nickcal's stats
- Review count323
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- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewJuly 11, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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Turn everyday tasks into something special with Vivobook 14, your essential tool for getting things done easier, anywhere. It’s completely user-friendly too, with its 180° lay-flat hinge and physical webcam shield. Make all your days more enjoyable with Vivobook 14!
Customer Rating
4
Decent machine and budget-friendly
on April 6, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
Summary: It’s a dependable entry-level laptop with a few standout features, ideal for light users who don’t need cutting-edge performance. Wouldn’t recommend it for creators or multitaskers—but for the price, it delivers where it counts. Also, it comes with its own charger and while it does have a USB-C port on it, it’s not for charging.
This laptop is a good solution for students or casual users looking for a budget-friendly device. It’s very lightweight and its form is compact — even for a 14-inch laptop. The display is very clear and even though it’s only 250 nits, the screen seems plenty bright for most tasks. The case does collect fingerprints quite easily and while it is designed to be budget-friendly, it does sort of feel cheap.
While this is a decent laptop for most standard tasks, it’s not going to be good for advanced gaming or photo/video editing. One of the more unique features of this particular laptop is the inclusion of a number pad on the trackpad. There is an on/off function button (press+hold until the light comes on) and then the trackpad turns into a number pad. It’s a little clunky to use for long-term projects, but it does work if you are more comfortable using that layout than the number keys. It also preserves the smaller format of the laptop.
While this is a decent laptop for most standard tasks, it’s not going to be good for advanced gaming or photo/video editing. One of the more unique features of this particular laptop is the inclusion of a number pad on the trackpad. There is an on/off function button (press+hold until the light comes on) and then the trackpad turns into a number pad. It’s a little clunky to use for long-term projects, but it does work if you are more comfortable using that layout than the number keys. It also preserves the smaller format of the laptop.
It did seem to take a very long time to do the initial updates. I got the laptop out of the box, plugged it in, and then started it up. After I connected the WiFi and a Microsoft account (required), the laptop took nearly 2 hours to finish updating. I wasn’t a big fan of the fact that are forced to register it with ASUS before you can complete startup. I believe that should be suggested but optional.
In true ASUS/Windows fashion, there are a lot of processes running at initial startup. I opened Task Manager and saw there were anywhere from 197-208 processes running just after I finished the initial startup. At that point, the only application running was Task Manager. This amount of tasks took up 58% GPU.
The speakers were actually quite impressive. I watched several videos and thought the highs and lows were very crisp and powerful. Sound effects were strong and well-balanced with musical tracks. Volume was incredible. I never even turned it up to 100% because most of the things I watched were audible at around 38%.
The keyboard is very comfortable to type on. The keys seem very responsive and I didn’t seem to have any missed keystrokes. The keys are well-spaced out for a compact laptop, but aren’t too far apart.
When measuring this ASUS laptop against other similar machines using benchmarking tests, I got the following results.
Geekbench: Single-Core Score 1164, Multi-Core Score 4860
Cinebench: CPU MultiCore Score 4384
These scores are slightly higher than expected with Geekbench Single-Core and close to other Intel i3 (13th Gen) processors on Cinebench, but slightly lower than typical Multi-Core scores on Geekbench (~5600). This was the comparsion when looking at the Intel Core i3-1315U, which is designed specifically for mobile/laptops. When you look at the benchmark scores between the 1315U and the 13100 process models, which are designed for desktop use, the Multi-Core score for the ASUS laptop is significantly lower than benchmark results. That is expected though since desktop CPUs have more thermal headroom and cores running at higher base/boost clocks.
One other benchmarking test I ran was Geekbench AI, which shows how well your system handles machine learning and AI workloads. Since more and more programs are utilizing AI-based systems, I thought this would be relevant to show. The scores I received for this ASUS laptop were normal for the i3-1315 processor, but much lower than Apple Silicon or mid-to-high tier CPUs, which are better integrated with GPUs or Neural Processing Units. This laptop is capable of running AI-enhanced features such as noise reduction or smart suggestions, but isn’t particularly optimized for heavy AI workloads. So using something like ChatGPT or CoPilot should run fine.
