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    February 22, 2014
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nickcal's Reviews
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The Zenbook A14 moves as effortlessly as you do. Our lightest Zenbook ever, ultra-light and slim, with all-day battery life, it lets you work, create, and explore without worry. As a Copilot+ PC with 80 NPU TOPS, it keeps AI tasks flowing seamlessly, while the Ceraluminum chassis provides a soft matte finish, refined texture, and lasting strength. Its vibrant OLED display delivers stunning clarity and color, making every moment on screen a calm, immersive experience.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Solid compact laptop option
on May 25, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I am constantly amazed by the quality of smaller laptops like this 14-inch Zenbook. While its exterior isn’t aluminum, the performance definitely gives you a premium experience. It has an amazing OLED screen and a comfortable keyboard to type on. The speakers also provide a great listening experience. The volume level is impressive, and I found myself only needing to keep it around 14-16 for comfortable listening.
The setup is standard for a Windows laptop. I walked through the setup screens and waited for close to an hour while updates were finished. This was longer than I expected, but Windows updates usually take some time, so I wasn’t overly concerned. The laptop comes with a 100W power adapter with a USB-C connector on it.
When I started setting up the laptop, I noticed how nice the keyboard on it is. It doesn’t include the 10-key number pad, but the keys are nicely spaced out, and when I completed a typing test, I got a score of 86 WPM with 99% accuracy. This is much higher than my usual 73-75 WPM.
After I walked through the setup and general use cases of the laptop, I moved on to some benchmarking tests.
Geekbench 6
Single-Core Score: 3653 / Multi-Core Score: 18445 / OpenCL Score: 39475
Geekbench 6 shows strong overall performance across the board, with excellent single-core speed that translates to snappy everyday responsiveness. Apps open quickly, the system feels fluid during general use, and light tasks are handled effortlessly. The multi-core result also points to plenty of headroom for heavier workloads like video editing, multitasking, and creative work. The GPU compute score rounds things out by showing capable performance for acceleration-based tasks such as photo and video processing, making this a well-balanced system for productivity-focused users.
Geekbench AI
Single Precision Score: 1779 / Half Precision Score: 3042 / Quantized Score: 6594
Geekbench AI highlights how well the system handles modern machine learning and inference-style workloads. The scores that were returned after the tests were completed show performance is solid across different precision levels. This suggests it can comfortably support AI-assisted features in productivity apps and Windows tools. The quantized result, in particular, shows efficiency in optimized AI tasks, pointing toward good readiness for newer AI-driven workflows without relying on dedicated hardware.
FurMark Benchmark
Score: 2404 points
FurMark pushes the GPU under extreme stress to test sustained performance and stability. The results show the system is able to maintain consistent output under heavy load, even if this type of workload is far beyond normal day-to-day use. While not reflective of real gaming performance, it does provide a useful look at thermal behavior and sustained GPU capability when the system is pushed hard for extended periods.
Overall, this 14-inch Zenbook is a really well-rounded small laptop that feels great to use day to day. The OLED display looks excellent, the keyboard is comfortable, and the speakers are better than you would expect at this size. Performance is strong for everyday work and even holds up well in heavier tasks based on the benchmark results. It ends up being a solid all-around option for productivity, media, and light creative work.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The COOLiFY C2S Pro delivers instant, powerful cooling and heating for personalized comfort anytime. With a single press of Turbo Mode, it generates a refreshing 12~C chill, while its patented wind tunnel and quad-vent system maximize airflow through a high-speed, multi-directional 3-in-1 360~ comfort system, seamlessly combining cooling, airflow, and heat therapy. Powered by a high-efficiency 5000mAh battery enhanced with variable-frequency synchronous rectification technology, it offers improved power savings, supports 18W Type-C fast charging to fully recharge in just 2~2.5 hours, and allows uninterrupted use while charging. Intelligent temperature control is achieved through an NTC smart sensor that continuously monitors and adjusts output for stable cooling or heating, while Bluetooth connectivity and the TORRAS App enable remote operation and effortless OTA updates. Weighing only 428g (0.94 lbs), its minimalist design delivers lightweight, unrestricted comfort, with a patented dual-directional pivot and adjustable neckband that lets you aim airflow precisely and hold it securely at any angle. Built for long-term reliability, the COOLiFY C2S Pro features comprehensive circuit protection, sweat and splash resistance, premium V-0 flame-retardant materials, and a bladeless, hair-friendly design~ensuring safe, durable, and dependable comfort for every adventure.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Good fan for staying cool
on May 21, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve used generic neck fans like this before, and they tend to stop working after a couple of uses. This one from TORRAS is built much better and feels heavier duty than previous fans. The operation is very simple. You can turn it on by pressing the power button on the side and then set the mode by pressing the button on the other side of the fan. It will do cool, air temperature, and heat.
