nickcal's stats
- Review count301
- Helpfulness votes1,296
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewNovember 11, 2024
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- Average rating4.7
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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Experience revolutionary home protection with eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Camera Kit. This revolutionary home security solution provides unparalleled surveillance with pro-level technologies and user-friendly features. View exceptionally detailed video footage in 4K UHD clarity. Delivering day-like image quality even in ultra-low light evening conditions without the need for a spotlight thanks to exclusive MaxColor Vision™ technology. View crystal-clear faces and license plates up to 30 ft (9 m) away even in minimal ambient light as AI-powered image processors deliver vivid colors, high dynamic range, and sharp details. Choose from four unique night vision modes to suit any lighting condition: Human Vision Mode, MaxColor Vision™ Mode: See in full color in ultra-low light conditions, Adaptive Spotlight Mode: View clear, colorful images at night, and Infrared Night Vision Mode: Delivers crisp black-and-white visuals. Enjoy up to 365 days of battery life with integrated solar panels featuring SolarPlus™ 2.0 technology. Requiring just 1 hour of daily sunlight to stay fully charged, the refined solar panel ensures partial shade won't hinder the ability to initiate charging of the camera and internal 13000mAh rechargeable battery for continuous, reliable power. Expand your power options with the included external solar panel. Minimize false alerts with dual motion detection that combines radar and passive infrared (PIR) technology. Enjoy added peace of mind with precise notifications for human and vehicle movements, ensuring you never miss important events. The motion-activated Adaptive Spotlight adjusts lighting for optimal footage quality and energy efficiency. With 16GB of built-in local storage*, when connected to the included HomeBase S380, you gain up to 16TB expandable storage with no monthly fees. As a centralized eufy home security hub, HomeBase S380 allows you to manage connected eufy Security devices seamlessly, compile footage, and create unified event overviews—all accessible via the eufy app anytime, from anywhere. The eufy app allows you to set customizable detection zones, enjoy 24/7 smart snapshots that capture periodic images for efficient surveillance, and communicate in real-time with delivery drivers or visitors, The camera's dual-mic array and AI-driven noise reduction technology, captures voices up to 26 ft (8 m) away.
Customer Rating
5
Great Local Security System
on November 11, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve always wanted to ensure my property was kept safe — even when I wasn’t there to look after it. I remember watching people rifle through my garbage that was set out for heavy trash pickup simply because it was accessible. The problem with that is that if someone were to get injured while on my property, I become liable for that. So, I like to make sure that my bases are covered with security cameras. I have several around the house, including eufyCams. When the opportunity to add these two solar-powered cameras and the newer HomeBase to my system, I couldn’t pass that up.
The first thing I did — even before unboxing it — was to see if my current Eufy products were compatible (2 x eufyCam 2 Pro, Smart Drop, Floodlight Cam, Video Doorbell E340). Fortunately, they all were, but I had to transfer them from the HomeBase 2 over to the HomeBase S380, which comes with the eufyCam S3 Pro. This should have been a painless process. Eufy has it set up to where you can transfer devices from one hub to another as long as they are both connected to the same network. One of my cameras had to be charged, and the Smart Drop never gave me the option to transfer it. This was disappointing because it meant that I had to remove the Smart Drop and re-add it from its default state.
One of the reasons I like Eufy products is because they are extremely easy to use and set up. Aside from this transfer issue, I’ve never had any problems with getting them connected and working as they should. So having this little mishap was unfortunate. All that said, if this is your first eufyCam setup, it’s a very straightforward process.
First, you connect the HomeBase to Ethernet and power. The app will prompt you to update the firmware, which takes around 5 minutes. Next, you’ll add your cameras. The app will direct you to press the sync button on the bottom of the camera and wait for the HomeBase to capture the device. This should only take a moment or two. Then you are up and running.
The image quality is outstanding. I was absolutely amazed at how well images and video were picked up by the cameras — especially at night. I set one of the new cameras up on our front patio and one on our back patio. The back patio is much closer to the HomeBase than the front patio, so that camera does seem to be quicker to respond to connection requests than the other.
