daytonadan's stats
- Review count137
- Helpfulness votes452
- First reviewFebruary 5, 2015
- Last reviewApril 18, 2024
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- Average rating3.7
- Review comment count9
- Helpfulness votes3
- First review commentMarch 21, 2016
- Last review commentMarch 26, 2017
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- Answer count86
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- First answerNovember 24, 2015
- Last answerOctober 19, 2021
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2-in-1s for Way More Hustle. Go everywhere, do anything, and elevate your whole game with LG’s largest convertible laptop. Switch from 16” laptop to 16” tablet with a flip of the 360° hinge. Its 2-in-1 versatility means more ways to carry your hustle. From designing to video editing, give your vision exactly what it needs with a powerful processor and up to 21 hours* of battery life in an ultra-slim body. (*Actual battery life will vary from specifications depending on model, setup configuration, applications used, features utilized and power management settings.)
Customer Rating
5
As good as it gets in laptop land
on October 24, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
Say hello to the grand prix racer of the laptop world.
This LG Gram is super sleek, super light, super powerful and well, pretty darn expensive too. But, hey, entering the world of high-performance PC computing does not come cheap.
And high performance is the name of the game with this 2 in 1 LG Gram convertible , which not only knocks it out of the park when it comes to laptop computing chores, the keyboard flips out of the way so it becomes a huge, fast tablet computer too. Great for streaming video.
Consider the specs here: A top-of-the-line 11th generation Intel i7 CPU, a super-fast 1 terabyte NVMe SSD, 16 gigs of power-sipping LPDDR4 RAM, support for state-of-the-art WiFi 6 networks and Intel's newest EVO Iris X graphics. Add in an amazingly bright and super-sharp 16-inch touch screen, a highly-egonomic backlit keyboard, and a battery rated to run an astonishing 21 hours on a single charge and you have the makings of something pretty amazing.
Did I mention it weighs just over 3 pounds? That makes it light enough to take just about anywhere.
I have been using and writing about personal computers since the 1980s and I have to admit, this is one of the most impressive laptops I have ever seen.
But oddly, it is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Unlike the aforementioned Grand Prix race cars, there are no flashy paint jobs here or fancy design cues that make it obvious this is one of the fastest laptops around. At first glance, it is dull as it gets. Just a big thin slab of flat black plastic and magnesium alloy, featureless from top to bottom. Inside and out. Even the Gram logo on the lid is understated (and probably a bit baffling to many observers since the logo is not exactly famous in the computer world) .
Clearly, the priority at LG was about what's going on inside.
You see that right away when you boot up for the first time. Windows' Cortana now talks you through the setup process. The only keyboard input required is for the name and password for the WiFi network and your email address and password. You get a few options along the way, like whether to set up the fingerprint reader to sign on, begin trials of Office and the like. All pretty painless.
One welcome feature was an option to immediately upgrade to Windows 11, which I have been using for some time and now prefer over Windows 10. The LG Gram still boots to Windows 10 but downloads Windows 11 in background and installs it when it is ready. That process only takes a few minutes, a far cry from the OS updates of the past.
One welcome feature was an option to immediately upgrade to Windows 11, which I have been using for some time and now prefer over Windows 10. The LG Gram still boots to Windows 10 but downloads Windows 11 in background and installs it when it is ready. That process only takes a few minutes, a far cry from the OS updates of the past.
Once that's all done, you are ready to go. Prepare to be impressed. It begins with the 16-inch screen, which is the brighest, sharpest most colorful screen I have ever seen on laptop. It was dazzling to the point I had to crank down the brightness a bit. It's not quite 4K but does support HDR on streaming video for the best contrast. If that were not enough, LG also includes a stylus pen, which you can use without fear since the screen is made of extra tough Gorilla Glass.
The LG Gram also supports DTS X if you are using headphones capable of that or are using bluetooth to dump the sound to a system that supports it. If not, the side firing stereo speakers are quite good for a laptop.
As you might expect, overall speed is very good. Thanks to lots of memory, the NVMe SSD, the i7 processor and full WiFi 6 compliance, the LG Gram races along at a pretty good clip no matter what it is doing.
LG thoughfully includes a LG Control Center app that allows you to fine tune most aspects of the laptop, some of which may not be immediately obvious. Like an instant on option when you flip up the scree and a switch to prevent the battery from charging above 80 percent to extend its life (both of which are disabled by default) Be sure and check it out.
Oh and did I mention this laptop can also function as an Alexa device? But only at your option. It is part of the setup process.
One of my few beefs concerns the keyboard. While I applaud the excellent touch and feel of the keys and the very visible white on black color scheme, backlit or not, I wasn't wild to see a number pad included on the full-sized keyboard. I never use that and would have preferred some dedicated keys to control sound and video. Sadly, LG opted for a comonly used but cumberson function/F-key combinations to control sound and nothing for rewiding or fast forwarding video.
One of my few beefs concerns the keyboard. While I applaud the excellent touch and feel of the keys and the very visible white on black color scheme, backlit or not, I wasn't wild to see a number pad included on the full-sized keyboard. I never use that and would have preferred some dedicated keys to control sound and video. Sadly, LG opted for a comonly used but cumberson function/F-key combinations to control sound and nothing for rewiding or fast forwarding video.
There are a few other caveats worth mentioning, notably a dearth of ports on this laptop. No HDMI. No display port. No ethernet. And just a single full size USB A port, which is partially covered by a fold down door because the laptop is so thin it barely fits into the frame.
Beyond that, there are two smaller USB C ports, one of which is used for recharging the laptop (no pin type connectors here). The other one is actually a Thunderbolt 3 port, which can move data twice as fast as USB C, for video editing and the like. But it but can double as a regular old USB C port if needed.
Beyond that, there are two smaller USB C ports, one of which is used for recharging the laptop (no pin type connectors here). The other one is actually a Thunderbolt 3 port, which can move data twice as fast as USB C, for video editing and the like. But it but can double as a regular old USB C port if needed.
The lack of ethernet seems to be due to the very slim profile of this laptop. The bottom half, where all the ports reside, is simply too thin to accommdate an ethernet port. But if you really need one, LG sells an adaptor that plugs into one of the USB C ports. Sacrifices must be made to keep a laptop this big, this light.
Still, LG did find room for a headphone jack and a micro SD (not full size SD) slot.
In the end, it would be hard to imagine anyone would not be happy owning this laptop. If you have got the money, this is a great choice for almost anyone.
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The Linksys E9450 WiFi 6 router covers 2800 square feet* and handles 30+ devices at speeds up to 5.4 Gbps. This compact Dual-Band router lets you surf, stream, and game all at the same time to keep you connected to the things that matter most. With Parental Controls and separate Guest Access, your network will always remain safe and secure. Easily add devices to your network with a push of the WPS button
Customer Rating
4
Fast, capable old school WiFi router
on October 20, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
When it comes to updating your home WiFi system, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices out there.
