- Review count178
- Helpfulness votes611
- First reviewFebruary 26, 2016
- Last reviewSeptember 13, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count24
- Helpfulness votes239
- First answerFebruary 26, 2016
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers8
Upgrade from the last generation with the new ROG Strix G10CE, a Windows 11 gaming desktop that delivers exhilarating gaming experiences powered by an 11th Gen Intel~ Core~ i7-11700F processor and NVIDIA~ GeForce RTX~ 3060 graphics.
Customer Rating
5
Great Components with Limitations
on December 23, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
On paper this Asus prebuilt gaming machine has a lot of potential because it has a 512 gb NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 3060 video card, Intel’s i7 11700F CPU, 16 gb of 3200 ddr4 ram, 1 tb 7200 rpm Hard Drive, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth support as well as built in RGB lighting. But once I started digging into to it I realized that its not quite as nice as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong I still think it’s a five star deal because of the components and their performance for the dollar but some of the build makes me wonder what Asus had in mind. None of the items below are show stoppers and the system performs quite well considering the build. Overall I think the system even with its quarks is great deal. When you are looking in this price range for a good gaming desktop its hard to find anything better.
Here are the things that caught me by surprise.
- The ddr4 ram is 3200 mhz but it’s a single module so it doesn’t use dual channel memory. The existing module works fine but having two modules using dual channels is better for gaming.
- The included hard drive is a Toshiba 1 tb drive which isn’t enough space for my games and videos. Sadly, there is not a second drive bay even though there are plenty of Sata connectors on the motherboard. The only option is to swap out the existing drive for a larger one.
- There are two M2 NVMe PCIe slots, the first M2 slot holds the WD 512 gb SSD but the second slot is missing the standoff and screw so to add another SSD you have to purchase the mounting hardware.
- The chassis has no front or top ventilation and if you install the clear side panel it only leaves a small gap for air to enter via the side. Overall this chassis lacks good ventilation.
- The chassis fan and the cpu fan meet the requirements but are small thus when running full speed which happens often due to the temperatures they can be rather noisy.
- There are no USB-C or Thunderbolt ports however there are PS-2 connectors! I have no idea why anyone would include PS-2 connectors. I also am shocked they didn’t include at least one USB-C for high speed transfers. On the plus side there are lots of USB-A ports.
- The enclosed mouse and keyboard are bare minimum so expect to replace them.
- The ddr4 ram is 3200 mhz but it’s a single module so it doesn’t use dual channel memory. The existing module works fine but having two modules using dual channels is better for gaming.
- The included hard drive is a Toshiba 1 tb drive which isn’t enough space for my games and videos. Sadly, there is not a second drive bay even though there are plenty of Sata connectors on the motherboard. The only option is to swap out the existing drive for a larger one.
- There are two M2 NVMe PCIe slots, the first M2 slot holds the WD 512 gb SSD but the second slot is missing the standoff and screw so to add another SSD you have to purchase the mounting hardware.
- The chassis has no front or top ventilation and if you install the clear side panel it only leaves a small gap for air to enter via the side. Overall this chassis lacks good ventilation.
- The chassis fan and the cpu fan meet the requirements but are small thus when running full speed which happens often due to the temperatures they can be rather noisy.
- There are no USB-C or Thunderbolt ports however there are PS-2 connectors! I have no idea why anyone would include PS-2 connectors. I also am shocked they didn’t include at least one USB-C for high speed transfers. On the plus side there are lots of USB-A ports.
- The enclosed mouse and keyboard are bare minimum so expect to replace them.
Performance: I spent the better part of a day running this desktop through benchmark testing to see how well it would perform and how well the temperature of the motherboard, GPU and CPU would be maintained with the limited amount of air flow in the chassis. While performing all these test I used Armoury Crate to set the system to the TURBO setting – this is the ASUS recommended setting for gaming. Using the 3DMARK stress test the GPU ran at 100% utilization and the temps of the GPU and CPU averaged around 75 degrees Celsius. Throughout all the other test as well as when playing games I would check the CPU temp and it again stayed in the mid 70s. Per the 3DMARK testing this build is slightly below average for its component level which I suspect is due to the single ram module. The Graphics score was 8608 and the CPU score was 7437. Here are some of the estimated game performance scores I got while testing with 3DMARK as well as some Geekbench5 scores.
