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  • Review count
    233
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    431
  • First review
    February 18, 2014
  • Last review
    April 1, 2024
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    4.1
 
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  • First review comment
    June 25, 2016
  • Last review comment
    June 25, 2016
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  • Answer count
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    August 27, 2015
  • Last answer
    April 9, 2019
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BeingHonest's Reviews
<< 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 ... 24 >>
 
Neato D9's 200 minute runtime, covering 1,600 square feet on a single charge, makes it ideal for medium to larger-sized homes. You can't use circles to clean a square corner. That's why Neato's D-shape allows for a 70% larger brush than those found in round robots along with an industry-leading 0.70 liter dirt bin that holds more dirt between cleanings. Neato's D9 offers corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge cleaning in a short amount of time and its unique Helix multi-surface brush is now 50% quieter on hard surfaces. Neato's D9 also offers 40% greater dirt pickup than D3 & D5. The powerful performance combined with an easy-to-clean Ultra-Performance filter traps up to 99.5% of allergens and dust. Equipped with energy-saving Eco Mode for general vacuuming to high-performance Turbo Mode, Neato gets the job done. The Neato D9 uses LaserSmart powered by LIDAR, the same technology used in self-driving vehicles, to map and navigate your home with precision, leaving your carpets with those satisfying straight vacuum lines in no time. Because it uses lasers, not cameras, to navigate your home it works just as well in low light conditions like under furniture and never records images of you and your belongings. It also doesn't have microphones on board and features state-of-the-art encryption both on the robot and in the cloud. With regular software updates sent automatically, you can feel confident you're getting the latest features as soon as they're released. Get cleaning in minutes with Neato’s hassle-free setup using the MyNeato app. Create Zones to target trouble spots more often—like crumbs under the dining table. Create No-Go Zones to avoid spaces such as a pet dish or child’s play area. Clean where you want, when you want—on demand or scheduled in advance. Available in a premium, brushed black finish that fits in with any décor. Let Neato D9 take care of the dirty work. You've got better things to do. The Ultimate Cleaning Machine.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Cleans well but will miss some spots
on October 23, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Does a good job of mapping the rooms
-Zone cleaning
-Strong suction
Con:
-Doesn’t clean corners
-Motor is loud
-Can get stuck on furniture
**I had an issue with the vacuum rebooting throughout the day, and it turns out to be due to wifi channel switching handled by the router, a common feature that routers have. It seemed to be a specific case and went away after I tried a different router, but it’s something worth mentioning.
I think this vacuum is good overall. It has good cleaning power and is good at navigating itself around each room. The smart mapping is pretty accurate, but it will still leave some spots uncleaned. It’s also a little loud while running. The app is straightforward and cleaning zones can be set up.
Cleaning
Overall it does a good job of detecting the parameter and avoiding objects. On the initial run, it will follow the walls while mapping out the area, then it will start cleaning the area in a linear pattern. If it hits an object, it will correct itself and does a good job to navigate around it, but sometimes it will climb up on furniture parts, like table legs, and get stuck. Once the cleaning is done, it will return to the base and shimmy itself back to the base. Most of the time it will do it by itself, but sometimes it will keep bumping against the base or pushing the base away. The motor is also on the loud side, sounding like a R/C car running around.
The cleaning power is strong enough to pick up pet hair and small debris from a carpeted room. However, it doesn’t clean corners well, or at all. It will turn away from corners leaving about 1’-2’ of space untouched. It also doesn’t clean right up to the walls. It takes about 15 mins to clean a small bedroom, with a battery life of about 2 hours.
Setting up and the app
Initial setup was very easy with the Neato app. The app user experience is okay. You can start cleaning remotely, see your cleaning summary, and set up schedules easily. You can also assign cleaning zones. Right now you only get one map which will update after each cleaning. To set up each zone, you tap to create a new zone and assign it either Clean or No-Go. It worked well enough. There were a few instances that the app lost connection while the vacuum was running and needing a restart.
Maintenance
