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- Review count328
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- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewAugust 20, 2025
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Send voice-activated commands via the built-in Google Assistant of this Sony Bluetooth portable speaker. Its EXTRA BASS and LIVE SOUND modes deliver powerful audio, and the multicolored lights and flashing strobe create a party ambiance. This Sony Bluetooth portable speaker resists splashes and dust for durable outdoor use, and the 16-hour battery life provides extended listening time.
Customer Rating
4
An impressive speaker with some questionable desig
on October 16, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I don’t remember my first Bluetooth speaker, but I do know that since I was introduced to them, I’ve been obsessed. I love having the ability to essentially have a boombox with you everywhere you go. Some speakers are much more advanced than others and can act as charging docks and some even have built-in digital voice assistants like the more recent one I’ve tested, the Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker.
The packaging of the speaker was well designed. It’s brightly colored and represents the product well. Some basic details are included on the box and there are quite a bit of styrofoam pieces made to form around the speaker. The speaker is shipped with a power cable and manuals. It’s a fairly self-contained system and very easily transported.
Setting up the speaker is very easy, but it does require that you set up the Google Assistant before you use the other features of the speaker like connecting to it via Bluetooth. I found this to be a little off-putting because I’d like to have been able to just connect via Bluetooth without the hassle of connecting the speaker to my Google account. I like having that option, but I think that the speaker’s standard features should be autonomous from the Google Assistant. (Instructions read: After the Wi-Fi setup is complete, press and hold the (BLUETOOTH)/ PAIRING button for about 3 seconds.)
Aside from the Google Assistant getting in the way of basic functionality, the Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker is a great speaker. I love the size of i, especially for group events. It’s really easy to carry from place to place thanks to the hefty handle on the back of the speaker. The buttons on the top of the speaker include the power button, play/pause button, Link indicator, Charge indicator, volume buttons, microphone button, battery button, lighting button, and various other indicator lights. After you complete the initial set-up, the speaker connects automatically when it’s powered on.
The sound quality of the speaker is incredible. The EXTRA BASS really makes everything punchy and deep. I listened to several different styles of music and thought it was also improved by pushing it through the Sony Speaker. I also watched some movies and TV shows to get a feel for how the dialogue would come through and found that everything sounded right. The mix was even and no sound effects were lost by using the speaker.
In order to get full use of this speaker you have to download not one, but two apps — the Google Home app and the Sony Music Center app. The Google Home app gives you connection to the Google Assistant while the Sony Music Center app gives you control over the fine tuning features of the speaker. I would love to see them condensed into one app. That said, I really like the Sony Music App. You have control of the lighting effects and can actually power down the speaker from the app. This is a great feature to have with this type of speaker.
The Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker is a pricey investment at $300 but worth it since it provides such a high-quality sound and includes a built-in Google Assistant. I do wish that Sony could find a way to include the Google Home app into their Music Center app and I wish they could also find a way to make the Google Assistant feature separate from the other speaker functions. That said, I think the sound quality that the speaker provides outweighs all the unfortunate features that I disagreed with.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Personalize your video game streaming workflow with this Elgato Stream Deck mini interface. Six programmable one-touch LCD keys provide quick access to your favorite apps and functions, and its Multi Actions feature lets you program multiple tasks to a single key. Assign ready-made icons or design your own to further customize this Elgato Stream Deck mini interface.
Customer Rating
5
Not just for gamers, but a gamers best friend
on October 8, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’m always trying to find ways to make my workflow more functional. Not too long ago, Elgato introduced the Stream Deck programmable broadcasting tool. It’s a panel of buttons that are completely customizable. The full-size Stream Deck has 15 buttons on it, which was a bit much for my set-up. I like to keep things on the minimal size to conserve desk space. Fortunately for me, Elgato released the Stream Deck Mini recently which is perfect for my set-up.
I have a love—hate relationship with the packaging for the Stream Deck Mini. First, it is branded well and you can easily see what the product is supposed to be. There is quite a bit of information includes on the box so many questions will be answered right from the writing on the box. That said, it’s a lot of box for such a little device. The box is about 10 inches tall and the Stream Deck Mini device is only 3.3 x 2.4 x 2.3 inches in size. The only items in the box are the Stream Deck Mini with its attached cable and a quick start guide. Even though I’m not what I would consider an ‘environmentalist’, I do appreciate packing that is minimal and not wasteful. I would love to see Elgato rethink their packaging for this product.