Finally, I ran a network speed test. I have the ASUS laptop connected to our 5G wireless network. I had a secondary laptop connected to the same network to use as a comparison. Our network is powered by a direct AT&T Fiber connection (1Gig). While the speed test results (280.67 Mbps DOWN / 273.94 Mbps UP) were solid, they weren’t as fast as the other laptop. A big part of this could be be cause the ASUS laptop is using WiFi 5, while the other laptop is using WiFi 6E, which supports higher speeds and lower latency. Another reason could be because of the background tasks running on the ASUS (telemetry and other services can throttle network tests).
Overall, this is a solid budget laptop. Benchmark and AI test results confirm it’s not built for heavy workloads like gaming, video editing, or advanced AI tasks, but it performs reliably for web browsing, office work, and content streaming. If you’re looking for a no-frills, capable machine for basic computing, this Vivobook gets the job done.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Professional-grade wireless gaming headset featuring 50mm graphene-coated drivers, 2-Mic AI Noise Cancellation and Active Noise Cancellation. Engineered with input from professional esports athletes.
Customer Rating
4
Versatile headphones, but lacks sidetone for micro
on March 12, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
I'm primarily a mobile gamer. I play Call of Duty: Mobile regularly and have been using a tablet/external monitor setup for quite some time. I'm always on the lookout for the best possible experience with gaming setups and these Alienware headphones looked like a great addition.
COMFORT
The first thing I typically look for with headphones is comfort. If they aren't comfortable, I'm not going to be able to use them. The Alienware headset has very soft ear cups and the padding on the headband is sufficient enough to provide comfort. I've been very happy with how comfortable the headphones are. The only concern I have is if will overheat with the vegan leather coverings.
The first thing I typically look for with headphones is comfort. If they aren't comfortable, I'm not going to be able to use them. The Alienware headset has very soft ear cups and the padding on the headband is sufficient enough to provide comfort. I've been very happy with how comfortable the headphones are. The only concern I have is if will overheat with the vegan leather coverings.
ANC
This is a feature that is very important to me because I try to use my headphones for multiple uses. Even though these are 'gaming' headphones, I used them for listening to music and even for conference calls. ANC really helps me to concentrate while I'm working from home. The ANC feature on the Alienware headset works really well. When I turned it on, I couldn't hear myself typing on my keyboard. Transparency worked well as it cancelled out a lot of ambient noise, but still allowed me to hear my surroundings. Turning off ANC altogether was showed me that the ear cups did a great job of sound isolation -- even without the ANC. The only strange thing is that when ANC is turned on there is a bass boost effect that happens. It enhances the sound quality, but it's a bit odd that bass boost is a result of turning on ANC.
This is a feature that is very important to me because I try to use my headphones for multiple uses. Even though these are 'gaming' headphones, I used them for listening to music and even for conference calls. ANC really helps me to concentrate while I'm working from home. The ANC feature on the Alienware headset works really well. When I turned it on, I couldn't hear myself typing on my keyboard. Transparency worked well as it cancelled out a lot of ambient noise, but still allowed me to hear my surroundings. Turning off ANC altogether was showed me that the ear cups did a great job of sound isolation -- even without the ANC. The only strange thing is that when ANC is turned on there is a bass boost effect that happens. It enhances the sound quality, but it's a bit odd that bass boost is a result of turning on ANC.
SOUND QUALITY
The sound quality has been superior to many other headsets I've used. Every thing has been crisp and high-quality. The only disappointment I had was trying to use the microphone. In my experience, it's much nicer to be able to hear yourself through sidetone. It keeps me from talking too loudly when gaming or on conference calls, but I didn't find this feature to be present with the Alienware headset. Other than the microphone, I was very impressed with the overall sound quality. Everything I played through the headphones -- music, movies, games -- sounded fantastic.
