abl001's stats
- Review count114
- Helpfulness votes523
- First reviewDecember 5, 2014
- Last reviewNovember 4, 2019
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count20
- Helpfulness votes49
- First answerDecember 5, 2014
- Last answerMay 27, 2019
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Combine productivity and entertainment with this Lenovo Yoga Chromebook. Its 8GB of RAM and Intel i5 processor supply power for apps and media, and the 128GB eMMC flash memory provides fast access to files. This Lenovo Yoga Chromebook has a 360-degree folding screen that lets you use it in laptop, tent, presentation or tablet configurations.
Customer Rating
5
Responsive & Versatile
on December 14, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
The Lenovo Yoga C630 2-in-1 is a really nice piece of productivity/entertainment equipment. It arrived packaged nicely (although I have seen nicer). Inside the box you'll find the laptop, charging cable, and some basic instructions.
I'm typically a Windows guy so I was excited at the opportunity to try out an Chrome OS. While it takes a little getting used to, I found everything to be pretty easy to learn even for someone who's spent 20+ years in Windows + another 10+ years in apple based OS. So, most of you reading this should have no problem.
The Yoga had excellent performance. Start-up was a quick and silent thanks to the SSD. Powered by Intel's latest (8th generation) i5 processor, the Yoga handled multiple apps open at the same time combined with web browsing, video, and some spreadsheet usage. The Yoga comes with 8GB of system RAM which is plenty for what most will use this system for. If 128GB isn't enough storage for you, the good news is that the Yoga's memory is expandable via a micro SD card. Is it going to be your go-to for CAD or power gaming? No. But it WILL exceed the needs for most users daily productivity and entertainment based tasks. To be clear, it is far more than just a tablet and shouldn't be confused with one even though it can fill that role if needed (hence the 2-in-1).
Although this particular Yogo is 15.6" of FHD goodness, I found the design to be quite sleek and of particularly high quality. The aluminum frame gives it some weight (it's not feather light, but it's not a brick either). If you don't need the full 15.6, they do have a smaller version available.
In conclusion, I am really enjoying using the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook. As my first venture into using the Chrome OS, I can say it has exceeded my expectations. Most applications are now web-based anyway, so the idea of holding onto my start menu is slowly being worn away. This system satisfies almost all of my needs for productivity and entertainment and for a really great price.
Pros:
*Design/quality build
*Expandable memory
*Beautiful FHD display
*Battery life 9+ hours based on my testing, but rated for 10+
*Design/quality build
*Expandable memory
*Beautiful FHD display
*Battery life 9+ hours based on my testing, but rated for 10+
Cons:
*No backlit keyboard
*Speakers are down firing and of very average quality. Of course, one shouldn't really expect much from laptop speakers in my opinion.
*No backlit keyboard
*Speakers are down firing and of very average quality. Of course, one shouldn't really expect much from laptop speakers in my opinion.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make media more fun with this HP Spectre Folio convertible laptop. Three possible screen positions let you watch videos or edit photos in comfort, and its powerful Intel Core i7 processor is ideal for gaming. This HP Spectre Folio convertible laptop has a 256GB M.2 solid-state drive, ensuring speed and ample storage.
Customer Rating
5
My New Work/Travel Companion
on November 26, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
I was a bit skeptical when I heard that HP was offering a powerful 2-in-1 wrapped in a premium leather casing. Upon arrival, the HP Spectre Folio was packaged nicely and was like opening a present rather than unboxing a new piece of high tech. Setup was like any other laptop except that the HP Spectre Folio comes with Windows Hello (with facial recognition). I'm not a huge fan of using facial recognition to access my devices, but it does work and has infrared sensors so that it performs better in dark conditions than simple camera based facial recognition.
Once up and running, the HP Spectre Folio has a Intel's latest 8th generation Core i7 processor with dual cores. Now this isn't the most robust processor, but it is cutting edge for power consumption and is more than enough processing power for daily work and leisure tasks. If you're into some heavy gaming or video editing, you'll likely want to look for a bigger system with dedicated GPU. For the rest of us, this is an excellent system that can run fast and smooth even with multiple programs running (Excel, web browser, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) I've used this system for about two weeks now and it's never missed a beat even when I was combining work and pleasure (Netflix).
As far as design, I'm more than impressed with the quality feel of the leather. It feels like it'll go with you everywhere and still look nice, even if it gets bumped around the airplane and conference table. Only time will tell how it looks 5 years from now, but I'd be willing to bet it probably looks better with time after it ages.