Stand-alone WiFi routers or multi-node mesh. Wi-fi 5 or WiFi 6, dual band or not. Beamforming or not. I could go on and on. There are literally hundreds of choices related to features and performance.
But if your needs are simple and your home is not too big, you could do a lot worse than opting for the Linksys E9450 Dual Band WiFi 6 router.
But if your needs are simple and your home is not too big, you could do a lot worse than opting for the Linksys E9450 Dual Band WiFi 6 router.
The latest in a long line of routers from networking giant Linksys, the E9450 is a great choice for most people who just want to upgrade their router to take advantage of new technology associated with WiFi 6. ( Or AX, if you want to follow the familiar letter codes that were used before: A,G,N, AC. )
The biggest advantage of WiFi 6 is that it was designed from the ground up to better deal multiple wireless devices at the same time -- something some older routers sometimes struggle to do well. If your house is like mine, you probably have a LOT of different devices connected to WiFi, from lights, doorbell cameras and thermostats, to computers, phones tablets and TVs.
The E9450 is rated to deal with "30+" devices, which is probably enough to satisfy most households. Better yet, this router is supposed to have enough broadcasting power to cover homes up to 2800 square feet, which is a pretty large home by most standards. When you get bigger than than that, it may be time to look at mesh systems, which have multiple nodes to ensure good WiFi coverage over even larger and multistory homes.
Interestingly enough, the E9450 has a "Mesh" light on the front but it does not have that capability in its current form. The owners manual, only available via download from the Linksys web site, hints it may be added later. "For future update." New firmware and additional nodes would be needed for that.
Unlike most new mesh setups, the E9450 has an old school design: A single black 6x8-inch rectangular box with a few lights on the front to show what is going on and four 1 gigabit ethernet ports on the back. It is a a very clean design with no external antennas (4 are hidden inside) and no blinking lights (except during setup) so should not offend the aesthic sensibilities of most folks. It must sit in a vertical position because it has a built in stand. But that's fine since it takes up less desk space that way.
As with most modern routers, this is one is dual-band, operating on both the 2.4 and 5 gigahertz frequencies. The specs say it is capable of speeds up to 5.4 gigabits per second but expect a lot less in real world situations.
Other welcome features include an on/off switch (most routers do not have one) and a USB 3 port for adding a hard drive to your network.
Setup will be very familiar to anyone who installed wireless routers before. There are no apps or other fancy do-dads involved. Once again, it is old school, with a web-based interface you access via your computer's web browser. Don't throw away the quick setup guide, the only documentation that comes with the E9450. It contains the name and password you will need to get into the admin to set up and customize your WiFi network. No more admin/admin on initial setup.
Setup will be very familiar to anyone who installed wireless routers before. There are no apps or other fancy do-dads involved. Once again, it is old school, with a web-based interface you access via your computer's web browser. Don't throw away the quick setup guide, the only documentation that comes with the E9450. It contains the name and password you will need to get into the admin to set up and customize your WiFi network. No more admin/admin on initial setup.
Except for changing the name and password of the WiFi network and inputing new admin access parameters, you probably won't need to mess with the default settings. You might be tempted to switch to the new WPA3 security protocol, which is stronger than the old WPA2 we have been using for years. But many older wireless devices are not compatible with WPA3 so stick with the "WPA2/WPA3 Personal" default.
Older devices may also be problematic when it comes to beamforming , which is supposed focus WiFi signals at devices that use them rather broadcast a wide field. That option is turned off by default, which is probably a good thing. Some older devices (older than N rated) do not play well with beamforming.
Older devices may also be problematic when it comes to beamforming , which is supposed focus WiFi signals at devices that use them rather broadcast a wide field. That option is turned off by default, which is probably a good thing. Some older devices (older than N rated) do not play well with beamforming.
One good thing about old school routers like this one, compared to the new mesh models, is you have much more control over all of the arcane network settings, including parental controls. Many mesh systems are one size fits all, with no ability to fine tune any network settings. They also probably lack the standard compliment of ethernet ports that have been standard in most WiFi routers for years.
I found the overall performance of the E9450 to be quite good. If you are upgrading from WiFi 5 (AC) or older system, you probably will notice less lag when using streaming services on a WiFi connected TV or other high-bandwidth devices. That's mostly because WiFi 6 is better at juggling multiple devices seeking internet access at the same time.
Overall throughput did seem to drop off a little in the far reaches of my 1500 square foot home but not enough to cause any issues with any of my devices.
The Linksys E9450 is nothing revolutionary but is a good basic choice for those who want to update aging WiFi routers and take advantage of the performance boosts that come with WiFi 6.
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Until now, streaming devices forced you to use each of your apps individually – creating browsing headaches and disconnected watch lists. TiVo Stream 4K is the first to help you find what you want to watch–across your favorite apps–without needing to switch between platforms and navigate different screens. Recommendations from your apps are combined, giving you all your options in one place. And with direct integration with Sling , your live entertainment has a home alongside your streaming shows and movies. From beginning to end, from binge to browse, TiVo Stream 4K delivers an amazing Android TV streaming media player experience. A voice control remote with the power of Google Assistant lets you find movies, check scores, dim the lights and so much more, all with your voice. With Chromecast built-in, you can easily cast movies, music, and more to your TV from your mobile devices. Google Play integration gives you access to a world of movies, shows, games, and over 5,000 apps. Plus, with 4K UHD, Dolby Vision HDR, and Dolby Atmos compatibility, you can enjoy cinematic-quality viewing from the comfort of your couch. The company that invented the DVR just simplified streaming. Less scrolling, more watching. Availability of streaming content from third-party sources is subject to change and certain third-party fees may apply. Streaming apps may not be available in all regions. Broadband internet connection is required to access and receive streaming and live TV content.
Customer Rating
4
Improved picture, interface; lengthy setup
on October 19, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
TiVo made a name for itself many years ago with one of the first DVRs...and it changed the world.
Now its making much smaller waves with TIVO Stream 4K, a new and less ground-breaking entry in the crowded world of streaming devices. True to its name, it does stream in 4K and includes top-of-the line support for features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR. Other premium features are built-in Chromecast, for those who want to cast from phones, laptops or tablets, and built-in Google Assistant voice support.
This streaming device is built around an Android TV interface, which will be familiar to some users, since it comes preloaded with some smart TVs, including Sony.
But the one feature that sets the TiVo Stream 4K apart from all other such devices is a unique TIVo guide, a seperate standalone, customizable page that allows you to more easily launch favorite channels, shows and movies from one location, regardless of which streaming service that provides them. A dedicated button on the remote will get you there in a hurry.
This can be a convenience for those who subscribe to multiple streaming services, like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, Sling and others . But Sling users will have the tightest integration since much of that content shows up on the grid
I have pretty extensive experience using most of the competing streaming devices and find the TiVo stream 4K something of a mixed bag. It does a great job, for the most part, once you get it set up but that process is a long and cumbersome experience -- a big turnoff to those who prefer more of a plug and play approach.