The sound quality has been superior to many other headsets I've used. Every thing has been crisp and high-quality. The only disappointment I had was trying to use the microphone. In my experience, it's much nicer to be able to hear yourself through sidetone. It keeps me from talking too loudly when gaming or on conference calls, but I didn't find this feature to be present with the Alienware headset. Other than the microphone, I was very impressed with the overall sound quality. Everything I played through the headphones -- music, movies, games -- sounded fantastic.
SOFTWARE
While you don't 'need' the software in order to use the headset, you won't get certain features unless you connect it. This is a pet peeve of mine because I don't like unnecessary software. The AWCC app mainly just gives you access to Dolby Atmos, but not much else.
While you don't 'need' the software in order to use the headset, you won't get certain features unless you connect it. This is a pet peeve of mine because I don't like unnecessary software. The AWCC app mainly just gives you access to Dolby Atmos, but not much else.
COMPATIBILITY
Since Alienware provided three different options for connection -- Bluetooth, 2.4 Ghz receiver, and wired, these headphones will work with nearly any type of device. I personally used them with my iPhone, iPad, Red Magic Gaming tablet, and PlayStation 5. I didn't have any connection issues.
Since Alienware provided three different options for connection -- Bluetooth, 2.4 Ghz receiver, and wired, these headphones will work with nearly any type of device. I personally used them with my iPhone, iPad, Red Magic Gaming tablet, and PlayStation 5. I didn't have any connection issues.
Overall, the Alienware headset has been a solid addition to my gaming setup. The comfort, ANC, and sound quality have all exceeded my expectations, making it a great option for both gaming and everyday use. While the lack of sidetone and the reliance on software for certain features were minor drawbacks, they didn’t overshadow the overall performance. With strong compatibility and multiple connection options, this headset is a versatile choice for gamers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Join the millions who love and trust ecobee products with our most affordable thermostat yet: Smart Thermostat Essential. It saves you up to 23%* on your energy bills and is so efficient that it pays for itself in just six months. You'll love how easy it is to use and control, and with effortless installation, you can set it and forget it. *Compared to a hold of 72°F
Customer Rating
5
An essential part of any home
on March 8, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
I've been a fan of Ecobee Thermostats for many years. I thought the Essential would be a nice update to my older unit. Overall, it's been a very reliable smart device and I would recommend it to others.
Design
The Ecobee Essential is a smaller thermostat, but it's got a sleek, modern design. It's all white and the body of it is made with plastic. The touchscreen is clear and easy to read and it's also very responsive. I like the fact that the screen is black while everything else is white. It's a nice contrast.
The Ecobee Essential is a smaller thermostat, but it's got a sleek, modern design. It's all white and the body of it is made with plastic. The touchscreen is clear and easy to read and it's also very responsive. I like the fact that the screen is black while everything else is white. It's a nice contrast.
Installation
Ecobee makes the installation as easy as possible by including a step-by-step Installation guide in the app. The most important step of the process is to make sure your wires are labeled correctly before you remove them from your existing thermostat. I would also add that you should make sure to cut the power to your furnace before starting. You probably wouldn't have to worry about shocking yourself, but you might blow a fuse if the wires touch. I bring this up because this is what happened in my case. I neglected to turn off the breaker to the furnace before starting and as a result I was left without the use of my furnace for a night. Fortunately, my HVAC repairman was able to get things up and running again. They helped me finish getting the Ecobee installed and ensured that my furnace was operating normally.
Ecobee makes the installation as easy as possible by including a step-by-step Installation guide in the app. The most important step of the process is to make sure your wires are labeled correctly before you remove them from your existing thermostat. I would also add that you should make sure to cut the power to your furnace before starting. You probably wouldn't have to worry about shocking yourself, but you might blow a fuse if the wires touch. I bring this up because this is what happened in my case. I neglected to turn off the breaker to the furnace before starting and as a result I was left without the use of my furnace for a night. Fortunately, my HVAC repairman was able to get things up and running again. They helped me finish getting the Ecobee installed and ensured that my furnace was operating normally.