My current (or previous rather) 2-in-1 is a little awkward and I've never really used it as a tablet since doing so means the keyboard is fully exposed on the lower side. I just find this to be awkward and leaves the keyboard vulnerable to being damaged. That isn't the case with the HP Spectre Folio. You can use it as a laptop, no explanation needed. You can use in media mode. This is accomplished by the back of the display housing articulated in the middle which allows the screen to tilt forward and rest just above the touch pad. Look at the pictures for a better idea of what I'm talking about. It's nice that you still have access to the touch pad while in this mode and is ideal for airplanes, or sharing video while at a meeting. The final mode is of course as a tablet. This is done by continuing to tilt the display forward so that it lies flat against the keyboard. This is an excellent way to use the stylus pen as it is slightly tilted toward you rather than flat. It's also nice to use as a hand held tablet.
The HP Spectre Folio is rated at 15 hours of battery life between charges which is excellent. Granted, this rating is for ideal and light use, I've still managed to go about 13 hours without a charge and still had battery left to spare. I didn't want to be caught without power, so I've always recharged, I had about 1-2 hours remaining in battery according to Windows. That's due in part to the low-power (consumption, still has plenty of processing power) processor and Solid State Drive (SSD). This allows the Folio to run with minimal power and an added benefit is that it is silent! There's no fan humming and blowing hot air! It also means super fast start ups since the drive doesn't have to spin up. If you haven't used a SSD before, I can't tell you how much better it is than your standard disk drives. The computer is silent, fast, and doesn't get fire hot when working hard.
In conclusion, the HP Spectre Folio 2-in-1 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a great looking portable laptop. Even though HP has come up with an ingenious way to transform a laptop into a tablet (without simply folding the screen around and exposing the keyboard), this is primarily a laptop. You may find the tablet mode more functional, but I still prefer to surf the web the old fashion way. That being said, it's nice to know if you want to show something at a meeting, the tablet or media mode is convenient and stylish. I highly recommend this for anyone wanting a stylish addition to their tech.
Pros:
*Leather quality
*Processing speed
*Battery life
*Value
*Convenience
*Innovative 2-in-1 design
*Leather quality
*Processing speed
*Battery life
*Value
*Convenience
*Innovative 2-in-1 design
Cons:
*More color options
*More color options
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Customer Rating
3
Decent Basic 'Smart Bulb'
on November 20, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
So, first let me say that the C by GE light bulb is an economical alternative to some of the more expensive bulbs that are out on the market today. The bulbs appear to be well made and GE has been in the light bulb industry for a very long time so I think that counts for something. Why only 3 stars? I'll explain.
First, let me say I was excited to have the opportunity to expand my smart lighting at home. The bulbs are not cheap at all and I find it hard to justify spending $15-50 on a bulb just for the convenience of controlling it from my phone, having it dimmable, and or change colors. Out of the box, there are exactly Z-E-R-O instructions. I was dumbfounded. Keep in mind, I have two other smart lighting kits already up and running in my home so it's not like I'm clueless as to what to do. Generally, smart bulbs connect to a hub which connects to your wifi network that you can then control from your phone or other accessories. Not the case with the C Life by GE bulbs. I thought maybe the instructions are included on the box. They are! However, it only references connecting them to your Google Home Mini hub. Since I don't have one of those, I was a little perplexed. Surely they would say "No hub needed" if a hub wasn't need, right?? They wouldn't have sent me a product to try without first telling me there was equipment needed? Right. So I decided to Google if these bulbs could be controlled another way. I found an article from over a year ago indicating that these bulbs could be controlled directly via Bluetooth but you would never know it from the box or the missing instructions. Knowing that there has to be some kind of controller, I went to the iTunes app store and did find there was a C by GE app. Once I did that, I simply plugged the light in and opened the app. The light was found and it was quite easy. If using this method, you can't control the lights from across the continent since you do have to be within Bluetooth range. There's no connecting to home wifi or a hub, we're talking direct control from the phone to the bulb. In a way, I like the simplicity. It's just a shame GE couldn't stick a 1,2,3 instruction card the size of a business card in the box to tell people they don't have to run out and buy a Google Home Mini..or was that the plan? I'm sure some people took them back since there wasn't any instructions on how to set them up other than the instructions specific to the Google Home Mini printed on the outside of the box. So, minus 1 star... I wanted to subtract 2 just because it's so basic, but I didn't.