One of my favorite features of the Eufy cameras is that the HomeBase stores the recordings locally — not in a cloud somewhere. I’m grateful that these cameras have built-in solar panels. I did charge them completely before setting them up outside, so the solar panels keep them powered up. This was one of my biggest complaints about other cameras — having to charge them.
This is a great camera system, and I love the upgrades that Eufy has made in the past few years. I would recommend these to anyone looking to get a local security system.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Small but mighty, the Nextbase Piqo 2K delivers premium performance in an ultra-compact design. This dash cam captures every critical detail in stunning 1440p HD, whether you're driving in bright sunlight or on dark roads. With built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, the Piqo 2K offers seamless connectivity and real-time tracking, letting you easily access, edit, and share footage through the Nextbase App. The Piqo 2K goes beyond capturing footage—it's designed to be your complete driving companion. Smart Parking ensures your vehicle is monitored while you're away, automatically recording any knocks or bumps and notifying you via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Guardian Mode Lite allows you to set limits for anyone borrowing your car, so you're always in control. In emergencies, the Piqo 2K’s Emergency SOS system contacts services and sends your GPS location, while Witness Mode Lite alerts a loved one if something goes wrong. Piqo 2K doesn’t just provide protection—it offers peace of mind every time you’re on the road. With its powerful features, the Piqo 2K is more than just a dash cam—it’s a smarter, simpler way to safeguard what matters most.
Customer Rating
4
Robust Dash Camera System
on November 4, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
One of the more important add-ons someone can get for their car is a dash cam. I’m a big proponent of dash cams and think that everyone should have one. It gives a lot of peace of mind when driving. The problem I think most people have is integrating them into their cars. Installation and preparation of the camera can be burdensome. Fortunately, this particular dash cam is the answer to that problem. The Piqo 2K Dash Camera is a great travel companion. It’s easy to use and very affordable. Here are some things I really like about it.
First, it comes with a microSD card. The camera can accept up to 256GB SD card. I can never seem to find an SD card when I need one, which is why I’m glad that a 32GB one is included. Next, it comes with all the tools needed for a successful installation. One of the big issues I have with dash cams is running the power cable. The Piqo comes with a 13-foot USB-C cable and a car power adapter. If you place the dash camera behind your rearview mirror, which is where the installation guide suggests, you should have plenty of cables available to route around your windshield. A fitting tool is included so that you can properly manage the cable and tuck it into the car’s frame.
Once the camera is physically installed, you can make sure that all your settings are set just the way you want using the mobile app on your phone. Now, here is where I found a little bit of an issue with the system. Any time you want to access the camera, the app has to establish a WiFi connection between your phone and the camera. While you typically wouldn’t be accessing data on the camera while you are driving, this poses a problem for me since I use a device that has wireless CarPlay functionality when I’m driving. Since you can only be connected to one WiFi network at a time, this is a bit of an issue for anyone who wants to use a device that requires a WiFi connection.
I also think that some of the features’ names are a bit confusing. For example, the Smart Parking feature is designed to record events when there are hits or knocks on your car. While I love that this feature exists, I thought ‘Smart Parking’ would somehow provide assistance while I was in the process of parking.
I did find the recording functionality to be superb. It is very sensitive and actually recorded some actions when I was setting up the camera. I guess I bumped it a couple of times, and the camera interpreted that as an event it needed to record. I thought the quality of the video was excellent, and it was easy to tell what the events were from the thumbnails in the video library. I love the Live View mode, but again, I wish the connection could be made without establishing a WiFi network between the camera and the phone.
This is a very robust dash camera system for the investment you make. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone and I would get it again.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take your aerial photography and videography skills to the next level with the F28 Foldable GPS Drone and. The F28 is designed to cater to the needs of both adults and kids alike, making it perfect for families. With a 2K Full HD Time-Lapse photography feature you will be able to create stunning time lapses of scenery, construction projects or events for marketing and personal use.
Customer Rating
4
App Needs Work, but it’s fun to fly
on October 28, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
When I sat down to set up the Contixo F28 GPS Drone, I had some doubts. I read many of the reviews that were published about it, and since I saw that there were a lot of issues with connecting to the drone and setting up the app, I was concerned that my experience wouldn’t be very positive. While I did dislike some of the design choices of the manufacturer, I ended up having a lot of fun flying the drone.