When I first got it out, I was shocked at how strong the airflow is. I never turned it up past the gentle setting since it’s so strong. You don’t have control over the temperature of the fan. It’s either hot or cold. No options for hot or cold intensity.
I believe the cold works better than the heat. It does get warm, but it’s not as noticeable as the cool setting. The fan’s design is a little awkward for being active. It stays in place really well, but if you go for a jog, the fan will bounce up and down and will just get uncomfortable.
Battery life is very good. Out of the box, the fan had a charge over 80%, and because it charges with a USB-C cable, it’s very easy to plug in and get it charged up. The fan can get pretty loud, especially since the fans are designed to point upward toward your face. I have found the fan useful while doing things like yard work. It shifts around a little, but it definitely helps me stay cooler than if I didn’t wear one.
The app is useful as it allows you to control the mode and intensity of the fan. It also updates the firmware on the fan if needed. It’s a useful tool if you frequently get overheated, but it is a little awkward to just toss into a bag for when you are trying to travel light simply because of its size and weight. It does come with a travel case, which I like, but it may not be for everyone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wherever life takes you, the Acer Swift Go 16 AI is designed to move with you. Its slim, ultra~thin design slips effortlessly into your day, while all~day battery life and the powerful AMD Ryzen~ AI 7 445 processor deliver seamless performance ~ so you can work, create, and stay connected effortlessly, wherever you go. A stunning WUXGA (1920 x 1200) touch matte display makes every moment more immersive, while built~in AI performance helps ideas take shape so you can stay one step ahead.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great everyday use laptop
on May 14, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
Out of the box, I was impressed by the build quality of this laptop. It has an aluminum chassis and it just feels incredibly solid. I’ve tried out a lot of budget Windows laptops and this one felt nothing like those. It’s very slim and it’s very easy to carry around. I love that it was shipped with its own sleeve. It’s a nice addition and I really like that the charger is USB-C rather than a barrel connector.
The setup was pretty standard for a Windows laptop. I walked through the different steps and got through the Windows updates and then ran some benchmark tests.
Geekbench 6 - Evaluates CPU and GPU performance.
Single-Core Score: 2523
Single-core performance measures how quickly the laptop handles tasks that rely heavily on one processing core at a time. A score of 2523 is very strong for a thin-and-light productivity laptop and helps the Swift Go 16 AI feel fast and responsive during normal daily use.
Multi-Core Score: 8800
Multi-core performance reflects how well the system handles heavier workloads that use multiple cores simultaneously. A score of 8800 positions this laptop well for productivity and moderate creative work. While it is not designed to replace a dedicated workstation or gaming laptop, it performs very well for a portable ultrabook.
OpenCL Score: 13098
The OpenCL benchmark measures GPU compute performance using the integrated graphics processor. The Radeon integrated graphics are capable for casual gaming and media workloads, though this is clearly not intended to be a high-end gaming machine. Users looking for AAA gaming performance or demanding 3D workloads would still benefit from a system with dedicated graphics.
Geekbench AI - Evaluates the computer’s ability to handle AI and machine learning workloads.
Single Precision Score: 2092 / Half Precision Score: 1192
The results reinforce that this laptop is designed with modern productivity and AI-assisted workflows in mind rather than gaming or workstation-class rendering.