During setup, I did encounter another hiccup. I have the Google Home app on my phone for other purposes. The app sees this and assumes you have a compatible Google Home bridge. It will recommend that you use the Google Home app to setup the new lights. Unfortunately, that won't happen unless you do have a compatible Google Home bridge along with the app. So just another unnecessary frustration.
Once I made it through setup, the lights can be customized to your liking. They are fully dimmable and can be assigned to different rooms. You can program the lights to do different things at different times of the day which is always nice. Unfortunately, I noticed that anytime the light is dimming or getting brighter, it is choppy. My Philips Hue bulbs have very nice transitions from color to color, from darker to brighter, and from on/off or off/on. It's a smooth transition and it feels like a premium product when your lights gently turn on or off or transition colors. If you don't know what I mean, I'll try to explain it a little more technically. If I have a light set at 50% and then adjust it to 100%, I would ideally like it to transition between the two...meaning it would go 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%.......all the way up to 98%, 99%, and 100%. This would be a smooth and subtle transition. The C Life by GE lights just adjust instantly to 100%. If you adjust the sliding bar for brightness gradually down from 100%, it will dim choppily all the way down. I think this is just a programming issue and could possibly be fixed within the app OR it could be a hardware preset that doesn't allow all the various incremental adjustments that a smooth transition would require. In any case, it cost it another star. If you're going to spend $15 for a smart bulb, the least it could do is transition smartly to give a premium effect.
In conclusion, if all you want are some smart bulbs that will be On or Off, this is a good option for you. Additionally, if you don't care about the choppy transitions between on/off and brightness settings, possibly the right bulb for you. For those of us really into the lights being part of the cool environment, this probably isn't a good option. I'm going to find a spot to put these where I won't be as likely to notice any of the annoying shortfalls. I'm also going to say that I wouldn't recommend this to a friend since I think most people will want a more 'complete' product and for a few dollars more, you can get it from other brands.
Pros:
*Price
*Build
*Ability to use without a bridge
*Price
*Build
*Ability to use without a bridge
Cons:
*No instructions
*Choppy transitions
*No instructions
*Choppy transitions
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+7points
10of 13voted this as helpful.
Velop is a flexible Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi system of modular nodes that work together to provide a flawless signal for any home. Now with new plug-in nodes that fit all wall sockets, you'll be assured coverage in traditionally underused areas, and the sleek design only uses a single outlet. Velop works with any Internet Service Provider (ISP), making customization simple, and with Tri-Band performance and Intelligent Mesh™ technology, you'll always be on the fast path to the Internet.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Premium WiFi Mesh System
on November 20, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
The Linksys Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System is an excellent option for pretty much any homes. It is rated to cover a home up to 5000 sq ft. Now most of us don't have a 5,000 sq ft home, but I'm sure most of us have space outside that we spend time and would appreciate wifi coverage. The Linksys Tri-Band can definitely help you there. Whether it's a pool area, a patio, a garage, or the driveway, you're sure to have plenty of coverage available with this system.
Let's get to the nuts and bolts. The packaging of the Linksys Velop system was very well done. I've come to expect this with Linksys products and it serves as a sign of the quality of the product that is inside. Once unboxed, you notice that the Linksys feels incredibly sturdy and well-built. The primary node looks nice and can blend into pretty much any home decor or be easily hidden behind a TV, vase, or picture. A difference from some previous versions are found with the satellite nodes. These are designed to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet on the wall. Previous versions had satellite nodes that were more 'table top' design. I actually thought they were nice looking and blended in with pretty much anything. I notice these nodes when placed in a hallway outlet or along a bare bedroom wall. Now, you can always hide them behind a piece of furniture, but for this testing purpose, I didn't want to move much. Do what works for you. One thing I didn't like and that was a complaint in other models is that there is a blue LED light on the top of each node. This may be fine for a living room, but is annoying if placing somewhere where you want complete dark at times like a bedroom. I wish there was a way to disable that light via the app.
Setup was very easy. Simply plug in (hard wire) the primary nodes to your network via an RJ-45 cable. Once that is done, place the other two nodes as close to the edge of the coverage area of the first node to ensure maximum range. You can choose to overlap as much or as little as you choose. The app guides you through the installation process and I was able to be up and running in around 10-15 minutes from start to finish. I would say most could easily do it within 20 minutes or less.
I have 75 Mbit service through my Internet Service Provider. I was able to stream UHD on 1 TV, HD on 2 other TVs and a laptop, and surf the web on a cell phone and second laptop with no issues. Like I said, this unit is more than enough coverage AND speed for your average+ to heavy user households. It indicates this pretty clearly on the box by using the words "For Premium Internet Plans." So you can get expanded coverage AND enhanced speed. The app also allows you to customize usage for certain people (parental controls) as well as prioritize devices. So if you want your gaming systems to always be priority #1, you can do that. If you'd rather set the priority for TVs that may be streaming UH movies, you can do that too.
