insomniak1's stats
- Review count155
- Helpfulness votes525
- First reviewJuly 29, 2015
- Last reviewMay 23, 2024
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- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count42
- Helpfulness votes50
- First answerAugust 9, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 7, 2022
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Hearing is believing. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro pack a studio-worthy listening experience into our most comfortable design yet —wear them as long as you want. Stimulate your senses with enhanced 360 Audio that surrounds you in your favorite beats like never before. Feel every note like you’re there with Hi-Fi sound quality. Stay focused on the sounds you love with Intelligent Active Noise Cancellation that quiets even the loudest outside sounds. Work out worry-free with moisture resistance that stands up to rain. Pair your Buds2 Pro with the rest of your Galaxy for new ways to enjoy pro-quality sound wherever you happen to be. Whether it’s a podcast, a call or your favorite playlist, listen blissfully with Galaxy Buds2 Pro. Now you can hear translations through your Buds while on calls or during face-to-face conversations
Customer Rating
5
Lots of features, great sound, and stylish.
on August 25, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
I absolutely love the black matte finish look and feel of the Buds2 Pro. The finish does keep fingerprints and smudges to a minimum. It’s just sleek and subtle. I appreciate the smaller size of both the case and the buds as they are highly portable. The case keeps the buds securely inside magnetically, so I wouldn’t worry about them popping out if placed in a backpack or bag. The buds charge via USB-C and wirelessly which is nice.
The fit is interesting. At the beginning, the buds felt like they were loose, and were not creating a good seal. Also, I wonder if they would stay in during heavy movement. I worried about the sound since a good seal makes all the difference. However, once they were in, I was pleasantly surprised that they felt so light, almost forgettable, and the never even moved while doing heavy headshaking and even cartwheels. As far as the seal, choosing the right tips is all you need. I ended up with the large ones and that worked well for me. I wore them one day until the battery ran out (roughly 5 hours, which is average), and I never felt soreness or discomfort. It also helps that they are rated IPX7, so no amount of sweat or rain -even sink water will cause any problems. Plus, they hardly stick out, which is a plus for me.
The Buds2 Pro EZ-paired seamlessly with my phone. Of course, that is because it fits well into the Samsung ecosystem. I also paired them with my laptop with no issues. They maintained a strong connection at a good distance, and even through some corners.
The controls are very responsive, no matter how many taps. I never felt like they lagged, but I did accidentally activate them while adjusting. Not everything can be controlled through the earbuds, but you can customize them to suit your needs through the app (more on that later).
Now, the buds are jam-packed with features. I highly recommend downloading the Wear app if you have. We’re talking about voice detect, which is cool when you talk and the sound turns to ambient mode automatically, read communications aloud, self-hearing check on calls, multi-point switching, in-ear detection for play/pause, “Find my earbuds”, ANC/Ambient modes, a full EQ with presets, gaming mode (low latency), Voice assistant (sorry no other voice assistance, which is a bummer), 360 Audio with headtracking, a nifty earbud fit test (for good seal), and an interesting neck stretch reminder. It certainly feels like a Pro device.
The noise cancellation (ANC) is not the best, but good enough. It blocked low-frequency sounds like traffic, airplanes passing by, crowd noise, and a loud vent at home. I also tried different noises through my speakers such as airplane cabin and engine noise with mixed results. I could hear mid and higher frequencies such as keyboard strokes, car horns, higher pitched voices, and a lawnmower rather clearly. However, the ambient mode is superb. It did feel as I didn’t have the buds on as the sound is almost natural and I can distinguish all sounds -even nature’s.
The sound quality is what you’d expect from premium earbuds. At the stock tuning, the bass is impactful, punchy, with plenty of sub-bass. It may not satisfy bass-heads, but I prefer precision. The mids are well represented and defined, making vocals, chorus, and rhythm instruments come out clearly. The treble adds even more clarity without being shrill or fatiguing. The soundstage is impressive for earbuds, and imaging and channel separation are distinct. I felt the is sound slightly warm, but natural and very pleasant no matter what I listened to.
The star of the show is the ability to listen to 24bit audio. Listening to Ultra HD and lossless files, I was rather impressed. The clarity, soundstage, imaging, and frequency representation almost makes feel like wired HiFi buds -almost. I spent a whole evening listening to my favorite tracks, movies, and some gaming with a smile on my face. Ok, so they’re not exactly at audiophile level, but close enough. The one caveat is that you can only get Hi-Res sound through proprietary Samsung codecs, which means you need a compatible device to enjoy.
The other main feature is the spatial 360 sound and headtracking. Unfortunately, this is the one thing that I was less impressed with. The 360 sound provides an interesting experience. It works best with certain video content, but not as much for music as but I found that it degraded the sound considerably. Some sounds sounded muted and other overly forward. The headtracking feature feels more like a gimmick. It does not feel as natural and the switching between left and right was not as smooth as other buds I’ve tried. Since I really never use these features, even on other sets that do it better, this is not a deal-breaker for me.
Yes, they are quite pricey. However, they fall right in with other premium or “pro” offerings from other brands. if you live in the ecosystem, can take advantage of the ton of features, and find the form factor and design language to your liking, I’m sure you will be pleasantly satisfied.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Hear them first. With 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming and our proven hardware technology, you can detect where your opponents are and how far away. Even players hiding in shadows or behind walls and obstacles, can’t stay hidden for long.