Quantized Score: 5211
Quantized AI workloads are heavily optimized for modern NPUs and efficient AI inference tasks. This strong score highlights one of the biggest advantages of the Ryzen AI platform. It suggests the Swift Go 16 AI is well-prepared for newer AI-enhanced Windows features, productivity tools, and future Copilot+ experiences.
FurMark Benchmark - A GPU stress test designed to push graphics hardware to its limits.
Score: 1409 points (23 FPS)
This score confirms that the GPU in this machine is suitable for media consumption, lightweight creative work, and casual gaming.
GENERAL USE
The 16-inch display has been great to use in everyday situations. Everything looks sharp, colors are vibrant, and the aspect ratio gives you a little more vertical space. I really appreciated the 120Hz refresh rate which helps the whole system feel smoother when scrolling through pages.
I was also impressed with the speakers. For such a thin laptop, they get surprisingly loud without sounding harsh or distorted. I usually kept the volume around level 14 for videos and music, and that was more than enough for comfortable listening. They’re definitely good for streaming content, casual music listening, and video calls.
The keyboard has honestly been one of my favorite parts of the laptop. Typing feels comfortable and responsive, and I like that Acer still included a full-size keyboard layout even though the number pad is more compact. It never felt cramped while typing. I also ran a typing test using Monkeytype to see how it compared to my normal typing speed. My average is usually around 73 WPM with 98% accuracy, but on the Swift Go 16 AI I scored 78 WPM with 96% accuracy. That tells me the keyboard is very easy to adapt to and comfortable enough for longer typing sessions.
Overall, I’ve been very impressed with this laptop. It performs really well under everyday use and even though it’s not a great option for gaming, it is great for regular performance. It’s a very efficient system and I really love the style of it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Relive the golden age of arcade gaming with the GameSir Pocket Taco, a vertical mobile controller designed for retro vibes and modern play. Compact, portable, and easy to carry, it lets you jump into classic-style games anytime, anywhere. Just snap in your phone, and your nostalgic arcade moments are right at your fingertips.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Fun idea, but needs some fine tuning
on May 10, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I’m a big fan of mobile gaming and have been using mobile gaming controllers for many years. GameSir is one of my favorite gaming peripheral makers and this Pocket Taco was a very intriguing to me. Being a child of the 80s, I love the retro design and was excited about using it to turn my phone into a retro handheld gaming device.
The controller comes with instructions, a charging cable, a protective storage case for the controller, and a lanyard. One thing to point out here is that as nice as the devices are from GameSir, they aren’t always the most user-friendly. The Pocket Taco is definitely plug-and-play especially if you are using an iPhone.
The controller connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, but there are different pairing modes available. The trick is that you have to know which mode will work for your device. You also need to download the GameSir app, which is not specified in the user manual. Here’s the process I went through.
I powered on the controller. It went into the pairing mode and my iPhone recognized it as “GameSir-Pocket 1_b9”. I tapped on “GameSir-Pocket 1_b9” to connect and even though the app said it was connected, the LED indicators on the side were slow flashing, which meant that it was trying to reconnect. I did a little research online and found that with iOS devices, you may have to connect to a “DUAL SHOCK 4 Wireless Controller” which I did.
At this point, the GameSir app said I was connected, but the testing area didn’t show any input were being triggered even though I was press all the buttons. This led me to try a different pairing mode. I swapped to the Switch mode and finally the controller was working with the iPhone.
The next hurdle was playing a game. I took my phone out of the Pocket Taco so that I could navigate to the App Store and I downloaded Lego Star Wars. The first thing I wanted to do was test how well the controller would play. There was some lag, but it was playable.
In order to play retro games on an iPhone, you have to download an emulator. The emulator is free to download and in the App Store, but the ROMs are a different story. So, even though I was able to test that connection method and how well the controller could play, I wasn’t able to actually play with the controller attached to the phone because I couldn’t access any playable games that formatted properly since the Pocket Taco covers half the screen.
