Wraith's stats
- Review count184
- Helpfulness votes1,910
- First reviewAugust 18, 2014
- Last reviewApril 19, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Last review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
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- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count27
- Helpfulness votes26
- First answerAugust 18, 2014
- Last answerDecember 13, 2021
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- Best answers3
Upgrade your current gaming rig with this iBUYPOWER Desktop. It’s 16GB of RAM and Intel i7-12700 processor lets you run multiple programs at once, and its Intel Arc A750 graphics card renders fast-paced action smoothly without screen tearing. This iBUYPOWER desktop also has a 1TB HDD + 500GB solid state drive for a faster start up and data acesss.
Customer Rating
4
Very Good Budget Build w/Room to Grow!
on December 4, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
The iBUYPOWER SlateHako2120i is the first rig that I've ever purchased from a non 'mainline' brand and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. What I got was a really nice tower PC with a great motherboard, processor, and heat management system. Oh the light system is nice too but I hate all the LED stuff. I would say that the graphics card is great, and while it is built like a beast, it still has some hangups being a very new tech from Intel. I expect this to be continually upgraded since already in the short time that I've had this, a software update already got rid of a nasty graphics bug on one of my games when using HDR.
The best part of the SlateHako2120i is that it has some room to grow. Beyond just being able to slap in some new or more RAM, an extra slot for an M.2 SSD, or several bays for other drives. It also has the capability to do a Crossfire setup and sling two GPU cards if you wanted. I've already thrown in another M.2 SSD that makes better use of the x4 speed of the primary M.2 slot but I will gripe that the team at iBUYPOWER could have done me a slight favor by keeping (or installing) a lockdown screw in the other slot. I had to buy a $5 kit to get a set of screws and bolts for an ASUS motherboard which worked perfectly.
One of the biggest and best surprises is the thermal management on this thing. I'm not running any of the monitoring software (which you have to add on your own, there is very little bloatware on this thing, but there is also very little in the way of 1st party management software either), but despite running some AAA games at max settings, the SlateHako was remarkably quiet with the liquid cooled system. I have a few misgivings about the lack of ventilation on the front of the case with the triple fan set-up but it would seem to be pulling a lot of the air from the sides and not the front. We'll see how it does in the long run, but right now it is handling thermals pretty well.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the SlateHako2120i. Without breaking the bank, I got an attractive, cool-running, powerful system, with room to grow. If I could give half points, I would and this would be a 4.5, but I felt that its probably closer to a 4 than a 5. If things had gone a bit smoother with the SSD upgrade and I didn't have some of the graphical issues with the ARC card, it would be an easy 5 star rating.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With powerful flight performance and a Hasselblad camera, Mavic 3 Classic delivers the absolute essence of flagship imaging. Take it on any adventure to create unforgettable work.
Customer Rating
5
Most fun I've had flying since the Air Force!
on November 6, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
Ok, the title isn't quite correct, I did a really cool helicopter flight on the big island of Hawaii. But with the exception of that flight, the Mavic 3 Classic is the most amount of fun I've had flying since I got out of the Air Force.
I got into drones pretty early on in their inception and went through to my last one a few years ago which was a DJI Mavic Air. I had worked my way (down, laterally, upgrade) to the Mavic Air because I wanted to fly without a big old drone. While it was a great drone, it was not well suited for my area, the winds, and the flight restrictions (I have two regional airports and a Naval Air Station all with overlapping flight restriction zones). I gave up for a while, but the itch was always there and boy did the Mavic 3 Classic scratch that itch!
While considerably bigger than the Air, the Mavic 3 Classic, is compact enough and has been refined by DJI to pack in some serious bang for the buck and for the oz. With a flying time of 40 minutes (not in the real world, but I still got a good 30 minutes on my first flight), a rock steady platform even in some stiff breezes, and a camera that produces GORGEOUS video and stills, the Classic will go down as the sweet spot for drone pilots. Even my wife, who normally couldn't care less about gadgets like drones, was enthralled with flying this thing and watching the video afterwards.
On top of being a great drone, the RC controller that comes with this kit is phenomenal! The screen is crystal clear and bright even in full sun. It is also incredibly light. I don't know how DJI packed all the gear to power and communicate with everything in such a light device. It is SOOOOOOOOO much better than the old style controller that needed a phone or tablet for the screen. Not only does the controller just feel great in the hand, but it is better balanced by not having a device clamped at the top of it. You also don't have to worry about connection issues between your external device and the controller (something that I always seemed to run into on previous drones). The controller has the DJI Fly app built into it and it makes it so easy.
Transferring video and images off of the drone to your phone is really easy with the Quick Transfer feature, though my iPhone 12 Pro can not seem to hit the 80MB/s that it should get but is limited to the 10MB/s of the single channel. I did some research and I really think this is an issue with the phone and not the drone.
I have only two slight quibbles with the Mavic 3 Classic. I wish it were a bit easier to get the microSD card out of the drone (still the easiest way to get footage off the drone and onto a computer). I also wish that DJI made hard cases for their drones. They have the one convertible bag but I would prefer one tailored to this model and with the protection of the hard case. Other than that, I can't think of a single thing I don't like about this thing.
