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  • Review count
    16
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    61
  • First review
    May 2, 2012
  • Last review
    October 30, 2016
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    4.1
 
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    1
  • First review comment
    August 5, 2012
  • Last review comment
    August 5, 2012
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DPCPhoto's Reviews
1 2 >>
 
With 6 cycles and 5 options, this KitchenAid KDFE104DWH dishwasher helps you thoroughly clean up to 14 place settings. Electronic capacitive touch controls simplify operation, and the SatinGlide Max upper rack adjusts for custom placement.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Awesome
on October 30, 2016
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
KitchenAid and one other brand tend to be the best brand models. This unit is pretty solid in my experiences so far.
What I like:
* overall good layout for dishes
* main spray bar is metal
* water efficient
* ball bearings make the sliding baskets smooth and very easy to deal with
* runs quiet
* stainless steel interior
* solid feel/build quality
What I don't like:
* lights are bright, no way to dim?
* In theory, it's nice seeing a light that shows that the dish cleaning cycle is done, but waking up the next morning and seeing the "clean" light is still on is slightly disconcerting and a (small) electricity usurper. Opening the door usually shows if there are clean dishes inside or not.
Rating: 4.75 stars
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Bosch 100 Series built-in dishwasher: Complete the wash while you chat with guests thanks to 46 dBA quiet operation and a large capacity that accommodates up to 14 place settings. Five wash cycles offer versatile cleaning options.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Nice overall but there's a door issue & rack quirk
on October 4, 2016
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
Background: So I'm replacing a dishwasher made in 1994 that had a nice rack layout but wouldn't dry very well anymore and starting to make weird noises while washing. Not worth trying to repair and modern day machines are much more water efficient. I was convinced that Bosch was the best way to go, along with one other brand but looking at all considerations I went with Bosch, which IS a known renowned brand.
Overall summary: The red light shining on the floor to show it is running is a nice touch. It blinks if attention is required. I like the hidden control panel. This brand of dishwasher uses a condensation process to try dishes with. As a result, the dishwasher will feel very warm during the latter cycles - the cupboard next to it where the plumbing is feels like a sauna. It cleans well enough. Bosch is a better brand, but certain quirks - chiefly the rack layout - now leave pause for thought.
The good:
* red LED light showing it's running or if there's a problem needing addressing
* It's quiet. Almost obscenely quiet!
* LED time indicator shows the current setting's time period it requires to wash dishes with (default mode is 2 hours 10 minutes)
* water efficient (hence longer default wash time)
* stainless steel panel on the inside makes cleaning and drying easier
* condensation drying technique is growing fast on me, it's quirky but nifty and it works given time
Now for the bad - your experiences may vary:
* the door, which requires a bit of pressure to open, is finicky when the closed-latch sensor needs to be hit. During mid-cycle, I had to open and close a couple of times to get it going again. And I've only used it once, so far.
* the unit I received also seemed to dribble rinse fluid while putting some in, so an exchange is going to have to be made - I might try the same model again but then go for the next model class up. Even in the best production process there can be one-off flukes.
* the unit I got also has some bowing along the top where the control panel does not sit in all the way. Steam doesn't emanate from it so it's probably not a slickly designed thin vent but a defect and I spent half an hour finding photos online (that are not lame CGI mock-ups but actual product photos) to confirm the bowing probably should not be there. Even the CGI mockup would sufficiently represent the product, and it's no less flush, so it is possible I did get a dud.
And the ugly?
* The normal wash mode requires 2 hours 10 minutes. It's not a big deal by any means, but coming from a 25 year old machine that whizzed through cleaning in under an hour, it's still a shock. But water efficiency and condensation drying process explain this. The Bosch does have a 60 minute mode available, but I'll stick to the slower version as less water will be used. So this one isn't too ugly by any means...
* Want a sauna in your kitchen? This new technology might be jarring for you at first: Condensation based drying mechanisms use superheated water during a final rinse to get condensation to dry water drops off of freshly washed dishware as the surrounding air isn't as hot due to the stainless steel tub. You WILL need the brand of (or similar) rinse agent to ensure this condensation process works to its full potential. On the plus side, no old fashioned heating element is used, so there is an energy cost savings here as well. The built-in water heater used for the final rinse is certainly effective! This threw me off at first, but it will be a little nicer in the winter when having to dishes since keeping the cupboard open to channel that heat will probably save a tad of money from the heating bill.
* At first I thought the rack layout was nice, but dealing with larger saute pans and woks really becomes an issue if more than one need to be washed at the same time. Removing the silverware cubby from the bottom rack alleviates some of the problem, using the flat accessory racks at the very top to keep silverware laid out flat instead. And that's "flatware" redefined... :) But this is where the big point drop occurs. you can spend an hour in the store looking at layouts and think it's great, but utility never really hits home until the machine gets home and you use it and find that "Whoops, there are some differences in interior design".
So, all and all (and if you read this far, thank you! :) ), this machine is energy conscious but as with some other people I do agree that the rack layout is not ideal if you use a lot of pans to make one meal, and I believe there might be a door design flaw for this particular model since others have reflected on some similar issues as well. I still recommend this model, but not for people with families or individuals that use a lot of big pans that want to clean them all in one cycle.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
I would recommend this to a friend!
+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
 
