Share nickcal's profile
 
Facebook Twitter
 
 
nickcal
 
 
 
nickcal's stats
 
  • Review count
    339
  • Helpfulness votes
    1,319
  • First review
    February 22, 2014
  • Last review
    December 17, 2025
  • Featured reviews
    0
  • Average rating
    4.7
 
Reviews comments
  • Review comment count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First review comment
    None
  • Last review comment
    None
  • Featured review comments
    0
 
Questions
  • Question count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First question
    None
  • Last question
    None
  • Featured questions
    0
 
  • Answer count
    4
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First answer
    May 23, 2016
  • Last answer
    September 7, 2020
  • Featured answers
    0
  • Best answers
    0
 
 
nickcal's Reviews
<< 1 ... 5 6 7 8 9 ... 34 >>
 
A perfect blend of form and function, the Lenovo IdeaCentre 3, powered by the latest Intel processors, has an ultra-compact design that fits seamlessly into any home. With blazing SSD storage and lightning-fast connectivity, you can connect, make, and share effortlessly with all your friends and family.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great PC for the right user
on June 4, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’m typically not a Windows person but I have been delving into the platform lately for gaming purposes and I’ve made an interesting hobby out of trying to make my PC machines as efficient as possible by eliminating bloatware from them. One of my favorite new machines has been the Lenovo Legion 9 gaming laptop. It’s powerful but the machine runs very efficiently — even before removing any programs from it. When I got this IdeaCentre mini tower, I was very excited to give it a whirl since I have a new found love of the Lenovo brand.
When I unboxed the tower, I was shocked to find such a small tower. It’s very space-efficient and could fit most places. I currently have it just sitting on my desktop and it doesn’t clutter up the space at all. The tower comes with a basic wired keyboard and mouse. They aren’t great, but they work. One thing I would suggest to anyone purchasing this computer is to upgrade these accessories to something that will last longer. In addition to the keyboard and mouse, the IdeaCentre comes with a power cable and some documentation. There are no other cables though. I had to use my own HDMI cable to connect it to my monitor.
After the computer updated and was up and running it only had 62 background processes running. There were 52 applications pre-installed including McAfee and Microsoft Office 365. Even if you decline the trial the applications are still installed on the machine. So that’s one of the first things I did — remove the unnecessary programs that I didn’t want.
Then I did a few benchmarking tests including — Geekbench and Novabench.
Geekbench gave it a rating of 2374 for single-core and 6754 for multi-core. The single-core score is in line with the benchmarks for the i5-14400 but the multi-core score was 41% lower than the benchmark shown by Geekbench’s data. The Novabench score was 2279. The report provided by Novabench showed that the IdeaCentre performed 82% betther than all systems that were tested. Relative performance of the CPU and GPU were below the expected range but the temperature, power, clock speed, bottleneck and stutter were all within normal range.
In addition to the benchmarking tools, I did a few real world tests. Since this computer is intended for basic users, I did some basic tasks like Internet browsing, word processing, and watching videos. Since there is only 8GB of RAM on this system, I didn’t feel that it could handle any advanced gaming but I did attempt to play Counter Strike 2. It loaded but very slowly and it had a horrible stutter. So, I immediately exited the game and uninstalled it.
The computer didn’t seem to have any problems playing videos through Netflix. I did have to connect it to external speakers though. I used a set of Bluetooth speakers that are set up on my desk. While they didn’t have any issue connecting, it did seem like the audio was slightly out of sync. The video quality was very good though — even blown up to full screen. The same was true of YouTube, but the audio didn’t seem as out of sync.
Word Processing and Internet Browsing were super easy with the IdeaCentre. It didn’t seem to take many processes at all. I’m a big fan of this tiny tower. It’s budget-friendly and very easy to use — as long as you use it for the right tasks. I think it’s great for school or basic office work but it might end up feeling sluggish if you attempt to do any photo/video editing. It might work with some basic games, but nothing too graphic intensive. All in all, it’s a solid PC.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Dreo Pedestal Fan with Remote, PolyFan 613S, 43'' Quiet Standing Fan for Home Bedroom, 120~+105~ Smart Oscillating Floor Fans with Wi-Fi/Voice Control, Works with Alexa/Google, 6 Modes, 8 Speeds
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Powerful, affordable fan
on April 27, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
We struggle with climate control in our house quite a bit. The back room of our house gets a lot warmer while the front room is cooler. And when the back room is cooler, the front room is warmer. It’s a constant battle and I’ve been looking for a fan like this to help control the temperature in my office (the front of the house)since it’s where I spend a lot of my time.