DESIGN
The overall design of the drone could use some work. It’s made with very lightweight, cheap-feeling plastic. It looks like the design was mocked up after other foldable drones from more premium brands. This isn’t really where I had my issues. It was the controller. At first glance, it looks and feels like a child’s toy. It is functional, but its parts are so lightweight and not easy to manipulate (unfold from its body) that I had a hard time getting past its design to its function. When I flipped it over and saw a battery door, I almost gave up entirely because the last thing I wanted to deal with was disposable batteries. When I opened the door, I found a Lithium-ion battery pack (702030 3.7V 300mAh) that was connected to the controller. This battery pack is rechargeable, but the connector for it is micro USB, which was a letdown since it’s such outdated technology at this point. In my opinion, I believe this controller was probably an older design and repurposed for this particular drone without being updated.
SET UP
The setup requires a couple of different steps. First, you need to download the app. I was using an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 18.0.1, and the version of the Contixo F28 app was version 1.03. I didn’t have any issue with connecting to the drone’s WiFi network and once I did, the app opened up the camera and I could use it while I was flying. I followed the instructions in the manual and didn’t have any major issues with getting the drone in the air.
THE APP
There were several reports I read of the app not being compatible with the latest iOS version. I was fortunate in that the app had been updated just a few days before I set up the drone. That said, it’s not 100% optimized for iPhone 16 Pro. The edges of the app go to the edges of the iPhone, and it is only viewable in landscape mode. That means that the Dynamic Island ends up covering some of the menu controls. While you can still access the menus, you can’t see them. You have to tap on a certain area and then hope you are getting the right thing. Aside from that, I was able to access photos and videos that I captured and save them to my phone. The app kept giving me a ‘no SD card warning,’ but there was no place to put an SD card on the drone. Media was simply saved to my Photo library (after I gave it permission).
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
I had a lot of fun flying the drone. It was actually very peppy, and while I didn’t have a speedometer, I thought it was pretty quick. I only flew the drone in my backyard, but it’s fairly sizable. I flew it from one end to the other and stopped quickly when I let off the controls. I didn’t find that it did automatic avoidance of obstacles, and I did fly it into a pine tree once. The drone immediately lost connection and dropped to the ground. I estimate that it was about 10-12 feet in the air when it fell. Surprisingly enough, the drone was unharmed, and once I straightened out its legs, it was able to fly again with no issues.
I’m not 100% sure I would recommend this for beginners since it took some technical experience to get started with this drone, but it was a lot of fun to fly, and it’s very cost-effective. It comes with a very handy travel case, which is great for storage of the entire set-up. It’s not perfect, but a person can have fun with it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Eye is moving—and it’s fallen onto our Mech Keys community. What began as a keycap set has now taken shape as a full board. Meet the Drop + The Lord of the Rings Black Speech Keyboard: a Mordor-inspired centerpiece poised to conquer your desktop. New to this build is a matching black aluminum case with custom artwork by OSHETART depicting the Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr. Beyond the aesthetics, the typing is scary-good, too, thanks to our Phantom Stabilizers paired with our Holy Panda X Switches for a tactile feel worthy of the Dark Lord himself. One does not simply walk into this keyboard.
Customer Rating
5
Great gaming keyboard, switches a bit stiff
on October 20, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
Being a fan of LOTR and mechanical keyboards, I felt this Drop + was a sure winner for me. What I found was that the keys are a little too stiff for me to enjoy fully. It’s a very unique keyboard. Right from taking it out of the box, you feel the influence of LOTR. I love the little details, such as the ‘one ring’ as the FN key on the right side of the spacebar and the ESC key. Since I don’t speak ‘black speech,’ I have no idea if the characters provided correspond in any fashion to the American-English alphabet. And, even though I have a lot of muscle memory built up from years of typing experience, it’s helpful that the English alphabet is included on the keys as well.
There is a unique curve to the keys that almost makes them feel concave. I rather like it, and instead of a little carat on the F and J keys, the dip in the key is larger and more noticeable than the other surrounding keys. I thought this was another nice touch.
Pros
Unique design
Nice curve to keys
The keyboard is responsive overall
The 75% layout has all the main keys in a layout that I like.