Here's what you are in for: Unpack and connect the square black plastic dongle to power via a supplied USB charger (a bit confusing since the device has both mico USB and USB C connectors. Power only works on the micro USB port). Plug the dongle into an available HDMI port on the TV that supports 4K. Pair the remote using some odd key combination on the remote (This took several attempts for some reason) . TiVo 4K Stream finally launches but of course needs a hefty 700+ gigabyte update first. That takes about 5 minutes (or more depending on your internet speed) and several reboots. Then Android TV must launch and it needs several reboots (and several more on top of that if you turn on Dolby Vision and HDR, which are off by default for some odd reason. This is something you probably would not be aware of unless you don't dig into the Android TV settings).
Then it asks a bunch fo question about which shows and movies you like so it can provide worthy recommendations. I skipped most of this since I watch or prefer almost none of the shows or movies TiVo lists in this process.
Then you can go through some tutorials on the Guide dealing with how to move your favorite channels to the top of the grid, which is bit better than the channel grid provided by Sling, my main streaming provider.
Whew! Are we done yet? Not even close.
You also have to set up a TiVo account of course and sign off on all the usual "you have no-privacy" provisions, standard fare on pretty much any app or device you buy these days.
And then you have activate all your streaming services on this device with either a name and password or the standard "go to this web page and type in this activation code," which should be familiar to anyone has ever used any streaming device.
Now, at long last, you are ready to sit back and take in the show, or movie. I found this entire process took 30-45 minutes, more than a lot of consumers would tolerate..
Once up and running, TiVo Stream 4K displays works well. with smooth and snappy response times to all user inputs. But there were some surprising differences when compared with other streamers, at least on my Sony TV.
Picture quality, for example, was somewhat better, because TiVo Stream 4K applies Dolby Vision to all content. Colors had less punch than I had before but seemed more realistic with better contrast (after Dobly Vision and HDR were turned on) . You may get different results depending on your TV and its capabilities.
Another unexpected change was in sound quality. I have an HDMI ARC connected Polk Audio sound bar that only supports Dolby Digital Plus , not Atmos. I got a lot more bass and surround sound across the board with the TiVo Stream 4K than through other streaming devices. That could be good or bad, depending on content and provider. On some programs, bass-heavy music and sound effects overpowered narration or dialogue to the point where it was unwatchable. You could not hear what anyone was saying. Other content had a more normal balance and actually sounded better than before because of the improved bass and surround sound.
If you dig into the audio settings, you can manually select which codec you want to use -- Dobly Atmos. Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital -- or select auto. None of those worked for me so finally had to turn off all surround sound to get acceptable voice and dialogue on most programs. The default "Auto," seemed to work OK on most Amazon Prime and Netflix content but not most cable channels or live TV via Sling. This is highly dependent on what soundbar or audio reciever you are using so your experience may be different. But if you do encounter this problem, there is a big downside to losing surround sound. Or manually switching back and forth, depending on what you are watching. a major pain.
The bluetooth remote that comes with TiVo Stream 4K is more capable than the bare bones remotes packed with most other streamers. The most noticable difference is a complete number keypad, which I never use but some may find useful. There are also dedicated Netflix and Google buttons, which allow voice commands when activated. It works as you would expect. And a dedicated TiVo button that goes to the guide. There is no backlight, sadly, but at least the black buttons have white markings on them so are easy to see in mosrt conditions.
Thankfully, the volume, mute, channel, power and input buttons on the TiVo remote work with your TV once the device is set up so you don't have shuffle back and forth between remotes.
In the end, your decision on whether to buy the TiVo Stream 4K depends largely on your personal preferences regarding streaming navigaion and how advanced your TV is. Owners of TVs with Dolby Vision and HDR may see improvements but sound quality is something of a guessing game depending on the audio equipment you are using..
Owners of older streaming devices will likely find the TiVo 4K Stream responds more smoothly during navigation or when using DVR controls, because it runs on faster processors.
The only big downside is the lengthy setup process.
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Battery Backup & Surge Protector for Electronics and Computers
Customer Rating
4
Good for low-power backup, affordable
on October 6, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
Anyone who has ever used a desktop computer knows an uninteruptible power supply (UPS) can be a lifesaver. Momentary outages can destroy hours of work if not backed up before it happens.
But if your computer and monitor are plugged into a UPS, it's like the power outage never happened. A battery in the UPS immediately takes over and keeps the power flowing long enough to save your work and shut down safetly.
But what about your internet connection? Are yourr cable modem, wireless router and associated wi-fi devices connected to a UPS too? Doubtful, given the limited number of outlets on most UPS devices.
That's why this new Home Network Battery Backup from power backuppower legend APC may be just the ticket for a lot of folks. It is designed specificially for just that purpose, providing backup power to ensure the devices that give you your internet connection and wi-fi also keep going, for up to two hours, if you lose power.
Rated at 450 volts/255 watts, it is a little brother to the beefier backup systems made for more power hungry desktop computers, monitors and printers. Despite being physically smaller, there's still four backup oulets, wisely spaced to accommodate most power bricks, and two extra outlets that only provide surge protection. In my house, that was perfect since I have a cable modem, wireless router and hub for my smart lighting setup. None of these pull much power so the lower power rating (compared to a computer UPS) is just fine.
As with all APC units, this one was dead simple to use -- attach the UPS to an outlet, plug in all your network devices, and hit the power button. A solid green light tells you it is working. It blinks when the power outlet dies and it is operating on battery power.
The only new wrinkle, for those who have not bought a UPS lately, is a jumper that disconnects the battery from the UPS during shipping -- new federal safety regs. You must slide in the jumper to make the UPS funtional before you plug it in.
Unlike some bigger UPS units, this one has no computer connection or even an app to keep you informed what is going on. You monitor its status based on how fast the light behind power button flashes. You can also activate an audible alarm if that is your preference.
How long the battery lasts depends what you have plugged into the UPS but it is rated at up to 2.1 hours.
How long the battery lasts depends what you have plugged into the UPS but it is rated at up to 2.1 hours.
The APC Home Network Battery Backup also provides full time surge protection to every device plugged into it, regardless of whether battery back is being provided. That's extra piece of mind if you live in a storm prone region.
So if keeping internet service going in your house is important, even if you lose power, this could be a good short term solution. If power is off for days instead of just a few hours, this is not going to solve all your problems. But it will protect you from power surges.
Overall, the APC Home Network Battery Backup provides good insurance against power glitches and brief outages for not a lot of money. Recommended.
