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- Review count3
- Helpfulness votes21
- First reviewMay 18, 2015
- Last reviewJuly 3, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
- Review comment count2
- Helpfulness votes3
- First review commentFebruary 8, 2014
- Last review commentDecember 27, 2015
- Featured review comments0
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BrownBanana's Reviews
With its epic Retina display, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the largest and most capable iPad ever. It has a powerful A9X chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, four speaker audio, advanced iSight and FaceTime HD cameras, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, ultrafast Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity,1 and up to 10 hours of battery life.2 And with powerful iOS 9 features like multitasking, built-in apps, and more in the App Store, iPad Pro elevates productivity and creativity to a whole new level. Yet iPad Pro is only 6.9mm thin and weighs just over 1.5 pounds. When you add Apple Pencil with its pixel-perfect precision, and the incredibly thin Smart Keyboard, iPad Pro becomes even more versatile.*
Posted by: BrownBanana
from The GreatWhiteNorth
I've owned 'em all since 2007 and they've slowly crept their way into my 'workflow' (we run a mobile entertainment business; weddings - school proms, corporate Christmas parties - sweet 16's...etc) as an invaluable, reliable, always connected and highly responsive tablet that costs less ...and fits the glove better than the MacBook Pros & iMacs we've been using over the last decade.
With 256GB of storage, Apple's micro SIM allowing any/all/worldwide carrier access ...an Apple Music subscription and a few dozen of my favorite flicks, magazines and 'casts ...as well as my docs, spreadsheets and presentations, invoicing and signature/payment taking and making ...manipulation of still and motion (pics/video) for website addition and social media aggregation/integration, I've found a place for BOTH iPad Pros, - 12.9" models now are our soul sources for playback (through external DAC via USB 3/new Lightning to USB 3.0 adapters for the larger pro only - allowing use of external digital to analog conversion, minus the internal headphone jack!) at shows for 50-5,000 folks!
I'm able then to pack it up after my show, jump on a plane, chat with wife and kids via FaceTime, check appointment schedules, email responses, Twitter, FB, and enjoy a movie with still ½ the battery remaining!
With 256GB of storage, Apple's micro SIM allowing any/all/worldwide carrier access ...an Apple Music subscription and a few dozen of my favorite flicks, magazines and 'casts ...as well as my docs, spreadsheets and presentations, invoicing and signature/payment taking and making ...manipulation of still and motion (pics/video) for website addition and social media aggregation/integration, I've found a place for BOTH iPad Pros, - 12.9" models now are our soul sources for playback (through external DAC via USB 3/new Lightning to USB 3.0 adapters for the larger pro only - allowing use of external digital to analog conversion, minus the internal headphone jack!) at shows for 50-5,000 folks!
I'm able then to pack it up after my show, jump on a plane, chat with wife and kids via FaceTime, check appointment schedules, email responses, Twitter, FB, and enjoy a movie with still ½ the battery remaining!
My Best Buy number: 0390561532
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
The MacBook Pro with Retina display is the ideal notebook for enthusiasts and professionals looking for fast performance in anincredibly compact and light design. The Force Touch trackpad, powerful Intel Core processors, high performance graphics, faster PCIe-based flash storage, outstanding battery life, and a stunning Retina display take the MacBook Pro to a whole new level of performance.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect keeps getting ...better!
on December 27, 2015
Posted by: BrownBanana
from The GreatWhiteNorth
I owned the original 2012 15" rMBP with the 2.7 GHz quad core i7, 16GB RAM, 768GB SSD and I'm still using it daily. It's been out in the extreme cold for weeks, extreme heat for weeks and it's NEVER had an issue. My display was replaced about six months into ownership due to the first run burn in LG panel issues with a Samsung display and to date, it's screaming fast ...just as the day I bought it.
Until I got this sweetheart - 2.8/16/1TB PCIe storage and it's screaming quick AMD GPU for transcoding, rendering effects and transitions and literally everything I use mine for --- Photoahop, Illustrator, After Effects, FCP X and Premier, Cinema 4D and Smoke. I run Windows on Bootcamp and I swear ...after thirty years of computing --- this is the best machine to run ANY OS you desire. Windows, OS X or Linux, your choice. It's storage speeds (updates to software, installing software, transferring data, you name it ....if you're transitioning from a spinning hard drive - you'll be blown away! Even from standard SATA III SSDs, speeds are three to four times faster at both reading and writing --- both large and quick reference 4K read/writes, this machine cannot be beaten. While I'm not sure I needed the 2.8GHz update, the TB drive is absolutely an upgrade I've waited on for years. TB SSDs are available (finally) in 9mm packages but Apple, like your smartphone or tablet ...has switched to PCIe SSDs eliminating the SATA bottleneck and blowing the red lines on Black Magic! It'll blow your mind too, first time you install a GB+ piece of software. Wow!