Moving on, the Stream Deck Mini is an incredible little device. The first step to its set-up process is to download the Stream Deck app for your operating system. For me, it is for Mac and it appears as a menu bar utility. After you’ve downloaded the app, you can connect the Stream Deck Mini to your computer using the attached USB cable. At this point, you can launch the app and start customizing the buttons. To get started, you simply drag actions from the panel on the right side of the screen to the desired keys on the left. The LCD within the buttons can be programmed in any way you wish. You can choose to create your own icons or configure graphics using Elgato’s web interface. One thing I was a little concerned about was the amount of customization I could achieve with this smaller interface. As it turns out, there are limitless possibilities with the Stream Deck Mini since you can create folders for keys. You can literally nest folders inside folders and have a huge library of commands on the tiny deck of buttons.
So far, the Stream Deck Mini has performed flawlessly. I love being able to tap a single button and have these locations open with no other interaction. The only downside is that the programming is tied to the computer it’s connected to. If I move the Stream Deck to a different machine, I will have to reprogram it there. I do wish that the deck had onboard storage to accommodate for saved preferences, but that is really the only issue I have with the device.
I absolutely love having the Stream Deck Mini be apart of my work ecosystem. It’s a magical little device that makes my life a lot easier. I’m looking forward to using it more and more as time goes on and can’t wait to see what it does for my productivity. I can recommend it to anyone looking to make their workflow more concise or for broadcasters who want a simple way to add a switcher to their system. It is well worth the cost in my opinion.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Master your domain with this Honeywell smart home security starter kit. Motion sensors facilitate automatic recording when activity is detected at your chosen point of entry, and built-in Amazon Alexa functionality ensures convenient voice controls. This Honeywell smart home security starter kit has 24-hour cloud storage so you can review footage from anywhere.
Customer Rating
4
a nice DIY security system
on September 18, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve had the opportunity to work with lots of different home security set-ups. Some of them are just simple cameras and other include motion sensors for windows. I’ve tried to make my home as secure as possible with the aide of smart devices and connected apps. Since I’ve had a lot of experience with home security systems, I was excited to test out the new Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit. The starter kit is made up of: a camera base station with Amazon Alexa built-in, remote control key fob, two access sensors for windows and doors, mobile app with video and alerts.
The Camera Base Station features a 2MP HD camera with 1080p image sensor, 147º wide-angle view, night vision, and motion detection. Audio is captured using a 5W omnidirectional speaker and 3 microphone arrays and 2-way audio and an 85dB alarm are also included on the camera base station. The base station is the brain for the rest of the system. Any motion detected from the sensors are filtered through the base station, which sends the notifications to your phone. It connects to devices through Z-Wave.
One of the unique features of the Honeywell system is facial recognition and scheduling. You can program the camera to recognize certain faces and when they should be appearing. For example, if your child gets home from school the same time every day, you can tell the camera to notice that time and face as ‘safe’. That way when they arrive at home when you are gone, the system doesn’t alert you to potential invaders. On the other hand, if your child comes home from school with a friend, the camera will see that person as a foreign face and send an alert to your phone.
Setting up the system is pretty painless. First you download the Honeywell Home app. One of the things I noticed right away was that the app will ask for access to your HomeKit data if you are using an iOs device. This is because the app controls all of Honeywell’s smart home products — some of which are HomeKit compatible. The Smart Home Security Starter Kit is not compatible with HomeKit, but it will connect with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Once you have the app downloaded and your account set-up, you connect the camera base by showing it a QR code generated in the app. This is the easiest way I’ve experienced to connect a smart device to an app. This process took a total of about 2 minutes. The door/window sensors are installed with the help of 3M tape. These are quite a bit larger than some other sensors I’ve used, but their battery is supposed to last up to 4 years without needing to change the batteries. The key fob can set the alarm system to one of its four modes — Home, Away, Night, and Off. This is a big convenience when you don’t want to pull your phone out of your bag or pocket when you’ve already got your keys out.