In conclusion, the Linksys Velop Tri-Band Mesh WiFi system was very easy to setup and provided enough options to via the free app to maintain your WiFi system. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to replace or expand their current system. One thing I would caution is that this is a premium wifi setup and if you're running a basic 25mbps internet plan, you're not going to use the full speed that you are paying for. If you just need it for the 5,000 sq ft., that's fine. Or if you have a smaller coverage area, but want the speed, fine. I think there are likely some other options that might fit your needs.
Pros:
*Setup
*Coverage area
*Speed
*Cost (if this systems capabilities are what you need)
*Design/Build Quality
*Packaging
*Setup
*Coverage area
*Speed
*Cost (if this systems capabilities are what you need)
*Design/Build Quality
*Packaging
Cons:
*Blue LED status light
*Blue LED status light
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Create custom lighting schemes with this Sengled Smart LED Starter kit. More than 16 million hues provide endless choices for every occasion, and a range of whites lets you mimic daylight or brighten your space. Compatible with most personal assistant programs, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this Sengled light bulb integrates seamlessly with your smart lighting setup.
Customer Rating
5
Versatile Bulb w/ Brilliant Colors & Lower Cost
on November 16, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
The Sengled Element Color Plus Smart LED Bulb (3 pack) w/ Hub is an excellent option for anyone looking to start their smart lighting adventure or add on to it. I currently have a 2nd generation Philips Hue bridge with an assortment of lights. The Sengled lights aren't compatible with the Philips Hue bridge, but that's not a problem. More about that later.
Out of the box, the three included white & color lights are pre-paired with the included Sengled bridge. All you need to do is plug in the bridge, connect to your local network (via WiFi or wired ethernet connection). Once connected, plug/screw in your new Sengled bulbs. While the instructions included are a little less than basic, they will direct you to download the Element Home app. With the app, you can easily find the new bulbs and assign them to groups, rooms, etc. I find the app to be very good with device management, but a little awkward when it comes to color/scenes/white hues. White hues are on one tab, to or change to colors requires you to switch to a different tab rather than just tap on a color palette like other apps. If you like the Element app, use it. Otherwise, you can use the Google Home app as Sengled is Google compatible. I use the Google Home app to control my Philips and Sengled products even though they are on separate bridges.
As far as colors go, the Sengled bulbs produce rich and bright colors with varied hues of whites. They far exceed the 2nd gen Philips Hue bulbs I have. One thing I love about the Philips Hue bulbs are their subtle transition from on/off and color to color. The Sengled bulbs make abrupt changes so it isn't as pleasing to the eye. If there is a way to change this, I haven't discovered it.
In conclusion, I think the Sengled Element starter kit is an excellent value as current sale price is $94.99 with regular price of $109.99. The equivalent Philips Hue starter kit retails for $189.99 even though it is currently on sale for $119.99. Either way, I think the Sengled is a better value--especially given the individual bulbs are $29.99 for the Sengled vs. $49.99 for the Philips Hue. Considering most of us will need many of these to convert our entire home or even a small handful, $20 a bulb difference is considerable and compelling. You'll have to make the decision yourself, but for me, the $20/bulb is enough to make my mind up and I can easily get over the not-so-subtle bulb transitions.
Pros:
*Vibrant colors
*Multiple hues of white which can accommodate any purpose
*Price
*App is pretty functional with only a couple of quirks that take some getting used to
*Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant
*Vibrant colors
*Multiple hues of white which can accommodate any purpose
*Price
*App is pretty functional with only a couple of quirks that take some getting used to
*Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant
Cons:
*Not subtle transition between off/on/color shifts
*Not compatible with Siri/Apple HomeKit
*Not subtle transition between off/on/color shifts
*Not compatible with Siri/Apple HomeKit
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 53 step-by-step guided edits. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and collages to dynamic slideshows to printed artwork and gifts.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Photo Editing & Creative Software
on November 8, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
Adobe Photoshop Elements really is a nice program for those who are just looking to do some light photo editing or wanting to get creative with slideshows.
Adobe makes Elements available via a download, which was a little slow for my taste, but maybe they had a lot of traffic on their end? I'd prefer to have the disc version, so if you can find that, do it.