Nice curve to keys
The keyboard is responsive overall
The 75% layout has all the main keys in a layout that I like.
Cons
It’s not directly compatible with macOS
The switches have stiffer actuation than I am used to.
Not wireless
The switches have stiffer actuation than I am used to.
Not wireless
One thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was that it wasn’t directly compatible with macOS since I use both systems. I was, however, able to change the modifier keys in the macOS System software. This made it much closer to the layout I’m familiar with on that system.
The DROP keyboard is very heavy. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. To mean, that means ‘quality’ with a keyboard like this. The aluminum body is solid, and it, combined with the Holy Panda X Tactile switches and MT3 keycaps, is a great combination. The lighting of the keyboard left something to be desired. It doesn’t get very bright, and there are no options for changing to a different color. Another downside to this particular keyboard is that it is not wireless.
Even though the Holy Panda switches are supposed to be good for typing, I found them to be quite stiff, and they actually hindered me from being as accurate as I normally am. As a gaming keyboard, it’s fantastic. I didn’t have any issues with finding the keys I wanted, but for long-form typing, it’s just not the best companion.
All in all, I think this keyboard is fantastic, and for LOTR fans, it’s a great piece of memorabilia for the franchise.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience unrivalled comfort with LinkBuds Fit earbuds. With excellent sound and call quality, and improved Ambient Sound Mode, staying connected to the people and content you love has never been easier.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable, compact earbuds
on October 11, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
The box for the LinkBuds has an outer wrap to it that seals on the bottom. The inner box has a magnetic closure and when you lift the lid you’ll find a 1-2-3 illustrative instruction graphic. You are instructed to download the app, put the earbuds in your ears, and then connect to the app. If you pull on the tab that has the graphic on it you will lift out the inner carton, which contains the earbuds in their charging case, a packet with the user manual and safety information, ear gels, and a short USB-C charging cable.
Pairing the Sony LinkBuds is effortless and when you connect to multiple devices, the LinkBuds automatically recognize what device you are using. The earbud controls use a unique tap control mechanism, allowing you to tap in front of your ear rather than directly on the earbud. It also supports hands-free control through head gestures, such as nodding to accept calls or shaking your head to reject them. However, the wide-area tapping system can take some time to adjust to, as it may feel unintuitive at first and can lead to occasional misinterpretations or inconsistencies in response.
Sony’s companion app, Sony Headphones Connect, provides control over many features, including noise-canceling levels, equalizer settings, and firmware updates. While the app offers a lot of functionality, it can also be frustrating at times. Updates may take longer than expected, and some users report difficulty navigating through its more complex features, particularly for new users unfamiliar with the app’s layout and functionality.
The earbuds are very comfortable, even when you wear them for longer periods of time. I didn’t notice any soreness and I found them to be remarkably lightweight. I didn’t do an extensive workout with them but I did ride my bike and walk around our neighborhood with them in. They stayed in place securely and I wasn’t worried about them slipping at all.
The sound quality is impressive. They deliver a very rich listening experience. The bass is punchy without being overwhelming and you can fine-tune your settings using the EQ in the app. I really appreciate the adaptive noise canceling (ANC) feature because it intelligently adjusts to your surroundings. It blocks out background noise well, but the ANC can be less crisp than the normal listening mode. I found call quality to be better than other earbuds and calls generally come through crisp and understandable. I’ve used them for both work and personal use.
The battery life is good and thanks to the charging case provides up to 21 hours of total playback. They aren’t wireless charging compatible which was a letdown, but they do have a quick charging feature. The design of these earbuds stood out to me even though the charging case is a little thicker than some other earbud cases. They are remarkably small and it’s nice that several different colors are offered.
The Sony LinkBuds offer a great balance of comfort, sound quality, and innovative features. Their seamless setup, tap controls, and adaptive noise canceling provide a versatile and enjoyable user experience.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Type, sketch, view and read with the Combo Touch keyboard case. A flexible kickstand and a full-size, detachable keyboard give you multiple use modes for any task. Take iPad further with a bigger trackpad that gives you superior, intuitive tracking experience with familiar Multi-Touch gesture controls.