Once I had the system set-up, I found that it worked pretty well. I had the camera set up in my living room and I was constantly getting notifications for movement. The door/window sensors also worked well although I did notice that when the door sensor was tripped, I had approximately 30 seconds to disarm the system, while the window sensor caused the alarm to immediately sound. I also thought that the camera provided a very clear image and video captured from the motion that was caught by the camera. I love being able arm the system by telling the voice assistant to do it. It’s a very easy way to make sure your system is ready for any unwelcome guests.
My final opinion is that it’s a great do-it-yourself security system but it’s a bit pricey at $450 for the starter kit. I can recommend the system based on its ease of use and successful testing.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take music wherever you go with this Marshall Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker. It produces clear midrange sound with deep, powerful bass, and it provides 20 hours of playtime on a single charge, so you can listen to playlists all day. This Marshall Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker has a solid metal grille for durability.
Customer Rating
5
Totally impressive speaker
on September 3, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
These days, Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes. I recently had the chance to try out the Marshall Kilburn II Portable Stereo Loudspeaker, which is an exceptional option for music and other audio listening. The speaker has the look and feel of a small amplifier and in a sense, that’s what it is. Out of the box, it will have some charge (mine was at 75% battery capacity) and will be ready to use. Pairing the speaker is very easy, but unlike some other Bluetooth speakers, the Kilburn II has to be put into pairing mode rather than automatically being able to pair with a device. There are three knobs on the top of the speaker that control the power for the speaker, adjust the volume, as well as the treble and bass. When you turn the speaker on for the first time, you will need to press/hold the Bluetooth button to enter pairing mode. I was able to connect within a few seconds using an iPhone 7. The speaker comes in a really nice package. The speaker itself sits between two pieces of cardboard cushion and has a quick start guide and power cord accompanying it. In addition to Bluetooth, you can also connect to the speaker with a 3.5mm auxiliary cable.
It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to Bluetooth speakers. I’ve used so many of them at this point, that sometimes they just blend together. The Kilburn II is definitely a stand out to me. While it may not be quite a portable as some other speakers, it is easy to carry around because of its leather handle. The speaker is incredibly loud and I was very happy to find that it’s a ‘true’ amplifier speaker for connected devices. What I mean by this is you can turn the volume up on the connected device and then the volume from the speaker adds to it. I also love that you have the ability to adjust bass and treble from the speaker as well. One of the only drawbacks to the Kilburn II is that there are no local playback controls. This would be a major con for some people, but it doesn’t bother me too much.
I tested the quality and volume of this speaker out with many different types of music. I chose tracks with the specific purpose of testing different types of sounds. One of the tracks that was most surprising was “Believe” by Yellowcard. The beginning of the song starts with a violin solo. Depending on how I listen to the track, that part can sound muddled. The Marshall Kilburn II has such gorgeous sound quality that it made the violin solo sound crisp and clean. Bass depth was also very impressive.
Given the superior sound quality, impressive max volume, long battery life, and portability, this speaker is ideal for outdoor gatherings. I can recommend this for any type of user.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bring vibrant sound to your outdoor entertainment area with this Sonance outdoor streaming music system. A magnetic-mount audio keypad gives you a central command station for controlling playlists and volume, while Wi-Fi connectivity means you can use your home's internet connection to stream content. Featuring powerful speakers, this Sonance outdoor streaming music system delivers clear audio quality for your listening enjoyment.
Customer Rating
4
A definite upgrade for home entertainment
on August 20, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
A few years back, we invested a lot of time and energy in sprucing up our back patio area. We added a pergola, some inviting furniture, and a shiny new grill. Over the summer months, we usually have at least one get together with family and friends and we wanted a comfortable place for everyone to enjoy. As nice as our patio has become, we have been missing one valuable piece of technology — a speaker system. In the past, we would take single Bluetooth speakers outdoors for entertainment, but as our gatherings have grown, those just aren’t a viable option because the crowd overpowers the single speaker. So, we decided to add in a streaming system from Sonos and Sonance.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
This was my first experience with being a Sonos system owner and prior to this system, I had not been aware of Sonance as a brand. But, as I researched them and discovered that the entire system is part of the premium Magnolia brand family from Best Buy, I knew I was going to be happy with the quality that the system added to our home.