The controller isn’t a bad idea, but the current execution of it is flawed due to the access of appropriate games.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Denon Home 600 wireless smart speaker delivers Dolby Atmos Music, enveloping you in rich, expansive sound that reveals every nuance. Built-in dual height speakers add a lifelike vertical dimension for an all-in-one immersive experience. With the HEOS app, setup takes just minutes and streaming and control are effortless. Stereo-pair two speakers for even more expansive sound. The result of more than a century of Denon's legendary craftsmanship, the Denon Home 600 blends high-performance audio with an elevated design that complements any space~making it easy to enjoy extraordinary sound anywhere you listen.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great upgrade for home audio
on May 2, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
The speaker comes in a brown cardboard box, but it is branded with the name and image of the product on the front. There is a packet of information sitting on top of the speaker in the box. Inside the packet is a quick start guide, safety instructions and a warrnaty card. The first thing you are instructed to do is download the HEOS app on your mobile device. Aside from the app, the only setup that is required is plugging the speaker into power.
The speaker is quite large. IT would fit nicely in a TV stand or on the top of a bookcase/storage drawers in an office. It doesn’t seem as though it’s designed for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s more of a permanent installation piece. It weighs approximately 26 pounds. The power cable plugs into the bottom of the speaker and then runs out through a cable channel. It’s a very nice design for a speaker that is designed to live on a table top.
When you power the speaker on, the rest of the setup is done through the mobile app. You do have to setup a free HEOS account (email/password), verify your email, and then select your location. After accepting terms and conditions and privacy policies, you then connect your speaker to the app and then your network. Because I use Apple products, I also connected the speaker to HomeKit. Then, I updated its firmware.
Once I had everything set up, I started playing some music on my iPhone using Apple Music. At first, the music played through the phone’s speaker, but the Denon 600 was in my device list. So, I tapped that option and the music switched over in just a few seconds. Next, I connected my MacBook Pro using AirPlay. It was seamless connection between the devices.
As far as audio quality goes, this speaker does a great job of providing full sound. No matter what I played, the song sounded crisp and very clean. It’s definitely better than the standard Bluetooth speakers. The highs come through with clarity without sounding harsh, while the mids stay well-balanced so vocals and instruments don’t get lost in the mix. Bass is present and punchy without overpowering everything else, which helps the overall sound feel more refined. I tested a variety of music and videos and everything sounded like the best version of itself.
Overall, this speaker delivers strong sound quality and easy setup, making it a great choice for a home audio upgrade.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience immersive TV sound your way with our Bluetooth TV headphone and transmitter bundle~the RS 275 TV headphones. Enjoy virtual surround sound and crystal-clear speech ~ customizable with personal hearing profiles. Pre-paired for effortless setup, these headphones let you listen at any volume without disturbing others. Experience plush comfort, lightweight, and a stable 50-meter range with flawless sync and up to 50 hours of battery life. Want to connect your phone or tablet? No problem. Watching with others? Bluetooth Auracast~ lets each listener use their own volume and settings. It~s TV sound, personalized just the way you like it.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Clear Dialogue Without Disturbing Others
on April 11, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
As I’ve gotten older, my hearing has gotten worse. I noticed it many years ago when dialogue on TV shows became particularly hard for me to understand. Shows like NCIS were almost unwatchable for me because of the reliance on heavy dialogue to move the story along. Since then, I have gotten hearing aids, but I still feel like I miss something. This set of headphones is remarkable when it comes to speech clarity. What makes them nice is I can increase the audio levels as I need to without disturbing anyone else because I have my own personal Dolby speakers attached to my head.
Sound Performance: I’ve been a super fan of Sennheiser for more than 20 years and I think they really did a great job with these headphones. I used them for watching TV, listening to podcasts, and listening to music. All of them were enhanced by the speech clarity feature. I was especially impressed when I pulled a podcast up on my iPhone. There was just something to the crispness of the voices and how easy it was to distinguish between different words. With the RS 275, they words don’t run together or just melt into one another. Each one can be heard easily. For me, this is the biggest selling point.
When it comes to music, I think it seems to be just as clean, but what really makes the music more enjoyable is being able to hear the singers more clearly. Even though the headset doesn’t have traditional noise cancellation, it does isolate the user from ambient noise really well due to the over-ear design of the headphones. There is also a Transparency mode, which not only lets ambient sounds in but it also amplifies and enhances those noises a bit.