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Instant’s Air Purifier uses sophisticated technology to deliver cleaner air, giving you peace of mind. It also removes 99.9% of other viruses and bacteria from treated air. And the built-in sensors monitor the air quality and adjust the fan speed automatically, to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The advanced filtration system includes a HEPA-13 filter with carbon layer that captures 99.97% of dust, dander, smoke, and other ultrafine impurities in the air and helps reduce smells. Plasma ion technology projects positive and negative ions for cleaner air. Instant Air Purifier starts delivering cleaner air in minutes and completely recycles the room’s air 5 times per hour. With Instant Air Purifier, you’ll inhale cleaner air, and exhale peace of mind. And it comes from the makers of Instant Pot, with all the quality, convenience, and versatility you’ve come to expect from Instant.
Customer Rating
4
Well designed, easy to use, gets the job done
on September 20, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
The people who made a name for themselves selling Instant Pots now are in the business of getting rid of all the cooking smells eminating from those pots.... with a new line of Instant Air Purifiers.
Despite the name, they cannot clean the air instantly but this model, rated for very small rooms of about 130 square feet, does a pretty decent job in a few minutes without just the push of a single button.
Like most air purifiers, this one is essentially a container fitted with an air filter and a fan. A small control panel on top, with touch controls, allows you to decide how you want to use it -- either in manual mode or automatic. Most will opt for the AUTO mode since that takes all the guesswork out of what to do. And getting there could not be easier.
Just touch the power button and the air purifier automatically starts up in AUTO mode. As with most devices of this type, it sniffs the air first to determine the proper fan speed based on air quality (low, medium or high). It then downshifts, if necessary, to a lower speed once the air quality improves.
In low and medium speeds, the Instant Air Purifier is very quiet. Nearly silent, in fact, at the low speed setting. But cranking the fan up to high makes it quite noisy and unsuitable for any room where you are sleeping, talking with other people or watching TV.
Fortunately, it should not need to operate at high speeds very often unless someone starts a fire in the kitchen or something similar
Instant claims the air purifier not only eliminates odors but kills viruses and uses a medical grade HEPA-13 filter to get rid of dust, dander and other fine particulates.
Fortunately, it should not need to operate at high speeds very often unless someone starts a fire in the kitchen or something similar
Instant claims the air purifier not only eliminates odors but kills viruses and uses a medical grade HEPA-13 filter to get rid of dust, dander and other fine particulates.
The Instant Air Purifier is designed to be on all the time but may not actaully be running if air quality is good. In ECO mode, it samples the air every 10 minute and then shuts off if finds no problems with air quality. A little leaf symbol lights up on the control panel to indicate the machine is running in ECO mode, which happens automatically if you start in AUTO.
I got the Instant Air Purifier for a small laundry room, which also happens to be where my cat boxes are located. My cats are not always the best about covering up their business so the room can get quite smelly, not good since it is just off the kitchen. I am happy to report this nifty little device usually took care of that problem, although I had to switch to manual and select a higher fan speeds when the cats left particularly smelly deposits. AUTO mode was not always very good at picking up on these smells and upshifting to higher fan speeds.
This particular model is the smallest one Instant makes....about the size of a two gallon bucket. The bottom half of the plastic shell is covered with a pattern of holes that allow air to get pulled through to the filter. Clean air is expelled out the top, which is ringed by an always on light. The color of the light changes depending on air quality, with red being bad and transitioning to white for good. There is a button on top that allows you to set three different brightness levels or turn the light off entirely if you wish.
Setup is easy, but also easy to screw up if you dont read the instructions. For some reason, Instant has opted to ship the device with the filter installed but wrapped in a plastic bag. You must pull the device apart (the bottom unscrews), remove the filter, remove the plastic bag, then reinsert the filter and screw the bottom back on. The device cannot function unless you do this first. This is clearly explained in the instructions and on a label covering the control panel. But some people are notorious for NOT reading instructions.
Kudos, by the way, to Instant for an including a printed instruction manual that is big enough to read (despite the fact the text is gray instead of black, which would be much more legible). No app, registration or password required, thank goodness.
Filters are supposed to be replaced every six to eight months, per the instructions. A light on top also reminds you when it is time to change the filter. Cost is unknown at this point since they are not yet available but these things tend to be pretty pricey.
The only thing that might cause some people pause is that the Instant Air Purifier uses "plasma-ion technology" to help rid the air of viruses. This process generates ozone, which at high enough levels can cause repiratory problems in some people. But the company suggests that's not a concern because the device "complies with the maximum allowable concentration " of .05 parts ozone per million.
Overall, this is an attractive, well-designed little air purifier that seems to get the job done with very little effort on the part of the consumer. What more could you ask?
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Take your weeknight dinner to the next level with the Bella Pro 5.3-qt Digital See Through Air Fryer. With a large 5.3-qt capacity, entire meals for the whole family can be ready in no time. The High Performance Circular Heat Technology and the powerful 1700-watt heating system delivers fast, crispy and evenly cooked food every time. Featuring a large digital display with capacitive touch control on the top of the fryer, an extra-large viewing window, and a bright interior light, it’s simple to cook your food to perfection. When the cooking is done, simply place the dishwasher-safe fry basket on the top rack for an easy clean up.
Customer Rating
3
Cooks fast, good controls, steep learning curve
on September 19, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
In the world of air fryers, the Sensio Bella Pro Series 5.3 quart air fryer has a lot going for it. But it's not perfect.
First the good news: It's a good looking unit, clad in a tasteful combination of shiny piano black and stainless steel. The attractive on-top controls (invisible until you plug it in) are all digital and give you a lot of control over what you are cooking, with some dedicated food buttons, like french fries. The large main display is easy to read and does triple duty as a timer, temp indicator and information indicator.
It is very quiet when running and cleanup is a breeze because the entire cooking basket is covered in teflow, so not much sticks to it.
But perhaps the best feature of all is a large window that gives you a good view of what is going on inside. This is something that is strangely lacking on a lot of air fryers but is essential because these kind of ovens cook so fast, food will sometimes burn before you realize what is happening.
This brings us to perhaps the biggest downside to this air fryer, and many others. The cooking process is altogether different than a regular oven so the temps and times associated with foods and recipes you know by heart no longer apply. Food may be burnt on the outside and raw on the inside if you cook based on past experience. So every time you cook, you mostly guess about how to change the time and temp to make the food come out correctly. Some packaged foods provide air fryer instuctions but most do not. So every meal becomes a trip into uncertainty. Instructions with the fryer provide some general guidance on some foods but not all.
This brings us to perhaps the biggest downside to this air fryer, and many others. The cooking process is altogether different than a regular oven so the temps and times associated with foods and recipes you know by heart no longer apply. Food may be burnt on the outside and raw on the inside if you cook based on past experience. So every time you cook, you mostly guess about how to change the time and temp to make the food come out correctly. Some packaged foods provide air fryer instuctions but most do not. So every meal becomes a trip into uncertainty. Instructions with the fryer provide some general guidance on some foods but not all.