App Setup
The app is very easy to navigate. Once you have the thermostat physically installed, the app gets it connected to your WiFi and your smart assistant if you want to go that route. I connected it to Apple Home with no problems. The Ecobee is a great addition to any home. It really helps to automate heating and air control in your home.
The app is very easy to navigate. Once you have the thermostat physically installed, the app gets it connected to your WiFi and your smart assistant if you want to go that route. I connected it to Apple Home with no problems. The Ecobee is a great addition to any home. It really helps to automate heating and air control in your home.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e delivers fast color printing, 500-sheet paper capacity, and handles files up to 11x17". It includes wireless and printer security capabilities to keep your multifunction printer up to date and secure, and is the world's only wide-format printer with P3 Color¹.
Customer Rating
4
Easy to use, high-quality printer
on March 6, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
This printer a solid, reliable, feature-packed business unit. I classify it as 'business' simply because of its size. It is enormous physically. This and the price of the ink are the only two negatives about it. It's easy to set up and the print quality is amazing. Here are some addition details about my experience.
SIZE
So this is not your average printer. I was coming from an Epson WorkForce Pro, so I was somewhat prepared for the size since the two are physically very similar in size, but the HP printer feels quite a bit larger since it's more horizontally oriented than vertically. This HP printer is designed to handle large format scans and prints (up to 11 x 17), which explains the size. I recommend making sure you have adequate space before considering this printer. It's worth it when it comes to the product it produces, but just be sure you have the space for it.
So this is not your average printer. I was coming from an Epson WorkForce Pro, so I was somewhat prepared for the size since the two are physically very similar in size, but the HP printer feels quite a bit larger since it's more horizontally oriented than vertically. This HP printer is designed to handle large format scans and prints (up to 11 x 17), which explains the size. I recommend making sure you have adequate space before considering this printer. It's worth it when it comes to the product it produces, but just be sure you have the space for it.
SETUP
The 9730e has a very straightforward setup process. Once you get it out of the packaging (blue tape and foam), connect it to power, and WiFi, the printer walks you through the rest of the setup on its touchscreen display. Getting the printer out of the box is actually somewhat easy despite its size because a bag with handles is included in the box so you can lift it out. The process to get to printing can take a little bit of time, but a lot of that time is actually idle for the user and just the printer running through its processes.
The 9730e has a very straightforward setup process. Once you get it out of the packaging (blue tape and foam), connect it to power, and WiFi, the printer walks you through the rest of the setup on its touchscreen display. Getting the printer out of the box is actually somewhat easy despite its size because a bag with handles is included in the box so you can lift it out. The process to get to printing can take a little bit of time, but a lot of that time is actually idle for the user and just the printer running through its processes.
FEATURES
A few of the things I really liked were:
- The Touchscreen Display is very responsive and easy to read. The menu is set up in a way that is easy to navigate. I didn't have any issues connecting to WiFi.
- The inclusion of Dual Trays makes it possible to have two different types of paper available at one time. You can easily change between paper sizes or even colors.
- Wireless Printing worked easily and flawlessly -- even with my iPhone.
A few of the things I really liked were:
- The Touchscreen Display is very responsive and easy to read. The menu is set up in a way that is easy to navigate. I didn't have any issues connecting to WiFi.
- The inclusion of Dual Trays makes it possible to have two different types of paper available at one time. You can easily change between paper sizes or even colors.
- Wireless Printing worked easily and flawlessly -- even with my iPhone.
INK COSTS
The main downside, as with many HP printers, is the ink cost. HP’s proprietary cartridges are pricey, and if you're printing a lot of color documents, it adds up fast. If you're running a small business, this is something to factor into your operating expenses. There is a service you can subscribe to and have discounted ink delivered directly to you from HP, but a monthly fee applies.
The main downside, as with many HP printers, is the ink cost. HP’s proprietary cartridges are pricey, and if you're printing a lot of color documents, it adds up fast. If you're running a small business, this is something to factor into your operating expenses. There is a service you can subscribe to and have discounted ink delivered directly to you from HP, but a monthly fee applies.