Setup & Compatibility: I was very happy with the easy set up. I did connect the headset to my iPhone and after pairing to it via Bluetooth, the app detected the headphones and I was able to access the extra features. As far as hooking up the headphones to the TV goes, I was impressed by the plug-n-play experience. It was very quick and painless and the instructions did a good job illustrating how the connection should be. The only hiccup I ran into in the headphone set up is that the headphones become the audio output method for the TV. That means, your setup with the headphones could limit your viewing experience with other people. This headset supports Auracast, which means you can have more than one set of headphones connected to the same transmitter, but you probably can’t have one person listening to the TV through a soundbar or the TV speakers and the other using the headphones. This is a roadblock for me since I like to watch shows with my fiancé, but when I watch TV alone, it works great.
Comfort: The headphones are very comfortable. They are lightweight and the headband has a nice soft cushion on it that keeps the headset from feeling too tight on your head. The ear cushions do get a little hot for me, but since they block out a lot of ambient noise, I see it as a trade off. The headphones do work well for longer listening sessions.
Overall, I think the RS 275 are great headphones for people who have trouble hearing dialogue when they watch TV. They are comfortable and they provide a better viewing/listening experience than TV speakers do alone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+12points
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ROG Strix OLED XG32UQDMS delivers immersive 4K gaming on a 31.5 inch QD OLED panel with a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. Featuring vivid HDR, deep contrast, and pro grade color accuracy, it’s built for competitive performance and stunning visual realism. <br/><br/> o Features:<br/>  32-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) QD-OLED gaming monitor with 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms (GTG) response time for immersive gaming<br/>  ASUS OLED Care Pro functions with Neo Proximity Sensor that precisely detects when the user is away, switching to a black screen to reduce the risk of burn-in<br/>  VESA DisplayHDR™ 400 True Black compliance, 99% DCI-P3 gamut, true 10-bit color, and Delta E < 2 color difference for astonishing HDR performance<br/>  Optional uniform brightness setting ensures consistent luminance levels <br/> DisplayWidget Center allows users to access OLED Care functions, as well as adjust monitor settings with a mouse<br/>  ROG Gaming A.I technology with AI-powered features to enhance users' gaming experience.<br/>  ASUS Rapid Replacement (ARR) 3 years warranty with cross shipping service included <br/>
 
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5 out of 5
5
Great for gaming
on April 11, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I’m an avid player of Call of Duty: Mobile. Over the years, my setup has evolved to the point that I’m using a RedMagic Astra gaming tablet alongside a Bluetooth controller and an external monitor. Several months ago, I moved that setup from my main desk to a separate gaming space that included a 27-inch 2K monitor. While that monitor (also an ASUS) has been a powerful display, I didn’t feel like it was future proof in case I ever wanted to move to a 4K option. That’s why this ROG Strix OLED made perfect sense for me to transition to.
The 32-inch size is still perfect for my mobile-driven gaming setup and with the 240 Hz refresh rate, I am ensured to get the 144 fps in game that I want from CODM. I was also happy to have this 4K option since it opens up the opportunity for me to connect one of my consoles if I want. One of the things I like a lot about the ASUS monitors is their menu system. It’s very easy to navigate.
As far as image quality goes, I have been very impressed. The OLED panel does a good job of providing a crisp, clear image with true black tones. Text was easy to read and colors were vibrant. The typical brightness is 250 nits, but the peak HDR brightness goes up to 1,000 nits, which is great for more dynamic contrast. In addition to CODM, I also played some League of Legends on my MacBook Pro and thought it looked fabulous.
I appreciate that the monitor has a DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports. It does not have a USB-C port for connectivity, which would be very helpful. As it is right now, I have to utilize a dock to be able to connect the tablet to the monitor. It would be great to be able to directly connect the tablet to the monitor without an adapter. I did connect to my dock using the DisplayPort connector and it worked beautifully.