Upkeep isn’t too bad. The dust bin is easy to clean and the filters are easily removed. There’s extra filters included and each will last up to 2 months. Cleaning the brush does require it to be removed and using the included comb to clean it. The brush will last 6-8 months. The battery needs to be changed once a year.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Space Q45 noise canceling headphones balance refined design and ergonomic, comfort-enhancing details, with incredible immersive audio performance. Hi-resolution audio takes center stage - these are performance tested to block up to 98% of unwanted noise - but a huge 50 hour playtime makes the Space Q45 a perfect pair of headphones.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Good value for great noise canceling.
on October 19, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Great noise canceling for the price
-50 hour battery life
-Mulitpoint and wired connection
Con:
-Gets warm
-Feels flimsy
For the price, these headphones have all the right features. Though the audio quality is average, the noise canceling is excellent. The battery life is fantastic at 50 hours while noise canceling is on. It’s light and comfortable but does feel a bit flimsy.
These have a light and flexible band with cushy foam cups. The memory foam on the cups can get warm after a short time. They form a good seal, already reducing noise without noise canceling on. They do fold in, but it doesn’t save any space. The pivoting and folding is really loose and makes it feel flimsy. The buttons are easily identifiable. It comes with a carrying case, USB cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable.
Two devices can be connected simultaneously via bluetooth. Wire connection is also an option.
The audio overall is fine. It doesn’t have high fidelity with distinguishable sounds, but it’s fine for podcasts and casually listening to music. When I first used these, it was really noticeable but after a short time I got used to it. By default, the bass is lacking. You can turn on BassUp within the app, but doing that made it sound worse overall. It’s better to change the EQ settings to a one more suited to the content.
Noise canceling is really good. With the Adaptive Noise Canceling on, almost all of the low frequency hums and rumbling are blocked out. TV audio and speech are reduced by at least half. High pitch sounds like fan noise will still get through. Wind Noise Reduction can be turned on the settings. Transparency Mode is a bit muffled with a small hiss. It sounds like the mids are toned down.
The battery life is fantastic, lasting about 50 hours with noise canceling active.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Sound like a pro and take your production quality up a notch with the Razer Seiren V2 Pro—a USB microphone designed for those serious about streaming. Whether you’re an industry vet or a professional-to-be, enjoy top-notch voice clarity and quality thanks to its suite of high-end features.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good mic but there are better alternatives
on October 18, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Good sounding mic out of the box
-Mid-high range sounds full
-Streaming mix
Con:
-Synapse can be buggy
Having gone through a few USB and XLR mics, I can say that this mic lands about the same as other brands in this price range. It sounds good and clear, but it picks up more background noise than other dynamic mics I’ve owned. Synapse, when it’s working, can route audio for a streaming mix and monitor mix. It’s still not as good as other software from competitors. Even though it works out of the box without Synapse, if you want better software to mix your stream audio, I would go with another brand.
The Mic
The mic seems well made and doesn’t feel too light. It comes with a wind guard and a sturdy swivel stand. The knobs on the mic spin endlessly without any stops so it’s difficult to know what the volume is without looking in Synapse.
It’s plug and play and can be used right out of the box without needing to install Synapse. The sound is good, but is lacking in the lower range. It sounds about the same as any other USB mic in this price range. Even though it’s a dynamic mic, it picks up just about every background noise from far away. Its noise rejection from the back isn’t that good. Speaking directly from behind the mic, it’s still pretty clear and audible, only reducing about half the volume from the front.
Synapse Software
I had mixed results with Synapse. You can adjust the gain and monitor level on the mic, as well as increasing the sample rate. You can toggle high-pass filter and auto gain limiter, but neither of them worked that well. When it works, it’s able to create virtual inputs and route audio sources through a single control point like a physical mixer. You can then mix those audio levels and output them as a single Stream Mix to OBS, while having a monitor mix to hear independently from the stream audio. It still doesn’t have as many features as competitors such as being able to add EQ, Noise Suppression, or Compressor. So if you output the stream audio to OBS, you won’t be able to fine tune the audio per channel.