I have not had a lot of time to play around with all the features of the Mavic 3 Classic, but I am absolutely geeked out to learn and master everything I can do with this drone. I'm out here grinning like an idiot and drilling holes through the air. This is gonna be fun.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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We spend 90% of our time indoors where the air is often 2 to 5 times worse than the air outside. Continuous monitoring of indoor air quality is key for minimizing negative health effects, preventing illness and increasing productivity, energy and good health. Airthings, air quality specialists and experts in radon, created the Airthings Wave Plus as the first smart air quality monitor with radon detection. Wave Plus has since won multiple awards for consumer electronics and innovation and was among the 2019 TIME Magazine inventions of the year. It is the perfect solution for homeowners to gain full visibility into six indoor air factors; radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne chemicals (TVOCs), humidity, temperature and air pressure. Airthings Wave Plus includes a free app to connect to your smartphone (iOS/Android) via Bluetooth and an online dashboard with advanced analytics. Battery operated allowing you to install anywhere, with 16 months battery life. Please allow for a 7-Day settling period for the sensors to adjust to their new environment. By monitoring daily and continuously, you can avoid radon side effects, get the best indoor humidity level, low voc levels and low carbon dioxide levels. Made to the best indoor air quality standards, Airthings Wave Plus is essential in every home.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Air Sensor w/Great App!
on November 4, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
What is there to say about the Airthings - Wave Plus Indoor Air Quality Monitor? It will not be the coolest gadget you may ever get, and you probably will not get high fives from your buddies for getting such a cool piece of tech. What it WILL do for you though is give you a great picture of the quality of the air in your home and warn you of dangerously high levels.
Right out of the box, the setup is super easy and you can get some basic information right away. For the important stuff like the Radon and Volatile Organic Compounds, the Wave Plus will need 7 days to calibrate itself to your environment. Airthings even sends out nice reminder emails on how to interpret your data and also when your Wave Plus has finished its calibration.
My Wave Plus showed up the day after I had all new furniture delivered for my living room and was calibrated by the time I had some new flooring put in a week later (that was supposed to happen the other way around but what are you going to do?). You can see from the screenshots that I've posted that there were big jumps in VOCs at both times.
From what I can tell, the data seems to be very solid and matches with less than a 1% variance from the sensors suite in my Dyson air filter. Now I have good data for both upstairs and down and can make adjustments depending on the quality of the air and where everyone is hanging out. Like I said, not a glamorous device but provides some nice piece of mind especially after years of lockdown in the house. I've taken a little more care in monitoring and improving the quality of the air in my home after having spent WAY too much time just hanging around here.
If you have concerns about radon and composition of the air you breathe in around your home, you can't ask for a better monitoring tool than the Airthings Wave Plus. It gets the job done, is unobtrusive, and is super easy to manage via the app.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your office chair should be nothing but comfortable. With the Insignia NS-OCP3 High Back Executive Ergonomic Chair with Adjustable Headrest, feel free to sit back and work away. With an adjustable seat, armrest and headrest, as well as a swivel and tilt mechanism, adjust the chair to your liking for optimum comfort and support. This chair also has reinforced lumbar support, alleviating unnecessary strain on your lower back. It has a 5-pointed star base with wheels and a black, mesh design, giving it a modern look that will look great with any office décor. Choose comfort and support and upgrade your chair to one that offers it all.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable, Stylish, and Easy to Set-Up
on October 31, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've had what I considered to be a pretty expensive gaming chair ($300) to sit at my desk with my computer and Xbox. It was cool for about 6 months before the foam started to compress too much, and I noticed that the lumbar support didn't support as much as it poked me in the back, and the neck support pillow couldn't actually hit where my neck sits when sitting properly. I suffered with this chair throughout the COVID years and boy did those really stink! The thing I learned from all of that, is like your shoes, and your bed, you should never skimp (even if it doesn't seem like skimping at the time), on the chair you will sit in for hours on end!
The Insignia High Back Executive Ergonomic Chair, is worth every penny. It was the easiest desk chair I have ever put together, mostly because the arms fit on to a molded slot and stay there while you put in the bolts. The back and headrest were just as easy. At first it was a bit jarring to go from a foam seat to the mesh but it won me over pretty quickly. A quick adjustment of the lumbar support (which actually supports), and setting the arms where I want them, and I was good to go. For a few days that is. I noticed that I was getting a sore spot on my left hip, and it wasn't until I played around with the seat position and moved it forward all the way that I REALLY found out how supportive this chair can be. Now I am absolutely golden.
I was surprised that the seating height of the chair was so high in its lowest setting. I'm 5'11" and it is perfect for me at this low setting and allows my feet to be firmly planted on the floor with my legs at a comfortable 90ish degree angle. If I were any shorter, I would not be able to put my feet down without a foot rest. Perhaps they assume that you might have one of those and are making some allowance for that. If you are under 5'11" though, you might want to try this chair before you buy it.
I also like the rocking motion of the back and how far back it can recline, but was surprised that the lock for the back couldn't lock you at wherever you found comfortable or at least some set increments. It is either locked straight up or it is allowed to rock back freely. Now the tension on the back is really good, so it's not like you fall back, but again, I was just surprised.
All-in-all, I am extremely happy with the chair and look forward to many years of much more comfortable sitting while at my desk. Don't skimp, get a GOOD chair!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Dyson's most advanced filtration system combines a precise, solid-state formaldehyde sensor with a unique catalytic filter that continuously destroys formaldehyde.¹ And Dyson purifiers have powerful Air Multiplier technology to purify the whole room.²
Customer Rating
5
With A Name Like Dyson, It Has To Be Good!
on October 27, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I joke a bit with the title of this review, but seriously, what other household appliance manufacturer has the reputation for quality like Dyson? I can't think of any, and the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09, continues that legacy.