The monitor has worked really well with my existing gear and I was essentially able to drop it right into my setup with no issues. It’s a fantastic gaming monitor, but could also be great for productivity, too.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 combines 4K wireless polling, ultra-fast 1.2ms clicks, a TrueMove 26K optical sensor, dual 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, AquaBarrier™ protection, RGB lighting, and long‑lasting battery life up to 200 hours all in an ultra‑lighweight 68g design for uncompromising competitive play. <br/><br/> QUANTUM 4K WIRELESS<br/> Seamlessly switch between ultra-fast 2.4GHz gaming wireless and Bluetooth 5.0, giving you low-latency performance for competitive play and easy connectivity across multiple devices.<br/> 4K FAST<br/> 4K Wireless Polling gives you 4x the speed of the previous generation (0.25ms vs 1ms) with ultra-fast clicks for more headshots.<br/> TRUEMOVE 26K SENSOR<br/> 26,000 DPI precision with 400 IPS speed and 40G acceleration for ultra-fast flicks, smooth tracking, and zero skips.<br/> 80M CLICK DURABILITY<br/> Built with durable mechanical switches rated for 80 million clicks, delivering crisp, consistent actuation that holds its feel and performance over time.<br/> UP TO 200 hr BATTERY<br/> Game, grind, and scroll for up to 200 hours on Bluetooth or up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz wireless.<br/> ULTRA-LIGHT, WATERTIGHT<br/> AQUABARRIER™ rated IP54 to protect from water splashes, dust, and dirt getting inside the mouse, and it only weighs 68g.<br/> PERSONAL AIMING TOOLS<br/> Sensitivity Finder Improves your aim and instantly converts your settings for the same feel across different games.<br/> SCROLL WHEEL<br/> Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 Features A Clickable Scroll Wheel With A Grippier Rubber Pattern For More Precise Control In Gaming And Web Browsing.<br/> WIDELY COMPATIBLE GAMING MOUSE<br/> Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 works with Windows 10+, Xbox X|S, PS5, Android, and iOS. Install SteelSeries GG software to easily adjust performance settings, get the latest updates, take advantage of Moments game capture, and practice with 3D Aim Trainer.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Lightweight, advanced gaming mouse
on April 7, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve never given a lot of thought to the inner workings of a gaming mouse until now. The Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 gaming mouse with 4K polling really gave me cause to pause and consider what 4K means for a mouse. For me, it means much smoother movements at higher DPI settings. The desk mat I typically use is leather so it has a great sliding surface. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that it also causes most I use to jitter or stutter quite a bit. At first, that was what I was experiencing with this mouse, too, but then I switched it to 4K mode. It made a HUGE difference for me. I was able to adjust the DPI to a higher setting and movements were so much more precise and buttery smooth on my 2K / 240 Hz monitor. mice
The build of the mouse is very sturdy. I wasn’t sure how I would like the honeycomb design at first, but it’s very comfortable to use. I feel like there is great air flow and it just makes the mouse feel that much more aerodynamic. The mouse comes with a USB-C cable, USB-C extender and a 2.4 GHz wireless receiver dongle. I highly recommend using the dongle because you can use the pro-level settings in SteelSeries GG than you can with Bluetooth. I found a lot of the fine-tuning settings weren’t available unless I used the wired or 2.4 GHz modes.
The buttons are very responsive and easy to press. I love the placement of the side buttons and the fact that the DPI button on the top of the mouse. It makes it very easy to switch settings on the fly. The scroll wheel has a soft tactile bump and it’s easy to spin.
While I didn’t formally test the battery life I can say that it lasted several days with regular use without needing a charge and I even set it aside for several days and it held its charge really well. This is a great lightweight wireless mouse with some pro-level settings that you can take advantage of.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The ROG Harpe II Ace is an ultralight 48-gram semi-symmetrical gaming mouse with a shape developed with the help of esports professionals. It packs a raft of pro-approved technology, including the 42,000-dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor, ROG Optical Micro Switches and 8,000Hz polling wireless performance with SpeedNova 8K wireless technology.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Reliable, lightweight gaming mouse
on March 30, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve tried many mice over the years and one of my favorites has been the ROG Harpe. So, I was thrilled to get the ROG Harpe II Ace.