Trackpad, class leading as always and incredibly well thought out with the haptic response. Less parts to wear out ya know!
And then, there's the display. While Windows has jumped in with both feet on Win10 they're still a LONG way off from the OS X scaling algorithms used on the rMBP. Able to scale up to 1920x1200, you still retain the same real estate as the older 17" I owned several copies of before abandonment in 2011 --- but does so in a smaller, 4.5 pound extraordinarily compact and incredibly durable, reliable with nine hours of battery life to boot 'package'.
Until I got this sweetheart - 2.8/16/1TB PCIe storage and it's screaming quick AMD GPU for transcoding, rendering effects and transitions and literally everything I use mine for --- Photoahop, Illustrator, After Effects, FCP X and Premier, Cinema 4D and Smoke. I run Windows on Bootcamp and I swear ...after thirty years of computing --- this is the best machine to run ANY OS you desire. Windows, OS X or Linux, your choice. It's storage speeds (updates to software, installing software, transferring data, you name it ....if you're transitioning from a spinning hard drive - you'll be blown away! Even from standard SATA III SSDs, speeds are three to four times faster at both reading and writing --- both large and quick reference 4K read/writes, this machine cannot be beaten. While I'm not sure I needed the 2.8GHz update, the TB drive is absolutely an upgrade I've waited on for years. TB SSDs are available (finally) in 9mm packages but Apple, like your smartphone or tablet ...has switched to PCIe SSDs eliminating the SATA bottleneck and blowing the red lines on Black Magic! It'll blow your mind too, first time you install a GB+ piece of software. Wow!
Trackpad, class leading as always and incredibly well thought out with the haptic response. Less parts to wear out ya know!
And then, there's the display. While Windows has jumped in with both feet on Win10 they're still a LONG way off from the OS X scaling algorithms used on the rMBP. Able to scale up to 1920x1200, you still retain the same real estate as the older 17" I owned several copies of before abandonment in 2011 --- but does so in a smaller, 4.5 pound extraordinarily compact and incredibly durable, reliable with nine hours of battery life to boot 'package'.
It. Just. Doesn't get any better. Period
My Best Buy number: 0390561532
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
9of 11voted this as helpful.
Enjoy your music while traveling or at a friend's home with this Bowers & Wilkins T7 Bluetooth speaker, which features two 2" full-range drivers and 2 ABR (Auxiliary Bass Radiators) for dynamic sound. The compact design simplifies portability.
Customer Rating
5
As usual, that distinct, incredible B&W 'sound'
on May 18, 2015
Posted by: BrownBanana
from The GreatWhiteNorth
I've come backwards down the line. Just over a decade ago I started with Bowers & Wilkens model 600 series for my HT (604 front x 2, 602 rear x 2 and the matching dual driver 600 series center). I loved the sound and eventually bought a larger home. I picked up a pair of Nautilus 802s, HTM-1 center and 805 surrounds with DS6 'back' 6&7 channels. Powered by Krell, then McIntosh...I've enjoyed the system for a decade strong, vinyl to digital and home theater, it's the perfect marriage with SVSubs. Since then, I've picked up the P5 & P7 headphones and the 2nd generation 'Zeplin' full size 'iPod' speaker for my wife. It's irrelevant your choice from B&W. The LM1 leisure monitors or the $50,000, 500 pound Nautilus speakers...and everything in between (their sound bar while expensive has no peer). I can't recommend this speaker highly enough. We've brought it to the pool, in to the woods...it's been rained on, accidentally dropped but always enjoyed. Extensive battery life and short recharge is a nice bonus. This is truly a fantastic speaker and reviews that talk about the 'UE Boom' stick or Beatsticks, whatever they're called are ignorant to the sound of good audio.