Customer Rating
4
Cool design, decent sound, great build quality.
on August 15, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
Personally, I am digging the thematic black and white aesthetics of the H3s. It makes me want to put back the original plates of my PS5 (I have the black covers now). The build quality is not too shabby either. It seems like it can take a hit or two, although I’d worry about scuffing them. The headband is quite flexible, the arms have a nice tactile slider, and the swivels have decent movement and do not creak at all. The cloth-covered earpads are removable. I was bit disappointed by the short thin cable, and I wish it was removeable or at least be the same width as the USB-A dongle. The volume rocker is in a good place. The mic is not as flexible as I’d like, but it’s in a good spot. So far so good.
Now the H3 are quite comfortable. I wore them for almost 4 hours at a time and I had very little discomfort. I would’ve liked for the headband padding to cover the entire top and not just the upper part, but it worked alright. The super-silky earpads rest softly on and around my ears and there is very little clamping. Unfortunately, the mixture of light clamping and soft earpads make it difficult for the headset to stay firmly in place, and they kept shifting and a couple of times just fell off my head. This may affect only me but it’s something that I should mention.
Out of the box, and on PC’s 3.5mm, the sound quality coming from the 40mm drivers (10-20kHz) is a bit underwhelming. Yes, audio is highly subjective, but I found a lack of deep bass and were a bit too bright for my taste. However, whatever bass is there is rather clean. The mids are pushed forward and the treble falls slightly short of being harsh. Having said that, the soundstage is quite sparse without 3D tuning. Channel separation and imaging is startling. Being more on the flat side, I actually found them practical for FPS games as the sound was quite clear. However, for movies, music, and adventure games, they were kind of lacking. Using the USB-A dongle, the sound was better. On the PS5, the sound was even better with improved bass overall.
The INZONE software makes things significantly better. There, I was able to instantly improve the audio profile as there is a full-fledged EQ. You can also activate the Sony 360 Spatial Audio. After signing up, downloading a phone app, and taking pictures of my ears, I finally got it done. The annoyance turned into satisfaction once I experienced the 3D audio. In the past, I have been underwhelmed by simulated surround sound, but I think Sony has done a very good job this time.
The microphone quality is average at best. While it does the job and there are no hiccups or distortions, my voice needed a bit more body. Although there are options on the software, I would not use them for podcasting or streaming, but they are more than capable for gaming. I do like the lift-to-mute feature of the boom mic.
I must also point out that having a 3.5mm audio makes them very versatile as I tried them with all devices that have a 3.5mm jack with no issues at all.
In the end, being a Sony headset, I had high expectations. At the current price, they are average. The sound is good -not great, but customizable. The 360 Audio is actually good. Comfort is nice although a bit shifty. I will say that the design and build quality are top-notch. They are certainly worth a try if you’re looking for a Sony-themed budget friendly headset. You just might like them.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Suit up, strap in – and let Helios pave the way. Equipped with superior cooling technology and a trove of performance like NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 laptop graphics and the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor – this gaming laptop will be your guide to gaming bliss. With the 165Hz Full HD IPS panel, NVIDIA G-SYNC technology and 3ms Overdrive response time you can say farewell to blur and hello clear, crisp, high-octane gameplay. IEM Certified PC. Game like the Pros with an IEM Certified PC from Best Buy. Each IEM Certified PC comes packed with the same high-end Intel® technology your favorite athletes and teams use on the main stage during Intel® Extreme Masters tournaments.
Customer Rating
5
Great performance, classy design, and value.
on August 11, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
Immediately after removing the protective cloth cover, I noticed how refined and sleek the new design is. The black brushed aluminum finish, along with the matte black accent make this gaming laptop something I would not hesitate to bring into a business meeting. I did notice some fingerprints right away though, so keep a soft cloth handy. The only thing that may give it away as a gaming laptop, is the thick vents in the back, which remind me of a high-end sports vehicle, and extend a bit further than I’d like.
The laptop feels beefy at 5.7lbs, but can still be carried around easily when closed, although it can get tiring when holding it open on one hand.
I really appreciate that the power, HDMI, mini-DP, and USB-C Thunderbolt ports are all in the back, which significantly reduce cable mess on the sides. There are plenty of ports on the sides, though, including 3 USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an ethernet port (yes!).
The screen lid can be lifted with one hand for those who like that and does not wobble too much. The bezels are visible, but still allow the 15.6” screen to come forward. However, the chin is pretty big -almost 1.5”! It’s not a big deal once you get used to it. By the way, I am glad that the “Predator” logo on the lid and the chin is much more subtle this time, adding to the sleek presentation. The RGB lighting effects are the hallmark of any gaming laptop, and this is done quite nicely here. I really like the bottom lighting accent, which looks like that of a tuner sports vehicle’s ground effects.