Once you've downloaded and installed the software, it will automatically gather all of your pictures and organize them for easier access. Having used the Adobe Photoshop for years, I found elements to be more user friendly with lots of helpful tips and guides. Elements allows the user to set the depth of the experience from very minor photo adjustments that can be automatic or tweaked, to more guided enhancements, to the full blown editing that Adobe Photoshop is known for.
I find a lot of the filters and creative slideshows to be less useful for me. When I want to edit a picture, I know exactly what I need to do and how to do it. Having a bunch of collages and slideshows just doesn't get me excited, but retouching a nearly perfect picture to make it 100% really gives me a sense of accomplishment.
In conclusion, I'd recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements for most users. This is probably too much for those who just want to remove some redeye or tinker with the lighting on their vacation pictures. There are tons of cheaper or even free software that will accomplish that without dropping $100 or eating up gigabytes of space on your drive. However, if you actually have an interest in more serious photo editing (you don't need to be a pro or even really experience at all), then this would be a good way to get your feet wet while also providing the opportunity to dive all the way in.
Pros:
*Guided features
*Ability to adjust the level of involvement (basic edits, guided edits, more experienced edits)
*Adobe quality
*Guided features
*Ability to adjust the level of involvement (basic edits, guided edits, more experienced edits)
*Adobe quality
Cons:
*Large download required
*Some of the photo organizing and auto generated material just seemed too gimmicky to me.
*Price isn't bad, but if you just want to remove redeye, find something free.
*Large download required
*Some of the photo organizing and auto generated material just seemed too gimmicky to me.
*Price isn't bad, but if you just want to remove redeye, find something free.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Enjoy engaging simulations and immersive visuals with this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Radeon graphics card offers 4GB of dedicated video memory for efficient rendering performance, and the 2.GHz AMD Ryzen processor and 8GB of RAM provide ample computing power. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has a 1TB hard drive for your collection.
Customer Rating
4
Good Entry Level Gaming Laptop
on November 7, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
The Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop is a solid entry level system that will meet the needs of most light to moderate gamers. The Nitro comes nicely packaged in a solid black box with the laptop, power adapter, and mine came with a nice pad that can help with extended sessions on your lap.
Build quality is nice, but not the best I've seen. It definitely looks like a gaming laptop with sharp angular designs and red accents. The lid has a black brushed plastic finish while other surfaces are a classic matte black finish. This is fine, but I would've preferred a pattern design or some other type of finish that would've made it look and feel a little more premium.
Performance wise, this laptop has a 2.4GHz quad-core AMD Ryzen processor with 8 GB of RAM and a dedicated Radeon RX560 GPU with 4GB of memory. This is plenty of power to satisfy the needs of most users. Note that if you are a power/hardcore gamer, you will not be satisfied with this particular system. I think that it's also important for people to realize that the Nitro 5 has more than a dozen different models ranging from the $600s-$1100s. Some of these systems have more premium setups with SSDs, combination SSD/HDD, additional RAM, upgraded processors, and GPUs. So if this system isn't quite enough for you, one of the others might be a better option. Granted, for the REALLY hardcore gamers, the Nitro 5 won't even be an option. For the rest of us, one of the setups should work.
This laptop, while being designated a 'gaming' laptop, will do all of the daily tasks that any other laptop will. Windows, web browsing, Office, etc. So this is a great option for a high school or college student. (Parents, this would be a great gift for the holidays--especially at this price point!) It'll handle almost any game that you throw at it with good performance.
In conclusion, the Acer Nitro 5 is a nice entry level gaming laptop that will likely meet the needs of most users. It's size makes it big enough to be enjoyable, but small enough to be easily stowed away in your backpack. So after you're done doing your homework, you can switch to gaming with your friends without any delay. I'd highly recommend this for anyone who doesn't want to drop a fortune on a custom gaming system, but wants the flexibility to enjoy almost all new games with their friends.