The first overall impression of the system was good. The Sonos/Sonance Outdoor System comes well packaged in a single box with each part individually boxed inside. The system consists of the Sonos Connect: Amp, Two (2) Sonance Mag O6 Outdoor Speakers, xPress Audio Keypad, mounting equipment for the speakers, a power cord for amp, and a flat ethernet cable should you want to directly connect your Connect:Amp to your internet modem, router, or switch. If you read carefully through that list, one thing you will notice is the absence of speaker wire, which is required to connect the speakers to the Sonos amp. You will have to provide that outside of this packaged kit.
SET-UP
Overall, the system is not difficult to set-up. Getting started, you will want to select the places you want to mount the speakers paying close attention to their proximity to the amp and your selected length of speaker wire. You want to keep in mind that while the speakers are weather resistant, the Sonos Connect:Amp is not. It will need to be placed somewhere out of harm’s way. Once you’ve selected the proper location for your speakers and amp, you can mount the brackets provided with the speakers. For me, I mounted them into our wooden siding with little problems.
After they are secured, you can snap the speakers into place, but you will want to make sure to run the speaker wire through the speaker first. The speakers have a spring clamp located on the front of the speaker. You attached the wire to the clamps and then run it through a channel at the bottom of the speaker and out the back through a rubber grommet. This seal keeps the speakers weather resistant. Hanging the speakers isn’t difficult, but they aren’t particularly light so it can be a bit awkward. I was able to use my shoulder to brace the speaker while I slid it into the bracket. When I heard the ‘click’, I knew they were locked in. At this point, you will run the speaker wire to your amp. You may choose to tack the wire up against your house (this was my choice) or run it through a wall. Again, this step isn’t ‘hard’ per se, but it’s time-consuming.
The Sonos Connect:Amp is the ‘brain’ of the entire system. To get started, you will connect the speaker wire to the back of the unit and plug it into power. You need to download the Sonos app and follow the in-app set-up steps provided. The amp should automatically connect to WiFi (if available) during the app set-up. Sonos includes connection to a variety of streaming services (Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody, Spotify, SiriusXM, etc.) so that you don’t have to connect your mobile phone or computer in order to have those services. The final step in the set-up is connecting to the remote. The xPlay Audio Keypad is connected to the system through WiFi and will allow you to pause, play, and skip songs as well as adjust the volume remotely. The xPlay app for the keypad is separate from the Sonos app. So, you will be downloading two apps for one system. One thing to note here - the keypad that accompanies the system can only be controlled with an app that is only available for iOS devices. Since Apple is the main brand I use for mobile devices, this wasn’t a big problem for me. Both Android and iOS users can enjoy the Sonos app and control your music, but only iOS users can use the remote.
SOUND QUALITY
I’ve been incredibly impressed with the quality of the sound this system produces. It has a wonderful even tone for music that is rich with highs and lows and even those who are hard of hearing thought all the audio was crisp and clear coming from the speakers. Even though I don’t consider myself an ‘audiophile’, I do appreciate good quality sound and the Sonance speakers push it out well. While the bass was nice and smooth, the addition of a subwoofer to this set-up might provide extra depth, but if you are using them outside, that might be difficult to add in. I didn’t notice and distortion even when we cranked up the volume quite high. While we didn’t receive any complaints from the neighbors, the speakers are LOUD. Our backyard is about 25 yards deep and someone at the back of the yard had no problems hearing the music played on the patio.
I’ve been incredibly impressed with the quality of the sound this system produces. It has a wonderful even tone for music that is rich with highs and lows and even those who are hard of hearing thought all the audio was crisp and clear coming from the speakers. Even though I don’t consider myself an ‘audiophile’, I do appreciate good quality sound and the Sonance speakers push it out well. While the bass was nice and smooth, the addition of a subwoofer to this set-up might provide extra depth, but if you are using them outside, that might be difficult to add in. I didn’t notice and distortion even when we cranked up the volume quite high. While we didn’t receive any complaints from the neighbors, the speakers are LOUD. Our backyard is about 25 yards deep and someone at the back of the yard had no problems hearing the music played on the patio.