The keyboard’s layout is a bit odd in my experience. While I appreciate the implementation of a NUM pad, as I use it extensively, it feels rather squeezed to the left. For me, it wasn’t as intuitive, and I often kept hitting the “Predator Sense” key, and other keys when trying to hit backspace, enter, etc. This did somewhat affect my productivity. However, I am sure if I spend enough time, I will get used to it. I will say that the keys themselves feel great. There’s good travel, feel very clicky, nice size, and spaced properly (except with the NUM pad).
The touch pad feels very nice and smooth. It is precise, responsive, and clicks satisfactorily. However, it’s a bit on the small side, making gestures somewhat restrictive. This is not a big deal to me as I prefer using a mouse, especially when gaming, but is worth mentioning.
The 1080p camera is surprisingly good. There weren’t a lot of artifacts, even in darker conditions. And the microphone did a good job in picking up my voice at about arm’s length. Pretty nice for video calls.
The screen is very, very good -almost gorgeous. I appreciate the non-glossy display as my office is very bright, although I wish it was a bit brighter (only 300nits). The color accuracy is good enough to allow for some low-level video/picture editing. The colors pop quite nicely though, are vibrant, have good contrast, and are not washed out at all. This makes watching HD content and playing colorful games a pleasure -especially at night. The display’s 165Hz refresh rate with 3ms response is great for competitive gaming.
Speaking of games, this laptop’s performance is impressive. Having decent specs -Intel Core i7 12gen, an RTX 3060, and 16GB DDR5 RAM, I was able to play AAA games such as Elden Ring, Lego Star Wars (2022), and F1 2022 -all well above 60fps at maximum settings. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and MS Flight Simulator had to be ran at medium-high settings but were still enjoyable. Of course, games like Star Wars BF2, Fortnite, and CS:GO ran well above 165fps. You can also activate the Turbo Mode with a button, which boosts performance, but also makes this usually quiet laptop sound like a vacuum cleaner.
To perform at its best, heat is excellently managed. I never saw GPU temperatures go above 85C GPU and 60C CPU under heavy loads. I did not experience any throttling or performance dips while gaming. As I mentioned already, this device is quiet, but under stress the fans can get awfully loud, especially if Turbo Mode is on.
The speakers are average just like almost all laptops’, so no surprise there. The sound does come through nice and clear, with good channel separation. However, as expected, no bass at all. Plus, if running the laptop in Turbo Mode, you’d best put on some headphones.
The battery life is average as well. It lasted for about 4 hours doing productivity work, and almost 2 hours playing games. I thought I would get more out of the 91Wh battery. The big 280W power brick is very heavy and may affect portability.
While being very fast, I was very disappointed by the small 512GB NVMe SSD. One must make decisions all the time as to which games to keep, since AAA titles can consume over 80GB (up to 120GB!!), Therefore, you must focus on 2-3 big titles, or a bunch of smaller sized ones. The good news is that this laptop can easily be upgraded, as there is an empty NVMe slot available, but may add to the cost.
As a mid-higher tier gaming laptop, I am quite impressed with the 2022 Predator Helios 300. I can play any AAA game on it with very minor concessions. Plus, I dig the new classy design. Keeping in mind the impractical small disk space and a nitpick here and there, I think the asking price seems to be about right, considering similarly spec’d models. Even better if you can get this on special, as you certainly will not regret it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The CORSAIR HS55 SURROUND Gaming Headset delivers essential all-day comfort and sound quality with memory foam leatherette ear pads and Dolby® Audio 7.1 surround sound on PC and Mac, without weighing you down thanks to lightweight construction. An omni-directional microphone picks up your voice loud and clear, and custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers offer great sound quality and range. A 3.5mm audio connector ensures wide compatibility with most devices, including PC, Mac, PS5 with Tempest 3D AudioTech support, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Powerful CORSAIR iCUE Software unlocks audio equalizer settings, multi-channel 7.1 surround sound, and more. Complete with on-ear volume control for convenient audio adjustments, you can press play on great audio with the HS55 SURROUND.
Customer Rating
5
Comfort, good audio quality, excellent microphone.
on August 6, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
My desktop setup features a Corsair keyboard, mouse, and mousepad, and I have been quite satisfied with them. Now, I can complete the set, hoping that the HS55 will be a worthy addition.
Aesthetically, I enjoy the matte black finish. It attracts no fingerprints or smudges, and the radial-reflective cups remind me of a vinyl record. Also, the subtle branding compliments the sleekness. Although this is a “gamer” headset, it does not feature any RGB, which I am thankful for once, as I can take it to the office, or use it on business video calls.
Since the HS55 are made almost entirely of plastic, except for the headband’s slider, it feels very much like a budget set. The headband does not have a lot of flex, and the swivels seems plasticky and slim. I am a bit concerned about durability in the long run. The pleather covering the headband and ear pads feel of decent quality, though, and I absolutely love the volume rocker; it feels great and it’s in a good place.
The mostly plastic build allows for the set to be quite light and comfortable to wear. The plush headband padding and the memory foam earpads are super soft, and my ears never touched the inside drivers or rubbed against the pads. There’s good clamping, but it is not headache inducing. After wearing them for a long 4 hours of gaming, the only issue I had was that the sides did get somewhat hot and a bit sweaty, so be prepared to clean them up after an exciting session.