Pros:
*Size
*Design
*Price
*Performance
*Size
*Design
*Price
*Performance
Cons:
*Keyboard feels a bit soft
*HHD instead of a SSD which I prefer in pretty much every scenario
*Keyboard feels a bit soft
*HHD instead of a SSD which I prefer in pretty much every scenario
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
The reliable Brother HL-L3270CDW compact digital color printer is a great choice for the busy home or small office looking for laser printer performance. Quick print speeds of up to 25 pages per minute² plus manual feed slot accommodate varied printing needs and can handle a variety of paper types and sizes, including card stock, envelopes and more. Connect with versatile options, including built-in wireless, Ethernet or USB interfaces, and print wirelessly from mobile devices³. The 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray helps improve efficiency with fewer refills and handles letter- or legal-size paper. Automatic two-sided printing helps save on paper costs. Save time by creating custom shortcuts on the 2.7" color touch screen, which also enables you to print directly from popular cloud apps, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, OneNote and more⁴. Brother Genuine high-yield replacement toner cartridges help lower printing costs. Comes with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call or live chat support for the life of your product.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Entry Level Color Laser Printer
on October 31, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
Whether you are looking for a great home printer or something to fill a need in your small office, the Brother LC3270 is a great option. Out of the box, the LC3270 is certainly a sturdy and well built printer. It. Is. Not. Light! (40lbs+) Do not mistake this for some portable option just because it is wireless. This is could be used as an anchor for the Titanic and is meant to be placed somewhere and left. That's where the wireless function comes into place. But more on that later.
After I contracted a crane to get it out of the box and onto my desk, it takes up about the same space as most office-grade laser printers. Lasers have gotten smaller over the years, but it'll still take up a decent amount of real estate on your desk or wherever you decide to place it. Since it is wireless, it would make a great centralized printer to serve multiple people in an office which is a huge cost saver over every person having a local printer that only they can use. Once hoisted out of the box, setup was a breeze using the touch screen interface. I was up and connected to my wireless network in under 5 minutes. From there I could easily and automatically use AirPrint from my iPhone or select it as a printer option from my Dell laptop.
Print quality was excellent as you would expect from a laser printer. Colors were crisp and clear. It prints graphs, charts, maps, and other graphics that you could take to any meeting and look professional. Pictures are decent, but this laser printer isn't designed for photos so keep that in mind. That being said, you can still print full page pictures and they look nice. You just won't be framing any of them.
As with most color laser printers, they come with a black toner cartridge and 3 color cartridges which can be ordered separately. Having used color laser printers in my day job over the years, I would HIGHLY recommend anyone on a budget to adjust your print settings so that your default print setting isn't color. ESPECIALLY if this printer is shared with a group of people. It's amazing the things people print out in full color that are a complete waste and totally unnecessary. An example would be emails that get printed with things like hyperlinks any logos in your signature in color. It may not seem like much, but a few hundred emails with a logo can drain one or more of your color cartridges and they are not cheap to replace. This isn't specific to the L3270, but just some helpful advice. Just to give you an idea, replacing the color cartridges alone will cost you more than the printer itself.
The paper feed has a 250-sheet capacity which is nice and should keep you from having to refill too often. One lacking feature is the manual feed for envelopes and other odd-sized pieces. These have to be fed one at a time which is shame. If you have a business, you are likely wanting to print more than one envelope at a time.
In conclusion, I think that the Brother L3270 is an excellent entry level color laser printer. I think it's especially nice if you only have need for occasional (but higher quality) color printing where an inkjet might dry up or not provide the quality that you desire.
Pros:
*Cost
*Build Quality
*Print Quality
*Wireless functionality
*Setup
*Cost
*Build Quality
*Print Quality
*Wireless functionality
*Setup
Cons:
*Weight
*Size
*Cost of toner replacement
*Weight
*Size
*Cost of toner replacement
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+39points
43of 47voted this as helpful.
Velop with Intelligent Mesh™ Technology is an award-winning family mesh Wi-Fi system created to work seamlessly together. Mix and match nodes with different speeds to modify performance or interchange colors to coordinate with your home style. Regardless of shape, size, or wherever your Internet comes in, Velop can be customized to your home. Which makes it easy to add more nodes as your home and family expand. Unlike traditional routers with range extenders, each node provides a powerful Wi-Fi signal throughout your entire home. It continuously self-organizes and optimizes to find the fastest path to the Internet for seamless Wi-Fi everywhere. Individual nodes may be connected wirelessly or by Ethernet for fast, reliable connection. This is an ultrasimple and powerful system that uses only one Wi-Fi network name and password to give you seamless and secure Wi-Fi. And leading-edge security lets you block content and easily pause the Internet for dinner or homework. It works with all Internet service provider supplied equipment and speeds, and its simple app-based setup will get you up and running in minutes.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Home WiFi Option
on October 30, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
The Linksys Dual Band Mesh WiFi System is a great option for most homes. It is rated to cover a home up to 4500 sq ft. Now, before you say "I don't have a home that size so I'll look for another option," let me remind you that most of us spend time outside in our yards and we definitely want to stay connected with wifi when outside, right? Of course. I used the first two nodes to cover my home and into the driveway since that seems to be something I'm always doing as I pull into or out of the drive. The third, I setup as close as I could get to my backyard so that I could extend coverage as far as possible.