Elevate your cooking. This Samsung range uses convection technology to heat food faster and more evenly. Plus, the Dual Power burners help you keep dishes at just the right temperature for delicious results.
 
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good, with a caveat
on October 4, 2016
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
I'm replacing a 20 year old stove which took 30+ minutes to heat to 425 degrees and stove elements would would boil water on the "low" setting after a couple of minutes. That and other goofball problems, and finding out replacement components are no longer available, makes replacement the only viable option. Samsung has been a great brand for smartphones and their TVs tend to be above average as well. So I'm finally getting into the 21st century, so let's see what this stove does:
The good:
* heats up surprisingly quickly. Much faster than I had ever dreamed of, in fact.
* convection oven is really nice
* clean and smooth looking
* timer to automatically shut off oven when done alone makes this a great purchase. It seems so simple, yet it probably the one most crucial feature of an oven most people would want if they knew about it.
That last one is so awesome, I want to say it twice:
* timer to automatically shut off oven when done alone makes this a best buy. (see what I did there? =D )
Now for the bad:
* Buttons require a bit of pressure to tap to get to go bleep and execute the intended function. This will probably improve over time.
* Control panel feels flimsy compared to the previous stove. It's probably just a nitpick, since the new stove has a a bunch of buttons one can tap - not the sort of thing you'd find in something made in the 1990s with lots of tiny knobs - I would have hoped for something a little more sturdy. As long as the critical elements are built decently, a flimsy-feeling control panel is not much of a nitpick and fair cost cutting compromise (use the other hand to hold and don't tap too hard), and - again - Samsung has a better reputation in general, IMHO.
* take care to clean glass on top of stove - do read the included directions for info on what cleaning compounds are acceptable
And the ugly?
* This type of oven design is new to me so I wasn't expecting various snap-snap or less often snap-snap-snap snapping noises periodically and repeatedly while preheating. It's less loud and less frequent after reaching desired temperature, though. The manual does discuss a popping noise from the oven (normal due to heat expanding metal and cooling that contracts it), except this snapping noise is coming from the plastic control panel region and not where the metal. If it's preheating then a relay controlling the heat element would not need to go off until the desired temperature is reached? (If something like the fan is, say, needing to reverse directions to help spread heat around faster then the relay going off and on makes sense to prolong the motor's life - reversing motor direction while it's receiving power is not a good thing... From what I found online so far, that could be the case. If the manual states the full process, then I overlooked it. Oops.) The good news is just before writing this I did a little more research and found a video proving that the snapping noises ARE a NORMAL part of this oven's heating process and not as ugly as I feared it to be and I've to get used to something made in this millennium for a change, haha!
>>> The Caveat:
A small amount off customers have reported slower-heat-up problems developing over a very abnormally short period of time. Had more negative reviews existed, and people are more inclined to write those, I might believe there is a design problem. But I'm not getting that vibe, and even the best assembly line will still see one or two problem children slide on through. So my 2 cents is to always get an extended warranty, just in case. Not everybody will have this fault develop or in the timeframe they experienced, but you never know if yours is affected by the same conditions theirs were.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
This ARRIS SURFboard cable modem uses DOCSIS 3.0 technology to ensure speed that lets you surf the Web and download videos, music and images with ease. The integrated wireless network (802.11n) is backward compatible with 802.11b/g access points
 