NOT A WIRELESS SYSTEM
As I mentioned above, the kit is devoid of speaker wire. This is an essential part of this system as it’s NOT a wireless system. Even though the description of the product does not spell out ‘Bluetooth’ or ‘Wireless’ system, it does describe the set as “Sonos & Sonance - Outdoor Speaker Streaming Audio Bundle with xPress Audio Keypad”. The ‘streaming’ part is misleading somewhat to anyone who doesn’t pay close enough attention to the rest of the specs of the system. Even though I had done my research, I was surprised to find that speaker wire was required and not included. When you look over the description of the product, it does not state that speaker wire is included with the bundle and the word ‘wired’ is no where to be found. So, at first glance with the product name indicating a streaming system, I could see how someone might think it’s a wireless system. The only wireless part to this system is the WiFi connection from the Sonos Connect: Amp, but even then you could hard wire it to your internet using the provided ethernet cable. Honestly, I was disappointed to find that so much wiring was involved in a system like this.
MISSING WIRING
Another thing I didn’t like about this system is that speaker wire isn’t included. I feel that with any product if a part is essential to its operation, it should be included with the product. Without the speaker wire, this system doesn’t work. In addition to that, it’s an annoyance to bring home this system to find you have to go back to the store for a lot of wiring to run from outside to inside where the amp will be located. You do have the option of setting these up indoors, but since we specifically wanted them for our patio, it was a disappointment to find a part missing from the installation kit.
CONCLUSION
The quality of the pieces of this system is undeniable, I just question the missing speaker wire and product description. We are very happy with the ease of set-up (once we had all the essential parts) and how the system sounds. If you go into this system with the knowledge that you will have time and additional money invested, then you will be happy with it. Audiophiles won’t be disappointed with the quality of sound produced and it’s definitely an upgrade for home entertaining.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience lag-free, immersive audio with this wireless Plantronics gaming headset. It has support for lifelike Dolby Atmos sound, and the sound-isolating ear cups and noise-canceling microphone keep your focus on the game. This lightweight Plantronics gaming headset has a 24-hour battery life and convenient analog adjustments for custom game audio settings.
Customer Rating
3
Headset falls short of expectations
on August 17, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve always been big into console gaming. But I like to play loud games later in the evening so I typically use a set of headphones to enjoy my play time. I hate wires and as a result, I seek out wireless gaming headsets to complete my set-up. I’ve had the same set for a few years now and am looking to upgrade so when I saw that Plantronics, a brand I’ve liked for a long time, had a gaming headset with Dolby Atmos included as a feature, I took a chance and tried them out.
The headphones come in a heavily branded box with an image of the product on the front. The details that are printed on the box show that the headphones should have a 24-hour battery, provide immersive 3D sound, and work with either a PC/Laptop or Xbox. The box actually indicates that the headphones should ‘only’ be used with a PC, but there is an activation code for the Dolby Atmos app for the Xbox.
Style: The Rig 880HD headphones have a fairly unique style to them. They look like other gaming headsets in size and form, but in my opinion, they look like ‘techie’ and like they belong on a military base. They are black with some gold accents. The headphones are quite heavy. I held them up with some other wireless headphones (non-gaming) and found them to be quite a bit heavier.
Set-Up: One of the first things I noticed about these headphones is that they don’t have a traditional adjustable headband. In order to move the earpieces to the proper place for you, you have to snap them out of the headband and replace them into the right slot. I’m not sure why Plantronics took this route to make these adjustable. There are only three levels to choose from rather than a sliding headband which allows you to fine-tune your adjustment. The inner band is elastic and flexes with the shape of your head, but it’s not the same as a fully adjustable headband.
The headphones are wireless and communicate to your system through a transmitter. That transmitter connects using USB-A and Optical cables. Plantronics does not include an optical cable for set-up. The optical cable is used for the audio signal while the USB connection is for powering the transmitter. The headphones automatically connect to it and I had no issues with a lost connection. One thing I would love to see incorporated into this set-up though is the ability to connect it to my laptop. My Xbox and desktop gaming machine had an optical connection, but my PC laptop does not. It would be nice to have an alternative hookup so that the headphones could be used with more systems.
The headphones’ controls are located on the right ear. There is a power switch, volume knob, analog dial for game/chat audio control, and an EQ preset button. The analog dial for the game vs. chat audio control was a nice choice. There is a notch in the dial that allows you to feel where the dial is resting so that you can precisely select the level of game and chat audio you want in your gaming experience. The volume knob is the exact opposite – you have no control over your volume level. The dial spins and spins and you have no idea what level you are on. It would be nice if it had a firm start and stop point. The other controls are easy to use.