Neutral, clean, incredibly well designed and as mentioned earlier, pretty enough you want to 'take it on the run'. It'll get bruised but it won't break if you're using common sense. And it easily fills a 1,000 square foot room with clarity and clean sound in the background --- but will 'rock' when called upon. And keep in mind, it's 2"x4"x8" and two pounds. It's not going to hit 105dB @ 22Hz. Bass geeks should look at the overpriced options in the main store. Those that appreciate music and 'sound' you've found it
Neutral, clean, incredibly well designed and as mentioned earlier, pretty enough you want to 'take it on the run'. It'll get bruised but it won't break if you're using common sense. And it easily fills a 1,000 square foot room with clarity and clean sound in the background --- but will 'rock' when called upon. And keep in mind, it's 2"x4"x8" and two pounds. It's not going to hit 105dB @ 22Hz. Bass geeks should look at the overpriced options in the main store. Those that appreciate music and 'sound' you've found it
My Best Buy number: 0390561532
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
5of 6voted this as helpful.
BrownBanana's Review Comments
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SMN900VZKE Cell Phone for Verizon Wireless: The 5.7" screen and powerful processor make the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 an ideal device for work or play. It's sleek, portable and loaded with innovative features, and the S Pen allows you to write notes, stay organized and interact with your device. The 13.0MP camera captures shots with incredible detail and sharpness.Verizon Edge option available. Learn more ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Awesome Phablet
By BMWGuy87
from New Jersey
I was skeptical about switching from my iPhone 5 to the Samsung Note 3. After iOS 7 hit the smartphone, it was bad on the eyes. This Phablet did it for me, the 1080p HD screen is crystal clear, runs smoothly and efficiently, and provides an excellent user experience. Switching from an iPhone to Android will have a little learning curve, but I've come to find everything I use within a couple of hours of use. I am VERY happy with this choice in a smartphone, and now, it'll be hard to go back to an iPhone.
This phone is a great smartphone with 3GB of RAM and 4k video recording. It's a very impressive device that you should highly consider on your next smartphone purchase.
Check it out! No complaints here! Great job Samsung...see ya later iPhone!
BrownBanana
The GreatWhiteNorth
Quick question, maybe you could help
February 8, 2014
As an iOS and Android owner/operator as well, owner of the Note3---I'm wondering if you've found a 'work-around' for the 'visual voicemail' on iOS. Hands down in my opinion one of the 'great' innovations in smartphones :-). Seriously and incredibly efficient. I'm not sure where to look, as I've run in to a couple of 'optimized for phone' apps too...apparently considering the N3 a 'tablet'. Doesn't matter. It's absolutely amazing. 180° different experience in comparison with my time on the original Note. It was a bad comparison as iPhone 4/4s and iOS 5.xx-6.xx were refined systems. The N1 an industry and company 'first'. It worked. Just. Extremely. Slowly. :)
Note 3 on the flip side (I've also owned LG phones, the Nexus 3/4 and Nex 7/7.2, Xoom...as well as the latest iPhone for business integration...passing the last gen to an employee... iOS provides a seamless phone, tab and computer interaction in live environments and we're a mobile A/V production company...this is the bonus of iOS as well it's incredible selection of tablet apps, specifically music/synth/DAW with 'real capability', photo/motion manipulation software is outstanding but....---Note and TouchWiz on the flip side, extremely professional for signing credit cards, sketching pre production plans and layouts, rigging points as well as the math associated with the rigging and the 'SPen')...as I began before the tangent, the N3 is outstanding when it comes to speed. Samsung spent some time (finally) refining TW & the SPen interactive menu may be the single greatest software implantation IMHO. It's truly amazing and will incredibly increase the time I spend using the stylus and it's capabilities. Truly a 5 star phone. I love my 5s as well. Wouldn't give either up...but since the early Xoom and N1/2.xx software days of less than...or maybe right about two years has BLOWN me away. The lag is almost completely non-existent in real world use including multi tasking. The split window functions now as it should with the horsepower in the SnapDragon 800 and it's wifi and LTE performance...both have increased incredibly. Updating the 'manual/permission seeking' apps used to be a nightmare. It's now nearly instantaneous. Pics are great. Video performance is excellent. The screen is knock yer sox off 'mind melting' great...throwing a 64GB speedy lil SD card in is $50 when you catch Best Buy on a good day (stick with SanDisk, I had a lot of issues with PNY). But the visual voicemail. That one's got me stumped. And I wanna 'un'stump it;)
Thanks for the reviews....everyone. Made my choice easy as the N1 contract expired. Along with glowing reviews round the web, I'm blown away by literally the entire package.