Customer Rating
5
Very nice accessory for iPad Pro
on October 9, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve used keyboard cases with my iPads for years. I find they are the most logical option for using an iPad as a personal computing device. Some of them connect via Bluetooth, but they just aren’t a good option, in my opinion. They tend to lag more than a direct connection, and you have to worry about making sure they are charged. This is why I really like the cases that connect using the magnetic connector on the iPad. I’ve been so impressed with this Logitech case because of its direct connection.
DESIGN
I was so impressed with the design of this case. It’s in two pieces, so you can use the bumper case portion autonomously from the keyboard or stick the keyboard on and be on your way. The material that is used as the covering has a smooth, soft feel to it. While this material makes fingerprints and smudges show up a bit more than other cases, I have found it fairly easy to clean. The case doesn’t feel overly bulky or heavy, in my opinion. The kickstand folds into the case so that it’s almost invisible. One of the big downsides I found with the design of the case was the function of the kickstand. It is best suited for a solid, flat surface, so it doesn’t work particularly well in a person’s lap. I used my iPad a lot in my lap, so I’m not a big fan of how awkward it is to hold in that manner. The other downside is that when the iPad is in the bumper case, it won’t mount magnetically to my articulating desk mount.
EASE OF USE
Because the case utilizes the iPad’s magnetic connector, the setup was very quick and easy. It was a little difficult to install the iPad into the bumper case since its corners are rigid, but if you start on the camera system side and press it into the case first, you should be able to work the rest of the case around the border of the iPad. The keyboard feels great, and the keys are very responsive. I typed quite a bit on it before writing this review and even completed a typing test online. While my average typing speed and accuracy were a little slower than normal, it wasn’t so much lower that I thought the keyboard was hindering my skills.
Overall, this is a great option for a protective, useful keyboard case.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Designed for easy hands-on espresso exploration, take your espresso based drinks to the next level - create wherever your curiosity takes you - from Espresso, Americano, Latte, to Cappucino and much more.
Customer Rating
5
Make fancy coffee from the comfort of your own kit
on October 8, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I enjoy a nice cup of coffee every once in a while. My fiancé drinks it every morning, though, and we were both thrilled to add this espresso machine to our kitchen appliances. Not only does it have a stainless steel finish, which matches most of our other appliances, but it makes fantastic coffee drinks. Plus, we love KitchenAid devices. They hold up well and we’ve never really had one fail on us.
The unboxing process was a bit cumbersome as there were a lot of pieces and parts included. The machine itself is all one piece and no assembly is required, but there are a lot of parts that are wrapped up with tape and plastic that have to be unwrapped before you can start using it. Many years ago we had a ‘fancy’ coffee drink maker, but it used coffee pods instead of coffee beans. So, this machine presented a whole new adventure to us. In fact, we had to purchase whole coffee beans since we only had ground coffee at home when this machine arrived. The truth is that you could probably use pre-ground coffee and just press it, but the freshly ground coffee just tastes so much better.
So, the first thing you do is grind your beans into a powder. You have the ability to select how fine or coarse you want your coffee grounds to be. Once you have your coffee grounded up, you press it into a firm disk inside the portafilter and put the entire assembly under the Group Head to brew the espresso. This part of the process isn’t difficult, and within just a few minutes, you can have your fancy coffee. There are various settings to go through to fine-tune your drink how you want it. You have the option to steam milk if you want and, of course, you can add different flavors to your coffee.
To me, this is a great way to have a premium coffee drink at home. The only downside is the clean-up. It’s a fairly messy process — especially if you make the steamed milk. The machine doesn’t take up too much more space than a full-size coffee maker does. And, as an added benefit, there are rollers on the back so that you can slide it in and out on a counter easily.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Samsung's 34" Odyssey OLED G8 Ultra-WQHD Gaming Monitor features OLED technology for a wider color spectrum and vibrant images. 175Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time (GtG), and AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro allows for faster, exhilarating gameplay without image tearing. 34" 21:9 Ultra-WQHD display with 110 pixels per inch for stunning detail and clarity. Glare Free technology significantly reduces glare from external light sources, so the OLED screen’s perfect black and color experience are presented without distractions. OLED Safeguard includes Thermal Modulation System, Logo and Taskbar Detection & Screen Saver to help prevent burn-in. A Slim Metal Design and Ergonomic Stand provides unparalleled style and comfort, with connectivity that enables access a variety of input options. Gaming Hub offers instant access to streaming with Smart TV Apps for access to mustsee shows and free live content.