Comfort: Despite the lack of adjustable fine-tuning available, the Rig 800HD were actually pretty comfortable to wear. The padding around the ears is very soft and even though this headset is a little on the heavy side, it didn’t cause any headaches for me.
Sound/Mic quality: The sound quality was just ‘ok’ for me. I could hear highs and lows just fine, which can be kind of tricky for me, but I had some issues with volume. Even when I thought that I was at 100% on the volume control, it just didn’t seem loud enough to me. I had some issues with the microphone when it came to gameplay. I was able to hear myself in the microphone when I tested it (I blew some air into the mic) but the chat icon never appeared in-game when I was talking.
The most unique feature these headphones have going for them is the incorporation of Dolby Atmos. I was very excited to try out this feature, but sadly, I was unable to. After I got the headphones set-up, I went to redeem the code provided with the headset in the Microsoft Store on the Xbox. I kept getting an error with the code (invalid code) and so I tried the free version of the app. I tested out the Atmos sound by looking up a Dolby Atmos demo on YouTube. While the surround sound was working accurately, it was missing that Atmos feel. I was never able to get it to work properly.
When I started having issues with these headphones I looked up other user reviews and found that a lot of people had the same issues I did. I’ve liked Plantronics as a brand for a long time. In fact, my first Bluetooth headset for my mobile phone was Plantronics. I had high hopes for this headset, but they feel short of my expectations. Even though they have above average sound quality, the other subpar features of the headphones weigh them down. I think for the right person, these might be the ideal set of headphones, but they’re not for me.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Work and play on this 13-inch convertible HP Envy notebook. It has a 360-degree hinge that takes it from laptop to tablet in moments, and 8GB of memory and an AMD Ryzen 5 processor keep it functioning smoothly. Corning Gorilla Glass ensures the screen of this HP Envy notebook remains free from scratches and dings.Learn more.
Customer Rating
4
Multi-purpose laptop with strong performance
on July 31, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Getting started with the HP Envy is very straightforward just like other HP laptops. It runs Windows 10 so all the start up functions run in the background while you watch a temperature bar fill the screen. After answering a few preference questions, the computer runs its start up operations. From start to finish – including updates – the HP Envy took approximately 10 minutes to finalize its start up. After that was completed, I noticed one thing right off the bat – the temperature of the computer. I used a Infrared Thermometer to take the surface temperature of the laptop in a few different places. I got readings between 104 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit. I also used an infrared camera (FLIR One) to take a few shots of the heat signature from the top and bottom of the computer. After taking those readings, I did notice that the heat dissipated quickly. After the initial set-up, I began doing my testing.
BASIC COMPUTING SKILLS
One of the main things I use computers (and laptops) for is to type. I do a lot of writing and therefore, how responsive a keyboard is to me and how it feels is very important to my overall experience with a laptop. I enjoy the fact that the screen is touch sensitive. That makes it easy to transition between tablet, phone, and computer. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to touch a screen on a laptop to only be disappointed that the screen isn't a touchscreen. Given that comfortable typing is a big feature for me, I usually complete an online typing test to see what my speed is like. I then compare that to my speed on my MacBook Pro. In this instance, typing on the HP Envy was much more efficient than it was on my MBP. I had a speed of 70WPM on the Envy and on the MBP, it was 65WPM. The keyboard is quite responsive and the keys have a softer feel to them. It's very quiet to type on the Envy and the spacing of the keys is comfortable.
CPU/GPU PERFORMANCE
The HP Envy has been running very smoothly. It's been very responsive and able to handle the tasks I've thrown at it. Given that this computer is mainly built for gaming and application performance, those are the main areas that I was testing when I was using the laptop. To measure the performance of the GPU and CPU, I used two benchmarking tools – Geekbench 4 and NovaBench.
Geekbench 4 Results
The HP Envy 360x ended up with a single-core score of 2264 and a multi-core score of 6698. It also returned an OpenCL score of 31731. According to other Geekbench 4 results, the top scoring machine with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor is 4782/17291. In this regard, the HP Envy is performing below the top performing machine. The OpenCL test looks specifically at how well the GPU performs. The HP Envy has an AMD Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics chipset with shared video memory. It's designed to provide solid image quality for Internet usage, movies, basic photo editing, and casual gaming. Looking at other AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPUs that have been tested on Geekbench, the average score is 33515. With that in mind, the HP Envy's GPU is performing a bit below the average.