3DMARK
Graphics Score = 8608
CPU Score = 7437
Battlefield V @1080p Ultra = 105+ FPS
Battlefield V @ 1440p Ultra = 85+ FPS
Apex Legends@1080p Ultra = 140+ FPS
Apex Legends@ 1440p Ultra = 95+ FPS
GTA V @1080p Ultra = 80+ FPS
GTA V @ 1440p Ultra = 50+ FPS
Fortnite @1080p Ultra = 125+ FPS
Fortnite @ 1440p Ultra = 90+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p Ultra = 40+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2@ 1440p Ultra = 30+ FPS
3DMARK
Graphics Score = 8608
CPU Score = 7437
Battlefield V @1080p Ultra = 105+ FPS
Battlefield V @ 1440p Ultra = 85+ FPS
Apex Legends@1080p Ultra = 140+ FPS
Apex Legends@ 1440p Ultra = 95+ FPS
GTA V @1080p Ultra = 80+ FPS
GTA V @ 1440p Ultra = 50+ FPS
Fortnite @1080p Ultra = 125+ FPS
Fortnite @ 1440p Ultra = 90+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p Ultra = 40+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2@ 1440p Ultra = 30+ FPS
Geekbench5
Single Core Score = 1545
Multi Core Score = 6831
Open CL Score = 99577
Cuda Score = 100343
Vulkan Score = 70989
Single Core Score = 1545
Multi Core Score = 6831
Open CL Score = 99577
Cuda Score = 100343
Vulkan Score = 70989
Setup: The setup was straight forward with no issues. I connected the monitor to the HDMI port and the mouse and keyboard to the rear USB ports. There are also 3 Display port connectors available if you want to connect multiple monitors. The system comes with a medal side panel that can be replaced with the enclosed clear plastic panel. You just remove the medal side panel, screw in four standoffs and then attach the clear panel with four large screws. The unit powered on and it went through several updates both Windows 11 and ASUS generated. The system comes with MyASUS and Armoury Crate apps already installed but both needed multiple updates. Using Armoury Crate you can manage the components as well as set the RGB lighting throughout the chassis. Setting the color schemes was simple and overall looked good with the plastic side panel installed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Webroot - Security for Chromebook Antivirus (1 Device) (1-Year Subscription) - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/76bb7cd0-4cfc-43ea-9638-94951e9607ea.jpg)
Webroot Security for Chromebook is enhanced antivirus protection that is always-on, running seamlessly in the background and proactively alerting you about malicious activity, websites, apps and extensions. Included, Webroot Web Threat lets you browse safely and be alerted of dangerous sites in Google Chrome.
Customer Rating
4
Securing the Chromebook
on November 30, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I’m glad that Webroot has come out with a security program aimed at protecting Chromebooks. We have two Chromebooks that are used by the family for general web surfing, learning apps and video watching. Now with the Webroot Security installed I feel a little less worried about using the Chromebooks. This software is supposed to provide Antivirus protection against malware and spyware as well as preventing access to unsafe web sites. It provides live scanning as well as virus scans on demand. The main software installation was simple and quick. I downloaded the app from the Google store and entered in my software key. Once it is installed it will scan your Chromebook and from that point on it does live scans on its own. To get the Secure Web Browsing you have to use the Webroot browser which is included in the software or add the Threat Shield extension to your existing Chrome browser which takes some additional downloading and software registration. This makes the installation process a little more tedious if you want the full protection. I couldn’t see any performance hits on my Chromebook or browser so I think its light on the resource demands. So far we haven’t seen any security warnings but I am glad that the Webroot software is there protecting us.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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PowerCore III 10K is a slim and powerful portable 10000mAh battery. With two USB-A port PowerIQ outputs for high-speed dual device charging and one USB-C PD input for incredibly fast recharging. This is all you need as your charging companion.