However, on one of the Windows 11 PCs I tried it on, Synapse was a mess. It would crash whenever a setting was changed, the Stream Mix is toggled on/off, or if I unplugged the mic. I also couldn’t monitor the mic through its headphone jack if the streaming mix is routing audio through it. This made it unusable. This may be due to the latest version of WIndows 11 which the other PCs are not on.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Bring the best of De’Longhi’s expertise and technology to your countertop, now more accessible than ever, with the new Magnifica Evo. Featuring 7 expertly crafted beverages, Magnifica Evo brings an authentic espresso experience to your home, at the press of a button. The one-touch display panel makes it easier than ever to enjoy espresso made right, right at home. The built-in conical burr grinder and brewing unit deliver only the freshest espresso with a perfect grind, dose, and brew every time, for the richest and most aromatic beverages that taste fresh from the cafe. De’Longhi’s proprietary LatteCrema System is expertly designed to automatically craft espresso beverages with a long-lasting, silky-smooth foam—with milk or your favorite milk alternatives. Clean-up is simple thanks to our auto-clean function and detachable, dishwasher-safe design. Enjoy your favorite Italian espresso beverages from the comfort of your home with the exceptionally intuitive Magnifica Evo. Espresso made right is now just a touch away.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great coffee at home.
on October 12, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Quick one touch hot coffee
-Includes water filter, tester, descaler, and sample coffee beans
Con:
-Upkeep and maintenance
I’m not a coffee expert, but I’m satisfied with this maker. It’s simple to use and maintain, and the coffee comes out smooth and creamy. I prefer lattes so this makes it quick and easy to brew a cup. There’s a decent amount of regular upkeep and filter that needs to be changed every other month.
There’s a few steps for the initial setup. The machine needs to be primed, and a few batches of coffee will be thrown during the process. I had a piece of plastic come out of the milk sprout during the first run. You’ll probably go through half the sample bag of coffee just setting it up.
Once the initial setup is done, making coffee is quick and easy with a one touch preset. The amount of coffee made is just about right, but you can also change the amount to your liking. An expresso will give you about a shot worth, and a cappuccino will fill about a cup. You can get hot water within seconds, while the milk comes out warm and foamy. The intensity of the flavor can be adjusted as well as how fine the beans are grinded for the perfect extraction.
There’s a bit of regular maintenance that is needed. It’s not difficult to do, just a lot to be aware of. Indicators will light up telling you which ones need your attention. You’ll need to empty out the coffee bean tray and wipe down the inside, clean the infuser, replace the water filter every couple of months, and descaling the water if you have hard water. You can use it without the filter if you want, but that may affect the long term use. If you’re not using it often, the diffuser should be rinsed and run the cleaning cycle to clean out the spouts. You’ll also need to take apart and rinse out the milk container daily. Most of the parts are hand washed only.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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The Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 uses Pure Air MicroForce to deliver fast, powerful, and quiet purification with added purified heat and purified fan modes. Clean Sense IQ senses air quality & auto-adjusts to improve and report results in real time. A HEPA filter captures 99.98% of airborne particles like allergens*, dust, and dander (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). Cleans up to 500 square feet. *“Allergens” refers to non-living matter.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great purifier with cooling and heating.
on October 11, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Detachable remote
-Heat gets warm quick
-Auto detects air quality
Con:
-If remote is lost, you can’t change settings
-Fan mode has low airflow to noise volume
This is my second Shark purifier and I have no real complaints. It looks nice and doesn’t take up that much space, and it leaves a clean smell. It also serves as a light fan and good space heater. It’s powerful enough to clean an average sized living room.
The front display has a clean aesthetic, displaying air quality information and the temperature. It can cycle through different particle types, filter life, and how long it will take to clean the area. The ring will also change color based on air quality.
All the buttons, except the power button, are on the detachable remote. It’s held on by a strong magnet, but if it’s lost, then you lose all control over the purifier. You can still switch between purifier and fan with the knob, but nothing else.