What do I like about the Dyson TP09? Here is a list:
1. Easy to set up: Snap in the filters on either side of the base, plug it in, and hit go. Simple.
2. Remote Control: I don't have to get up to change the settings. I'm all for lazy!
3. Quiet: This fan is probably going to get moved upstairs once I feel that it has done its job with all our new furniture in the living room. It is WAY quieter than the unit we have upstairs, with the additional benefit of cooling on those hot nights.
4. Looks Cool: Dyson stuff always looks cool and feels solid, the TP09 is no exception.
5. Informative: The display on the fan gives a TON of data on your air quality and the pollutants in your home. I could watch as the Volatile Organic Compounds level (from our new couch and sofa), dropped as the Dyson worked it's magic. I was surprised that it recorded that there wasn't any Formaldehyde in the air like I assumed there would be. But everything from particulate matter, to humidity, to temperature, and nitrogen dioxide can all be detected and reported out by the TP09.
What is the only thing I don't like about the Dyson TP09? Price. That being said, you ARE getting what you paid for with this device. If you just need a fan to move air, just go get a box fan for like $25 but if you want one that can LITERALLY manage the quality of the air you and your family breathe when you are at home, get the Dyson TP09.
BTW: I have a separate air quality detector that was able to verify the readouts that the Dyson gave. They were only off on temperature and humidity and that was by a degree and a couple of percentage points.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Quantum Matrix Technology, HDR 2000 and UHD resolution come together for a crystal clear picture. 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG GTG response time support smoother game play. Matte display enables better gaming immersion.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Monitor! Puts You In The Action!
on October 7, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've never owned a curved monitor but I have wanted one for ages. I have a great 32" 4K flat monitor that is really nice but I have been constantly looking at the options for a 4K, fast response, HDMI 2.1 monitor to round out (Ha! Didn't plan that joke!) my gaming setup. My gaming platforms at the moment are an Xbox Series One X and a brand new gaming laptop. I play mostly space/flight sims like Elite: Dangerous and MS: Flight Sim, and games like Star Trek Online and MechWarrior 5.
Set-up of the Odyssey Neo G8 was super easy because they have it set up so that now you can easily use the interior supports to hold the monitor in place while you attach the stand. Though you do need to take everything out to get to all the pieces. Maybe some other makers do this but this is the first that I didn't have to rig up to make sure I didn't damage the screen while putting it all together.
*I will make a note here to Samsung. Whomever packaged my monitor was having a really bad day. Maybe give them a day off or two. The protective film on the back was crumbled up into a strip along the back and there was a ton of black, flakey, plastic-like debris all over the monitor. It all vacuumed right up but I've never had so much junk on a piece of electronics before.*
Anyway... There is NOT an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable included, though there is a DisplayPort cable and a USB-A to B cable. I have a few so it was not a big deal. I first plugged it into my Xbox and it was gorgeous without even having to fiddle with the settings. One thing I did notice though, is that when on a static or another screen with minimal movement, there would be flashes of a scan line. I would mostly notice it on the left side of the screen and it would pop up mostly around 1/3 of the way down the screen. Didn't happen at all during regular game play but would be pretty obvious on menu or pause screens.
When I plugged the Neo G8 into my laptop though, that is when she really shined (and in some ways I mean that quite literally, this thing gets bright and a few digital suns about blew out my retinas). My gaming laptop is an all AMD rig and it plays quite nicely with the monitor's FreeSync function. I didn't think the screen could look much better than it did with the Xbox, but boy was I wrong and it is not just from the higher resolution in some of the games. Everything was sharper and there was ZERO scan line flashing anywhere when plugged into the laptop.
This is a fabulous monitor! I have only two quibbles that are Samsung's fault and one big problem that is mine. The first for Samsung is that the control panel for the Neo G8 sucks. The squishy buttons are too small and with the size of this monitor, the bottom is quite close to the desk (at least for me), so they are hard to access most of the time (a remote control, like my other monitor uses, would be perfect). Second for Samsung, is that this thing needs speakers. Even if they aren't ear bleedingly awesome, it needs to have sound output other than the headphone jack. That's just my preference but I think others would appreciate it as well.
The big problem that is on me is the fact that I wear reading glasses and they do not seem to play nice with curved screens. While the curved screen is more immersive, it puts the edges of the screen into my peripheral vision and also out of the plane of focus for my glasses. This means if I turn my head the images swims a bit and I have to pull back from the screen to get the focus locked in. I also can't just dart my eyes over because often times the rim of the glasses is blocking there. I don't have this problem with my 32" flat monitor. I realize that the edges aren't the same distance from my eyes as the center, but I have 20/20 far vision and the further away something is, the clearer, so that is not an issue. I'm hoping that I will either get used to this or that when I get a prescription for those 'reader' eye drops, that this will go away.
If you don't wear glasses, this is an unreserved two-thumbs up of a recommendation. If you do wear glasses, especially readers, you may want to test a curved monitor out in the store to make sure that you are OK with it. I've only had the monitor for like 3-4 days but I haven't gotten used to it quite yet, and I don't know if I will. No matter what, I'm going to keep on trying because Samsung gave us gamers a phenomenal piece of gear!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Record your memorable adventures with this GoPro HERO11 Black camera. The rear LCD screen lets you conveniently frame your shots to optimize picture quality, and the image sensor features a wide field of view to capture more content. This GoPro HERO11 Black camera boasts HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization and Horizon Lock for crisp footage even if the camera moves and captures 5.3K videos and 27MP photos for detailed visuals.