When I first started using it, I was amazed at how lightweight it is. The low weight makes it very easy to aim and move quickly. The mouse slides across my mouse pad effortlessly. The size and shape of the mouse fit my hand perfectly. It fits my grip style nicely and it’s very comfortable even after longer periods of use.
I love the RGB color wheel. I always like peripherals that feature RGB colors, but think on mouses that the lighting effects get lost unless they have cut outs on the body of the mouse. So, it’s great that the wheel is what has the RGB effects.
The buttons are solid, but click easily. I love the simplicity of the design and feel that it’s much easier to use then gaming mouses with multiple programmable buttons. It has the essentials and that’s all I need. The only button placement I’m not a fan of is the DPI button. Since it’s on the bottom, I don’t have the freedom to move my finger over slightly to tap a center button on the top of the mouse. I have to flip the mouse over and test each adjustment when I make it. I know there are several different gaming mouses that have this DPI button placement, but I’m just not a fan.
The wireless connections feel very reliable. I love that ROG included a longer USB cable so that you can ensure your connection is lag-free, but I really haven’t noticed any stutters or connection issues with being connected via Bluetooth or with the 2.4Ghz dongle.
Overall, the ROG Harpe II Ace is an excellent lightweight gaming mouse that feels fast, comfortable, and reliable. Its simple design, smooth movement, and dependable wireless performance make it a great option for competitive gamers who want strong performance without a lot of extra buttons or complicated features. While I wish the DPI button was easier to access, that small complaint does not take away from how enjoyable the mouse is to use every day.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SLUSHi XL is 2X bigger* & 2X faster** than the original Ninja SLUSHi~. Ninja~s exclusive SlushAssist~ Technology is your behind-the-scenes expert, sensing your liquid ingredients & auto-adjusting the temperature for perfect results without the guesswork. *vs Ninja SLUSHi~ FS300. **Compared to Ninja SLUSHi~ FS301. Recipes may vary.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A great device for frozen drinks
on March 29, 2026
Posted by: nickcal
Growing up near a convenience store I always found myself with a slushi in my hands on hot summer days. It was a great treat and I never imagined I would have something in my house that could make the same delicious treats. The Ninja Slushi XL has exceeded my expectations.
First thing to note is how easy it is to set up. You pull it out of the box and then remove all the stickers and tape from the outside. Each of the stickers has a nice little tip on it to help you with set up or even ongoing use. I even left a couple on the machine just to remind me of certain pieces of information.
The next step in the process is to clean the removable elements of the machine. After I washed them I placed them back onto the refrigerated cylinder, locked it into place and then plugged the unit in. We decided to go with one of the recipes from the Quick Start Guide for our first slushi. I pulled three cans of soda from the fridge and measured them out. It ended up being approximately 4.5 cups of soda.
Now, I was using zero sugar soda and the slushi machine requires approximately 4.5% sugar in the liquid mixture. There are some easy suggestions to add sugar content to your low sugar drink mix. I ended up just using some grenadine and turning it into a cherry cola soda slushi. I did get the warning that it was low sugar, but after I restarted the machine, it immediately started freezing the drink.
I started hearing chunks of the drink clinking around in the machine as it created ice, but the longer it spun, the more slushi-like the recipe became. I was shocked at how easy it was to create and enjoy frozen drinks without having to venture to a local gas station. The only downside to this machine is how large it is. It is so tall that it won’t fit on under my kitchen cabinets. The good news is that you aren’t confined to needing to be near a water source since you add all the ingredients to the machine manually.
Creating the soda slushi took close to 60 minutes and when it was done, it was a little more frozen than I expected. It didn’t dispense easily. I tried turning the temperature down, but it still dispensed very slowly. After I used the smart slushi mode, I switched to just ‘slush’ and it seemed to push out the mix a bit easier and quicker. I don’t see this as a deal breaker, but it’s something to plan for with you recipe.
I’m really looking forward to making more recipes as the summer months roll in.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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