This Dreo fan has a lot of things going for it. First, it’s very affordable. Even though you can get a decent oscillating pedestal fan for a lower price, this one is remote controlled AND has a companion app. The app has its limitations, but it does allow me to do the basic controls from my phone. For those added benefits, I am willing to invest more into a fan of this caliber. Plus, this fan doesn’t just oscillate side to side — it moves up and down, too. This makes a big difference in air flow.
Second, this fan is very powerful. Once I got it set up, the default power was 5. I turned it down to 1 and was still able to feel the cool breeze coming from it while I sat at my desk — approximately 10 feet away from the fan. I was impressed with the amount of air this fan can move in a room. It really did help to keep my office from feeling stuffy and stagnant.
Third, the Dreo fan is very quiet. This was a surprise to me considering how powerful it is. Could I hear the air pushed from the unit? Yes, but there wasn’t an annoying motor noise coming from it. Because this fan is so quiet it is ideal for workspaces because it doesn’t distract you or cause an inordinate amount of ambient noise.
The fan is very easy to assemble. I only had to attach the stand to the base and tighten one bolt in the bottom. I will say that the place where the power cable is inserted is a bit strange. It’s about halfway up the stand and I would have rather seen it be toward the bottom of the stand so that you could hide it better. In addition to that, the fan head is large. So, you need to plan for that when you are deciding where it is going to live.
All in all, this Dreo smart fan is a great option for living or work spaces. It’s affordable and really does make a difference in how an environment feels.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The Roomba Combo Essential robot is a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop, loaded with cleaning essentials and powered by iRobot OS. It has 3 levels of powerful suction plus mopping for a custom cleaning in a single pass. With a sleek, low-profile design and our Edge-Sweeping Brush, dirt and dust can't hide in corners or under your couch. The easy-to-use iRobot Home App provides control over your clean with favorite cleaning routines, personalized suggestions, and intuitive smart home integrations. While you kick back or go out, it can go to work on your floors.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Vacuum cleans well, but has to be watched
on April 15, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
One of my favorite innovations in recent years is the robot vacuum. There seem to be many variations these days and this vacuum/mop combo from iRobot is no different. From my experience, robot vacuums have essentially the same setup process. Unbox it, remove packaging, set the vacuum on its base, download the app, and connect the vacuum to your WiFi network. Within just a few minutes you are ready to start your first cleaning session. This Roomba Combo unit was the same type of setup. Since this device also incorporates a mopping function, you have the option to add the mop head or leave it off if you are going to vacuum only.
I didn’t have any issues with getting the robot set up or the app connected. What I did have issues with was getting the robot to actually finishing a cleaning session. The first time I sent it out, the robot ran for approximately 2 minutes and didn’t clean enough floor space to register in the app. In reality it was probably only about 2 feet away from the base.
The vacuum pulled out of the base station, rotated a few times, moved forward a bit, hit a transition strip between our dining room and living room and then I heard the chime indicating that cleaning was done. I was shocked. I immediately sent it back out. This time it ran for 3 minutes, ran into our dog dishes, which spilled water all over the floor (and the vacuum), and then returned to its base. Both times there were no errors that occurred. The vacuum just thought it was done cleaning.
Before I tried a third time, I moved the base out into the open. Originally, I placed it up against a wall, but it was underneath our rabbit’s cage. So, I thought the open floor space might help. Ironically enough, I placed the base directly in front of another robot vacuum. This time, the robot moved off the base, rotated a few times and then shot out across the kitchen floor. “Finally!” I heard the vacuum moved back and forth across the kitchen/dining room linoleum and then it came to the transition strip again.
The vacuum bumped the dog dish again, but there was no spill this time. The vacuum paused before attempting to move across into the living room and all of a sudden, the unit powered off. I’ve never seen that type of behavior from a robot vacuum — not even one with low battery. I looked a the app and saw that the vacuum lost its network connection. The app directed me to take steps to fix the issue because “this was not something that would resolve itself.” I did a reboot of the vacuum and then sent it off cleaning again.
The vacuum did make it into our living room, which is mid-thick carpet. The vacuum didn’t seem to have trouble moving across the floor, but it did get stuck in a corner three times. I had to pick it up and move it out of the corner each time and tell it to clean again. After about an hour of babysitting the vacuum, I called it quits and told the vacuum to go home. It could not do it. I tried three different times and the vacuum just spun and then got stuck in a corner again. It finally re-docked on the base once I physically moved it to be within about 1.5 feet of the base.