NovaBench Results
NovaBench does a similar type of testing on your system but provides you with a different set of scores and analysis. The overall score of the HP Envy was 1090 and had a CPU score of 638 and GPU score of 203. I can’t say which test works better — they are just different.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE
According to the specs from HP, this laptop should work up to 10 hours (depending on the display panel that is installed). During my testing of this laptop, I tried to make note of how long the battery was lasting depending on the task being run at the time. When I first pulled the laptop out of its box, I placed it on charge for a big and then unplugged it as I started working with it. Starting with 81% battery, I noted that after about 3 hours, the battery had drained by 71%. At 10%, the computer gives you a warning about a low battery, so I plugged it into AC power at that point. During those 3 hours, I was running the tests I mentioned above and getting the computer set-up. I also began running Windows system updates. With this timing in mind, I think I can estimate an approximate battery life that will last a little over 4 hours if it's being vigorously used like I was doing.
HARD DRIVE SPEED
Finally, I wanted to test the hard drive's speed. This model of the HP Envy comes with 128GB PCIe SSD. According to the stress test I used (32GB), the top read/write speed of this SSD is 513/282 MB/s. This was a little disappointing considering that I did a test on a Razer Blade Stealth a few months ago and its read/write speeds with a 16GB stress test was 3153/1113 MB/s. It, too, had a PCI-e SSD.
ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE
The last two features I looked at with the HP Envy had to deal with how well the computer handled entertainment like streaming video and gaming. Using Netflix, I watched the introduction to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The movie opens with a vibrant color pallette, extrodinary special effects mixed with human actors, and an eclectic music soundtrack. This combination of elements makes it an awesome test for both the display and speaker set for the HP Envy. I was very impressed by how good the picture looked on the screen. It was immaculate. The audio was well-amplified and easy to understand so I would rate the speakers at 'above average' for a laptop.
In addition to the video trial, I also downloaded and played a few rounds of Sonic Dash. The game graphics held up very well and gameplay was smooth. Since this game is very fast-paced, I would expect that the HP Envy would hold up well with other types of gameplay, too.
CONCLUSION
The HP Envy is a wonderful multi-purpose laptop. It's above average for a standard performance laptop, but not up to par with 'gaming' laptops or custom builds. I would recommend this for users who are looking for one machine to accomplish many different tasks.
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Keep carpets fresh with this Rug Doctor Pro deep carpet cleaning machine. The clean and dirty water tanks are easy to remove, and powerful suction provides professional-level cleaning that surpasses ordinary rental carpet cleaners. The lightweight design and easy-grab handle of this Rug Doctor Pro deep carpet cleaning machine facilitate user-friendly cleaning.
Customer Rating
5
A marvelous cleaning machine with a simple set-up
on July 22, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
When it comes to cleaning the house, there are few things that can’t be done easily except ‘real’ carpet cleaning. You can vacuum and steam as much as you want, but when it comes to deep cleaning, there is only one product that can get the job done — Rug Doctor. In the past I’ve used the carpet shampooing machines to spot clean as well as sweep and entire room, but I’ve always had to use a rented machine from a grocery or hardware store. I’ve never invested in owning one, but given the numerous times I’ve had to spot clean carpets in our house by hand, it makes sense for me to own my own Rug Doctor. I chose the Pro Deep Canister Vacuum rather than one of Rug Doctor’s other models since I wanted to have the same type of cleaning experience as I did from the store rented units.
The Rug Doctor arrived in a very large box. It was heavy and awkward to move around. This made me concerned that the vacuum inside was going to be heavy and awkward as well. Since I’d never attempted to purchase one of these units before, I didn’t know what type of set-up was going to be required. I was very surprised to find that NO set-up or assembly was required. When I opened the box, the first thing I saw was the user manual and small bottle of shampoo, that Rug Doctor included.
I lifted the cardboard carton to find the vacuum sitting atop another cardboard carton completely ready to go. Even though I was concerned about the weight, I attempted to lift the unit out of the box without assistance and without tipping the box onto one side. Again, I was surprised at the weight. The unit still weighs around 35 pounds, but it’s not as heavy as I thought it would be given my previous experience with the rentals and how heavy the box seemed to be.