Customer Rating
5
Slim, Light and a Perfect gift
on November 24, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I have several of the larger Anker PowerCore chargers but I wanted a slimmer lighter one for carrying around for day-to-day use. The bigger versions are great for overnight travel, backpacking and general back up for electrical outages but they are tad heavy to carry around in a pocket or a purse. This 10,000 mah model is definitely lighter and thinner. For perspective it is about the size and depth of my iphone . It has two USB-A ports to charge devices and a single USB-C port used to charge the PowerCore. The two USB-A ports supply an output of 5v at up to 2.4 amps. The two ports allow me to charge my phone and earbuds at the same time. There is a switch on the top that allows you to turn on trickle charging for your smaller items like earbuds. Around the switch there are four LEDs which indicate the battery level when its charging as well as lighting up to indicate when its charging a device. Anker includes a nice carry bag for storing the charger and the included USB-A to USB-C cable. I’ve now used this to charge my Iphone, Ipad Pro and several brand earbuds without any issue. I think it’s a great gift for anyone because who doesn’t need a good back up power supply for their phone and tablet.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Adobe - Photoshop Elements 2022 & Premiere Elements 2022 - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6475/6475053_sd.jpg)
Discover the fun of creative editing and storytelling. Adobe Sensei AI technology* and automated options do the heavy lifting so you can instantly turn photos into art, warp photos to fit any shape, reframe your video subjects, and more. Add moving overlays or 3D camera motion to take your photos to a whole new level, and save them as MP4s for easy sharing on social. Grow your skills with 87 Guided Edits that step you through how to create perfect pet pics; extend, remove, or replace photo backgrounds; add fun animated overlays to your videos; bring out details in video shadows and highlights; and more. Edit and export videos in social-friendly vertical and square aspect ratios, and compress videos for easy sharing. Effortlessly organize your photos and videos, and craft personalized creations like dynamic photoand video slideshows with all-new styles, inspirational quote graphics, and animated social posts. Transform your favorite photos into gallery-quality wall art, beautiful prints, and unique keepsakes with the built-in prints and gifts service .~And enjoy an updated look that makes the software even easier to use and navigate. *Adobe Sensei is the technology that powers intelligent features across all Adobe products to dramatically improve the design and delivery of digital experiences, using artificial intelligence and machine learning in a common framework. ~FUJIFILM Prints & Gifts service is available in the U.S. only.
Customer Rating
5
Easy way to Improve your videos & photos
on November 7, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I am not a professional blogger or photographer but I do take a lot of videos and photographs while capturing images of my friends and family. I capture life’s moments using everything from 4k video cams to my iphone. A lot of times those shots/videos are taken in the spur of the moment so they may not be framed correctly or at the right exposure or even include things I wish were not in the photo. Because of this I started buying Adobe’s Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements long ago. I’ve always felt that this software matches my expertise level, it guides me through things that I don’t use often enough to be proficient at but also gives me total control in the expert mode for when I really want to edit my photos or videos. If you have used either Photoshop Elements or Elements Premier in the past you will feel right at home with this new version. The other plus of this software is the enormous number of tutorials, videos and documents on the web by Adobe and 3rd parties to help teach you how to get the most out of it.
The home page allows you to select Photoshop Elements, the Organizer or Premier Elements. The Organizer does what it says by helping you organize all your photos and videos using several tools built into the software. If you select Photoshop Elements or Premier Elements you will open to the project page where you can select Quick, Guided and Expert mode. This 2022 version includes 87 new Guided options which includes some new features over the standard guides of past versions. Some of the newer features like adding moving overlays to photos or movies were pretty straight forward but I found the Auto Reframe that allows you to resize your video a tad confusing. I am sure within the next 30 days someone will be posting videos on using the Auto Reframe feature that will show me what I need to do better. Doing all the typical editing or adding special effects is pretty straight forward and I think this is where the Guided options really pay off. The Guide takes the numerous options included in the software and helps you chose the right ones. The only downside I have found with using the Expert mode is that there are so many help guides on the web that you have to make sure you find one that is specific to the 2022 version. Adobe keeps automating and improving the software so I think it was worth upgrading so I could use the latest features like adding the cool overlays and extending the backgrounds and creating perfect pet photos.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Jabra Elite 7 Active is engineered with our unique Jabra ShakeGrip~ technology, sweat and waterproof durability, and ultra-compact design, they~ll stay in place through even the toughest workouts. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and HearThrough features allow a customized level of immersion, so you can be in control of your workout and your sound. If you need to keep an ear free, mono mode lets you use either bud independently. Stash the one you~re not using in the case, and you can even extend your battery by using one and charging the other. And Alexa Built-in and Google Assistant are at your command with just the tap of the bud. Multipoint connects to two devices at once, lets you seamlessly switch between devices, and is available as a firmware update via the Jabra Sound+ app.
Customer Rating
5
Great for Active Workers - Has a Mute button!
on November 1, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I use my earbuds when working from home, while commuting and while working out. Nothing is more annoying than not having a mute function built into the earbuds. With these Jabra earbuds I can finally just tap the left earbud and mute my microphone if the dog barks or the kids start screaming or if the background noise is bothering others on the call. Yes, I can do this with my phone but often my phone is sitting in my pocket or on my desk and getting to the phone and unlocking it every time I want to mute and unmute is royal pain. If you are an active worker or live/work in an active environment these Jabra Elite 7 Earbuds are definitely something you should consider. The overall sound quality is better than most and the Jabra Sound + app gives you total control of the earbuds.