I like iRobot products in general, but I just don’t know about this one. I was genuinely surprised at the lack of functionality I experienced with this unit. In addition to the vacuum’s ineptness, the app also seems to lack something. It looks as though the app/vacuum should be recording map data, but I never saw any from my Roomba. I also noticed that there was a large gap of history on the app. As I mentioned, the vacuum tried to clean for about an hour before I stopped it. That cleaning session was not recorded at all.
I will say that the space the vacuum was able to clean seemed to be done well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make up for the amount of babysitting I had to do while the vacuum was running. I feel as though that defeats the purpose of having a robot vacuum.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Take performance anywhere with the sleek, powerful and ultra-portable Dell XPS 13, our thinnest and lightest XPS.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A great traveling companion
on April 2, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
TLDR - This is a really nice well-rounded laptop that can be used for many different purposes. It’s powerful enough for basic gaming and the Intel Core Ultra 7 can handle multimedia creation as well as multitasking.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been building/specking out a gaming desktop and laptop. It’s been a painstaking process, but it’s also been a great learning process for me since I’ve been a Mac user almost exclusively for 15+ years now. Fortunately, I was able to take that new experience and apply it to this remarkable, pocket-sized laptop.
The first thing I noticed was its build quality and style. It is very reminiscent of the MacBook Air series of notebooks and it feel incredibly solid. While it’s still very lightweight, I feel that daily use is not going to wear out the laptop case easily. When I opened up the lid, I continued to be impressed with the touch bar, nearly invisible fingerprint reader/power button, and the hidden trackpad. All of these design features seem to be taken from 2016 MacBook series laptops and it looks amazing on the Dell.
The startup process is not surprising at all. You are taken through the standard set of Windows startup screens and a couple of Dell ones. After I walked through that, I immediately opened the resource monitor to see what type of drag there already was on the system. Sitting idle, the resource monitor showed a CPU usage range between 2% and 40%.
I performed the system update, which took 30 - 60 minutes and then noticed that the Task Manager was showing 2% CPU, 51% Memory, and 1% Disk usage. As it turned out, the largest part of the memory usage was taken up by MyDell, Service Host, SupportAssistAgent, and Windows Explorer. I point this out because of the 70 apps that were pre-installed, 10 of them were related to Dell’s system software.
At this point, I removed some of the pieces of software that I did not want on the system (Microsoft Office apps were still present even though I opted out of the Office 365 Trial) and then ran benchmark tests using Geekbench and NovaBench. The single-core and multi-core scores from Geekbench were 1465 and 9652 respectively.
In Geekbench’s database, there were 7 other Dell XPS 13 laptops with the same processor logged. My Dell ranked 6 out of 8 in the single-core score and 3 out of 8 with the multi-core score. The NovaBench test stated that my Dell system ranks higher than 78% of all systems tested and it had an overall score of 2062.
Aside from design and performance, I found that the keyboard was very easy and comfortable to type on and while the speakers aren’t the best I’ve ever used, they aren’t bad either. The screen is an LED and is listed as WUXGA, which is between Full HD and a 2K resolution. The brightness is rated at 500 nits and I had it turned to approximately 60% for the majority of my testing and it was more than sufficient in the brightness and clarity department.
One of the more impressive aspects of this mini-laptop is the battery life. I tried my best to work it hard with updates and benchmark testing and it still had quite a bit of battery life left. After several hours of work with it, the battery still shows 28% left.
While it may not be enough for heavy gaming activities, this Dell laptop is ideal for power users who travel. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for that purpose.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
The Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew brews everything from a single-serve cup, to a travel mug, to a carafe~no pods required. Plus, enjoy Classic, Rich, and Over Ice coffee, as well as fresh cold brew, now on your countertop. With a keep warm function and 24-hour Delay Brew option, you can wake up to hot coffee every morning.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A Versatile Brewing Powerhouse
on March 17, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
As a long-time user of Ninja products, I'm consistently impressed by the quality and innovation they bring to the table. The Ninja XL Coffee Maker is no exception. Before we added this machine to our kitchen, we were mainly making coffee using a French Press. Now, this Ninja Coffee Maker has become an indispensable part of our daily routine.