As a purifier, it’s quiet and puts out a nice clean smell. The Clean Sense IQ will auto detect air quality and adjust the fan strength accordingly. In this mode, the air is pushed out the back.
When in Fan/Heat mode, the air flows from the front. The fan airflow is somewhat weak at low to medium setting but is relatively quiet. At higher settings, it can get loud, so the airflow to noise volume may not be worth it. The auto air quality detector will still crank up the power if the air quality drops. The heating is fast to warm up and is temperature controlled. Great for heating up a room quickly.
The HEPA filter should last months and a replacement will cost $60, which isn’t too expensive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
The Velox Magnetic Wireless Duo Stand is engineered for maximum efficiency. With dual charging capabilities, you can wirelessly charge your MagSafe compatible iPhone and AirPods or other Qi-enabled earbuds simultaneously. The magnetic mounting face securely holds your iPhone to ensure an efficient charge at 7.5W of power. The wireless charging pad offers 5W of power for Qi-enabled devices and accessories. The Duo Stand features a built-in USB-C cable and an LED indicator light for the charging pad. A weighted base and non-slip silicone pads ensure a safe and secure charging experience, regardless of device size. Made from premium aluminum and silicone in midnight blue and champagne gold, the Velox Magnetic Wireless Duo Stand is a sleek and modern charging stand that perfectly complements any home or office. Power adapter not included..
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A bit light, but nice stand.
on October 8, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Strong magnet
-Dual charging
Con:
-No adapter included
-Charging bay is 5W
-Non detachable cable
The charging stand works well and is a good space saver with dual charging. It looks nice and clean with an aluminum build. The Magsafe has a strong magnet and works well with a compatible Magsafe phone case. If you have a very thin case, the magnet may be strong enough to hold it in place. One annoyance is that the stand is light so whenever I try to remove my phone, it picks up the stand with it.
The charging bay is not a fast charger, at only 5W. It’s just big enough to place a phone on and has a bit of a curve but can still charge my older phone through its case. The LED will blink red, I think when the device is fully charged.
The stand has a non detachable USB-C cable and doesn’t include a power adapter. I don’t mind not having an adapter, but I would rather it have a removable cable so I could replace it if needed. I have mine plugged into a multiport charger and it’s been working fine.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
CoreCam Security Camera offers easy-to-install, completely wireless security. Featuring stunning 1080p Full HD vide in a modern design, it’s the perfect solution offering smart, convenient, and affordable surveillance. Best of all, CoreCam’s rechargeable lithium batteries are long-lasting. On a full charge enjoy up to 3 months of recordings (based on average usage; 20 x 15 second clips per day), so you can set and forget. Secure it with the screw-in mount to watch over any area from any angle. Mount the camera indoors or outdoors as the weatherproof design is built to withstand rain, snow and heat. CoreCam can even see in the dark up to 26ft (8m), with powerful infrared night vision that kicks in automatically! Sleep comfortably knowing the CoreCam Security Camera is looking out for you. Have a presence at your home with 2-way audio, giving you peace of mind while you’re away. You can check in on loved ones in need of care, communicate with delivery people remotely, even scare off intruders from your phone. Equipped with Swann’s True Detect, warm objects such as people, cars, and large animals trigger video recording and push notifications straight to you. Use voice commands via Alexa and Hey Google to see what’s happening hands-free! CoreCam has free storage allowing you to store thousands of clips onto the included 32GB Micro SD card, with greater storage available in Secure+ Member Plans. Expand your security by adding more Wi-Fi cameras and multi-camera Swann surveillance systems - and manage them all using the Swann Security App! Secure to the core with long battery life for extra convenience, let the CoreCam Security Camera look out for your family and property. It’s security made smarter, from Swann.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good wireless camera and easy to setup
on October 5, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Easy setup
-Features not locked behind subscription
-Expandable SD card storage
Con:
-Activation time a bit slow
-Mic/speaker is muffled
-Camera can easily be taken from mount