Performance: For me these earbuds have a nice balance for music. They produce clear and crisp mids and highs while providing an adequate bass response for earbuds. Using the Jabra Sound + app you can adjust the equalizer to meet your personal taste. Voice call quality was good but slightly low on volume. No matter where I was everyone I talked to said I sounded good. The earbuds have Active Noise Cancellation and Hear Through capabilities. I found that the noise cancellation worked but wasn’t totally isolating. If I used the largest ear tips I could get better noise isolation but that was at the cost of more discomfort. I have an air filter in the room where I work and with it running on medium the ANC would reduce the motor sound by about 70%. I haven’t used these on a plane yet but I would guess that it would reduce the engine drone to a soft background hum. For me this isn’t that big of an issue because it does lessen the environmental noise to an acceptable level. The Hear Through capability worked as expected. You can easily select between ANC and Hear Through by using the earbud button. I was able to Bluetooth pair with my phone, ipad and laptop without any issues. The Jabra Sound + app is one of the best I have used and the documentation Jabra provides via the app is top notch.
Fit and Function: The ear buds are thick but have a low profile so they reside mostly in your ear without looking unsightly. Jabra has covered the earbuds with a silicone rubber cover that is supposed to help keep the earbud stationary in your ear. This works pretty well but I found that the rubber coating also causes more of a rubbing sensation and thumping sound when I jog which can be quite annoying. This is not an issue when working out in the gym or walking around. The Jabra Sound + app has an interesting feature named My Fit that actually does a test to see if your earbuds are properly fitted. Using this feature it helps you decide which ear tip to use and how well the earbuds are installed in your ear. Also in the app the My Controls section lets you fully configure the button functionality for both the right and left earbud for Media, Incoming Calls and Active Calls. The earbuds have mechanical buttons on them which means you physically have to push to engage the button. I found that the buttons in these earbuds were engaged without much pressure so I didn’t feel like I was poking myself every time I used them. You can choose your preferred voice assistant via the Jabra Sound + app and then access the voice assistant with a single push on the earbud. The earbuds have auto pause capability when one of the earbuds are removed. They can also be used independently if you only want to use a single earbud. They are IP57 rated so they will handle sweat and moisture. The battery life is up to 8 hours per charge and 30 hours when combined with the case. The case has a USB-C charging port but also can be charged using a wireless charger. There is a colored led on the case to show the battery level but you can also use the Jabra Sound + app to check the levels.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The CORSAIR SABRE RGB PRO WIRELESS Gaming Mouse is designed for and tested by esports pros, weighing an ultra-light 79g and equipped with SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS technology to achieve lightning-fast response times and 2,000Hz hyper-polling. CORSAIR QUICKSTRIKE buttons provide zero gap for fast and responsive clicks, The SABRE RGB PRO WIRELESS boasts a 26,000 DPI MARKSMAN optical sensor customizable in 1 DPI steps, with a dedicated button to cycle through five DPI presets on-the-fly. Finished with high-quality materials such as 50 million click-rated OMRON switches and 100% PTFE glide pads, the SABRE RGB PRO WIRELESS cuts through the competition.
Customer Rating
4
Responsive but not easiest to Grip
on October 23, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
The Corsair Sabre RGB Pro mouse has taken me some time to get comfortable with. Yes its super quick and all the buttons react lightning fast but the mouse just doesn’t seem to feel right in my hand. I generally use a palm grip but as things get more intense I find myself using more of a claw grip and its then that the mouse feels less grippy and less comfortable. The upper part of the mouse has a slightly rough matte finish which feels good but the sides are smoother without any type of grip pads on them. The smooth finish helps with the transition from thumb grip to button but the lack of a grippier surface on the sides lessens the feel of a solid grip especially in more rapid movements. If you have large hands and like using a palm grip this may be a perfect mouse for you.
There are a lot of things that I like about this mouse. It has 7 fully configurable buttons that can be customized with macros using the iCUE software. The short travel distance to engage and the solid click and release makes these switches feel like they are super-fast. This along with the hyper-polling, adjustable DPI range and its light weight improved my response time and accuracy in game. Changing dpi settings is super quick using the dpi switch on top of the mouse with its built in led indicator. The led indicates via color which dpi preset you have selected. Although the mouse supports both Bluetooth and wireless connectivity you need to use the wireless USB receiver to get Corsair’s sub 1ms transmission speed and 2000hz hyper-polling speed. I have used the mouse in Bluetooth mode on my gaming laptop and I still felt like the mouse was very responsive. When using Bluetooth you can store the wireless dongle inside the mouse so it doesn’t get lost. The rechargeable battery last up to 90 hours without using the RGB lighting. The battery is charged via the usb cable that is provided. The RBG backlighting has some limitations since the only lighting is a Corsair icon on the base of the mouse where your palm sits. So even though you can use the iCUE software to do some customizable color and effects its generally not worth it since your palm hides the lighting.