Setting up the Ninja XL was a breeze. After removing the packaging and shipping tape, I rinsed the parts off and then ran a test cycle to make sure that my first brew was flavorful and not stale tasting. Ninja made sure the buttons were clearly labeled and provided the option for users to brew a single cup, a travel cup, or a pot. This type of versatility is something I really appreciate with a coffee maker.
One of the reasons I started using a French Press over a standard coffee pot was because I hate using filters. This Ninja Coffee Maker includes a ‘forever’ filter, which eliminates the need for disposable filters. It’s washable, reusable and makes the process so much easier in my opinion. I also really like that the coffee maker comes with its own scoop. I hate having to search for one after I lose it.
The coffee maker is programmable and allows users to pre-schedule brews. I also really like the removable water supply and the swing-out coffee ground holder because it makes it so much easier to clean. I haven’t been much of a cold brew person, but I did start using the included recipes to see how they worked and found that it was really good and I really enjoy having the option for either hot or cold coffee drinks at home.
The Ninja XL Coffee Maker offers a winning combination of versatility, convenience, and quality. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or simply looking for a reliable brewing solution, I wholeheartedly recommend this product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Experience stunning performance with the vast 34~ curved WQHD LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor. Stay a step ahead of the competition with an ultra-fast refresh rate up to 240Hz and .03ms response time that will bring you into the game like never before~. And with the steep and dramatic 800R curve, you~ll feel enveloped in the action from virtually all around you. This UltraGear's ultra-thin, bezel design, height, tilt and swivel adjustability along with impressive connectivity options and make this UltraGear, ultra-essential for your battlestation setup.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A glorious gaming monitor
on March 17, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I recently added a new PC to my setup and realized that my old monitor wasn’t going to cut it any longer. I had a 4K monitor, but it’s refresh rate was only 60hz. This LG monitor provides a 240hz refresh rate which makes everything smoother when I play Call of Duty. The only downside was that I was sacrificing the 4K resolution for 1440HD. When I sat this LG WQHD side by side with the 4K I already had, I was shocked at how good the picture is on the LG. It’s stunning. And the curve of the screen is superb for an immersive feel when you play games or watch any media.
The sheer size of the monitor commands attention. Transitioning from smaller screens may require an adjustment period, but the payoff is immense. The OLED display dazzles with vibrant colors and impeccable viewing angles, drawing you into the action. While the stand demands desk real estate, its minimal bezels contribute to an immersive visual experience.
Set up of the monitor was super easy. It is compatible with a VESA mount, but the stand is very cool, too. The control stick is at the center of the screen and a little tricky to use, but it is a minor complaint in an otherwise phenomenal screen. The monitor features 2 x HDMI ports and 1 x DisplayPort. I would have liked to see a USB-C port as well. Another things to be aware of is that this monitor uses 21:9 aspect ratio and some games may not go full screen because of this. This aspect ratio also comes with a higher price.
The LG UltraGear packs a punch with its array of features. From customizable RGB lighting to OLED technology, every detail is optimized for peak performance. Multitasking is a breeze with ample screen real estate, akin to having multiple monitors seamlessly integrated into one.
Overall this monitor is glorious. It is a game-changer in every sense of the word. While it may come with a premium price tag, the investment is well worth it for enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of visual performance. From deep blacks to vibrant colors, every aspect of this monitor is meticulously crafted to elevate your gaming and multimedia experience. If you're ready to take the leap into OLED technology, the LG UltraGear belongs at the top of your wishlist.There are just a few minor things that would make this a PERFECT monitor — even at WQHD and not 4K.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
A50 X is made to play. The ultimate gaming headset is upgraded with breakthrough innovations in audio and connectivity. PLAYSYNC Multi-system switching between 3 platforms at once. PRO-G GRAPHENE audio drivers achieve unprecedented clarity and response critical for in-game performance. Pro-grade LIGHTSPEED wireless delivers the highest levels of wireless performance including broadcast-quality wireless boom mic and wireless dual-device mixing. HDMI 2.1 Passthru delivers Ultra HD resolution for the highest levels of console audio (24 bit) and visual fidelity (4K 120 Hz). Battery lasts for up to 24 hours of playtime with the ease of wireless charging. A50 X is a breakthrough in design and engineering for the ultimate gaming audio experience.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great for gaming