The Rug Doctor arrives in its “storage mode” with the main handle folded down. There is a carrying handle in the center of the unit that makes it easy to pick up and move without rolling it around. The main handle fold up and into a locked position with no problems. It actually locks into place without making a sound at all. I had to release it and make sure it was actually locked in place before continuing with the set-up process.
The next step is to release the lock on the clean water tank and fill it (to its fill line) with warm/hot water. The tank holds 1.5 gallons of water and the ratio of cleaning solution to water is supposed to be 3 ounces of solution to 1 gallon of water. For my first round of cleaning, I chose to fill the tank up three-quarters of the way to the fill line so that it would be the correct ratio with a full cap of solution. The lid to the clean water tank is actually a measuring cup for the solution. This was a very convenient option for measuring in my opinion.
After you have the water/solution in the clean water tank, you are ready to plug into power and start cleaning. The manual recommends using a 2-pass cleaning method (2 wet passes and 2 dry passes) to get started. So, that’s what I did. Now, aside from the weight of the rental units of the past, the other thing I remembered clearly about them was how loud they were. I was surprised again to find out that while the vacuum still makes a decent amount of noise, it’s not a deafening as the rental units.
I spent a few minutes cleaning a section of our living room (about 5x5) carpet. This particular section had two distinct spots left on it from daily use. One of them appeared to be a grease spot of some sort and the other was of unknown origins. The spots are the reason I focused on this particular area of our house for testing. After a few passes of the Rug Doctor, the spots were gone and the carpet appeared to be much cleaner. After about 1.5 hours, the carpet was still a bit damp. This is probably the most heavily trafficked area of our home and for many years, it’s where our dogs spent most of their time. With that in mind, the carpet has a unique odor to it. After the first cleaning, I would say that the standard cleaning solution (Rug Doctor offers different options of cleaners) removed about 40% of that odor. I’m hoping that with subsequent cleanings and by switching to the cleaner that is specifically for pet cleaning, the odor will be completely removed.
I simply adore this carpet cleaning machine and I’m thrilled to have it in my house. I love that I no longer have to go through the hassle of renting one of these deep cleaning monsters from the store and that anytime I need to really clean my carpets, I have a Rug Doctor within my grasp.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance the color saturation of your photos with this Platinum PT-MCCP77 circular polarizer lens filter that features a multicoated design to reduce internal lens flare and reflections. The included custom storage case allows easy portability.
Customer Rating
4
Good but a bit much
on July 7, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was going to the Ocean and needed a Polarizer to keep the glare from the water away. By the time I realized I needed one It was to late to order higher end glass. The price is a bit high in my opinion for the brand that it is but it did do a wonderful job.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Secure multiple storage cards with this Bower Sky Capture Series memory card case. The organized compartments let you store up to 12 SD cards, while the weather-resistant locking seal safeguards contents from the elements. This Bower Sky Capture Series memory card case features a rubber interior for shock absorption from impacts and a snap-in lock system to keep items in place.
Customer Rating
1
The hinge is horrible
on July 7, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
When I saw it inside the store it was inside of a tight plastic shell so I was not able to check it out before buying it. Being that it was made by Bower I thought it would be made well but boy was I wrong. Both the hinge and the clamp are made from cheap plastic and the first time I opened them a thin white line showed up.
It's hard to explain but when you take plastic and bend it back and forth enough times it turns white right before it breaks. This was ready to snap the very first day. The inside where the cards go is a nice rubber and seems like it would protect the cards very well. I really would have liked it if the hinge and clip were not made so horribly. I am needing a case that will hold both SD and CF Cards and this was the only one sold in store. I returned it promptly as this is not a good option.
It's hard to explain but when you take plastic and bend it back and forth enough times it turns white right before it breaks. This was ready to snap the very first day. The inside where the cards go is a nice rubber and seems like it would protect the cards very well. I really would have liked it if the hinge and clip were not made so horribly. I am needing a case that will hold both SD and CF Cards and this was the only one sold in store. I returned it promptly as this is not a good option.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not 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, 10 months 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.
9 years, 3 months ago
by
nickcal