Customer Rating
3
Disappointed. New Sensor But Poor Quality Images
on September 21, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've never owned a GoPro before but I have had some of their competitors. I've ultimately been disappointed with most of these 'action-cams' and unfortunately the HERO11 Black just continues that tradition. I had hoped that with the new sensor and expanded view, I might finally find THE camera that I can use for both work and travel. Despite all the great things about the Hero 11 (which I will commend it on), in the end, some major software hiccups and surprisingly poor video/photo quality make it hard for me to recommend at this time.
I used to be a semi-pro photographer. I've sold images to publications in the past and have sold images in galleries. I know how to take a photo. Videography runs on the same principles photography, and you need to take care to ensure that you set your camera up to successfully record a good image/video. A camera such as the GoPro HERO11 *should* be one that does not need as much planning or set-up. It should be turn on and go! Unfortunately, I'm finding that I need to plan shots way more than I should and without the depth of settings (or at least ease of setting them) that I would have on a professional camera.
I live in Southern California. There is a reason why the TV/Movie industry is out here. The diffuse light that our bright, blue sky puts out due to the scattering effect of the dust and ocean spray make it almost perfect to film in without needing a lot of extra lights. Despite this abundance of light, I seem to be unable to get the HERO11 to take a well-exposed shot that isn't pixelated or video that doesn't stutter.
With the new sensor, GoPro claims that you get better image quality both with video and still images, as well as having better low-light ability. As you could read earlier, I do not agree with the GoPro team's assessment. The only thing worse than the video quality is the photo quality. Especially indoors.
The bigger sensor and the new 8x7 format should have really goosed the ability of the GoPro HERO11 to be used indoors, which is where I wanted to use it for work. I help out my buddy with photos and videos of the properties he sells in the area. I'm always trying to improve the quality and usability of those images, especially since COVID put a premium on virtual tours. My buddy also specializes in homes for military families who may not be able to visit in person prior to moving here. I had really hoped that this would be the perfect camera for both my work with him and the travel and hiking my wife and I do.
What does GoPro get right? A lot of things really. The build of the HERO11 is top notch. It feels solid in hand and not a toy. The quality of the screens on both the front and back of the camera a bright and beautiful (though not big enough to see problems right away). The amount of accessories out there for the HERO series of cameras is unmatched. I purchased the Volta battery grip as well as the head strap and QuickClip combo. Using the HERO11 with these accessories is super easy.
The image stabilization features are also top-notch and better in many ways than the video created by cameras on gimbal systems in some ways. Seeing some of the promotional videos highlighting previous iterations of the HyperSmooth technology is one of the reasons I was so interested in the HERO11 when I saw it. It really does do a phenomenal job making the footage produced by the camera as smooth as butter. It can almost make you think you a seeing a camera on rails as you glide through and around a home.
The software package that GoPro put into the Quik app is also phenomenal. You have an extremely versatile package for combining clips into cohesive and compelling videos. They give you all kinds of tools for editing, adding special effects, titling, and packaging the completed video. What it can't do it would seem is allow your phone to act as a remote terminal to monitor recording while filming. This is what I was REALLY hoping for since I will be doing most of my filming without the ability to see the back of the camera, due to the harness/headband or being on a tripod. I know that this is something that MOST GoPro users need to do at least on some occasions, or does everyone just leave this up to chance and just go with what they capture? That seems to invite a lot of need to have to reshoot clips, which I have already had to do several times. That does not make my job easier.
Oh, I would also like to say that I'm not too happy that GoPro just got rid of their own PC/Mac software for editing. I know there are a ton of options out that that will support the HERO11 footage (I own quite a few), but I expect a camera company to make their camera completely useful and this requires some support on the backend. While the App for the iPhone is robust, a phone is NOT the best platform for editing videos. And while I'm at it
I've also had some serious hiccups with the HERO11 where the camera will freeze and then shut down. The camera is not overheating and it has happened while recording, while plugged into my laptop, and while using the on-screen menu. I have fully updated the camera to the latest firmware edition so I wouldn't think I would be having these issues. Perhaps many of my issues can be resolved with software updates(including the image quality), but right now, the HERO11 might as well just be a paperweight to me. I'm going to hold on to the camera in hopes that GoPro either addresses these issues, or I figure out what I can do to make it produce better images (though I'm not sure what else I can do).
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Engineered for those who know gaming is a way of life, the Lenovo Legion Slim 7, in Onyx Grey, is calibrated for next-gen creation and gaming alike. Redefine gaming experiences with the latest generation AMD Ryzen processor and AMD Radeon RX graphics that are AI-optimized via the Legion AI Engine, all the while cooled by the Legion Coldfront 3.0’s thermal system. The Legion Slim 7’s light and exhilarating design is further machined from an Aluminum and Magnesium blend that defies all basic laws of laptop engineering. Crush the competition in WQXGA for immersive gaming anywhere life takes you.
Customer Rating
5
A sharp looking beast of a game/professional rig!
on September 21, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I have been a big fan of IBM/Lenovo computers ever since my first business laptop a couple decades ago. I appreciate the outward professionalism of their designs with the eminently capable insides. Add on to that, they have my favorite keyboard of any laptop
I'm not usually a fan of laptops over 15", especially gaming rigs, because they tend to be a bit too bulky. Laptop makers also tend to squeeze a 'full' keyboard with numpad into 15"+ frames and I don't like the keyboard, touchpad offset that happens with that setup. Lenovo *did* put in a full keyboard/numpad but the numpad is narrow and the keyboard offset is not too drastic.