Let's get to the nuts and bolts. The packaging of the Linksys Velop system was very well done. I've come to expect this with Linksys products and it serves as a sign of the quality of the product that is inside. Once unboxed, you notice that the Linksys feels incredibly sturdy and well-built. The nodes look nice and can blend into pretty much any home decor or be easily hidden behind a TV, vase, or picture. One thing I didn't like is that there is a blue LED light on the top of each node. This may be fine for a living room, but is annoying if placing somewhere where you want complete dark at times like a bedroom. I wish there was a way to disable that light via the app.
Setup was very easy. Simply plug in (hard wire) one of the nodes to your network via an RJ-45 cable (3 included). Once that is done, place the other two nodes as close to the edge of the coverage area of the first node to ensure maximum range. You can choose to overlap as much or as little as you choose. The app guides you through the installation process and I was able to be up and running in around 15 minutes from start to finish. I would say most could easily do it within 30 minutes or less.
I have 75 Mbit service through my Internet Service Provider. I was able to stream UHD on 1 TV, HD on 2 other TVs and a laptop, and surf the web on a cell phone and second laptop with no issues. Like I said, this unit should be able to provide coverage and speed for your average to average+ households. No need to go out and buy a system 2x+ the cost.
In conclusion, the Linksys Velop Dual-Band Mesh WiFi system was very easy to setup and provided enough options to via the free app to maintain your WiFi system. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to replace or expand their current system. The fact that it isn't Tri-Band shouldn't worry you as I find the Tri-Band systems to be overrated.
Pros:
*Setup
*Coverage area
*Speed
*Cost
*Design/Build Quality
*Packaging
*Setup
*Coverage area
*Speed
*Cost
*Design/Build Quality
*Packaging
Cons:
*Blue LED status light
*Blue LED status light
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
MX Vertical is an advanced ergonomic mouse that combines science-driven design with the elevated performance of Logitech’s MX series. The natural handshake position of MX Vertical reduces wrist pressure and forearm strain. The unique 57° vertical angle has been optimized for an ergonomic posture without compromising a pixel of performance. MX Vertical features a 4000 DPI high-precision sensor, resulting in 4x less hand movement and reducing fatigue. And the cursor speed switch allows you to instantly adjust DPI speed and accuracy with the touch of a button. MX Vertical stays powered for up to four months on a full charge – and gets three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge.
Customer Rating
3
Good For Some, Not For Me
on October 24, 2018
Posted by: abl001
from Memphis, TN
I thought that this mouse was going to be one of those items that total changed the way I thought about mice. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me.
First, let me say that the build quality of the mouse is very nice. It has a nice quality texture to the surface, buttons feel solid (but responsive), and the scroll wheel felt nice. So for quality Logitech gets high marks.
Setup was also quite easy either via the included USB C cable, bluetooth, or the included unifying receiver. Plug and play. The buttons/features can be customized via an app to suit your needs and desires.
Unfortunately, using the mouse just didn't feel natural to me. Logitech may be right that the vertical handshake position is the more natural resting position for a wrist, but I found it odd to use. I'm sure I'll get use to it as time goes by. Still, the way my desk is setup, I found myself having to provide more support or hold my arm in a more awkward position so that my hand rested properly on the mouse. Again, maybe this is something that I'll get used to and train myself into doing more naturally.
In conclusion, I think this is one of those products that may be life changing for those with wrist issues due to using a mouse. People will just need to try it and decide if they like it or not. The people at Logitech were smart and actually designed the packaging so that you can put your hand around it as if you were using it without having to take it out. My advice, give it a try. You may love it. It wasn't for me.
Pros:
*Build quality
*Feel of the soft plastic, buttons, and scroll wheels
*Innovative design
*Build quality
*Feel of the soft plastic, buttons, and scroll wheels
*Innovative design
Cons:
*For a mouse, it isn't cheap
*It just didn't feel natural for me, but that may improve with time. I suspect this is a highly personal preference so it will be different for each person.
*For a mouse, it isn't cheap
*It just didn't feel natural for me, but that may improve with time. I suspect this is a highly personal preference so it will be different for each person.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
abl001's Review Comments
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Unlock new potential for your wireless headphones with this Airfly headphone accessory. It plugs into any conventional headphone jack to enhance your listening experience and can pair with in-flight entertainment systems for added convenience. This Airfly headphone accessory has an eight-hour battery life and recharges through USB, so it's easy to take anywhere.