  • Best Buy Business User
  • My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Well, it's awesome until it fails
on January 10, 2014
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
I use it in...:Apartment
About a year ago I bought the SBG6850 router. connection to Comcast was a breeze. Configuring secure WEP2 wifi with SSID broadcast disabled, etc, was easy. The price was a little high, but assumed that higher cost meant higher quality.
From day 1, I noted the lack of power button - so one has to remove the power plug, turn off the power strip, or other inconvenient means... I also noted the unit got very warm or hot to the touch. Working in electronics for 2 decades, I know that heat reduces the lifespan of the device. The design of the router lacks good heatsinks and a fan - it shouldn't get this hot. I kept the router in a cool place with fan blowing on it, and was mostly happy.
Once in a while I had to reset the thing, by removing the power since there is no reset button... but I had to do that with my old DSL router, so that's par for the course.
But a year went by and now Wi-Fi connectivity is reported as "unstable" by my smartphone and tablet, which have to reconnect all the time. Until now Wi-Fi was very reliable.
Reading other reviews, it's clear other people are reporting Wi-Fi and heat issues as well, so it's nice to read I'm not alone. But with the heat emanating from this device, it's clear corners were cut and customers are paying the price.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
What's great about it: It looks pretty
What's not so great: Very warm to the touch, wi-fi unstable, no power button, price
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Performance
5 out of 5
5
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR Camera with 18–55mm Lens: Capture your next masterpiece with this Canon Rebel T3i, an easy-to-use compact DSLR that boasts plenty of features. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 18.0-megapixel CMOS Image Sensor provide optimal performance for superb still shots, while Full HD recording delivers incredible performance when shooting video. No matter your experience with DSLR cameras, the multitude of features and ease of operation gives you more creative options.Memory card sold separately.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Easy to use, good photos, great for newbies
on August 23, 2013
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've been a Canon fan for years and adored how the Ti series (T2i, T3i, T5i, et al) all have cross-compatible batteries, lenses, et al. I had looked at Canon's higher-end prosumer sibling (T5i) and while it had more features, faster response time for actions shots, etc, the sensor was just the same - meaning that the T3i a far better prospect IF one isn't doing action shots or rapid exposures, since the buffer fills up after 3 photos are taken. But, if I did sports shots, the T5i is one I might seriously recommend.
I upgraded from Canon's immediate predecessor, the T2i, whose motor developed a problem after 3 years. :(
The T3i features a flippable LCD screen, and a good array of on-camera button controls that are easy to learn and work with when out in the field. The fact they're by and large similar to the T2i didn't hurt, but it was a breeze to configure bracketed exposure and other settings, even in dark environments.
This IS a budget-minded camera, so seeing iffy results with ISO 1600 (which get worse at 3200, 6400) was a disappointment - if you do landscape shots in dark environments THEN this camera might not be ideal for you.
I can't think of much to really nitpick other than what I've already mentioned. It's a good camera, and if you can get it with the 75-300mm lens with Image Stabilization as part of a bundle, it's so much the better.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
What's great about it: Good image quality, controls
What's not so great: high ISO (1600, 3200+) is mediocre at best
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
4 out of 5
4
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
Features
5 out of 5
5
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
This Belkin case features an 82-key detachable Bluetooth keyboard that connects wirelessly to your Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 or Galaxy Note 10.1, so you can easily type on the go. Multimedia and Internet keys offer an enhanced level of control.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Useful for Tab, but does not fit the Note
on May 10, 2013
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
Verified Purchase:Yes
The one I bought was very tight when inserting my 10.1 into it. I did some checking and anyone with a Note had the same problem - too tight, and the stitching would rip if they used too much force. I took mine out before anything bad happened and I returned it, citing the consensus.
People with the Samsung Galaxy Tab will likely adore this case, but the Tab is thinner...
For those with a Tab, I recommend it.