Fortunately, Lenovo brought some of their timeless style to the Legion and we have a laptop that would look great in any conference room but has the guts to run AAA titles on the gorgeous WQXGA screen. They also made a 16" inch laptop feel like an ultra portable. Though the power brick is hefty, it too is stylish and slender.
Here are some points that I appreciate about the Legion Slim 7.
Power: Every creativity program I have run and more importantly, every game that I like playing has played without a hitch. Battletech, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Star Trek Online, and Elite: Dangerous. I'm sure it is going to do just as well with Homeworld 3, Company of Heroes 3, and Bloodlines 2. The extra power overhead is also great for work as well. With a huge, beautiful screen, you have tons of room to have editing panes open in video/photo editing. You can have multiple tabs open in Edge, while also crunching some video clips or writing in Scrivener. With the Legion Slim 7 having a complete AMD pipeline, you get to really see the AMD silicon shine.
Display: This is probably my favorite laptop display. It hits all the high points by being both bright and colorful, while also large enough and with the resolution to be useful and fun. Combine that with the speed of this screen, and you have what I consider to be the trifecta of a perfect screen.
Heat: From what I have experienced for the last week, the Legion Slim 7 does a VERY good job of managing heat. While the fans can get going pretty hard, I'm not too worried about that because I typically play with headphones on.
Ports: I know some people have complained that the AMD Advantage Edition doesn't have all the ports that the Intel version sports but for me I think there are plenty and a good variety. I appreciate the power, video, and USB-A ports are on the back, while the USB-C ports are on the left and the full size SD Card slot and headphone jack are on the right.
Expandability: Here is my only real quibble with the Legion Slim 7... there is not a slot for a second SSD on the motherboard. This is almost unforgivable in this day and age. Programs keep getting larger and larger while media libraries also balloon out. While I can offload some of the media files and even a few of the programs onto high speed external drives, I'd really rather they be internal and save the external drives for back-ups. This almost made me want to pull a star but the rest of the computer is so good, that I just couldn't do it.
Bottom Line: The Lenovo - Legion Slim 7 AMD Advantage Edition is a phenomenal laptop, full-stop. Not gaming laptop, not business laptop, not media laptop, just a phenomenal laptop because it can do all of those things beautifully while also looking great doing it. Other than the expandability issue, and maybe not their absolute best keyboard, everything else is perfect for what I'm looking for. If you want an all around laptop that can crush work during the day, and crush aliens at night (or maybe while you are still at work), you CAN NOT go wrong with the Legion Slim 7.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot combines an ultra-powerful vacuum with Sonic Mopping for a complete clean from start to finish. First, it’s an ultra-powerful whole home vacuum on carpets and floors that empties its own dustbin. Second, it’s an ultra-powerful vacuum that sonic mops hard floors at the same time. It features Matrix Clean, which allows your robot to clean from multiple angles using a precision grid ensuring no spots are missed on all your floor types. No cleaning detail is unmet with this robot’s corner and edge cleaning, self-cleaning brushroll for pet hair, and HEPA filtration trapping 99.97% of dust and allergens into the bagless base. With Precision Home Mapping, the robot uses its 360 LIDAR vision to scan your home and build a detailed map, enabling fully autonomous movement. This also allows your robotic vacuum to detect and avoid objects in its path day or night. It creates a precise home map in the SharkClean app so you can select specific areas to clean on-demand, initiate Matrix Clean, and set cleaning schedules from anywhere. Utilize the app to set custom carpet and no-go zones for complete control of where the robot cleans and doesn’t clean. This robot masterfully integrates Matrix Clean with vacuuming, mopping, CleanEdge, and self-emptying to give you the ultimate floor cleaning machine.
Customer Rating
4
Better Than Previous Robot But Still 'Meh'
on September 20, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I am a neat freak. If there is a cleaning gadget, I probably own it. I have multiple vacuums, all with different uses, as well as an entire collection of quick disposable dust/mop options. I have always been enamored with the *idea* of robot vacuums but have been continually disappointed. Unfortunately, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base and Matrix Clean Navigation (Whew! Say that 5 times fast), while better than any of my previous robot vacuums, it is still not good enough for me to justify the price/work.
Wait, did I say that the robot was work? Isn't the robot supposed to lead you to a life of luxury where your house is spotless and you can eat bonbons all day? Yeah, no. The Shark AI Ultra (I named it Rosie), needs a lot of work to set up properly. It needs supervision it would seem from my testing, and whoo boy does this thing clog/need emptying and/or cleaning regularly (and I've only had it for a little over a week!).
The whole kit was easy enough to set up. The robot is already put together, you just need to attach a single 'corner brush' (this is a problem in and of itself - more on this later). The base station is also all ready to go, just plug her in and place her on the robot/base station mat. Put the two together and let the robot charge up over night. While it is doing that, you can download the Shark app to control your wee cleaning beastie!
The next day, I turned Rosie loose on the first floor of my house, about 1500 sq/ft, and let her find her way. I cleared the cat toys up and any stray cables that might throw her for a loop, but upon examination of the map that she recorded, she missed A LOT of places in my house! I didn't have the robot try again because I now really wanted to see how Rosie did with vacuuming. I set 'her' off to do her thing and went to sit and monitor the whole situation from the comfort of my easy chair. I was dismayed that within 10 minutes of setting out, I had to come and extricate her from the dreaded 'open corner of floor'. Wait, what? Yup, the little robot got caught, had a hiccup, program freeze, whatever just trying to round the corner on tile. I waited for quite a while assuming that the little robot would be able to back up, use its wheel lift ability, or just bully on through but after a minute of it going crazy, I felt sorry for it and gave it a nudge. I decided to NOT just let it do its thing while I sat (which is kind of the point of these things), but to instead follow it and make sure there weren't any other hang-ups.