on March 11, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve used several different styles of gaming headsets and the Logitech A50X is among the best I’ve used.
Wireless gaming headphones have revolutionized the way we gamers experience our favorite titles, offering unparalleled freedom of movement and convenience. The A50X sleek and cutting-edge setup provides immersive sound quality that enhances the overall gaming experience, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the virtual worlds I'm exploring.
SETUP
In order to take advantage of the highest levels of audio, you do have to utilize the HDMI ports. There is no HDMI cable included and HDMI 2.1 is what is required for the ultra HD audio resolution. Logitech provides a USB-C to USB-A cable and a combo cable. That’s what I ended up using. The single USB-C cable end plugs into the back of the base station while the two opposite ends (a USB-A and a USB-C) plug into the AC adapter and your computer, respectively. My computer recognized the new device instantly, and I didn’t have any issues using the headset. Even without the HDMI connection, the sound quality is exceptional.
COMFORT
The A50X headphones are extremely comfortable. The ear cushions are covered with fabric so they are completely breathable and I didn’t notice my ears getting overheated at all. I thought the controls were in a manageable spot and that the boom mic reached my mouth easily. The headband was a little stiff, but not what I would consider uncomfortable.
AUDIO QUALITY
The audio quality is superb through these headphones. I primarily played using the PC function and thought that the audio quality was above average for fps games. The mic quality is equally as good as the game audio. My teammates could hear me easily, and communicating with them wasn’t difficult at all.
OTHER THOUGHTS
It’s a little disappointing that there is no noise-canceling option, but the ear cups provide quite a bit of noise isolation on their own. You do have to have the base station in order for the headphones to work, but you can use these headphones with Bluetooth-compatible devices or hardwire them in. I noticed that as long as the base station has power, you can utilize the Bluetooth connection.
SUMMARY
The Astro A50 X Gaming headset is available in white or black and provides a premium listening experience for gamers regardless of their platform. There are a couple of drawbacks, but overall, these headphones provide great functionality for gamers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier is designed for 10x longer filter life, saving you $300 or more in filter replacement costs over 5 years*. It captures 99.98% of airborne particles like allergens*, dust, and dander (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). It covers up to 650 sq. ft. for powerful, multi-room purification. Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against odors throughout your home, releasing a fresh scent into your air for 2x better odor reduction vs. filtration alone, Based on ASTM E544 vs. HP150 with filter and carbon only, after 30 minutes. *Allergen refers to non-living matter. *Vs. cost of replacing filters on a competitor unit over 5-year period in 300 square foot space.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
NeverChange provides cleaner air without hassle
on February 19, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
We’ve struggled to keep the air in our home clean for quite some time. We have dogs and it’s an older home. We’ve used different air purifiers over the years and while they have done a fine job, the filters give out far too quickly. So, the lost-lasting filter with the NeverChange purifier was very appealing to me.
Setup: The setup of this air purifier is exceptionally easy. You remove it from its pacakging and then flip it over. You then have to twist the bottom off to remove the Hepa filter and pull the plastic wrap off of it. You are also instructed to unwrap the odor neutralizer cartridge and insert it. Once you are certain all the stickers and tape are removed from the unit, you can plug it in and turn it on. That’s it. There are three options for operation - Auto, Eco Mode, and manual. I opted to use Auto mode as that is what we have done with other purifiers.
Overall Impression/Usage: One of the things I really like about this device is its size. While it has the ability to clean up to 650sqft, it’s small in comparison to some other devices that cover a similar amount of space. I also really like that you shouldn’t have to change the filter for 5 years. I would imagine that if you have an exceptionally dirty environment such as a wood working shop or several pets, that the timespan of the filter might be shorter. So far, I’m very pleased with the operation of this device. I have been using it primarily in a small office where one of my dogs spends most of his day. It’s my fiance’s work space so she keeps the room closed off most of the time for meetings. This leads to a decrease in airflow to the room. The NeverChange has been helpful in keeping air circulating. It is too soon to know if the 5-year lifespan is accurate, but so far the purifier has been doing its job.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Meet the new Dell 25" Gaming Monitor - a super fast gaming monitor featuring an incredible 280Hz over-clocked refresh rate (240Hz Native) and 0.5ms minimum Gray-to-Gray response time for fast fluid gaming experiences.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great for gaming and most other needs