Hard to figure why some folk defend one or the other platform 'to the death' in so many review follow up 'responses', chat and specialized forums, etc...as without Samsung and Apple doing battle and Windows/BB attempting their own designs, we've seen 'mobile' power BLOW the DOORS off Moore's Law. As a 42 year old dad and husband born the same year as the 8086 processor, I've been blessed to enjoy and watch the evolution of technology from my father completing his electrical engineering degree in '73 with a slide rule to owning the IIe as a junior high kid, the change from vinyl/cassette and analog recording to digital delivery.....through the 2/3/486 machines and Pentiums....and to see in our pocket today...the 5.5" Wacom digitized 1080p displays with super computer power compared to only a decade ago, with the ability to download a song in mere seconds, stream an HD movie, figure out where I am, take a pic, play a game, read a magazine, use it as my kneeboard in my 185---- again, MindMelting times we're living in;)
Note 3 on the flip side (I've also owned LG phones, the Nexus 3/4 and Nex 7/7.2, Xoom...as well as the latest iPhone for business integration...passing the last gen to an employee... iOS provides a seamless phone, tab and computer interaction in live environments and we're a mobile A/V production company...this is the bonus of iOS as well it's incredible selection of tablet apps, specifically music/synth/DAW with 'real capability', photo/motion manipulation software is outstanding but....---Note and TouchWiz on the flip side, extremely professional for signing credit cards, sketching pre production plans and layouts, rigging points as well as the math associated with the rigging and the 'SPen')...as I began before the tangent, the N3 is outstanding when it comes to speed. Samsung spent some time (finally) refining TW & the SPen interactive menu may be the single greatest software implantation IMHO. It's truly amazing and will incredibly increase the time I spend using the stylus and it's capabilities. Truly a 5 star phone. I love my 5s as well. Wouldn't give either up...but since the early Xoom and N1/2.xx software days of less than...or maybe right about two years has BLOWN me away. The lag is almost completely non-existent in real world use including multi tasking. The split window functions now as it should with the horsepower in the SnapDragon 800 and it's wifi and LTE performance...both have increased incredibly. Updating the 'manual/permission seeking' apps used to be a nightmare. It's now nearly instantaneous. Pics are great. Video performance is excellent. The screen is knock yer sox off 'mind melting' great...throwing a 64GB speedy lil SD card in is $50 when you catch Best Buy on a good day (stick with SanDisk, I had a lot of issues with PNY). But the visual voicemail. That one's got me stumped. And I wanna 'un'stump it;)
Thanks for the reviews....everyone. Made my choice easy as the N1 contract expired. Along with glowing reviews round the web, I'm blown away by literally the entire package.
Hard to figure why some folk defend one or the other platform 'to the death' in so many review follow up 'responses', chat and specialized forums, etc...as without Samsung and Apple doing battle and Windows/BB attempting their own designs, we've seen 'mobile' power BLOW the DOORS off Moore's Law. As a 42 year old dad and husband born the same year as the 8086 processor, I've been blessed to enjoy and watch the evolution of technology from my father completing his electrical engineering degree in '73 with a slide rule to owning the IIe as a junior high kid, the change from vinyl/cassette and analog recording to digital delivery.....through the 2/3/486 machines and Pentiums....and to see in our pocket today...the 5.5" Wacom digitized 1080p displays with super computer power compared to only a decade ago, with the ability to download a song in mere seconds, stream an HD movie, figure out where I am, take a pic, play a game, read a magazine, use it as my kneeboard in my 185---- again, MindMelting times we're living in;)
-3points
0of 3voted this comment as helpful.
The MacBook Pro with Retina display is the ideal notebook for enthusiasts and professionals looking for fast performance in anincredibly compact and light design. The Force Touch trackpad, powerful Intel Core processors, high performance graphics, faster PCIe-based flash storage, outstanding battery life, and a stunning Retina display take the MacBook Pro to a whole new level of performance.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5First Mac and it has a bad screen right OOTB
By yoda1
from AZ
I finally broke down and bought a high end Macbook Pro after being a PC user since the '80s. Wouldn't it figure that I would get one with a bad display? The screen flickers randomly. After searching for the problem online I see that 15" Macbook Pro Retinas have been prone to this problem for some time and there is no recall. Now I get to fight to have this unit replaced. Oh the joy of the season... Other than the bad screen this is a fast laptop and I do not regret the purchase. Just wish I didn't get a lemon...
BrownBanana
The GreatWhiteNorth
Truly sorry you got a lemon BUT....
December 27, 2015
...but as is such in the world of mass produced electronics. Thing is, you bought it
A) from Best Buy - an excellent retailer with extremely flexible and liberal return/exchange policy as well...