This oven, along with all other air fryers, are essentially a turbo version of a regular convection oven, with a fan moving the hot air much faster than anything you have used before. So just as a convection oven will cook faster at lower temps than a regular oven, this will cook faster and at lower temps than a convection oven -- in most cases.
The fast moving air is what makes "air frying" possible.... browning foods much faster, and in some cases, providing a taste that approximates what you might get out frying something as opposed to cooking it in a regular oven. Frozen prepared french fries are the best example, which is why there is a dedicated button for that. The results are excellent.
Cooking oither foods is a bit of guessing game. Becasuse of the way it cooks, it is not well suited for certan food. I discovered this first hand on my first outing with this oven... attempting to cook a pot pie. In a normal oven, more than an hour at 425 degrees. Internet reseach told me to use 360 for 45 minutes but that didn't work all that well. The crust fully browned in about 10 minutes. So I was forced to wrap the entire thing in foil (the fan blows off loosely attached foil) to finish it up. I used a temperature probe to ensure it was safe to eat but still turned out pretty uncooked inside. Not very good. An example of how trial and error and constant monitoring of the food is necessary to figure out how to cook certain things that were simple before.
I had much better luck on my second outing, with what I call tater tots deluxe. Regular tots covered with chopped ham, onions and cheese. The tot bag has instructions for the air fryer, which helped with the initial cooking of the tots. But my recipe requires additional steps, covering the top with the onions and ham, browining them. Then topping that cheese and melting it. I essentially just resorted to constant monitoring on each step, via the window, to figure out when step two was done and I could add the cheese in step three, followed by more cooking.
The results were very good but more work than I would like.
A third experiment cooking canned biscuts also went fairly well. More internet research suggested lower temps and less time, along with turning halfway through to ensure all sides browned. This worked pretty well, with the bisuits reaching a "done" level of brownness in about 5 minutes. I flipped them and cooked them 3 more minutes and got a fairly decent biscuitt.... in about half the time required in a regular oven. But the final biscuit was a bit crisper on the outside, softer on the inside, with a bit less rise than normal. The downside to rapid cooking.
The bottom line here is that in time, this might prove to be a good substitute for a regular oven with certain foods. It is faster and uses a lot less electrcity. The controls are simple and easy to see and use. But a lot of trial and error cooking is required to figure out the best temp and time combination for each thing you cook -- and in some cases, it might not be what want you want to use at all because of its limitations.
It's also quite bulky so not something you are likely to want to leave on your probably already overcrowded kitchen countertop. So you will need to store it after each use and then bring it back out when needed. An inconveniece.
One other caveat. When first used,the air fryer produces a very pungent and persistant chemical smell. So be sure to cook near a vent or open window to keep it from fumigating your house with this smell.
Also, be aware all that shiny black plastic used on the body and touch control panel shows every spec of dirt and fingerprints so keeping it looking clean requires a good bit of work. A matte finish would have made more sense.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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From pour-over to French press and every method in between, Ode Brew Grinder brings the café experience to your kitchen. With single dosing, a small countertop size, a magnetically aligned catch and grinds knocker for added cleanliness, Ode turns a morning chore into an elevated experience.
Customer Rating
4
Built like a tank, great grind, but very pricey
on June 25, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
Let's face it. You have to be REALLY, REALLY serious about coffee to spend $300 on a coffee grinder. The connoisseur of connoisseurs of java....
And if that is you, you probably will be impressed with this Fellow-Ode grinder.
The first thing you notice, before you even open the box is this thing is unbelievably heavy it is for a coffee grinder. It weighs almost 15 pounds. Once you unpack it, it's easy to see why. The grinder appears to built from armor plate. You could run over it with a semi and probably not hurt it. Heavy duty is an understatement.
So, yep, this thing is as durable as they come. And one result of that is that is it is very quiet, since the motor and specially designed burr grinding mechanism is packed tightly behind all that armor plating. You wont be waking up the rest of the family grinding coffee with this thing.
That's good because the minimalist design of this thing means you HAVE to grind coffee fresh every day. There is no hopper to keep the beans ready for grinding . Just a big rectangular hole over the grinding mechanism. This by design, according to the company, because coffee stored in a hopper would be exposed to air and degrade (remember, serious coffee drinkers only!) . So, of course, you never want to grind more coffee that you are going to need in the next few minutes.
The motor runs until every bean is ground, and then stops automatically. And this is pretty much the only automatic function on this grinder. You must measure out the necessary amount of beans daily turn the giant dial on the front to the desired grind and hit the start button. Measurement marking inside the cup are supposed to help you determine the amount of beans to grind but I found them way off, about double the amount I normally use.
Recommended grind settings are shown inside the lid on the hopper. Very fine for drip pots, between 1 and 2, between 6 and 11 for press pot and a very coarse 10-11 for cold brew. Since this is all very subjective, you will have to experiment to find what works best for your brewing method.
This is a high-end burr grinder so the grind is very uniform, which produces an even, accurate taste, true to the beans and the roast you are using, rather than the oddly shaped rubble that comes out of cheap chopping grinders -- or lesser burr grinders. When finer grounds are mixed in with coarser ones, the taste can be harsher than it should be.
You have to be very serious about coffee to appreciate these nuances but if you are one of those people, you may have found your coffee grinder.
I have been grinding coffee at home for decades and found the grind produced by the Fellows Ode produced a very smooth, balanced, unblemished cup of coffee using my go-to Costa Rican dark blend. It had a bit less bite than I was getting using another burr grinder, which can be good or bad, depending on your taste. I use a press pot and opted for a 6 grind, the finest setting recommended for this kind of coffee maker. I suspect the main difference comes down to the grind speed: Quite slow with this grinder, often very fast with lesser grinders, with the added friction and heat affecting the taste of the coffee.
Design aesthetics are subjective but I frankly find this thing to be pretty ugly -- or if you want to be charitable, utilitarian. It is very boxy and painted flat black from top the bottom. The only exception to the all black color scheme are the white numbers on the grind dial and a small stainless steel tab on the side, which is tapped a few times at the end the grind to get the last grounds out of the grinding chamber. (well, sorta. It doesn't work that great) . Even the grind button, on the base, is black.
There is no overall on/off switch, no lights and no settings beyond the grind level.
I do like the design of the cup that catches the grounds. It is stainless steel (painted black of course) with a magnet built into the bottom. That ensures remains centered under the hole where the grounds come out. But the flimsy flexible lid is poorly designed and does not always fit snugly unless you are careful .
This grinder is also relatively compact, since it does not have a coffee bean hopper, so does not take up a lot of space on the counter
As with most coffee grinders, this one can get a bit messy. The grinding process imparts a lot of static electricy to the grounds and they tend to fly around a lot once you remove the cup from the grinder. However, I got fewer flyaway grounds with the Fellows Ode than with the burr grinder I used before.
In summary:
Pros: Very sturdy construction, very quiet, compact, , good uniform grind that produces excellent coffee, magnetic grind cup, less grind mess than some burr grinders.