Those with a Note are SOL for this model. Unfortunately.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
What's great about it: Great fit for the Tab
What's not so great: Bad for the Note 10.1 (too tight, can rip)
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Store up to 32GB of your favorite photos, videos and music on this SanDisk Ultra microSDHC memory card that offers Class 10 video recording capability and up to 30MB/sec. read speed for fast data transfer.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
This is why removable storage is great
on May 10, 2013
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
Verified Purchase:Yes
Every tablet and phone I will ever own will include a MicroSD media slot. It is faster to move data via the SD slot from an older device to the new one. Plug it in and move on with life. No fuss, no muss. As opposed to devices that have no SD slot (only integrated memory) and require a connection to a computer or (slower) cloud storage device, which take more time to transfer and - in some cases - data corruption can occur. Just moving one expansion card is so much quicker.
I bought this 64GB card on sale, which was lower than any online retailer. But even if it were not on sale, it is cheaper to spend $50~100 on this MicroSD card than it is to spend up to $200 more between phones or tablets. Many devices come with 16GB, charge $50~$100 more to get the 32GB device, and then another $100 on top of that previous charge-up for the 64GB version. Keep in mind that integrated RAM is also being used by the operating system and data it stores.
So, for many practical reasons, we customers are better off with MicroSD cards that are transferable between devices.
If anything, as long as one doesn't bend it or tapdance on it, it will remain viable. My only worry is cramming 64GB of space into such a small domain. Technology is incredible, but flash memory devices have limited write spans (100,000 write cycles per sector) and the space between sectors is so small that electromigration or magnetism could reduce the ability of the card to hold data. Even as a digital photographer, I know that full size SD cards can corrupt image files over time. So backups are essential, and the smaller size of MicroSD makes backing up even more important. But SanDisk is, historically, a VERY good brand. I don't expect the card I bought to fail any time soon.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
What's great about it: price, capacity
What's not so great: lifespan (theoretical)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Capacity
5 out of 5
5
Durability
4 out of 5
4
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Easily store and access your media with this 64GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC Class 10 memory card that includes a SD/SDHC adapter to provide expanded compatibility options.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
This is why removable storage is great
on May 10, 2013
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
Verified Purchase:Yes
Every tablet and phone I will ever own will include a MicroSD media slot. It is faster to move data via the SD slot from an older device to the new one. Plug it in and move on with life. No fuss, no muss. As opposed to devices that have no SD slot (only integrated memory) and require a connection to a computer or (slower) cloud storage device, which take more time to transfer and - in some cases - data corruption can occur. Just moving one expansion card is so much quicker.
I bought this 64GB card on sale, which was lower than any online retailer. But even if it were not on sale, it is cheaper to spend $50~100 on this MicroSD card than it is to spend up to $200 more between phones or tablets. Many devices come with 16GB, charge $50~$100 more to get the 32GB device, and then another $100 on top of that previous charge-up for the 64GB version. Keep in mind that integrated RAM is also being used by the operating system and data it stores.
So, for many practical reasons, we customers are better off with MicroSD cards that are transferable between devices.
If anything, as long as one doesn't bend it or tapdance on it, it will remain viable. My only worry is cramming 64GB of space into such a small domain. Technology is incredible, but flash memory devices have limited write spans (100,000 write cycles per sector) and the space between sectors is so small that electromigration or magnetism could reduce the ability of the card to hold data. Even as a digital photographer, I know that full size SD cards can corrupt image files over time. So backups are essential, and the smaller size of MicroSD makes backing up even more important. But SanDisk is, historically, a VERY good brand. I don't expect the card I bought to fail any time soon.
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
My Best Buy number: 2122757374
What's great about it: price, capacity
What's not so great: lifespan (theoretical)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Capacity
5 out of 5
5
Durability
4 out of 5
4
+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
 