Overall, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is a solid, reliable, feature-packed business printer that delivers excellent results. While its large size and expensive ink costs are worth considering before purchase, these are really the only drawbacks I’ve experienced. In return, you get a high-quality, wide-format printer that’s easy to set up, simple to operate, and packed with thoughtful features like a responsive touchscreen, dual paper trays, and seamless wireless printing—even from mobile devices.
If you have the space for it and are prepared for the ongoing ink investment, the 9730e is an outstanding option for small businesses or anyone needing professional-level prints and scans right from their home or office.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Vankyo - Performance V700 Pro Native 1080P Wireless Smart WebOS Single LCD Portable Projector - Gray
Experience the brilliance of the Vankyo Performance V700 Pro wireless smart WebOS portable projector delivering a full HD 1080P picture that can project up to 200". Featuring 680 lumens and 1500:1 contrast ratio for vivid color and a sharp image. Enhanced features include keystone adjustment, eliminating the need for manual tweaks during use and guaranteeing flawless display quality. Featuring DolbyAudio surround sound and dual 8W speakers for a truly amazing viewing experience. And, with Smart WebOS included, you can tune into all your favorite streaming channels, including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime and more.
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic Streaming Machine
on February 26, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
This projector is amazing. I have used several different projectors before but never one with a smart streaming system built in. What’s great about this one is that you have the option to connect external devices to it, but you don’t have to in order to use its main viewing features. Since this projector connects to WiFi and has a smart OS built-in, you can connect to various apps and streaming services without the need for an external device. This is a remarkable entertainment machine. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.
Setup
Within 5 minutes, I had this projector up and running. It comes with an HDMI cable and a power cable and adapter. Once you have it plugged in, you simply tap the power button and the lamp fires up. The first thing you are instructed to do is to connect the Bluetooth remote. Once you do, you connect it to your WiFi network and then you walk through the various permissions. Finally, you get to the services screen. Here you can select YouTube, Netflix, Plex and other streaming services. For me, this was a very smooth process. As soon as I connected to our WiFi network, I was able watch videos on YouTube with no issues.
Audio and Video Quality
This projector provides a very bright, clear picture. Even though it’s a 1080P video resolution, it looks more like 4K when it’s projected on a wall. The lamp provides a very bright picture. Even though I was streaming YouTub videos, it looked very much like I was watching on my TV. I was very impressed and could easily use this to replace a TV in one of my rooms. This projector has built-in speakers that are quite loud and sound great. One other projectors I’ve used, I’ve had to connect external speakers because they just were loud enough. The speakers on this projector are clear and I actually had to turn the volume down.
Final Thoughts
This projector is an outstanding all-in-one entertainment device that combines convenience, quality, and versatility. With its built-in smart streaming system, seamless setup process, and impressive audio-visual performance, it delivers an experience that rivals traditional TVs. The ability to stream directly from apps without requiring an external device makes it incredibly user-friendly, while the bright, sharp picture and powerful speakers enhance the overall viewing experience. Whether you're using it for movies, gaming, or casual streaming, this projector is a fantastic choice that exceeds expectations.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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When you're at the top of your game and don't have time for sub-standard audio or missed connections, the EAH-AZ100 True Wireless earbuds are packed with advanced features for an unbeatable audio experience. With AI-powered spatial audio, the AZ100s automatically adapt the sound to your environment, offering immersive listening and crystal-clear calls, whether you're in a board meeting or ready to shoot your personal best. Dolby Atmos and head tracking make sound feel more lifelike, adjusting as you move your head—perfect for music and movies. Thanks to high-res sound and magnetic fluid drivers, you'll hear every detail with rich bass, smooth mids, and clear highs. The adaptive noise-cancelling feature adjusts to your surroundings, and the Voice Focus AI ensures your calls are always clear, even in noisy places. Plus, the 3-point multipoint connection lets you easily prioritize devices. Comfort is key, and these earbuds are 10% smaller and 16% lighter than the previous model, designed to fit perfectly in your ears for all-day comfort. Despite their compact size, they offer up to 10 hours of playback with noise cancellation and up to 28 hours with the charging case. Whether you're listening to music, watching a movie, or making calls, these earbuds deliver premium sound and performance wherever you go!