The Core Cam was very easy to set up. Once you register an account in the Swann app, just follow the instructions and scan the QR code on the camera and you’re done. It comes with an optional wall mount and is simply attached to the mount with a thumb screw. It’s easy to remove but also possibly easily taken. The detection features are all there without needing to subscribe to a plan, but more features are available with one. The time between detection and recording is a little slow. The two way talk is not very clear but good enough. The free cloud storage will keep recordings for two days, but they can also be stored on the SD card.
The camera has motion and person detection with the ability to adjust the distance and sensitivity. You can also set up a motion detection mask to block part of the camera’s vision. The detection takes a couple of seconds before it captures the images. I place mine at the front door for deliveries and it would only capture video of the delivery person leaving. The person detection doesn’t seem to activate unless the face is clearly in view.
The push to talk is muffled and has a bit of a delay. The quality isn’t great and sounds like a drive through speaker.
The battery life seems to be good. It should last at least 30 days with average use.
Wifi connection hasn’t been an issue, but when you open the app, it has to authenticate each time. Sometimes it’s almost instant, but other times it can take a few seconds or even fail. Usually restarting the app will fix the issue.
The image quality can be quite good if it’s set to high quality. Night vision is also clear. The live feed is a bit laggy with a delay of about 1-2 seconds.
For storage, you get the free cloud storage for 2 days. There are two plans starting at $30 annually that will keep your recordings for 60 days and additional detection types such as pets, packages, and cars. It comes with an SD card for storing recordings locally, but those will be lost if the camera gets stolen.
Overall this is a nice and easy to set up wireless camera. The image quality is good and the battery seems to last quite a while. None of the features are locked behind a paywall, but more detection types and longer cloud storage are available with a plan. Having an SD card for local recording is a plus. Minor flaws are that the time it takes to record after activation is a bit slow and connection with the app sometimes takes a while.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Make the first move with the incredibly fast Apex 9 Mini gaming keyboard. Boasting swappable OptiPoint optical switches that actuate 33% faster than the leading optical keyboard, adjust the actuation point between a fast 1mm for gaming and 1.5mm for deliberate typing on this compact 60% keyboard.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Nice switches. Dual actuation feels the same.
on October 5, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-2 actuation settings
-Swappable switches and keycaps
-Removable USB-C cable
Con:
-The 2 actuating points feel the same
-Lighting profiles are different than key profiles
This is a nice 60% keyboard. It’s heftier than it seems and everything about it feels solid. It comes with a removable braided USB-C cable. It has the Optipoint switches (not to be confused with the more customizable Omnipoint switches). The Optipoint switches are fast activating linear switches, and there are two actuating settings, but the difference is hardly noticeable. The switches are swappable, but no switch puller is included.
The keys feel stable with minimal wobble. Each press feels smooth with just a bit of resistance. It has a low heavy tapping sound and is decently quiet. Even though it’s minor, I prefer the feeling of these keys over the Omnipoint ones.
Either within the software or the onboard commands, the actuation can be set between Gaming mode and Typing mode. The Gaming mode has the actuation set at 1mm while the Typing is at 1.5mm. In actual usage, the .5mm didn’t really feel that different, and most users probably won’t notice it.
The RGB can be set per key and is nice and bright. It has a strong underglow, lighting up the tabletop and the front of the keyboard. The color is not as accurate and runs blue. You can select static or color shift effects, with various color sequences and directions. Reactive keys can be added on top of that as well. The effects are limited compared to other brands. You can have different profiles for the lights but it’s separated from the profiles for the key settings.
The app is a bit messy, requiring you to open and move around different windows and tabs to change key and RGB settings. There’s no way to go directly from one window to another. You can also set a lighting profile and a key profile to a specific game in the Apps tab.
While I like the keyboard overall, the different actuation settings didn’t really feel any different from each other. I would think most won’t be able to feel the .5mm difference. The keys feel sturdy, and the switches feel good to type with. The RGB has some underglow to them but still looks good. The app is a bit messy but gets the job done. If you don’t need the customizable actuation distance from the Omnipoint switches, then this is a good way to save some money.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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The Shark ION Robot is designed with a Tri-Brush System, combining side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to handle debris on carpets and hardfloors Use the SharkClean app or voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant to start cleaning from anywhere