Can you give air more than one set of earbuds to the same device?
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 53 step-by-step guided edits. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and collages to dynamic slideshows to printed artwork and gifts.
Is file storage cloud based?
No. The storage will be locale with this version. Adobe does offer cloud based storage for some of their other products.
5 years, 5 months ago
by
abl001
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 53 step-by-step guided edits. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and collages to dynamic slideshows to printed artwork and gifts.
is this good for window 10?
Yes, this will work on Windows 10 or Mac OS. You select which one you need.
5 years, 5 months ago
by
abl001
Dive right in and do something amazing with your photos. Auto-generated photo and video slideshows and collages are created just for you and delivered upon launch. Get up and running quickly with the new home screen - see what's new since your last version, discover fun things to try, and get inspiring ideas, help, and tutorials. Effortlessly organize, edit, and create thanks to photo and video automation powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology. Try artistic techniques and effects with 53 step-by-step guided edits. And share your favorite memories in everything from fun memes and collages to dynamic slideshows to printed artwork and gifts.
does this come with an installation disc?
No. You will get a code which allows you to download the software from Adobe.
5 years, 5 months ago
by
abl001
Get fast printing that fits your space and your budget. Produce professional-quality results, and print and scan from your smartphone.Prints up to 19 ISO ppm* in black
Does this printer have fax capabilities?
No. This is just a printer, not a multi-function.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
abl001
Keep the music going at your next party or backyard barbecue with this Sony portable Bluetooth speaker, which features a six-hour battery life. The compact size fits neatly on a desk or table, while the splash-proof design makes this speaker perfect beach adventures. Use the on-speaker buttons to start your tunes or turn up the volume. This Sony portable Bluetooth speaker comes with EXTRA BASS sound to bring out the best in your playlists.
Can you skip songs using the volume buttons on the speaker?
Yes. By pressing the play/pause/call button twice quickly during playback, the XB01 will skip to the beginning of the next song. I found it necessary to wait a second or two until the next song began playing before skipping to the next song. If it registers your presses too close together (3 presses), it may think you want to go back to the beginning of the current song.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
abl001
Only at Best Buy Defend your home from intruders with this SimpliSafe security system. Its wireless design provides reliable, multilayer protection and avoids interruptions from cut phone lines and power outages, and it connects to an app for remote operation. This SimpliSafe security system is easy to install and customizable to homes of any size for flexible use.
Do you have to have the contract to use it and to get notifications on your cellphone?
You must sign up for the monthly service for notification and monitoring, but you don't have to sign a contract.
6 years, 1 month ago
by
abl001
Take your workout to the next level with Powerbeats³ Wireless earphones, featuring up to 12 hours of battery life to last through multiple workouts and secure-fit earhooks to maximize comfort and stability. With Fast Fuel, a 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour of playback. Sweat and water resistance provides trusted durability and dual-driver acoustics deliver dynamic sound to power your workout.
How are these for running on a treadmill, I have a problem keeping Apple earbuds and other wireless earphones in my right ear when I run. Will these stay in for someone with small ears?
I think this will vary by person and the individual shape of your ear, but I don't have issues on the treadmill.
6 years, 3 months ago
by
abl001
Surround yourself with robust audio performance in a slim package with this LG ultra-slim soundbar. Compatible with the latest LG televisions, the compact soundbar pairs seamlessly to deliver an immersive audio-visual experience. The 4K high resolution audio on this LG ultra-slim soundbar lets you hear the action in every scene.
Two questions: 1) Since this sound bar does not have a center speaker, how is dialogue clarity? 2) Can the subwoofer just be used occasionally; that is can it be turned off and on?
1) Dialogue clarity is excellent! 2) The sub can be turned down via the remote control so that it is virtually inactive. You can also adjust the sound EQ to turn the bass up or down to your preference. I found the LG SJ8 to really perform well in not overpowering the bass like some subs can do.
6 years, 8 months ago
by
abl001
Immerse yourself in music or movies with this LG TONE Studio wearable speaker. It has four drivers to let you experience three-dimensional surround sound and feel low-frequency vibrations from the bass through your body. This LG TONE Studio wearable speaker is Bluetooth compatible for easy connection to your smart devices.
so this is a speaker that you wear around your neck? Does the sound work with and without the ear buds?
Yes. There is a switch on the neckband that allows you to easily switch between headphone mode and external speaker mode. You can set the unit down and listen without wearing it, but the sound quality is much much better when worn as intended.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
abl001