Cons: Very expensive, ugly design, no automation, convenience or advanced features, , no bean hopper, very heavy, flimsy lid on grind cup can be fussy.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bring clear, powerful sound to the party with the SRS-XP500 Portable Wireless Speaker. Add extra juice to the hits with MEGA BASS and Sony’s unique X-Balanced Speaker units, and keep the energy going with up to 20 hours of battery life1 plus USB-C quick charging. Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, and usage. Battery capacity decreases over time and use.
Customer Rating
4
Amazing bass, super loud. Party on!
on June 11, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
Wow. This thing really kicks butt!
Which is to say, the Sony XP-500 is really, really loud, cranks out way more bass than I could handle and still manages to balance out all the frequencies enough so it sounds pretty darn good, no matter what kind of music you are playing. (You might have to turn off "mega-bass" though since it can be pretty overpowering. )
Credit Sony's new X-balanced speaker system for the improved sound quality over earlier models.
Did I mention it is battery powered, running for up to 20 hours on a single charge? Waterproof enough to use around the pool (IPX 4 water resistance) . And can handle not only all the bluetooth music you want to feed it, from phone, tablet or laptop, but also will double as a guitar amp (if you are not too demanding) and PA system ( if you have a microphone you want to plug into it.)
And to top it off, it provides an interesting light show via new indirect LED lights that are built into the handles, and thus reflect back onto the cabinet rather than straight into your eyes. I am not sure that is an advantage but Sony seems to think it is. Of course, you can turn the lights off entirely all those moving flashing lights are bugging you for some reason. (Use the "delightful" setting -- I am not making this up -- for the biggest variety of colors and patterns.)
The entire operation is actually very customizable using Sony's Music Center App. It allows you to choose several different pre-set sound profiles (ClearAudio + seemed to work best for me) or build your own;. choose between a dozen or so different "illumination" patterns, from mild to wild, and pair it up with other compatible bluetooth speakers (true stereo is possible with other Sony speakers) to crank out even more sound.
But for most folks, this one speaker cabinet is more than enough to fill a pretty large room with music in almost any house.
If bluetooth is not your thing, you can make direct connections from phones and other device via an auxiliary cable or plug in a USB drive loaded with music. The well-integrated Music Center app allows you to pick artists, songs or albums. The USB ports also can be used to charge USB devices if you are not in too big a hurry since there are no high power charging ports here (1.5A max).
If bluetooth is not your thing, you can make direct connections from phones and other device via an auxiliary cable or plug in a USB drive loaded with music. The well-integrated Music Center app allows you to pick artists, songs or albums. The USB ports also can be used to charge USB devices if you are not in too big a hurry since there are no high power charging ports here (1.5A max).
This thing is the Swiss army knife of bluetooth speakers.
It's pretty easy on the eyes too, thanks to a new curvy design that leaves no room for sharp corners. The cabinet is all plastic but stylish built-in handles at the top and bottom make it easy to grab and go, as long as you have the muscle to lug this thing. It is a pretty hefty 37 pounds. A sturdy metal grate on the front protects the speakers from damage.
The speaker is designed to be used in both the upright vertical position or horizontal, with rubber feet along one side if you opt for that configuration.
There are only a few minor downsides. The first is that instructions that come with it are in type as tiny as ant tracks so pretty useless for older eyes. Download the web version for a much easier experience. The input labels and controls on the back of the speaker are similarly impossible to read in all but the brightest environments. A not so useful black on black color scheme. So fine for the beach or pool maybe but not so much inside the house.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The New Definition of High Definition: This FHD monitor feels as good as it looks, packing IPS technology for 178 degrees ultra-wide viewing angles, 99% sRGB color gamut for color accuracy, and AMD FreeSync to keep your eyes up to speed with your imagination.
Customer Rating
5
Great performance, good looks
on May 12, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
If you need a larger monitor for regular computer work or even entertainment, it is hard to go wrong with the new HP M27F.
It checks all the right boxes: Stylish, lightweight, super thin bezel and panel, bright vivid, sharp images. All perfect right out of the box. No adjustments needed, at least when connecting via HDMI.
Just as good is the thoughtful no-tool assembly design. You DO have to install the stand but the piece that attaches to the back of the monitor just snaps in. The metal foot for stand does attach with a screw but there is a little folding loop attached to the top of the screw so you can just tighten it by hand, instead of rummage around for a screwdriver.
It's a small thing but good to see a little thought being put into the design of consumer products that have to be assembled.. Easier is always better.
You can attach this monitor to your computer via HDMI (there are two ports) or an old school VGA port. You may have to dig out a magnifying glass to find the tiny power switch (hidden underneath the right corner,with no markings on the front to indicate it is there) but that is about the only challenge in terms of setup.
Image quality is excellent from the get-go. Strong blacks. Vivid, accurate colors. Very sharp. Great for the tiny text or numbers on some spreadsheets or stock-trading platforms. The kind of software that screams for a big computer monitor like this one. The screen has a matte finish, which banishes reflections.
This is an IPS panel so it is fine for off-center viewing.
Video from streaming services looks pretty darn good too but is not quite up the level of what you would see on a high-end 4K HDTV....but then you would hardly expect it to be at this price. Compared to other computer monitors, it looks as quite good.
Neat freaks will be glad to know you can run the power and video cables through a hollow tube in the stand, therefore making them disappear, at least at desktop level.
Even the packaging gets high marks. The monitor panel is protected inside a folding cardboard insert (no styrofoam!). Little cutouts in the same insert hold the power cables and (amazingly enough) even an HDMI cable. (Sorry, no VGA cable) Nicely done.
Overall, it is hard to find much to complain about with this monitor. It looks great, works great and is not outlandishly expensive. It would be a good choice for anyone who needs a monitor of this size.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With fast print speeds, precision two-sided printing, scan/copy, plus an auto document feeder, the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdwe is perfect for small businesses printing black & white forms, reports and business documents. It includes the HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. As part of the connected HP+ system, this printer only works with Original HP Toner and requires an HP account and internet connection.
Customer Rating
3
OK if you can live with HP+ requirements
on April 24, 2021
Posted by: daytonadan
from Daytona
Let's get one thing out of the way up front.
This is NOT a simple printer to set up or use. If you just want a dead simple printer that you can plug in, attach it to your your computer and go, look elsewhere. There is no "plug and play" option here.
That because this is an HP+ version of the LaserJet M234sdwe printer. Which means it will not even function if is not connected to the internet 24/7. You also cannot even print one page until you go through an onerous setup process that involves downloading and running their app on your smartphone, establishing an account with HP and agreeing to let them monitor pretty much everything the printer does for the entire time you own it.
If that's not bad enough, you also have to download a special HP app and print driver on your computer if you want to print anything from that , which of course you do, and then sign on again and let HP monitor everything you do there as well.