The iCUE software for this mouse is a powerful app and gives you a lot flexibility but its not the most intuitive to use. Using iCUE you can adjust the dpi settings, configure your button assignments including custom macros and create your RGB lighting effects and colors. Also you can do a surface calibration test. The software does have a tutorial option which does help explain the software options. Note that the mouse profiles are saved in the mouse thus to save the mouse profiles you have to hard wire the mouse via the supplied usb cable to your computer.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Connecting virtually with friends and co-workers gets a major upgrade with the monitor~s built-in camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. You~ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound. Versatile USB-C connectivity delivers video, audio and data, and charges your laptop. Plus, with just one cord, you'll have a clutter-free desk space. A super clear 5MP IR pop-up camera features facial recognition through Windows Hello for convenient, instant sign-on to Windows. The best part? The camera stays hidden until you're ready for video chatting or selfies. A height-adjustable stand and a monitor that tilts, swivels and pivots so you look your best and feel your best for all-day conferencing.
Customer Rating
5
Must have for Video Calls
on October 22, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
Doing video calls can be such a hassle especially if you are collaborating with the caller at the same time. Dell’s S2422 HZ monitor eliminates those hassles whether you are using a desktop or a laptop. This monitor was designed around and excels at video conferencing.
Features: The display is an IPS panel which supports FHD 1920 x 1080 with a refresh rate up to 75 hz. It has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a 4ms response time which is great for general use. The monitor has the typical Dell stand which gives you total control over the display height and angle. There is a 5 MP IR webcam with a 2560 x 1920 resolution at 30 frames per second that is built into the top of the monitor and it is retractable. To use the webcam you just push down on the top panel to release it and it raises up above the center of the display. To store the webcam you just push the webcam down until it locks into place again. This is a great feature because there is no confusion as whether the webcam is on or not since its concealed when not in use. The webcam has IR capability which helps for video calls when the overhead lighting isn’t very bright. There is a small white LED IR indicator that comes on next to the lens when the IR webcam is working. The monitor has two 5 watt speakers that are down firing. Because the speakers are built into the monitor and face downward the monitor has some depth to it towards the bottom of the display. The audio quality is good enough for video calls and above the quality of the typical laptop speakers. At the top of the monitor there are built in microphones that have noise cancelling capabilities. Note that you need to make sure the microphones are correctly set up to get the benefit of the noise cancellation. The Dell user manual explains this in detail.
Setup: There are several ways to connect this monitor to a laptop or pc. You can use the supplied USB-C cable if your computer supports USB-C otherwise you will need a HDMI or Display Port cable. The HDMI or Display port cable will support the audio as well as the video to the monitor but you will need to also connect a USB cable between the monitor and computer to get the webcam operational. I tested mine with using the USB-C cable as well as using a HDMI with an USB-A cable and both scenarios were plug and play with my laptop. The Dell user manual explains the possible connections in detail so its worth downloading it. On the back of the monitor there is a HDMI port, Full size Display Port, USB-C with 65 watt charging capabilities, audio out jack and a USB-A port which can charge a phone. Note both USB ports are version 3.2. To set up the monitor there are four selector buttons and an on/off switch on the bottom of the right side of the monitor. While having the buttons on the bottom allows you to mount multiple monitors edge-to-edge it also makes it more difficult to operate them. Why Dell doesn’t put these buttons on the front of the monitor is beyond reason! The default functions for the buttons are Mute, Preset Display mode, Menu, and select. Via the menu button you can fully personalize the monitor and all its functions. You can also download Dell’s Display Monitor app which gives you like functionality without having to hunt and peck at the little buttons on the bottom of the display. Once I had the monitor cabled, I checked out the monitors performance using the Eizo monitor test. The panel was perfect with no pixel issues and the colors and gray scales were uniform across the panel. Basically the image quality is what you expect from a quality monitor. Next I tested the webcam capabilities and I found the image quality from the camera to be acceptable. I did not perceive any choppiness when moving around in the image so the 30 frames per second was sufficient to provide smooth video. The noise cancellation was helpful but this won’t mute out a barking dog on a conference call. Overall I liked the monitor and it is well designed for its purpose of supporting video calls.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Versatile and portable, the IdeaPad™ Flex 3 Chromebook measures just 19.6 mm thick and weighs 1.2 kg with a full keyboard and spacious trackpad, and can be viewed in tent, tablet, laptop or stand modes. Watch crisp visuals in high definition with its 10-point touchscreen on the 11.6" IPS display while being more productive with help from Google. Just say “Hey Google*,” to manage tasks, enjoy your entertainment, get answers, or control smart home devices.