This intense release from the beloved sci-fi series Doctor Who includes five episodes from the show's seventh series, starring Matt Smith as the infamous timelord as he deals with alien invasions of earth, spaceships full of dinosaurs, and much more.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Potential to be the best
on November 13, 2012
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
I splurged on this, even though part two is airing next year, followed by part two's Blu-Ray release and followed by a complete series 7 set.
"Asylum of the Daleks" and "The Angels Take Manhatten" are the highlights of this 5-story set. The other three stories are variable, but these stories are better than series 6 (in general).
Part two comes out next year, with EIGHT stories. Can't wait!
It's strange that it's not readily found on store shelves. Other recent show releases, including WHO, are. Other local stores surprisingly carry this title, but I don't want to buy from them.
What's great about it: Daleks, acting
What's not so great: only part one - expect a "complete series 7" next year
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
 
Gain a competitive edge on the virtual battlefield or race track with this Logitech G600 MMO gaming mouse. The RGB lighting allows syncing with your rig for customization, and the 20 buttons offer full control for immersive gaming. This Logitech G600 MMO gaming mouse has a 8200 dpi resolution for precise tracking, and the contoured grip enables comfortable handling.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Why no Mac support?
on October 23, 2012
Posted by: DPCPhoto
from St Paul, MN
The mouse's specs (8200DPI) won me over.
As did the ergonomics. It's shaped differently to their old G9, but it doesn't take too long to get used to, and it has a silky smooth feel to it, which is easy on the palm.
And, unlike what's shown on the box, the buttons will glow a full palette - not just red, green, and blue. :)=5
If anything, there is no ability to control DPI on the mouse (unlike the G9).
But there is a downside: A long-time user of Logitech mice, and Macs, I've noted a discontinuity in how Logitech supports Macs. Some mice (e.g. their Revolution MX) are supported. Their gaming G9 and G600 have no support. At least in OS X.
I did read that using Windows to configure the mouse and buttons is possible, with settings carried over to the Mac. So there are workarounds, but it can be inconvenient for those who don't have Windows PCs.
By default, the "G" keys (9-20) on the side act as a numeric keypad in OSX. If you're using this on a MacBook, that saves you the expense of another numeric keypad device, even if the layout is a little weird.
With luck, Logitech will more completely include Macs in the future. My G10 keyboard is supported, and it's great to have that support! Especially given the historical quality of Logitech's devices.
Definitely recommended, though if you use Macs be aware of these nitpicks, including lack of pre-set DPI options on the mouse when compared to its predecessors. It's not enough to knock off major points, but driver support would have been sweet. It'd be worse if the mouse didn't run under OS X at all.
What's great about it: ergonomic, DPI sensitivity
What's not so great: Need to configure on Windows, no native Mac support (yet)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Design
4 out of 5
4
Ease of Use
5 out of 5
5
+3points
7of 11voted this as helpful.
 
DPCPhoto's Review Comments
 
This collection includes all 25 episodes from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the classic space adventure featuring Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Starship Enterprise, and his loyal crew as they attempt to keep the peace among the stars. All episodes have been digitally remastered for 7.1 sound and 1080p high definition visual effects.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
discs to be recalled do not buy!!!!!!!!!!
By gene9p from new york,ny
DO NOT BUY AT THIS TIME..AUDIO ISSUES ON 7 EPISODES OVER 4 DISCS...SET TO BE RECALLED..POSSIBLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM FORTHCOMING..WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Customer Avatar
DPCPhoto
St Paul, MN
Yes, the discs are being recalled -- or, rather,
August 5, 2012
find an official announcement, send an email to the contact address, provide the information they will ask, and you will get replacement discs (1, 3, and 4) sent.
It's straightforward and discs are being sent out as early as this week (8/6/2012)
0points
1of 2voted this comment as helpful.
 
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