Some of this full-time internet connectivity is related to the functionality of the printer, which allows you order print jobs remotely and send FAXes (for a limited time, unless you want to pay extra) . Some remote troubleshooting also is possible. But if this sounds a bit too much "Big Brother" for you, make sure you buy a version of this printer that is NOT HP+. They do NOT require a full time internet connection to work.
Also be aware this is a network-only printer. Ethernet or wi-fi only. No USB connection is possible.
With those caveats out of the way, I can say the printer itself, once setup, does a decent job.
Like all laser printers, it is very fast. It spit out a 12-page mostly text report in less than a minute, printing on both sides of the paper, which takes longer. Text quality is good, if not great. It tends to fall apart on small font sizes, especially if the source text is anything but solid black. There is no color here. Black and white only.
A sheet feeder on top allows you to scan or copy up to 40-page documents fairly easily, but it can only scan one side at a time . It is not designed to automatically scan two-sided documents and keep pages in order automatically as some printers do.
Actual controls on the printer are rudimentary. There is a tiny 2x3-inch touch control panel on top of the paper hopper, with a 1x1-inch black and white LCD display (not backlit so it is hard to see except in bright environments) . There are no instructions provided with the printer or in the app so it's a little unclear what the symbols do, how they work or what some of the readouts mean.
In the end, it probably does not matter much since , the printer is supposed to be controlled mostly by the app, on the phone or computer, which gives you more feedback on what the printer and doing more control over what you want to print. Be aware you can only print text documents in PDF format from within the app. Other text documents must be printed using the print function in the software you are using, like Microsoft Word.
One apparent bonus with this printer is an offer of six months of free toner, part of the HP+ program.. But that's really just a gambit to get you to sign up for a monthly subscription service to provide regular toner deliveries. You don't get the "free" toner if you don't sign up. The program, which promises a 50 percent discount on toner, appears to be a good deal for people who print a lot but a bad one for everyone else. HP+ also doubles the warranty to two years.
The toner cartridge that comes with the printer is supposed to be good for 1,100 pages but you don't have to keep count. The app keeps tabs on toner levels and alerts you if it is low. You are required to use only HP toner cartridges under the terms of the HP+ agreements you approve during the setup process. They cost about $50 retail.
The overall design of the printer is quite functional but frankly, pretty ugly. Just a big off-white box with dark accents at the top and bottom. No effort was made to make it appear stylish.
This particular Laserjet is probably best suited for small office or home office where most printing jobs involve black and white text documents. It includes all the features that would probably be needed in such environments and seems to do them all fairly well.
Most home users, however, would probably be better off with a color inkjet, which provides more versatility and does not lock you into the "Big Brother" environment this Laserjet must operate in.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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daytonadan's Review Comments
This Actiontec Powerline PWR511K01 home theater network adapter allows you to turbocharge your home entertainment network. Connect devices including Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and smart TVs to the Internet through your electrical outlets.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5I hate I bought this
By TechLover12
Do NOT buy, this item worked great for the first 5 to 6 months then the main adapter stopped working and would not power on. I called customer service who advised me that I would have to pay to ship it back to get a repacement. I thought it was stupid but I did it anyway. It took almost a month to get the replacement and now the replacement has gone out within less than 4 months. I hate that I bought this thing. If I could give this thing 0 stars, I would.
daytonadan
Daytona
qualtiy roulette
March 21, 2016
I agree there is an issue of reliability to be considered here. The first set of these I bought lasted four or five years before they suddenly died, a few months apart, as yours did. They worked great until they quit for no apparent reason. I bought a replacement set. One of them died in a few weeks. You might get lucky. You might not. Quality control seems a to be a problem with this company.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
This Garmin nüvi 2589LMT 010-01187-01 GPS features automatic rerouting that offers a new travel course in the event of a deviation from directions given. The voice prompts provide guidance while you keep your eyes on the road for safe navigation.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Problems updating the map
By Kenny
We have had Garmin Nuvi's before, and love them. I bought this one today (June 26), and it worked right out of the box. But then I went through the online download process through Garmin Express to get the latest map, it appeared to successfully download, but got the message "There was an error installing the update." And now the Nuvi says the map is locked! I tried several more downloads, and kept getting the same error. I will try to contact Garmin tech support, and if they can't help me I will have to return it.
daytonadan
Daytona
Problem may be Garmin USB cable
December 8, 2016
I had a raft of problems updating maps for many years. It would stop mid update. Lose connection between computer and the GPS. On offf on off. For no apparent reason. Then the map would be corrupt. After many years, I finally discovered the problem was a defective USB cable, the one that came with the Garmin! Hard to imagine how one of these could go bad but obviously a broken or lose connection somewhere inside the cable (defect in manufacturing) , where it is invisible. When I switched to another USB cable, I never had another problem. If you have this issue, throw away the Garmin cable and your problem will be solved.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Drive confidently with this Garmin DriveSmart advanced navigation system. Use your Bluetooth-equipped phone to voice-activate the GPS through the built-in microphone and speaker for safe, hands-free navigation. A high-resolution touch-screen display reveals preloaded, detailed street maps of North America for your convenience when using this Garmin DriveSmart advanced navigation system.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5My 6 year old nuvi is better than this.
By zhadum
I decided to get a new Garmin because my old model didn't have life- time maps. The avoidances on this model don't work well. I had selected to avoid unpaved roads. Not only did this Garmin try to get me to turn on to every unpaved road from my home to my destination. It also wanted me to make a U turn to take a unpaved road. Also it's guidance isn't very good, it had me take a off ramp only to have me immediately get right back on the same highway that I just got off. Also it tried to get me to cross several bridges that haven't been there in years. I contacted technical support and was told that a new map update was released and that would help with the problems so I downloaded the update which said that it would take 3 hours to update but instead it ended up taking 48 straight hours to download the update.
daytonadan
Daytona
Fast internet essential for map updates
December 18, 2016
If it took that long for you to update maps, you must have dial-up speed internet, ie, less than 1MB per second. That's just not usable in my view but some people limp along on it. But since these mapset updates on the order of about 3 gigabytes in size, it will take forever to download them at that speed. Buyers should be aware that doing map updates is not very practical if you have low speed internet at home.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Create work or play functionality wherever you are with this Lenovo Yoga touch-screen laptop. Hinged construction lets you use this as a traditional laptop or tablet, and a backlit keyboard increases accessibility in dimly lit environments. Connect to the Internet for streamed entertainment or work via organizational tools preloaded on this Lenovo Yoga touch-screen laptop.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Great Laptop for beginner
By MikeV
This laptop is very good design and light weight. Internal battery last for a period of time if full charge. Doesn't produce a lot of heat, you barely feel it. Very quite laptop. I gave it 3 stars due to lack of 5Ghz wifi. My 6 yrs old sony vaio even have 5Ghz and this 2016 Lenovo doesn't ?. I just don't understand why this IBM company is doing this. I did a lot of research and found out that IBM puts only 2.4 Ghz card to the laptop. I ended up buying an external wireless adapter to get 5Ghz. Hope this help...Good luck.
daytonadan
Daytona
Does support 5ghz
January 4, 2017
.....but only if you go into the wireless adapter settings and turn it on. I too was puzzled why wireless connection was so slow. I have no idea why the stock configuration is with 5ghz turned off but it was. Once I fixed that, I got a strong 430mbs connections with my AC wireless router. On 2.4mghz, it was 150 max I think. Look for the advanced properties settings on the laptops wireless adapter settings.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Great idea, Not 100% solution for me though
By RobWLINY2
I was really hoping to write a short positive review, but there were some issues which I had to share.