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
The Lenovo Flex 3 is a solidly built 2-in-1 Chromebook that can handle most of our daily computing tasks. Even though the Flex 3 comes up a little short on memory storage and doesn’t have all the latest technologies it’s still a good versatile Chromebook. Due to its smaller size, low weight and flexibility it is very mobile and serves multiple purposes in our house. We use it for everything from web browsing to controlling smart things using the Google assistant.
First the good:
The overall build quality is solid with the look and feel of a much more expensive laptop. The 11.6 inch IPS screen is a glossy touchscreen display that has 1366 x 768 HD resolution. The screen responds nicely to touch commands and performs well in both laptop or tablet mode. While the display is a glossy screen its not such a high gloss that it becomes a fingerprint magnet. Because the hinges fully rotate you can operate this Chromebook as a tent, stand, tablet or a laptop. Even with its small size it still has a full keyboard and a decent size trackpad. The keys are chicklet type keys and are very flat so it took some time to get used to them. The touchpad was very responsive however I found that the right and left button clicks were a tad louder and less solid than I would have preferred. There is a 720 p camera above the display and it includes a well designed camera lens cover. The lens cover is a slide mechanism that covers the camera with a red indicator dot so it’s easy to see that the camera is in fact covered. If you have kids and worry about cameras this is a great feature. The 720p camera resolution provided good video quality and this Chromebook makes a nice portable video endpoint. On the side of the Chromebook there are volume controls for when you are using the tablet mode. Like all things Google these days this supports the Google assistant so you can use voice commands to perform task. The speaker’s volume and audio quality is what you would expect out of laptop this size. The Chromebook auto powers on and has my desktop loaded by the time I have the top fully opened so it launches very quickly. I’ve been watching the battery life and it looks like I can get over 10 hour of use per charge.
The overall build quality is solid with the look and feel of a much more expensive laptop. The 11.6 inch IPS screen is a glossy touchscreen display that has 1366 x 768 HD resolution. The screen responds nicely to touch commands and performs well in both laptop or tablet mode. While the display is a glossy screen its not such a high gloss that it becomes a fingerprint magnet. Because the hinges fully rotate you can operate this Chromebook as a tent, stand, tablet or a laptop. Even with its small size it still has a full keyboard and a decent size trackpad. The keys are chicklet type keys and are very flat so it took some time to get used to them. The touchpad was very responsive however I found that the right and left button clicks were a tad louder and less solid than I would have preferred. There is a 720 p camera above the display and it includes a well designed camera lens cover. The lens cover is a slide mechanism that covers the camera with a red indicator dot so it’s easy to see that the camera is in fact covered. If you have kids and worry about cameras this is a great feature. The 720p camera resolution provided good video quality and this Chromebook makes a nice portable video endpoint. On the side of the Chromebook there are volume controls for when you are using the tablet mode. Like all things Google these days this supports the Google assistant so you can use voice commands to perform task. The speaker’s volume and audio quality is what you would expect out of laptop this size. The Chromebook auto powers on and has my desktop loaded by the time I have the top fully opened so it launches very quickly. I’ve been watching the battery life and it looks like I can get over 10 hour of use per charge.
Not the newest but still not bad:
Chromebooks generally rely heavily on the cloud for storage but in today’s low cost per gigabyte you would expect more than just 32 GB of memory storage. Most cell phones now have more memory than this. On the plus side it does have a Micro SD slot that you can load with more memory storage but it won’t be as responsive as core storage would have been. With just a handful of apps I have already locked up half of the available memory so using Google drive is important. There are two USB ports included a USB-A and USB-C but both are older 2.0 versions so they are slower than the current USB 3.x standards. The wireless included is WiFi 5 802.11ac which is good but again wifi 6 802.11ax is the latest wireless version. The built in Bluetooth support is version 4.2 which doesn’t offer the same range, security or speed of the latest 5.x version of Bluetooth. While none of the items above are critical they all can affect the overall performance if not properly managed.
Chromebooks generally rely heavily on the cloud for storage but in today’s low cost per gigabyte you would expect more than just 32 GB of memory storage. Most cell phones now have more memory than this. On the plus side it does have a Micro SD slot that you can load with more memory storage but it won’t be as responsive as core storage would have been. With just a handful of apps I have already locked up half of the available memory so using Google drive is important. There are two USB ports included a USB-A and USB-C but both are older 2.0 versions so they are slower than the current USB 3.x standards. The wireless included is WiFi 5 802.11ac which is good but again wifi 6 802.11ax is the latest wireless version. The built in Bluetooth support is version 4.2 which doesn’t offer the same range, security or speed of the latest 5.x version of Bluetooth. While none of the items above are critical they all can affect the overall performance if not properly managed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+57points
86of 115voted this as helpful.