The HS55 are very versatile when it comes to connectivity. Of course, I was able to connect them to all my consoles via the 3.5mm jack on the controllers or handheld. One major feature is that these cans come with a USB-A sound card, which allows for simulated Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound when plugged to a PC (via Corsair’s iCUE software). The volume rocker is independent from the device, so volume must be set first on the source, including PC.
Out of the box, I was pleased with the default sound signature. Using the 3.5mm cable, I would describe the sound as more mid-forward, rather than bass heavy. However, the bass was still impactful enough and had enough “umph” to make action-adventure games and content exciting. As I mentioned, the mids are pushed slightly forward, making dialogue, background music, and ambient sounds feel more natural. The treble was also slightly pronounced, and that added clarity and a sense of accuracy. The channel separation is excellent, making figuring out where sounds come from much easier (left or right). The soundstage is a bit limited in my opinion, but still expansive enough to picture sounds’ distance and positioning. The headset seems to be tuned more for action-competitive games such as FPS and racing, where directional cues and clarity are most important.
Plugging in the USB-C card, the sound signature improved noticeably. The 50mm drivers became much louder. Just in case the default sound is not to your liking, you can adjust the EQ, or activate Dolby Surround via the downloaded iCUE software. Dolby Surround is handled very smoothly with the HS55. It does not overload the bass nor mute the mids. It makes watching content and playing one-player games more pleasurable in my opinion.
When it comes to music listening, they are simply alright. There is some lack of clarity and some distortion at higher volumes and while they may not satisfy those critical listeners, I found them quite enjoyable for causal listening to a BGM channel while I work.
Now, the microphone may be the star of the show. While the mic’s design language may not win everyone’s approval, as it hangs a bit awkwardly when out or lifted, and is not as flexible, it certainly delivers in call quality. The mic captures my voice loud and clear, making my voice sound natural and full. While people could still hear my mechanical keyboard, it did not become distracting. Perhaps a dedicated mic may be better, this is the next best thing. Plus, the lift-to-mute works well and sidetone is decent. My only wish is to have had a game/mic volume control rocker.
In the end, this is a fantastic budget gaming headset in my opinion. While it does not feature all the bells and whistles, it does not need them, as it checks all the right boxes: comfort, audio, and comms.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get super-portable sound to go. The XG300 wireless speaker plays as hard as you do, with up to 25 hours of battery life and IP67 waterproof and dustproof. Its rich full sound and booming bass are perfect for when you want quality audio that goes wherever you go.
Customer Rating
5
Exciting sound for that backyard party.
on July 14, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
Aesthetically, I find the synthetic fabric-textured cylindrical design quite pleasing. It looks premium yet rugged. I appreciate the buttons layout as they are easy to identify. The RGB radiators on the side have nice ambient and party lighting. If that’s not your deal, it can be turned off. The speaker balances well because of the robust rubber footings. Weighing more than 6.5 lbs., this speaker is not exactly as portable as one would expect. However, the very well-thought-out retractable handle addresses this quite effectively. I don’t think I would be carrying it in my hand or even in a bookbag while on a long hike, but to be fair, this speaker seems designed to be taken from place to place and enjoyed once settled down.
I worriedly tested the waterproofing by hosing the speaker while it was on, and I am relieved that the IP67 rating was accurate. I must say that it is amusing to see the water bouncing off the fabric and radiators.
Featuring Bluetooth 5.2 (great for futureproofing), it pairs easily. In fact, my Android phone immediately recognized it with Fast Pair. I walked around outside and did not experience disconnect issues until well beyond 30 feet. I’ve been using the unit for several hours, and I still only used 40%, which means that the battery 25-hour claim may be correct. Just in case, the speaker can be set to lower power-consumption for longer lasting battery, and I welcome the quick-charge feature via USB-C.
In case someone wants to connect without pairing, there’s a convenient 3.5mm jack in the back. Also, there is a USB-A charging port so that your device can last as long as possible.
Most importantly, I was impressed by the audio quality of the “non-circular” drivers and tweeters. The speakers can get loud fast. The sweet spot inside was about 30% and 60% outside. Inside, the sound was certainly warm, and bass oriented. However, the bass was tight and had a restrained impact. There was some sub-bass, but it was subtle. The midrange is a bit recessed, but still comes through giving vocals and rhythm instruments body and presence. The tweeters do a great job in defining treble without being harsh or distracting. There is really good channel separation allowing directional cues to be noticeable. Activating “Mega Bass”, I was pleasantly surprised that the bass did not become obnoxious while adding that sub-woofer feel.
Outside, the frequencies become a bit less clear, and bass can smudge things a bit. Nevertheless, the sound is still enjoyable and powerful. Keeping it real, most people do not care to listen to speakers critically while enjoying the great outdoors, or at a backyard party.
As a bonus, this speaker can be used as a communication device. This means that you can use this speaker on online meetings, personal, and family calls. I tried it and it worked well enough, although the people must be somewhat close and in front of the speaker. Another bonus is the ability to pair several XG300 together and create a parameter, or as a stereo sound system in your entertainment center. It’s quite nifty, but you’d need more than one speaker to take advantage of this and can get expensive.
The companion Music Center app is OK. It provides firmware updates, optimize and choose EQ settings, choose music apps, fine-tune power, illumination, etc. There is also the Fiestable app, which adds more options, motion control through the phone, and voice control. It’s kind of cool, but also kind of gimmicky.