Customer Rating
5
Exceptional sound and comfort from premium earbuds
on February 14, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve used many different types of headphones and typically earbuds are my least favorite. I was surprised when I tried on the Technics AZ100 headphones because they are super comfortable. They come with five sets of ear gels so that you can get the best fit for your ears. They are made with a soft silicone material, which adds to the comfort. The earbuds are designed so they fit almost completely in the ear canal. This helps with the sound quality, which is exceptional.
Getting the headphones set up is easy. There is a QR code included on the wrapper that covers the charging case. This leads you to a walk-through on the Technics website and directs you to download their app. From there, the app takes you through connecting the earbuds to your device. It’s a standard Bluetooth connection and I didn’t experience any issues with that connection once it was made.
The noise cancelling feature is very strong. When I first got the headphones connected, they were already in noise-cancelling mode so I turned it off so I could experience how much ambient noise was being muted. I was very impressed with how well the noise-canceling feature worked. While I had ANC turned off, I started listening to a movie soundtrack. It sounded good, but I thought it was also a little hollow. So, I turned on the Ambient Noise Cancelling setting (Transparency mode) and then the sound equalizer to Dynamic. And, wow! That really punched up the depth of sound with those tracks.
Overall, these earbuds are fantastic. They do have a premium price tag, but they are worth it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take your creations to new heights with HMD Skyline. Its cameras are packing tricks to help your shots really take off. Most of us know the feeling of dropping a phone and cracking the screen. With HMD Skyline, it’s not that big of a deal. Its Gen2 repairability basically means that you can just pop off the back cover and you’re in. Then removing the screws and replacing the screen in a breeze after that. Best of all, the phone looks like it comes from a catwalk and not a factory floor. We can’t turn off all the background noise in your life. But help us help you with some of it. Activate the digital Detox Mode to disable the visibility to your social apps. Don’t worry, they’ll be there when you turn the mode off. Until then, enjoy some time in the real world. We’ve also added a touch more zen to the rest of your Android . The Balance Interface, has a few things moved around to make finding them easier. It even sounds more chill with alarms, notification sounds and ringtones that won’t have you jumping out of your skin. Make your phone more “you” with the Custom Button. You can set it up so that it does one thing when you hold it, and another thing when you double-press it. It’s your shortcut to your favorite game, navigating home, asking the AI-powered assistant of your choice weird questions, and more.
Customer Rating
5
An extremely capable, enjoyable phone to use
on January 27, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
The HMD Skyline is an impressive phone. There are three color variations — I got the Twisted Black version. It has a matte finish and it fits very nicely in the hand. The phone is very well-made and doesn’t feel like it would easily break. It seems very sturdy and I was happy to find that it was compatible with magnetic charging and the form of the phone was just very nice in general. Plus, it seems to stay cool even after longer periods of use.
The screen is very bright and I could read text easily. The first thing I did when I got it was connect it to my WiFi network and start updates. The updates took about ten minutes and then I was able to log into my Google account and install my SIM card.
I wasn’t very familiar with this phone brand before getting the Skyline, but I’m beyond impressed with its performance. I was able to play Call of Duty: Mobile on it with no issues and the 144Hz screen made it that much more enjoyable.
One of the other things I like about this phone is that it’s an Android, but it’s a clean Android interface. There aren’t a bunch of brand app stacked on top of it.
The camera was very easy to use and the photos I took looked amazing. I thought it was very responsive, which is something I have trouble with sometimes with other phones. It seemed to take good photos even in lower lighting.