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Good for light cleaning. Bad for pet hair.
on October 4, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-Simple to use
-App and voice control
Con:
-Bounces around randomly
-Suction power is okay
-Dust can spill out when lifting the vacuum or when removing the bin
-Pet hair clogs the bin
-Maintenance
This model has simple maneuverability, with it just going forward until it hits something, turns, and repeats. How well it covers an area really depends on the room. It’ll eventually cover the entire space but it runs at a random pattern so it can take quite a bit of time. Suction power is okay for light surface level cleaning, more suited for hard floors. There’s also a lot of maintenance needed after each cleaning.
Performance
The suction is not that strong and it doesn’t pick up dust along walls and corners. On hard floors, it can pick up small debris like cat litter and does a good job for fine dust. It has a harder time with carpet, picking up surface level dust. Bigger debris like confetti can be missed. It doesn’t do well with pet hair. It will pick it up but it will start getting caught within the combs and start blocking the dust bin.
Maintenance
The dust bin will have to be emptied after each use. The pre filter needs cleaning and any hair or large debris caught in the comb has to be cleared each time. The filter will need to be replaced periodically depending on use. Beyond those regular maintenance, the roller brush can be removed and cleaned or replaced if needed.
The App and Voice Control
The app functions are somewhat limited for this model. It only allows for remote start and stop. Schedules can be set up for each day of the week, but it didn’t work for me. For Alexa voice commands, you need to download the skill and link your account.
Battery
The battery can run up to about 2 hours. It should be enough to clean an average sized room. It took about 30-60 minute to clean one room.
Final Impression
If you need a simple cleaner for light work and don’t mind the little vacuum running around and bouncing into things, then it’s fine. If you have pets then this may not meet your needs. The hairs will get caught up and start blocking the dust bin. There’s also a lot of maintenance to be done regularly.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Feel the action with 4K HDR visuals, ultra-fast 144Hz refresh rate, and Full Array Local Dimming contrast that makes game worlds come alive with detail and vibrance. Built for extraordinary gaming performance with support for Nvidia® G-SYNC® and HDMI 2.1 VRR compatibility, the INZONE™ M9 is your path to victory.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great features for price. Good HDR for gaming.
on September 8, 2022
Posted by: BeingHonest
Pro:
-HDR 600 nits
-KVM switch
-InZone Hub app
-Great for both console and PC gaming
-Display settings
Con:
-The stand can’t rotate or turn the display
-Speakers are terrible
-No cables included
-Need to look up online manual for feature settings
This is a great display, especially at this price range, with features usually found on much more expensive monitors. The colors are bright with accurate colors, maybe too bright and saturated for some. The HDR has a peak brightness of 600 nits, which is higher than most monitors under $1000 range, and actually gives a noticeable visual upgrade to games. You can pretty much adjust every aspect of the display with the menu or in the InZone Hub app. It also has a built-in KVM switch, which is handy. Not everything is great however. The speakers are terrible, worse than ones on cheaper displays. There’s also no cables included. The stand doesn’t allow the monitor to be rotated or turned sideways, and the cable management is not good. Still this is a great monitor to use for both PC and consoles.
The Hardware
Aesthetically this is a unique design, looking very much like the Playstation 5. The back has a subtle RGB strip, enough to add a bit of color but not enough to shine a wall. There’s a power button and joystick for the on screen menu. The joystick is a bit loose and sensitive but works well enough. There’s plenty of inputs, including a DP, 2 HDMI (2.1 VRR ready), a USB-C (doubles as another DP), 3 USB inputs, a USB-B downstream (KVM), and a headphone jack.
The built-in KVM is really nice to have. I had to check the online manual to find out which connection is assigned to a specific switch, but after that I haven't had any problems. From what I can tell, there wasn’t any lag using the passthrough, but my wireless mouse did sometimes stutter. For non competitive gaming, it should be okay.
The tripod style stand is very limited in articulation. It only allows for height adjustments of only a few inches and slight pivoting. It doesn’t turn or rotate at all. The cable management also isn’t very good with only a small channel to tread the while through. It can only manage a few cables and if the monitor is at the lowest height, it will put pressure on the connectors. Luckily the stand is easy to remove and a VESA mount can be used.