There weren't any other 'hang ups', but I did notice some things that I wasn't too happy about. My previous attempts with vacuum robots often had the robot get stuck under my furniture which has some pretty good clearance for many of the pieces but not all. Rosie doesn't have the problem of getting stuck, she has the problem of not even trying to go under the furniture she can make it under, or if she does go under, she doesn't clean under there and just makes a beeline to the other side! This was a big issue with the coffee table in the middle of the living room. There is a ton of room for this robot to go underneath, and I WANT it to clean the rug under there because it is a favorite sitting place for my cat and therefore is a repository of fur, litter, nails, and whiskers. I'm going to attach a photo to this review but I don't know if you will be able to make it out. You can see the treads go right under the table diagonally without stopping. All the other places it vacuumed were in nice tight rows (I'll post a picture of that as well).
I also noticed that Rosie didn't go into some areas that she could easily maneuver in and cut corners around some furniture and appliances. On top of that, the robot has a 'corner brush' but it is only on one side. Therefore you would assume that the robot would pass by walls and corners with the brush side towards the wall. You COULD assume that, but you would be wrong. More than half the time, the brush was towards the open side AWAY from the wall/corner and sweeping nothing extra into the path of the vacuum. Perhaps the robot needs two brushes, or is programed to clean they way I would think it would?
As for mopping, I only tried it once and was again less than impressed. I had spilled a bit of sauce from a meal on the tile floor and thought that it would make for a great test. So I filled up the reservoir with cleaning fluid, swapped out the modules and let Rosie go at it in the kitchen (which I had delineated via the app since the house is open concept and there really isn't a separator). At first I thought Rosie had done a decent job because the spill looked like it was gone and the mop pad had an obvious stain from the sauce, but later that evening my wife was walking barefoot in the kitchen and noticed that the floor was sticky there. Sure enough, upon closer inspection, there was still a sheen of dried sauce. So much for ultra-vibrations cleaning up dirt.
One thing that I will say is cool is that I like how the robot will stop and head back to the base station when it is full up, the basestation will suck out all the nasties, and then the robot will resume its job. Doing the first floor of my house took two passes from the robot and it almost seemed like the robot split it pretty evenly. I don't know if that is programed in or if it just so happened that it filled up at the half way point. Once Rosie was done with the first vacuuming of the floor, I checked out the storage bin in the Base Station and was surprised how much the robot was able to pick up. While I did let things get a *bit* dirtier than normal, it was still pretty clean prior to turning Rosie loose. That little robot has a lot of suction for such a small device and that was having it set to 'medium' suction.
That being said, you WILL NOT get '60 days' of hassle free cleaning from this robot unless you have a 250 sq/ft apartment with no pets and no windows/doors to let in dust. Also, after seeing how much was in the storage bin (which was absolutely filthy), I checked the two filter bays in the Base and the storage/filter for the robot. Just after one complete pass of the first floor, the filters were darn near clogged with the exception of the one just below the storage bin, which looked like it hadn't had any air pass over it. Maybe this was the problem. Perhaps there is something wrong with the Base Station air flow, but the Robot filter and the little wedge over it were clogged with dust and fibers. The main filter to the side of bin in the Base, which is a really weird short tube of filter in a big bowl of a bay, was brown and there was a ton of dust coating the side of that bay. Shouldn't more of that stuff end up in the bin and not stay on the device or in auxiliary areas of the system? I can see me having to clean out the base and the robot and that taking almost as much time as I 'saved' by having a robot vacuum instead of doing it myself.
All in all I don't feel like the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 will end up saving me enough time and effort (especially when I still have to clean areas that the robot won't seem to go AND I have to babysit the thing), to justify its purchase. MAYBE if I had a smaller place with absolutely flat surfaces, and furniture that sat way high above the floor, then maybe it might be worth it, but then it also would be a breeze to clean myself and I wouldn't have even bothered to get this thing.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Meet the newest way we’re extending M1 & M2 MacBook connectivity. With the Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, you can extend to 2 displays at 4K video while getting access to 10 essential ports, including USB-C, HDMI, USB-A, and many more. Enjoy transferring photos in a flash, quick charging your device, and extending to 2 HDMI displays, all without having to download cumbersome drivers. And it’s fully compatible with MacBook Air/Pro (M1, M2, M3 & Intel powered) devices, Windows PC devices as well as Chromebook devices.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Hub For MacBooks & Windows PCs Alike!
on September 20, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
The Hyper - Dual 4K HDMI 10-1 USB-C Hub is a solid choice for those workers and creators that need to expand the anemic port selection on most Mac laptops or to add even more ports to a monster gaming laptop.
I had been hoping that my second 4k monitor would have shown up by now so that I could write a review on how well the hub handled two 4k monitors, but also how my MacBook Air and Legion Slim 7 did with dual monitors. Unfortunately, it would seem that the monitor is lost in the 'ether' and I should just write this now as is.