Yes, this is more on the premium side. But once you turn it on and experience the sound it delivers, it immediately justifies the hefty price in my opinion. Plus, the speaker reminds me of those old-school 90’s boom boxes -minus the tape deck. Wish I had it last 4th of July!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air Lightweight Optical Wireless RGB Gaming Mouse for Windows PC. The Burst Pro Air brings ROCCAT’s symmetrical lightweight shape with its rich feature set, comfort and performance, into wireless. Meticulously crafted from the ground up, its shape delivers maximum comfort. Featuring ROCCAT Stellar Wireless technology, gamers get exceptional signal strength for a virtually latency-free connection and up to 100 hours of battery life. Running low on battery? Connect the detachable Phantom Flex cable with USB-C rapid charging to get back in the game quickly with 5 hours of battery life with just a 10-minute charge.Designed and engineered by ROCCAT, the Titan Switch Optical delivers improved durability and faster click speed with unparalleled precision. The ROCCAT Owl-Eye 19,000 DPI optical sensor with 400 IPS tracking speed equips gamers with incredible tracking accuracy and responsiveness.The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air features four RGB lighting zones with signature AIMO intelligent lighting that shine through a water and dust resistant, translucent Bionic shell. The Burst Pro Air also features our coveted heat-treated pure PTFE glides, pre-tuned for an incredibly smooth glide right out of the box.
Customer Rating
5
Build quality, nice features, performance, & RGB!
on June 25, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
On first glance, the Burst Pro Air looks like any other ergonomic mouse. However, I’ve been using it for a few days, and the most obvious feature is the build quality. It’s solid. There is no rattling inside when shaking it. However, this does not affect the weight at all which is about 80 grams. Although some prefer lighter mice, it feels quite light and right for me. I can pick it up and drop it without a second thought. The water/dust resistance is welcome.
Next, is the optical switch buttons. They are clicky, on the loud side, but satisfying. The ergonomics is what you’d expect from this design. It felt comfortable in my medium-sized hands, and I was able to switch grip style -claw, palm rest, or fingertip on demand without breaking a sweat. The side buttons and DPI button are in a good place. The rubberized scroll wheel feels tactile and has a good click. The mouse glides smoothly on my fabric mouse pad.
I tried the mouse via the 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and USB cable. All worked just as well. After doing some speed and accuracy tests, I was very impressed. Of course, USB wired mode yielded the best results, but BT and RF weren’t too far behind. The Owl-Eye Optical Sensor seems to be doing its job. It’s also worth noting that this mouse is NVIDIA® Reflex Compatible. Unless you are a competitive gamer, this mouse is just that good.
I am not an RGB enthusiast, btu I will say that the RGB lighting is nice and bright. It complements my RGB desktop setup, but I play often at night, so I turn it off then.
The battery life is great. In several days as my main driver, the battery has only come down by like 15%. Roccat claims 100 hours and I tend to believe them. At any rate the mouse features rapid charge through the included cloth USB-C -A cord.
I also am a fan of the SWARM software. There, I can customize the mouse’s characteristics such as click speed, to vertical scrolling, to macros, lighting, and much more.
At the current price, the Burst Pro Air would be considered a higher-tier mouse. However, the build quality, features, and most importantly performance, make it a worthwhile purchase in my opinion.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Optimized with technology that simplifies your life, Inspiron 2-in-1 laptops offer a range of easy-to-use features all packaged in a minimalist and modern design. See your beautiful world whenever you want with the new Inspiron 16 2-in-1. It features an FHD+ display and 16:10 aspect ratio packed into a slim 2-in-1 design. Your world is closer with powerful 12th Generation Intel Core Evo platform processors. It also has a 360 degree hinge that allows you to work in 4 different modes - laptop, tablet, tent and stand. And if that’s not all, your Inspiron features environmentally-conscious designs that complement not just your style but also your values.
Customer Rating
5
Versatility. Functionality. Performance. Value.
on June 21, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
Like most Dell laptop recently, the design language is elegant and sleek. The aluminum chassis feels good to the touch. Although prone to scratching if not careful, the finish does not attract fingerprints. The lid moves with some effort, so no one-handed opening. However, this keeps it nice and stable in any position the device is in. The front dashboard flexes a bit when pressing and the panel bends ever so slightly. Coming at a little over 4.5 lbs., it can put some stress in the bag and can be tiring in tablet mode. Overall, it is very well built.
The keyboard feels good when typing, but I wish they were a bit more “clicky”. The layout is easy to get used to and the key lighting works well. The laptop offers Windows Hello through a fingerprint reader on the power key. Sadly, this model does not offer face recognition. However, it does feature instant-on which turns on the PC when opening it. Dell continues to deliver a huge trackpad that is highly responsive and allows for full finger gestures.
Being a 2-in-1, switching between traditional laptop, tent, entertainment, and tablet mode is easy. The rigid hinges help in keeping the shape it’s in. All the modes bring a good level of functionality, but I will say that using it in tablet mode has one major drawback, which is that the laptop is rather heavy, so note taking can be difficult for some. Speaking of notes, the touchscreen is also very responsive, allows for full gestures, and is also digital pen-compatible, which can be purchased separately. I already had one and it works nicely with very little lag.