B) And 'it' is an Apple! Doesn't matter if it's an iPod, iPhone, or a $3,200 high end, top shelf build of an rMBP 15" ...as Apple is even more liberal and incredibly quick to fix your issue. I've owned three of the rMBP's. The original 2012 (2.7/16/768GB SSD), 2014 (2.5/16/512) and JUST bought this sweetheart $300 off its CTO price at Apple.com. Best Buy has the best deals on MacBook products and you're smart to take advantage of their sale. Now, either bring it back for replacement (not sure where or what you're reading or have found on the Internet.... But this is absolutely NOT a wide spread or well known issue. The 2012 LG/Sharp display differences would sometimes (happened to me) come with an LG that would sometimes 'burn in' static images like the old plasma TVs. I took it five months post purchase to Apple and had my laptop display replaced inside of 48 hours. The replacement; Samsung
There were also issues with the 2012 and early 2013 display coating, or antirelective film. Again, even if you're still using a 2012 and the issue is just now appearing on your display, Apple 3 ½ years after purchase --- even if you elected against Apple Care WILL replace your display
A two star review because you happened to grab a lemon is slightly unfair. And extremely rare. As you astutely mention, it's an incredibly fast laptop. Maybe a bit more elaboration there instead of reviewing a 'bad unit' you could've easily had fixed, taken an extra week and truly reviewed the hand's down, BEST by a long shot, laptop on today's market for literally everything BUT AAA Title gaming @ 60fps @ 4K (which no Windows laptop, even with dual 980 cards can handle at $6-$7,000!!!)
But that's an easy remedy. Buy a $300 console or build/buy a PC
If you're looking to get stuff done, in OS X or Windows, this machine is it. The pinnacle of computing experience regardless of operating systems
Intelligent graphic switching with a much improved computational GPU change from nVidia to AMD as well as the fastest performing storage currently available with read and write scores approaching two Gb/second (2,110Mb/s read, 1,640 write are my Black Magic tests after an 8GB mixed package), the best trackpad and gesture experience you can buy, phenomenal post purchase support and incredible peripheral opportunities with two TBolt 2 connectors!
sorry you got a lemon, just go make some lemonade!
A) from Best Buy - an excellent retailer with extremely flexible and liberal return/exchange policy as well...
B) And 'it' is an Apple! Doesn't matter if it's an iPod, iPhone, or a $3,200 high end, top shelf build of an rMBP 15" ...as Apple is even more liberal and incredibly quick to fix your issue. I've owned three of the rMBP's. The original 2012 (2.7/16/768GB SSD), 2014 (2.5/16/512) and JUST bought this sweetheart $300 off its CTO price at Apple.com. Best Buy has the best deals on MacBook products and you're smart to take advantage of their sale. Now, either bring it back for replacement (not sure where or what you're reading or have found on the Internet.... But this is absolutely NOT a wide spread or well known issue. The 2012 LG/Sharp display differences would sometimes (happened to me) come with an LG that would sometimes 'burn in' static images like the old plasma TVs. I took it five months post purchase to Apple and had my laptop display replaced inside of 48 hours. The replacement; Samsung
There were also issues with the 2012 and early 2013 display coating, or antirelective film. Again, even if you're still using a 2012 and the issue is just now appearing on your display, Apple 3 ½ years after purchase --- even if you elected against Apple Care WILL replace your display
A two star review because you happened to grab a lemon is slightly unfair. And extremely rare. As you astutely mention, it's an incredibly fast laptop. Maybe a bit more elaboration there instead of reviewing a 'bad unit' you could've easily had fixed, taken an extra week and truly reviewed the hand's down, BEST by a long shot, laptop on today's market for literally everything BUT AAA Title gaming @ 60fps @ 4K (which no Windows laptop, even with dual 980 cards can handle at $6-$7,000!!!)
But that's an easy remedy. Buy a $300 console or build/buy a PC
If you're looking to get stuff done, in OS X or Windows, this machine is it. The pinnacle of computing experience regardless of operating systems
Intelligent graphic switching with a much improved computational GPU change from nVidia to AMD as well as the fastest performing storage currently available with read and write scores approaching two Gb/second (2,110Mb/s read, 1,640 write are my Black Magic tests after an 8GB mixed package), the best trackpad and gesture experience you can buy, phenomenal post purchase support and incredible peripheral opportunities with two TBolt 2 connectors!
sorry you got a lemon, just go make some lemonade!
-3points
3of 9voted this comment as helpful.
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