The speakers are just terrible. They sound small, tinny, and cheap. It’s better than nothing, but I expected better.
The Display
The display is amazing. Monitors with specs like these are going to be in the above $1000 range. Refresh rate and response time are both good. Colors are a little too saturated and runs on the blue side, but it’s easy to adjust. Local dimming in near black scenes will have some halo effects.
The HDR has a brightness of 600, (vs 400 for a typical PC monitor). For console gamers coming from a nice TV, it won’t be as bright, but it’s enough to make a difference while gaming. This is a nice monitor for both PC and console gaming.
Just about every setting can be adjusted to get it to look however you want. There’s also gaming settings such as crosshair, FPS counter, and timer built-in. While you can adjust the settings with the OSD, you can also use the InZone Hub desktop app to control your monitor. It has the same settings but easier to use.
Final Thought
This is a great monitor with great features suitable for both PC and console gaming. The display is beautiful and HDR is actually bright enough. Having a KVM with three USB ports is a big plus. The few big negatives would be the stand and the speakers. It’s also cheap of them to not include any cables at all. Still a great value given all the features packed in.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
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BeingHonest's Review Comments
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
HP's take on MacBook Air, and it's good!
By BeingHonest
With an attractive design and lightweight portability, this laptop is a (big) tablet size package with full size laptop performance. The laptop is incredibly thin at a mere 10.4 mm and weighting at 2.45 lbs.
Build:
The exterior is a matte finish trimmed with gloss gold, which is reflected with the keyboard. This finish is nice since it doesn't leave fingerprints but the shinny gold is prone to marks. While personally I'm not a fan of the dark gray and gold, it does have a premium look to it. On the back is the headphone jack, 2 usb type C, and a power port, along with the exhaust along the bottom.
Display:
The Spectre comes with a 13 inch IPS 1080p display, and while not on par with a retina display, is clear and sharp. You really don't need a higher resolution for this size. The display setting is default to a custom setting in windows, which I find to be about right. The screen is glossy, which can be annoying. The viewing angle is great! I was surprised that this was an IPS panel.
Keyboard and trackpad:
The keyboard is a typical chicklet type key and is responsive and easy to type with. It is backlit and with the gold trimmed keys, gives a nice glowing effect. The glass trackpad is nice and smooth and functions like a button with gesture controls (which I mostly disabled). It's essentially an Apple trackpad.
Speakers:
The speakers sandwich the entire keyboard, and while HP boast that it's custom tuned by Bang & Olufsen, it performs like what you would expect from tiny speakers on a tablet. Not so good, but considering its size, is adequate for watching videos. With music, it tends to crack at higher volumes and the bass is lacking. Still, the speakers can produce good volume and the individual channels stands out.
Performance:
With an i7 and 8 gb of ram, this laptop can handle any day to day task without a hitch. Just don't expect to do any modern gaming with this. Thanks to its PCIe SSD, this thing is fast. It boots up faster than my gaming desktop. But with only 256gb of storage, you might need an external drive. I'm used to gaming laptop so to me the battery life is very good. I can get at least 5 hours of use without optimizing the brightness and performance. It takes a few hours to fully charge and you should be good to go for a while. There doesn't seem to be a way to replace the ssd or battery so I'm hoping they last. I have one major issue with the performance, and is that it can get hot, not warm, but hot. Installing windows update, this laptop got too hot to be in my lap. Doing multitasking can get quite warm as well.
Overall this laptop performs to my expectations. It's thin and light and can handle everyday tasks smoothly. There's not much HP bloatware, which I find refreshing. It comes with a usb C adapter and a slip cover, but in my case is a tad too small and tight. Even with some of its shortcomings, I can't fault it too much given how much was packed into such a small form factor.
This laptop was provided to me for my honest review.
Customer Avatar
BeingHonest
austin, tx
Thanks for update
June 25, 2016
Thanks for letting me know about the ssd and battery. I didn't see any way to remove the cover, but good to know it's doable. And yes I no longer put it on my lap (laptop-the irony) due to the heat issue. The ventilation is one of the issue I have with this thing, but it's still a good machine.
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BeingHonest's Questions
 