As with almost all laptops, the quad-speakers are nothing to get too excited about. The sound is good though, lacking some bass, but it does come clear at normal volumes.
There are plenty of ports in this laptop. You have USB-A, USB-C Thunderbolt 4, SD-card reader, HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The laptop has an 87Wh battery, so I was able to use it for almost and entire work day without going to the 65w charger, which can fully charge it back in about 2 hours.
Although it offers an FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz display, the picture looks great and is vivid. I do enjoy the 16:10 ratio for web surfing. The color gamut is good enough to allow for light video and picture editing, and the HDR capability provides deep blacks, solid whites, and good contrast overall. Even though the panel is glossy and reflective, having 300nits of brightness helps in those sunny days.
This model comes with a 12th i5-1235UA processor which is no pushover, and an Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics Card. One must keep in mind that this laptop is designed for productivity, light content creation, and content consumption, and for that it is great and buttery smooth. However, I was able to play some simple games that didn’t take too much space, since it only has a 512GB SSD. As with other Dell laptops, this model can easily be upgraded with more DDR4 RAM -since it only has 8GB, and a second NVMe SSD, which can be relatively inexpensive. There is a higher option with a 4k OLED display, an i7, and more RAM, but it will take this laptop into much pricier territory.
This laptop is ready with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 so connectivity will not be an issue. I am so glad that Dell opted for a 1080p 30fps camera, which should be the standard nowadays. It provides clear, bright pictures and the microphone works better than expected. I also appreciate the very convenient privacy slider.
In the end, the Inspiron 16 2-in-1 laptop provides everything you’d need for a business and casual environment, without breaking the bank. The quality, functionality, and versatility are undeniable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
8of 13voted this as helpful.
Introducing Logitech MX Master 3S – an iconic mouse remastered. Designed for designers and engineered for coders, now with Quiet Clicks and 8K DPI any-surface tracking for more feel and performance than ever before. It’s ergonomic silhouette is crafted to support your palm and fingers and allows you to work comfortably for hours across multiple computers and operating systems in one fluid workflow. With MX Master 3S, you can truly master what you make.
Customer Rating
5
Still the best mouse for productivity.
on June 16, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
I have been using the original MX Master since it came out a few years ago as my daily driver for work. I have also skipped the past versions as well. So, on first impressions, the fundamental design remains almost the same. It is still for right-handed people, the thumb rests comfortable on the rubber “winglet”, it promotes a “palm rest” use, and has similar weight. There are also significant changes. The side-scroll wheel is larger, the back-forward buttons are now below it, and the scroll wheel is larger and all metal. I will say that I do prefer the back-forward buttons on the side as they seem a bit out of place under the side-wheel. The right-left buttons are smaller but are pushed forward a bit more and the right one protrudes further. I had to get used to it, but it only took a few hours before things became second nature. Overall, I find the ergonomics comfortable for my medium-sized hands.
I tried connecting via USB-C wired, Bluetooth, and the included 2.4Ghz receiver across a Windows laptop, an iOS tablet, and an Android tablet. All connected properly with no issues. Switching between them is a breeze by pressing the buttons below the mouse. According to Logitech, the battery life can last for 70 days, and it seems that this may be true since I’ve been using it for days and it still shows up as full. Plus, the mouse features quick-charging where 1 minute provides 3 hours of use -very nice!
The buttons and wheels are very responsive, and I am grateful that they are very quiet -useful while late night browsing! The underside allows for easy gliding across several surfaces (hard or soft). The mouse is easy to pick up and drop easily as well. While I might not be fully sold on the placement of the forward-back buttons, they make it easy to move between web pages. Since I work heavily with spreadsheets and data, the MagSpeed scroll wheel is of great benefit. The same goes with the side-scroll wheel. Managing long websites, text, and video editing becomes so much easier.
Just in case the stock settings do not do it for you, Logitech provides the Logi Options app, where you can easily customize the buttons, add macros, adjust the gesture button and scroll wheels specific to the software or program, and even device being used. I especially appreciate changing the DPI. There you can manage all compatible Logi devices as well.
At the end of the end Logitech has got a great thing going with the MX Master series. While there’s nothing wrong with the original, I am glad that now the MX Master 3s features USB-C, great battery life, and super quiet buttons. It may be pricier than other options, but what it brings to the table is well worth it in my opinion.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The wearable surround speaker system designed specifically for vivid, comfortable, and exciting gaming, with 4-channel, realistic surround sound, with 3 gaming sound modes to heighten every experience—developed jointly with the FINAL FANTASY XIV online sound team from SQUARE ENIX.
Customer Rating
4
Sleek, quality, comfort, sound, immersion.
on March 8, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
from IL
On first impression, I found the design sleek and not overly bulky. The fabric covering feels good to the touch, adding to the premium look. There’s plastic underneath which is thankfully smudge or fingerprint resistant. The controls are in a good place and in my experience are responsive and easy to get used to. The USB-A cord is much longer than expected at almost 10ft. There is also a rubber cover where the neck would be, as well as rubber “feet” where the unit rests.