Customer Rating
4
Great with a frustrating smart TV interface
on September 16, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
Setup: The monitor is well packaged and does require a bit of assembly. The stand is separate from the monitor body and attaching it using a couple of screws is needed. You do have the choice of using the stand or using a VESA-compatible mount. I opted to use the latter and swapped out my current monitor, which resides on a gaming monitor arm. To do this, I had to attach the VESA adapter that came with the monitor and then screw the VESA adapter from the monitor arm to it. The arm held it effortlessly because it is so light - weighing only 12.1 pounds (without the stand).
The physical installation of the monitor was easy, but the rest of the setup left something to be desired. Even though the inclusion Samsung Tizen OS Smart TV interface is considered a benefit, I found it more annoying than anything. For starters, you have to connect your monitor to an internet connection and then you have to log into your Samsung account. If that wasn’t enough, the monitor automatically starts playing whatever content is showing on Samsung’s free TV service. There is no easy way to stop it. To be honest, I was in the middle of testing a host device feature and simply wanted the monitor up and running. So having these extra steps to get through just to use the monitor as a monitor was frustrating.
Overall Impression/Usage: As far as image quality goes, I was pretty impressed. The OLED panel does a good job of providing a crisp, clear image. Text was easy to read and colors were vibrant. The brightness level could be higher (it’s only 250 nits + HDR) whereas my current monitor is 1000 nits (HDR peak). I appreciate that the monitor has a DisplayPort and two HDMI 2.1 ports, I found myself wanting at least one USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port so that I could connect a host device directly to the monitor without a hub, dock, or adapter.
I’m not a huge fan of the smart TV interface. It seems to just get in the way of the basic monitor functions. It would be great to have a way to shut it off so that you didn’t have to use it at all. I wanted a quick way to view the refresh rate as I switched between inputs but I couldn’t find that option. I connected a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus to the monitor so that I could try out Call of Duty: Mobile with it. I was able to connect to the monitor at 120Hz using a capture card as a pass through and a couple of different apps. This was great for gameplay.
Conclusion: Overall the monitor seems like a great option for gaming and most types of computing tasks, but the interfaces get in the way.
Pros
Lightweight and easy to mount on a wall or monitor arm
Easy installation
Comes with cables
Clear image
High refresh rate
Cons
Easy installation
Comes with cables
Clear image
High refresh rate
Cons
Not 4K
No USB-C connection
Not extremely bright (only 250 candela per square meter or 250 nits)
Smart monitor interface can be frustrating to work with
Large power supply
Price tag
No USB-C connection
Not extremely bright (only 250 candela per square meter or 250 nits)
Smart monitor interface can be frustrating to work with
Large power supply
Price tag
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience Tomorrow, Effortlessly: Get ready for a seismic shift in how you get things done. Seamlessly integrate AI into your everyday PC tasks, saving time, and boosting productivity. Forget sorting through endless search results. Transform how you uncover knowledge by simply asking for exactly what you need and getting tailored responses. Unlock a laptop’s full potential and experience tomorrow's innovations effortlessly today with Swift 14 AI.
Customer Rating
5
A great machine for most daily work
on September 15, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
The Acer Swift 14 AI 14-inch laptop powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Windows 11 Home edition. It’s processor, RAM, and storage capacity make it a powerful productivity machine for heavy multitaskers. The GPU included is the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Adreno, which is suitable for most standard tasks, but isn’t going to support heavy gaming or high-demand creative tasks easily.
DESIGN: As far as looks go, the Acer Swift 14 is a pretty standard laptop. It is dark gray and has the Acer logo etched onto the lid. The bottom of the laptop features rubber feet that lift the computer off a flat surface for ventilation. The trackpad is a little larger than a standard trackpad and it seems very responsive. The laptop is slightly thicker than some other laptops I’ve used but it’s still sleek and has a slim profile.