Choose between 22 different EQs to tailor your listening experience. Edit and save multiple sound profiles to match the genre, song, and environment. Enjoy 10 hours of listening from a single charge, and when you~re short on time, charge for 10 minutes to get 2 hours of playtime. Charge the case using the included USB-C cable or place it on a wireless charging pad to charge the case wirelessly. Life Dot 2S true wireless earbuds are protected against sweaty workouts, sudden rainstorms, and spilled drinks thanks to their IPX7-rated waterproof protection. The true wireless earbuds have silicone EarWings to ensure they stay securely in your ears. Use the Soundcore app to set the button profiles, customize your sound, and much more. Easily pair with your device and automatically connect with the last paired device next time you use your true wireless earbuds. Life Dot 2S is equipped with 2 microphones for clear calls. Switch to single earbud mode when making calls or listening to music while still maintaining awareness of the world around you. The charging case easily slides into your bag or pocket.
Customer Rating
4
Good Earbuds – Great Mobile App
on October 6, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I really like these Soundcore Life Dot 2S earbuds because of the quality and capabilities that Soundcore has built into them. There are a lot of companies offering very similar earbuds but Soundcore differentiates their products with the Soundcore mobile app that makes these earbuds stand out.
Fit and Function
The Life Dot 2S sit in the ear and use ear wings to help hold them in place. I prefer this type of earbud because its not as noticeable and its stable enough to use when jogging or working out. Soundcore includes three different size ear wings as well as three different size tips so its pretty easy to get a good solid fit. With the proper size tips and wings I can cut out most of the ambient room noise which is nice since these earbuds do not support Noise Reduction. The earbuds are IPX-7 rated so they will handle moisture and sweat. The earbuds are configured so that you can operate them singularly which I prefer for taking phone calls or as a pair. Note that they do not auto pause when an earbud is taken out which is a missing feature. The earbuds can last up to 10 hours on a single charge and the case holds 3 more charges. When powering up the earbuds they tell you their power level and the case power level is displayed via LEDs on the front of the case. You can also see the earbud power level in the Soundcore mobile app. The case can be charged wirelessly or with a USB-C cable which is included. I like the wireless charging feature because it allows me to charge the case when my phone is not on the wireless charger. Using the Soundcore mobile app you can assign control functions to each earbud’s button. You can assign volume up/down, next/previous, play/pause and voice assistant to the earbud buttons when you use a Single Tap, Double Tap and Hold for 1 second. This gives you total flexibility when it comes to setting up the earbud control. On the downside, the earbud buttons are mechanical which means you actually have to push the button to engage the function and this can be problematic if you have sensitive ears. I paired these earbuds to my iphone, ipad and windows laptop without any issues.
Fit and Function
The Life Dot 2S sit in the ear and use ear wings to help hold them in place. I prefer this type of earbud because its not as noticeable and its stable enough to use when jogging or working out. Soundcore includes three different size ear wings as well as three different size tips so its pretty easy to get a good solid fit. With the proper size tips and wings I can cut out most of the ambient room noise which is nice since these earbuds do not support Noise Reduction. The earbuds are IPX-7 rated so they will handle moisture and sweat. The earbuds are configured so that you can operate them singularly which I prefer for taking phone calls or as a pair. Note that they do not auto pause when an earbud is taken out which is a missing feature. The earbuds can last up to 10 hours on a single charge and the case holds 3 more charges. When powering up the earbuds they tell you their power level and the case power level is displayed via LEDs on the front of the case. You can also see the earbud power level in the Soundcore mobile app. The case can be charged wirelessly or with a USB-C cable which is included. I like the wireless charging feature because it allows me to charge the case when my phone is not on the wireless charger. Using the Soundcore mobile app you can assign control functions to each earbud’s button. You can assign volume up/down, next/previous, play/pause and voice assistant to the earbud buttons when you use a Single Tap, Double Tap and Hold for 1 second. This gives you total flexibility when it comes to setting up the earbud control. On the downside, the earbud buttons are mechanical which means you actually have to push the button to engage the function and this can be problematic if you have sensitive ears. I paired these earbuds to my iphone, ipad and windows laptop without any issues.
Sound Quality
I think the sound quality of these earbuds are in line with others at this price range. They produce good midrange and highs that sound crisp and undistorted. The bass is typical of what you get with earbuds. What makes these earbuds sound better however is the Soundcore mobile app which allows you to choose from 22 preselected Equalizer settings as well as the ability to create two additional custom equalizer settings. The equalize also has 8 reference points which gives you good flexibility when creating your personal settings. So whether you like music or pod cast its easy to find a preset equalizer setting to meet your needs. When taking calls on these earbuds I found the audio quality to be good and the caller said I sounded good as well.