Now, I was amazed as to how light and comfortable this product is. I wore it for an entire workday -over 9 hours, and not once did it become tiring or developed any sore spots -especially on the back of my neck. The long cord is great when playing on the couch, or walking (carefully) around while in use, but it can be cumbersome when seating in front of a monitor, where one can get entangled or run over the cable, particularly if you have a chair with wheels. Fortunately, the fabric-braided cord is super strong while being light and seems that it will last for a long time.
Connecting the unit to a source is easy, both through USB-A and the included 3.5mm cable. I tested the speaker on a PC, PS5, Switch, and Series X. Keep in mind that any Xbox can only be hooked up to the controller’s 3.5mm jack, and the unit must be connected separately to a USB power source (mainly the console’s). Same goes for the Switch, abut only when in handheld mode.
Most importantly, how does it sound? In this factor I am thoroughly impressed. On a PC via USB, you get two main modes: chat and game. By default, the chat mode boosts the midrange and to a certain degree the treble, bringing dialogue to the front. I found this very useful when multitasking while trying to focus to what is being said. However, it can get a bit tiresome over extended listening. On Game mode, the sound becomes slightly lower, but fullness and warmth are added. The bass is comfortably boosted and does not distort at high volumes. The midrange is slightly recessed while the high end remains at the same level. The sound is quite clear, and I enjoyed a wide variety of music.
Of course, the Sound Slayer is advertised as a gaming wearable speaker. I am happy to report that indeed this works very nicely. The sound separation (left-right) is distinct, and the placement of the speakers promote a wide soundstage. The surround effect provided a convincing sense of immersion in many games. It was a decent experience playing games that need positional awareness. Of course, if you are looking for extreme clarity such as in competitive FPS matches, a headset might be best.
And just in case you are not fully satisfied with the default sound signature, there are 6 dedicated EQ presets, at the push of a button.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Quality
5
Value
4
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Jabra Elite 4 Active is designed to stay comfortably in place. And that’s not all: with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), adjustable equalizer, and HearThrough technology, plus instant access to Spotify Tap playback, Elite 4 Active are engineered to bring a real boost to your workout. Made with a secure active fit, and IP57-rated water and sweat proof protection, these buds are engineered for all kinds of workouts. And with a 2-year warranty when you register them in the Jabra Sound+ app, you’ll never have to worry about your workout buddies letting you down. ANC blocks intrusive sounds at the touch of a button, so you can stay immersed in your music. From ignoring the sound system at the gym, to filtering out ambient urban noise, you get in – and stay in – the zone. You can even customize how your music sounds. Whether you want to boost the bass or turn up the treble, just download the Jabra Sound+ app and tune the equalizer to your preference. You can also activate Spotify Tap playback for instant, seamless connection to the music you need to power you through.
Customer Rating
5
Simple, elegant, comfortable, and functional.
on January 26, 2022
Posted by: insomniak1
How Often Used:Daily
Physically, the design language is similar to the previous version, which I have been using for almost half a year. The case is slightly bigger, but is still quite portable, and I appreciate the matte black finish because it does not attract smudges or fingerprints. The cap stays up when opened, which makes it easier to take out the buds and place them back in. There is a subtle branding on the front above the status LED light, and a USB-C charging port in the back. It’s a quite simple but sleek design in my opinion.
The buds themselves retained that triangular shape, which allows them to be easily handled. In my experience, this design fits very well and are very comfortable. After using them for an entire battery cycle, which by the way is short of 6.5 hours, and during several activities, I did not experience any fatigue, soreness, or discomfort. Even when sweating profusely, they stayed in place while doing movements such as jumping jacks and the like. By the way, these are rated IP57, which means that a lot of sweat or little rain will not be a concern.
The seamless connection technology makes them super easy to pair. Having Bluetooth 5.2, they stayed well connected while walking around my medium-sized apartment. Since they offer aptX codec, I did not notice any significant lag or sync issues -especially when playing videogames.
I appreciate that I can control all important functions from the buds such as play, pause, call handling, voice assistance, and most importantly for me, volume. The downside -for me at least, is that these are push controls, and often I had to press a bit hard to make something happen. This causes the bud to jam further into the ear, and more than once I felt the air “pop”. Pressing the buttons can be somewhat cumbersome when running. I would’ve liked an “always-on” voice assistance mode to relieve this. Also, you can use these buds independently, for those who use one bud occasionally.
The ANC is rather impressive. While walking around a busy street, the buds were able to suppress almost all lower rumbles, engine sounds, and planes (I live close to an airport). I am not traveling now, but I tested them by simulating a plane’s cabin low frequency and crowd noise and they did very well. The HeartThrough or ambient mode is decent enough. I still feel it’s a bit unnatural, but it is an essential feature for a sports earbud.
I am quite pleased with the sound signature coming from these buds out of the box. Choosing the right size gel tip and creating a good seal, the 6mm drivers deliver full, crisp, clear sound that is sure to please most music lovers. The bass is impactful, precise, and has a level of sub-bass (subwoofer-like) that adds body to the sound. The midrange is well represented and neutral, allowing rhythm instruments, vocals, and choruses to be well defined. The treble soars high without being harsh or fatiguing. And just in case, you have a full EQ and presets in the Sound+ App to ensure you get the sound you want for any genre.