This Hyper hub is super easy to set-up. You pop it out of the box, plug in the USB-C cable into one of the USB-C ports on your MacBook, click on the HYPERDISPLY icon, install the small file, and away you go! Or maybe not, if you are a knucklehead like me and just plug the computer end of the HDMI cable willy-nilly into the dock. If you have only one monitor, you have to plug it into HDMI 1, not 2. If you plug it into 2, you will get angry and wonder how the heck a simple hub or monitor can be so stupid. The electronics are not stupid, it is operator error!
I'm not exactly sure what the software that's on the hub does for you because I am unable to select or change any of the settings in the app window (like the slip of instructions would seem to indicate is possible). Instead, I just make all the choices such as resolution, magnification, mirror/extend, in the Display menu under System Preferences.
All the other ports work well too. I was able to plug in both a USB-C thumb drive as well as a USB-A thumb drive, both a MicroSD and regular SD card, as well as a power cable (all at the same time). I did not test the LAN port or the headphone jack, but I'm going to assume they work as well as the other ports.
I will say that I was surprised at how warm the hub got when the power pass-through is used, especially since it wasn't powering anything off of the hub. It wasn't egregious, but it was pretty toasty!
Bottom line is: if you need a solid workhorse of a port/monitor hub for your MacBook, don't look any further than the Hyper Dual 4k HDMI 10-in-1!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wraith's Review Comments
Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
By Wraith
I wondered about creating a GPS system nowadays with so many people having their smartphones with their own GPS functionality or with most cars coming with some kind of infotainment system, but after using the OverDryve 7 for the last two weeks, I think it is a great system and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to add GPS functionality to their car.
First off, my favorite thing about this device is the mounting bracket. I kid you not. One of the things I always hated about car GPS systems was having to lock it in place and reconnect the power and such. In the process of doing that I would invariably mess with my carefully set up positioning and would have to do it all over again. The Overdryve has an awesome bracket that you keep set up in your car and plugged in to everything and the Overdryve unit itself links via magnets and the connections are made through little contacts on the back. Easy-peasy. On top of that, the basestation also has an additional GPS antenna to improve location accuracy. Now I have rarely had problems with previous GPS devices and but the additional antenna could probably help when you are in the 'canyons' of the city, though I haven't gone downtown to try it yet.
The GPS system is great. While my car has one built in, it acts a bit too much like my mother and won't let me input anything if I am not at a complete stop. My wife can't even do it from the passenger seat because if we are moving at all it completely locks out the GPS controls. I understand why, but it would be nice for some kind of override. With the Overdryve, we don't have to worry about that. She just plucks the device from the mount, types in the destination and clicks it back into place. The guidance voice is kind of grating but so is my wife yelling directions at me from her phone!
I played around with the handsfree and entertainment applications and they are fine, but my car handles that pretty seamlessly, so I don't think I will be using that function of the Overdryve. The voice commands are much more responsive than those for my car system so I will give it that. The other thing I don't have to worry about is the backup camera or tire pressure monitor, because my car already has that, but if your car doesn't, this is a really cool feature. While each of those systems is an add-on, they are both only about $150 each and I guarantee I paid more for that functionality from the auto maker.
As for the Overdryve also being an Android tablet, and can be used off the mount like any other tablet, it is true that it can do so, but it is a little bulky for that and it is an Android tablet with all that entails. Sorry, I have an iPad and I can't really see myself ever using this as just a regular tablet, but perhaps if you forgot yours and you have a fussy kid in the back and want to send it to the back seat to quiet them down, this could be a lifesaver.
Now for my few quibbles with the device. I had a little trouble syncing it to my phone for the first few tries but after I did a phone restart I didn't have a problem and it had maintained the sync no problem, so it could have been my phone and not the Overdryve. My only other problem is the name. Seriously, Overdryve?! I realize that Overdrive was probably taken but I kind of feel like some hipster should be on TV telling me how 'swaggy' this thing is. Every time I have had to type Overdryve into this review, I have had to roll my eyes and they are getting tired.
In summary, if you want a great functioning GPS system, and that is all, this is a phenomenal GPS and it costs about the same as other 7-inch GPS systems. If you need the functionality of an infotainment system, and want the ability to add safety features like a back-up camera and tire pressure monitoring, this is a no-brainer because you get all of that for the price of a basic 7" GPS. On top of all that, you get a fully functional Android tablet! I really can't see why anyone would buy any other standalone car GPS system now that this is out. Even if you don't need the other functions, they are nice to have and Rand McNally has created the best GPS device I have ever used, for the same price as other systems. Seriously, this is the unit to get.
Wraith
Rochester Hills, MI
Dash Cam!
September 25, 2016
I totally forgot about the dash cam function of this. Yet another feature that makes this a no-brainer. I have not had much experience with dash cams but this one works well. Now let's just hope I don't end up on one of those dash cam compilation videos on YouTube!
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Wraith's Questions
Wraith has not submitted any questions.
Cleaning up after pets has never been easier than with CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro, our BEST CrossWave multi-surface cleaner for homes with pets. It vacuums and washes at the same time, across sealed hard floors and area rugs, combining cleaning steps and saving you time. It’s perfect for grab and go cleaning of frequent pet messes with up to 30 minutes* of hassle-free, cordless run time and it weighs just over 10.5 lbs. Our pet parent engineers incorporated three different cleaning modes: Hard Floor Mode, Area Rug Mode and TURBO PET Mode to boost cleaning performance, especially for pet and everyday stuck-on messes. CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro multi-surface cleaner also has LED headlights to illuminate pet hair, dirt and debris while cleaning along baseboards and in corners. And unlike when you use a mop and bucket, there’s no need to worry about putting dirty water on the floor while you clean, since our Two-Tank Technology keeps the clean and dirty water separate. When you’re done cleaning, CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro cleans itself! It has a self-cleaning cycle that rinses the brush roll and inside of the CrossWave with clean water, so there’s less clean-up after cleaning. Plus, it comes with two trial-size bottles of our PET Clean + Natural formula and two PET Multi-Surface Brush Rolls. And this machine doesn’t just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Does this machine clean up both hard and soft puppy poops? We are elderly and have three Chihuahuas & a Chiweenie. Two dogs are elderly and have been pad trained because we do not have a fenced yard & area predator threats. The pups likely too.