DISPLAY: The screen of the laptop is a touchscreen and I didn’t have any issues with it registering my touch inputs. I didn’t think it the screen collected too many fingerprints and love how bright it is. The display has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The refresh rate is great for smoothing out fast-moving visuals, but may not be apparent with standard tasks. The brightness level is only 300 nits, but it seems to be plenty bright in my opinion.
BATTERY: Out of the box the laptop didn’t power on. I plugged it into power using the provided power adapter and it turned on. After setup was completed, the battery showed it was at 89%. I left the laptop on and unplugged it from the power adapter. I changed the standby settings so that the laptop would not fall asleep. Then, I turned on a 4K YouTube video and let it play at 100% brightness. After one hour, the laptop had only drained 6% of its battery. With that in mind, I would estimate that it would take 15-16 hours of use to drain the battery completely.
NETWORK SPEED: To test the network speed, I ran Ookla’s Speed Test using Chrome. The dowload speed was 737.19 Mbps and the upload speed was 604.51 Mbps and the ping was 12. This was using an AT&T Fiber connection with a Netgear RAXE500 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router.
PERFORMANCE: When I completed standard real-world tests such as surfing the internet, editing photos (just using Paint), and notepage/processing tasks, the laptop passed above expectations. When I set up the laptop, I did it as a new PC and customized the experience for business and creativity as it seemed to be the best match for the laptop’s specs.
One thing that was different about the setup process was that the laptop automatically completed updates as a part of its initial startup. I did decline the trial offers of Office 365 and Xbox Game Pass. When it came to search settings, I turned off search highlights and the work or school account options. Then, I turned off the Microsoft Start feed in the Widget area. Once those setup tasks were completed, I completed the Windows updates.
After finishing setup and updates, I restarted the computer and immediately ran Task Manager to see how many computing tasks were running. There were 181 tasks running - most of which were system-based.
I ran Geekbench to assess how well the CPU would perform. The Geekbench CPU score was 2426 single-core / 14374 multi-core. As a means of comparison, the top-ranking CPU on Geekbench’s charts is the Intel Core i9-13900KS with a score of 3140 for single-core and a multi-core score of 21796. When looking at the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100) processor that is in the Acer laptop against the Intel Core i9, the Intel chip outperforms the Snapdragon X Elite in nearly every area except power efficiency and integrated graphics.
Overall, the Acer laptop is a power-efficient laptop that is great for many different tasks. I wouldn’t bet on it as a dedicated gaming machine, but for most other tasks it’s worthwhile.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Elevate your driving experience with this cutting-edge Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter. Perfect for iPhone users and compatible with vehicles that have built-in Apple CarPlay, this adapter transforms your commute by enhancing both safety and accessibility. Benefit from effortless auto-pairing and a stable Bluetooth connection that seamlessly integrates with your vehicle's system. Enjoy the convenience of wireless hands-free media streaming and voice control, allowing you to focus on the road while staying connected and entertained. Unlock the full potential of your car's capabilities with this essential upgrade.
Customer Rating
5
Helpful device
on September 11, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
One of my favorite features of iOS is CarPlay. The only thing I don’t like is that wireless CarPlay isn’t widely available. My car came equipped with CarPlay, but it required my phone to be hardwired into the car and I hate cables. So, having a wireless CarPlay adapter seemed like the ideal solution to me.
This adapter was easy to install and get set up. I’ve used many types of wireless CarPlay adapters and most of them utilize complicated menus and many of them have both English and Chinese menu items which make it very hard to determine what settings to choose. This Rexing adapter is a great upgrade from non-wireless CarPlay because the setup is effortless and doesn’t have multiple languages to deal with.
I love how small the adapter is. It makes it easy to stow away in the middle storage compartment of my car. So far, I’ve not had any issues with it and I’m really enjoying having wireless CarPlay.
Unlike other CarPlay adapters this one is super solid. I like how well it works. Will get one for my other car.
Unlike other CarPlay adapters this one is super solid. I like how well it works. Will get one for my other car.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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nickcal's Answers
Life’s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
8 years ago
by
nickcal
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
can i download skype
Depends on the Google Play store. If Microsoft has a version of Skype for Android then yes.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
nickcal