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BeingHonest's Answers
 
Enhance work productivity and gaming with this Alienware Aurora liquid cooled desktop computer. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM deliver optimal power to support efficient multitasking, and the 256GB SSD and 1TB SATA HDD keep files and apps organized. This Alienware Aurora desktop computer's high-definition audio and NVIDIA GeForce graphics provide an immersive media experience.
 

What motherboard is used

No brand name if that's what you're asking. It's a Dell made board.
5 years ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Enhance work productivity and gaming with this Alienware Aurora liquid cooled desktop computer. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM deliver optimal power to support efficient multitasking, and the 256GB SSD and 1TB SATA HDD keep files and apps organized. This Alienware Aurora desktop computer's high-definition audio and NVIDIA GeForce graphics provide an immersive media experience.
 

Does this have a 850 w power supply? Which brand/ model video card is used for this rtx 2070?

Not sure about the power supply (not visible without taking it out), but with Dell you won't be getting any brand name parts. Just generic grade. The 2070 is a blower style.
5 years ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
 

Really wanna buy these headphones, but does the ANC from these (Sony) create an undesirable pressure to the eardrums? Tried the Bose, they hurt my ears after a while...

I think your case is unique. I haven't heard about noise cancelling causing pain. I have both the Sony and Bose and all I can say is that they are similar, but with the Sony you can adjust the level of NC so that it has less effect in their App. By default, the Sony has a bit of a hiss. It's worth a shot.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 

I am moving to Australia & hear different information about the power adapters. Do I need a converter to charge this HP laptop internationally? I have the adapter & a converter. Just want to be on the safe side. Thank you!

On the power brick, it says that it takes 100-240v so it should be fine internationally.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 

Which available adapter is recommended for using with: HDMI screen Ethernet RJ45 network 2 regular USB ports (for wireless keyboard/ printer/ disk on key, not usb-c) Charging ?

There's no HDMI or ethernet out. It only comes with 2 usb-c so you'll just need an adapter to connect to non usb-c devices.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 

has anyone else had a problem with the speakers?!?! will be playing something and speakers just suddenly cut out. wifi connection fine, tested on video downloaded on device as well but still same issue.

Seems like you have a defected item. I've had this for about a week and haven't experience such issues.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 

Online, the estimated battery life is 9.5 hours. How accurate is this estimate?

Real world applications would probably get about half of that. I get about 4-5 hours of moderate use.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
 

What users is this directed towards?

Mainly target for everyday users or office workers that needs portability and good performance. For instance if you're looking to get a macbook air or surface pro (only without touch screen).
7 years, 10 months ago
by
BeingHonest
 
Stay cool with this Honeywell Turbo Force HT-906 table fan that features 120° extra-wide horizontal oscillation to help keep a large area comfortable. The pivoting head can be adjusted up to 60° for flexible positioning.
 

How quiet or loud is this fan?

Tired of noisy fans; how is this one for noise? Thanks.
It's a bit quieter but really no quieter than any oscillating fan I've had. This is just smaller and has decent air flow.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
BeingHonest
   austin, tx