The call quality, as expected from Jabra, is superb. I was heard loud and clear and my voice, albeit still retaining that typical wireless lack of bass. Still, they sounded full and almost natural. I was further impressed when taking a call outdoors in traffic, as the 4-mic array seems to be doing its job. I did experience some wind noise, but not enough to be distracting.
The battery is not too shabby. Again, it lasted 6.5 hours or so on one sitting and the case makes it about 28 hours. There’s also a quick-charge option where a few minutes in the case adds several hours of playback. Unfortunately, the case does not support Qi wireless charging.
Additionally, the robust Sound+ App brings significant customization by offering updates, control schemes, ANC/Ambient levels, full EQ, “Find My Buds”, and more, furthering the Elite 4’s value. Having multi-point connectivity would’ve sealed the deal for me.
In the end, I find the Elite 4 to be of great value. They are simple, have an elegant design, are comfortable and functional -not just for sports, but for everyday listing.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Comfort
5
Durability
5
Quality
5
Value
5
Ease of Use
5
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6of 6voted this as helpful.
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Soundcore Life Tune XR are active noise cancelling headphones with Hi-Res Certified sound. The Multi-Mode noise cancellation technology detects and cancels out exterior noise. Use for calls with the dual microphones and have long, 60 hour listening sessions due to the long battery life and comfortable earcups.
Hi - How is the sound quality conducting phone calls? Do the headphones work well with Landline phones? thx
I found them reasonable. They may not be the best, but I never had a call drop or become garbled. I will say that they do pick some ambient sound outdoors. Hope that helps!
3 years, 1 month ago
by
insomniak1
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
Are these noise canceling? Doesn’t specify that in the description.
Yes. ANC = Active Noise Cancellation. It works rather well for me!
3 years, 4 months ago
by
insomniak1
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
are these only for phones can they be used for TV's
Yes, if your TV has Bluetooth capabilities like mine, sure!
3 years, 4 months ago
by
insomniak1
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Can you switch out of S mode on Surface Laptop Go?
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Does the screen detach
No. This is a true laptop with a clam form factor.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
insomniak1
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Does this computer have USB ports
Yes. It has 1 USB-C and 1 legacy USB-A. Hope that helps!
3 years, 7 months ago
by
insomniak1
The ROCCAT® Elo 7.1 Air Wireless Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset with 24hr Battery Life and AIMO RGB Lighting boasts ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology for data transmission as reliable as wired and a battery life that lasts the typical gamer over a week thanks to a 24-hour rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of compromising when going wireless, as the Elo 7.1 Air marks a new dawn for cable-free gameplay with its impressive feature set. Its 7.1 surround sound is powered by precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers and features Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing® technology - proven to improve your gameplay by 40%. Superior memory foam and a self-adjusting metal headband give you a unique, weightless fit that’s full of style thanks to RGB AIMO lighting. The removable TruSpeak™ mic completes the package of a high-end wireless gaming headset. ROCCAT takes unique advantage of exclusive technologies as a proud member of the Turtle Beach® family including Superhuman Hearing®, ProSpecs™ Glasses Friendly Design and a TruSpeak™ microphone.
Ps4 compatible??
I actually tried them on my PS4 Pro and they actually worked! HOWEVER, the volume is set way too low and cannot be changed...
3 years, 7 months ago
by
insomniak1
The ROCCAT® Elo 7.1 Air Wireless Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset with 24hr Battery Life and AIMO RGB Lighting boasts ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology for data transmission as reliable as wired and a battery life that lasts the typical gamer over a week thanks to a 24-hour rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of compromising when going wireless, as the Elo 7.1 Air marks a new dawn for cable-free gameplay with its impressive feature set. Its 7.1 surround sound is powered by precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers and features Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing® technology - proven to improve your gameplay by 40%. Superior memory foam and a self-adjusting metal headband give you a unique, weightless fit that’s full of style thanks to RGB AIMO lighting. The removable TruSpeak™ mic completes the package of a high-end wireless gaming headset. ROCCAT takes unique advantage of exclusive technologies as a proud member of the Turtle Beach® family including Superhuman Hearing®, ProSpecs™ Glasses Friendly Design and a TruSpeak™ microphone.
Will this work with the Xbox one x?
Great question! I went to check myself, and sadly, they do not work at all... The Xbox One X won't pick them up at all. It would've been cool if they did!
3 years, 7 months ago
by
insomniak1
Bring your A-game anytime, anywhere. Introducing a universal mobile gaming controller that fits most smartphone devices, designed to bring console-level control to your on-the-go gaming. With this controller by your side, wherever you go, victory will follow.
Does it fit note 10 plus?
Enjoy crisp, powerful sound while gaming with these JLab Play wireless earbuds. The rechargeable lithium-polymer battery delivers more than 11 hours of use on a single charge, and an in-line gaming microphone captures your voice clearly for smooth communication with teammates. These JLab Play wireless earbuds have a magnetic design to prevent falling off your neck while not in use.
can you use these with the ps4?
Oh yes, you can. You have to use the included audio cable, which would go into the PS4’s controller 3.5mm input. Hope this helps!
3 years, 9 months ago
by
insomniak1