The battery life seemed to be very strong. Out of the box, it was around 56% so one of the first things I did was charge it to 100%. After playing a few games, doing some basic tasks and taking some photos, the battery was down about 10%. It also seemed to charge very fast. After about 30 minutes of being plugged in through a USB-C cable, the phone gained about 30%.
The speakers on the phone seem loud and clear. When I was playing CODM, I didn’t have any issues with hearing the commands or prompts in the game. The speakers are very loud. I only had it turned up one notch and it seemed plenty loud to me.
For me, the 256GB is more than sufficient for my needs. While I do use this phone for gaming, the other things I use it for don’t take up much space. I try to keep my files and photos in the cloud. It would be nice if additional storage sizes were available since there is no SD card slot on this phone.
Overall, this seems like a great value for what you get. Some people might like to have the ‘flagship’ phones out there, but for most people’s uses, this would be ideal.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Future-proofs your smart home with blazing-fast tri-band connectivity up to 14000 Mbps with Multi-Link Operation and 4096-QAM.
Customer Rating
5
Solid Mesh System with Advanced Technology
on January 11, 2025
Posted by: nickcal
I have been fortunate enough to use several different mesh systems in my home. I’ve found them to be incredibly useful especially when it comes to ensuring all my smart devices get a strong WiFi signal. For the past couple of years, I’ve been using a premium wireless router designed for gaming and smart home management. It’s been great, but I thought this ASUS system would be a good step up from the single router setup.
The setup for this system is fairly straightforward. First, you unbox the units, their power cables, and the Ethernet cable. Then, you power all of the ZenWiFi units up in the same room. Once the units are connected, you can move them to your desired location, but they will connect best if you do it in the same room as your modem. Next, you will use the provided Ethernet cable (or one of your own) to connect the main unit to your ISP service. In my case, this was an AT&T Fiber Gateway. Once the LED turns solid blue, the ZenWiFi is ready for set up and you can connect to the app.
The three units that come in the box are essentially identical. There is a sticker on the main unit that reads, “Hi! I’m the Main Unit. Start with me.” While the ZenWiFi units are not enormous, they aren’t particularly small either. Mesh system units I’ve had in the past are much taller than the ASUS ZenWiFi units. The general aesthetic of the units is modern with a technological flare.
Once I got the system set up, the signal was very strong throughout our house. This system will reportedly cover more than 8000 square feet. Our house is around 1500 square feet, but I noticed that I had a very strong WiFi signal in our garage and even out into our yard. This was great because it meant that our outdoor lights and cameras didn’t have to struggle to maintain a connection to our home network.
As far as speed goes, I was getting between 700 - 900 MB/s consistently throughout the house. The service we have only provides up to 1Gig so even though the ZenWiFi system can support 2.5Gig service, 1Gig was the max we could get. Overall, I think this is a good system for someone who wants a mesh network. It has a lot of advanced features through the app and it’s easy to maintain.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Mophie Juice Pack provides extended power, capacity, and enhanced 6-foot drop protection for your iPhone. This protective case contains an internal, rechargeable battery that sends power directly to your iPhone with the push of a button. The juice pack can provide your iPhone with up to an extra 50% battery life. So, at the end of a long day, you never have to worry about sending a text, ordering a ride, or finding out where everybody’s meeting. Juice Pack has a slim, lightweight design that slips easily in your pocket and won’t weigh you down.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect companion for the iPhone
on December 26, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve been a fan of Mophie Juice Packs for many years. I always prefer for any type of phone case have a secondary use and the Juice Pack is the ideal travel companion for the iPhone. The case pulls apart in two pieces (top and bottom) and the phone slides into it. There is a 4-LED power indicator on the back of the case that shows the battery level of the case and when the case is in charge mode for the phone.
To activate it for phone charging the user should press and hold the button next to the LEDs until it blinks. The phone will either chime or vibrate (depending on the mode you have it set to) to indicate that it’s charging. The case provides pass-through charging so the phone will charge first when the case is plugged into a power source.