I would not use this for either. This is for dirt, mud, dust, hair, litter, and small food bits. If it were a liquid mess (vomit/diarrhea) it might do OK, but nothing bigger or more substantial than that.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
Cleaning up after pets has never been easier than with CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro, our BEST CrossWave multi-surface cleaner for homes with pets. It vacuums and washes at the same time, across sealed hard floors and area rugs, combining cleaning steps and saving you time. It’s perfect for grab and go cleaning of frequent pet messes with up to 30 minutes* of hassle-free, cordless run time and it weighs just over 10.5 lbs. Our pet parent engineers incorporated three different cleaning modes: Hard Floor Mode, Area Rug Mode and TURBO PET Mode to boost cleaning performance, especially for pet and everyday stuck-on messes. CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro multi-surface cleaner also has LED headlights to illuminate pet hair, dirt and debris while cleaning along baseboards and in corners. And unlike when you use a mop and bucket, there’s no need to worry about putting dirty water on the floor while you clean, since our Two-Tank Technology keeps the clean and dirty water separate. When you’re done cleaning, CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro cleans itself! It has a self-cleaning cycle that rinses the brush roll and inside of the CrossWave with clean water, so there’s less clean-up after cleaning. Plus, it comes with two trial-size bottles of our PET Clean + Natural formula and two PET Multi-Surface Brush Rolls. And this machine doesn’t just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Does this come with any attachments?
No. There really isn't any need for them since there isn't a wand/hose to use elsewhere. It does have the charging/drying base as well as an extra mopping roller head.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
The best bedroom Smart Clock just got even better. The Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 with Wireless Charging Dock keeps your nightstand clutter free. Charge up to two additional devices at once: your phone (using the wireless dock) and another accessory, like a smart watch (using the USB port). The 4“ color touchscreen showcases the time, weather and your family photos with a choice of customizable clock faces or check in on your smart cameras feeds before bed. Enhanced with a built-in nightlight when docked, the light is just bright enough to illuminate your way without waking your partner. With multiroom audio, you can add your Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 to a speaker group and play media across multiple devices and rooms.
Would the alarm function still work if the internet goes out?
Yes, because it can be set directly on the device as well as through the Google Home app. Doesn't need internet for anything but data it would have to pull from the internet like music/weather and such.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
Does this specific purifier release ozone?
No, it helps filter it out of the air since it is considered to be a toxic gas.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
Wraith
Ensure ample storage for your high-resolution photos and videos with this 1TB WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD. Up to 3 meter drop protection, with IP65 water and dust resistant, and a five year limited warranty give you the peace of mind to take it with you on travels near and far.Rread speeds of up to 1,050MB/s allow for fast file transfer. This WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD features a compact design for easy handling and enhanced portability, and includes a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter for compatibility with most PCs and Macs.
Will this work with the new Xbox Series X gaming console? Thanks
Sort of. From what I understand from Microsoft, the only games you can have on an External USB drive are for the Xbox/Xbox 360/Xbox One. I think you can also have whatever photo/video files on it as well. Series X games have to go on the internal drive or on the new Seagate expansion drive to support the speed required.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Wraith
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
Can they play the music on your phone
No they can not. They can only play sounds from a selection of 40 sounds that come with the Sleep App. You can have up to 10 of them loaded onto the Sleepbuds at a time.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Wraith
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Are the rechargeable batteries replaceable by the end user? Batteries dont last forever, it would be a shame(and waste of money) to have to trash a 150$ headset because you cant swap a battery.
Not without busting them open. Yes, that it a big problem with a lot of devices nowadays. There might be a place where you can have someone open them up, but having the battery available is probably not going to happen. When these no longer hold a charge, they are going to need to be replaced. Wish it wasn't so.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Is the headset able to be adjusted via the app while connected to the xbox or do you have to adjust it separately?
I can change the settings through the app on my phone while playing. The app connects through bluetooth so I don't think they interfere with each other.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Does this fully support Dolby Atmos on Xbox one and Xbox Series x, through the Dolby Atmos App and and games that support Atmos?
I don't think so. When I set them up on my Xbox One X, the setting for these to work is Windows Sonic for Headphones. I have a Dolby Atmos license for another set but I can't select it with these because it says my license does not support these headphones. That being said, they sound great using Windows Sonic. Hope that helps.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
Produce clear pictures and sound with this Miroir Full HD pico projector. The 7000 mAh lithium-polymer battery offers up to 2 hours of viewing time, while the pair of 2W speakers deliver high-quality sound for an all-around multimedia experience. This Miroir Full HD pico projector has HDMI and USB Type-C ports for secure connection to a variety of input devices.
What speakers go well with this??
Anything with a simple 3.5 mm (headphone style plug) would work, though the built in 2W speakers are pretty good for a small space. The projector can even power the speakers if they can be powered via USB.
4 years, 3 months ago
by
Wraith