on January 7, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
This Dell monitor is exceptional in every possible way. It is easy to set up, comes with high-quality cables, and has a fantastic picture. Here are some details about my experience.
Setup:
The setup for the monitor is effortless. Dell provides all the necessary cables the user will need including a DisplayPort to USB-C cable, which is very helpful for Apple users. The monitor's stand is in two pieces - the base and the column. The column snaps into place on the back of the screen and then the base screws into the bottom of the column. There is a convenient thumb screw that makes securing the base to the column very simple. You also have the option to connect the screen to a VESA 100 x 100mm mount if preferred.
Once the screen is attached to the assembled stand, you only have to plug the monitor into power and to your chosen video input/output option. I selected the DisplayPort/USB-C cable so that I could plug it directly into my MacBook Air and Dell XPS Laptop without the need for a dock. Once the cables were attached, I pressed the power button, which is very small and located in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. At first, I did have trouble locating it because of its size and the fact that the menu buttons are located on the back of the screen. While I appreciate the extra effort for the ease of use with the menu buttons, I thought it was an odd choice to separate the power button from the others.
My laptops automatically detected the connected monitor and displayed the main desktop on it.
Overall Impression/Usage:
I didn’t have any issues with the monitor communicating with the host computers. The colors were vivid and the images were crisp. Since this monitor features an extremely high refresh rate (280Hz) motion is smooth and there is no tearing or ghosting when gaming. While I’m not a professional competitive gamer, I do enjoy playing Call of Duty with my friends on a nightly basis. Competition is definitely at the forefront of our minds and we are constantly trying to find the best tools for our gaming activities.
This Dell monitor provides up to 280Hz refresh rate, which is great for competitive gaming, but it is a bit excessive for other computing activities. This monitor supports Full HD (1920x1080) resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate natively. You can reach the 280Hz refresh rate with the monitor’s Overclock setting - provided your host device supports it. It’s great for fast-moving visuals, but to get that high refresh rate, your host device’s CPU and GPU need to support it.
First-person shooter games look incredible and I definitely feel a competitive edge from using this monitor. I can detect movement from long distances fast-paced gameplay - like when I take the sniper role - seems effortless. I didn’t notice any drag or lag on the screen.
Conclusion:
I’m not sure what else you could want from a gaming monitor. It’s easy to set up and within a few minutes, you can be gaming with an edge over the other players. Just make sure that you have the computing power to support the refresh rate.
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
  • Blogger Network Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Simple, easy to use monitor
on December 21, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
This is a nice, budget-friendly monitor for anyone who just needs an external monitor. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it provides a nice, high-quality video connection from a host device and makes it very easy for users to get up and running quickly.
Setup
This monitor has a hassle-free setup. I didn’t need any tools, which was refreshing. The stand effortlessly attaches to the monitor’s body with the aid of a thumb screw on the bottom of the stand’s base. The stand isn’t much, but it does allow users to tilt the monitor as needed. As an alternative, the monitor is also VESA compatible and can be mounted using most types of monitor mounts.
User Testing
This is a very simple monitor to set up. You select either the VGA or HDMI input option and run the proper cable to your host computer. Then you connect it to power. Once you turn it on you can adjust the settings as needed using the monitor’s menu, which is controlled using a rear-mounted button. This was a little awkward to use, but it wasn’t impossible. The HD resolution provided a very nice picture for me and I found it to be adequate for the work I was doing and the videos I wanted to watch. Since this is such an affordable monitor, I think the average user would be happy with it.
Pros
Simple setup
Stand can tilt
Great for viewing content and standard home/office use
Cons
Lack of display input options
Would be lacking in features for creative professionals
Height cannot be adjusted via the stand
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
<< 1 ... 5 6 7 8 9 ... 34 >>
 
nickcal's Review Comments
 
nickcal has not submitted comments on any reviews.
 
nickcal's Questions
 
nickcal has not submitted any questions.
 
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?

Yes
5 years, 3 months ago
by
nickcal
 
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

Yes
6 years, 2 months ago
by
nickcal
 
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.
9 years, 1 month 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, 7 months ago
by
nickcal