One of the things I was most excited about was the fact that Mophie built in am integrated passive magnet so that it will work with MagSafe accessories. It does not do MagSafe or wireless charging, but it will work with accessories like wallets, stands, or grips. The magnet is very strong. I have a grip attached to it currently and it does not come off easily. Another feature that is remarkable is that the case is super lightweight. When I got the box I thought it was empty because previous models of the Juice Pack have been much heavier. Mophie has done a great job of making the battery case as slim as possible.
The only issue I really had was trying to get the case to come apart without the phone in it. When the phone is in it, it separates with just a little tug. But for some reason without the phone in it, it’s harder to get it to detach from itself. This could be an inconvenience for some users who might be in a hurry.
Overall, the Mophie Juice Pack has been a fantastic companion to my iPhone. Its lightweight design, integrated magnet, and reliable charging make it an excellent choice for those who need extra battery power without compromising on portability.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Discover the magic of Meta Quest 3S and get ready to experience your favorite apps in a totally new way. The possibilities are endless when you can blend digital content into your physical space. Watch movies and shows on a vibrant screen that turns any room of your house into a giant theater. Bring games to life in your living room, or step right into the action with full immersion. Hang out with friends from anywhere, but feel like you’re in the same place, watching a concert or meeting up in Meta Horizon. Wireless and light, enjoy out-of-this-world workouts with Quest 3S that make fitness fun. With unreal experiences at an unreal price, where will you begin? See child safety guidance online; Accounts for 10+.
Customer Rating
5
Lots of fun to use - could use better battery life
on December 9, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve been a virtual reality/augmented reality device user for a few years now. I’ve tried out previous versions of the Meta Quest (when it was Oculus) and other device brands as well. I think the Meta Quest 3S has come a long way since its early days. Here are my thoughts on it.
Comfort: Overall, the Meta Quest 3S was comfortable to wear. The adjustable head strap made it possible for me to wear it without it feeling insecure. It is heavy but it’s not so heavy that you can’t get used to it. I found the eye guard was cushioned enough to provide comfort but there was a gap at the bottom of the goggles for me to see light. It wasn’t distracting, but it also wasn’t a tight seal.
Adjustability for Eyesight: One of the first things you are directed to do is to adjust the lenses to the left or right in order for your eyes to focus better. What I found was that they incrementally adjust. There were three steps — all the way to the outside, center, and past center. There were no in-between areas, which was a little frustrating because I felt like my eyes were compensating a lot for what the device couldn’t do. You can wear your glasses with this headset or get prescription lenses but I do wish adjustments for eyesight was a bit more precise.
Setup: Setting up the Meta Quest 3S was easy enough. I had to make sure it was charged, connect it to the internet and then use my phone to connect to a Meta account. I thought this step was a little odd since the headset connects to the Internet. I did have to run updates and walk through the tutorials before I could experience the Meta world, but none of this took very long and I didn’t experience any hiccups along the way.
Battery Life: When I used the headset for the first time, it had about 48% battery to it. I noticed that after watching some 360-degree videos and playing one of the included games, that the battery level was in the low 30s. Then I loaded up Batman: Arkham Shadow. I only played for about 5 minutes when I got a low battery warning. I was shocked how quickly the battery drained simply by playing that game.
Motion Sickness: While I’m rarely bothered by in-game or virtual reality motion, my fiancé is. She has tried other virtual and augmented reality devices and can only use them for a limited amount of time before she gets queasy. She was willing to try out the Meta Quest 3S to see how it compared to other devices and she was having a great time with it until she played Batman. She was very excited about playing that game, but after only playing a short while, she had to remove the headset and go to bed. She didn’t have any issues until she played that game. Immersive videos were fine and even the First Encounters game was enjoyable.
Performance: It seemed as though the headset worked well. I didn’t notice any major performance issues or overheating. Gameplay was smooth and it felt like walking through apps like YouTube and other entertainment apps was easy to navigate. It definitely feels like this is designed for entertainment while some other similar devices have more productivity-driven performance in mind.
The Meta Quest 3S is a great device for someone who enjoys virtual reality entertainment.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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