I think the sound quality of these earbuds are in line with others at this price range. They produce good midrange and highs that sound crisp and undistorted. The bass is typical of what you get with earbuds. What makes these earbuds sound better however is the Soundcore mobile app which allows you to choose from 22 preselected Equalizer settings as well as the ability to create two additional custom equalizer settings. The equalize also has 8 reference points which gives you good flexibility when creating your personal settings. So whether you like music or pod cast its easy to find a preset equalizer setting to meet your needs. When taking calls on these earbuds I found the audio quality to be good and the caller said I sounded good as well.
Pros
- 22 pre-configured and two customizable Equalizer settings in the Soundcore app
- Wireless charging for the case and 10 hours per charge on the earbuds
- IPX-7 rating
- Ear wing and buds = great fit
- Configurable Earbud controls
- Soundcore Mobile App one of the best available
- 22 pre-configured and two customizable Equalizer settings in the Soundcore app
- Wireless charging for the case and 10 hours per charge on the earbuds
- IPX-7 rating
- Ear wing and buds = great fit
- Configurable Earbud controls
- Soundcore Mobile App one of the best available
Cons
- Mechanical buttons on the earbuds
- No Auto pause on earbud removal
- Mechanical buttons on the earbuds
- No Auto pause on earbud removal
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+6points
9of 12voted this as helpful.
Customize your massage experience with our 3-in-1 Sonic Rose Quartz Beauty Roller, with three interchangeable vibrating heads designed to help firm, refresh, and de-bloat puffy skin. Use any time of the day to amplify skincare applications and cast a luminous glow.
Customer Rating
3
Soothing but Questionable Effectiveness
on October 1, 2021
Posted by: explore42
from Cincinnati Ohio
I got this in hopes of lessening the swelling under my eyes in the morning. So far I’m not overly impressed. While I like the way the Large Roller feels due to its cool touch I am not sure if its actually helping to reduce the puffy skin.
The system includes a vibrating/sonic base and three head attachments. The base has three different speeds that are indicated by led lights in the handle. The vibration provided by the base is extremely small and provides more sensation to your fingers holding it than it does via the attached heads to your skin. The base is rechargeable and they provide a Micro USB cable. Sadly they don’t provide any type of storage bag so you have to figure out how to store all the heads and the spare o’rings they include. They include a small guide that shows examples of how to use the Beauty Roller but it is not very specific. Overall it is well made and has a solid feel to it but I am not sure how effective it is or how long you would actually have to use it to see identifiable results.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
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Enjoy true high-definition surround sound from your home theater with this Definitive Technology speaker. With powerful left/right speaker dispersion and balanced surround sound, this speaker immerses you in an enjoyable audio experience. Sized to fit unobtrusively into home theater systems, this Definitive Technology speaker includes iconic design elements that enhance the visual aesthetic of your system.
Can I use them as atmos speaker setup
These are surround speakers. For full atmos sound you need speakers that bounce the sound off the ceiling. Def tech makes speakers specifically to do this. They attach on top of the tower speakers.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
explore42
This Danby Designer DDW1899BLS-1 built-in dishwasher's water-softener system helps eliminate select water-based minerals in locations where hard water is an issue. The 7 wash cycles provide versatile options to suit a wide range of cleaning needs.
Air Dry and Turn off Manually?
Can you confirm or clarify please. It says no heated dry so that means they have to air dry? One person said you have to manually hit button to turn off at end of cycle. Is this true?
Good question but not sure how to answer this. Its kind of magic because it uses some type of evaporation process. My old dishwasher had a heated dry and an air dry. If you used the air dry the dishes were still wet at the end of the cycle. With this unit the dishes are fully dry without using a heater element. The manual explains the technology but bottom line is works fine for me and uses less electric.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
explore42
Clean every inch of every dish. This Samsung appliance washes away heavy foods without the need for you to pre-rinse. Plus, the quiet operation mean you won~t be interrupted by loud noises while the dishwasher is running.
Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Contractor needs to know: Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Mine is hard wired. I would suspect it is whatever the installer chooses to do.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
explore42
Whirlpool Gold 24" Tall Tub Built-In Dishwasher: Ensure a deep and sanitized clean with this high-powered dishwasher. Its soil-sensing technology, along with a unique silverware spray mechanism, produces exceptionally clean dishes for a generous amount of family and guests.
Rotating spray arm?
Wondering if this dishwasher has a rotating spray arm that sits under the class rack? There are no photos that show the interior.