I love that this has taken my 3 separate router/access-points each of which had two network names, and managed to put it all on one network name. Unfortunately, for example, my android-based tablet always seems to connect on the (slower) 2.4GHz network and there is no obvious way to fix this (without perhaps forcing the whole network to use 5GHz, which is not an option).
The signal seemed excellent in some areas that had weak signals before.
A few times while using it, it seemed to disconnect wifi, but after 5-10 seconds it would reconnect. This was in a location with 95-100% wifi signal.
Also, Transfering files on my DELL laptop from network drive -- On Velop i was maxing out around 7MB/sec. Compare that to my previous Linksys Router (wired wireless-access-point) which was getting 27MB/sec peak.
I slightly dislike that i needed to buy network switches because the Velop system only has 2 ethernet ports. On the other hand, now that is done and i don't have to think about the number of available ethernet ports on future devices.
My old access points were "wired" to ethernet, and the secondary nodes here don't seem to work that way (other than as bridges maybe?). This has potential performance implications.
The nodes not being wired i perhaps have more freedom to more optimally place them, so there are potential advantages in using this in areas a wired access point cannot be placed..
As per setup, it was "easy" but twice i had to restart setup on a node after it seemed to hang for more than 5 minutes, and one of those times i needed to factory reset a node..
daytonadan
Daytona
Same issue. Slow speeds within the network
January 11, 2017
I had the same problem. My old Linksys router was much faster in terms of raw megabits per second speeds (sometimes twice as fast) between devices than the Velop system, which seems tuned mostly for streaming internet. You rarely need speeds much above 50mbs for that and Velop can easily handle that If you are moving big files around within your own network, and have AC devices that are capable of 400mbs or more, Velop is NOT a good option.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Acer 27" S271HL DBID LED HD Monitor: The thin design lets you place this large monitor almost anywhere — even hang it on the wall (wall mount sold separately). Great for playing video games, showing movies, viewing documents side by side, and enlarging photos during the editing process.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Deal if its on sale for $200 or Less, Basic Users!
By ItsAdeal
from San Jose, Ca
There are lots of 27" monitors to chose from, I chose to replace 2 older 28" lcd monitors with 2 of these primarily for price and use. At the time of purchase this was the best deal I could find anywhere on the web for a 27" monitor. Acer is a good name, I've been using their products for decades with no problems. always out last the warranty. so far!. there's nothing special about these other than the 3 most common inputs included. its few that support DVI, VGA & HDMI in one monitor these days. Mac users can use a Mini display Port adapter to connect. I tested all three inputs with the same source and found both the DVI and VGA performed well and identical in appearance. The HDMI input did not, the image was washed out compared to the other DVI and VGA inputs. Even though I could have tried to adjust the hdmi to match it did not make sense to do so since it performed well with no adjustment on the other 2 inputs.Since I'm using this in a 2 monitor W7setting I chose the DVI and VGA inputs since my graphics card supports all three. So far all is nominal, steam games look fine, basic use is fine too. The one disappointment for Me was when I opened the box and found the external power supply. Its a personal choice but I prefer internal power supplies on monitors (No power brick, Direct from the wall AC plug to the monitor).
I almost returned these due to this, but after looking at the market again I found it would have cost $100 more each to get that feature. I decided to install and test them. I wall mounted these on 2 vesa 100x100 arms with ease. They phyically lok great, thin bezel, thin depth, non glare. I'm Happy! My advice is if You are looking for a 27" and need multiple inputs and can find this for $200 or less its a good deal at this time. Things change so fast however, so look around at the entire market before chosing this monitor, there may be a better deal out there. The next monitors I buy will be 4K once the price comes down. For Now, these will do.
I almost returned these due to this, but after looking at the market again I found it would have cost $100 more each to get that feature. I decided to install and test them. I wall mounted these on 2 vesa 100x100 arms with ease. They phyically lok great, thin bezel, thin depth, non glare. I'm Happy! My advice is if You are looking for a 27" and need multiple inputs and can find this for $200 or less its a good deal at this time. Things change so fast however, so look around at the entire market before chosing this monitor, there may be a better deal out there. The next monitors I buy will be 4K once the price comes down. For Now, these will do.
daytonadan
Daytona
Thanks for the tip on HDMI
February 27, 2017
I was running my monitor on HDMI and worked for days to get the muddy washed out cast off the screen. Impossible. Then I saw your review, switched to DVI and -- instant improvement!. This is how a monitor should look! Muddy cast gone. Black blacks, white whites. good contrast. No reason this should be but there is no question HDMI connection is the pits. Avoid at all costs. Otherwise, a spectacular monitor for the money, assuming you get in on sale as I did.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Acer 27" S271HL DBID LED HD Monitor: The thin design lets you place this large monitor almost anywhere — even hang it on the wall (wall mount sold separately). Great for playing video games, showing movies, viewing documents side by side, and enlarging photos during the editing process.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Decent, for the price.
By Nathan
Calibrating to achieve reasonably accurate color has proven difficult. "Black" is apparently not achievable.
Overall the image feels washed out. For the price, It's easy to get used to. However, I would not recommend this for any kind of graphic work.
daytonadan
Daytona
I though so too...
March 16, 2017
I had this same problem. Maddening. Muddy picture. Milky blacks. No contrast. I spent weeks trying to adjust it with only slight improvement. And then I read another reviewer say, "Don't use HDMI." I though he was nuts. Digital is digital right? Apparently not. I switched to a DVI connection and image quality improved 100 percent. Muddy cast disappeared. Black blacks. Decent color saturation. It's not top of the line....still lacking compared to the best monitors. But pretty good. Great for the money if you get it on sale.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Enjoy smart access to videos, games and apps with this Amazon Fire TV stick. Its Alexa voice remote lets you deliver hands-free commands when you want to watch television or engage with other applications. With a quad-core processor, 1GB internal memory and 8GB of storage, this portable Amazon Fire TV stick works fast for buffer-free streaming.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Not good for PS VUE
By ates
For most apps and the Amazon prime tv service it works fine. But if you want this strictly for PS VUE then look else where. There is simply too much lag in navigation and using the guide for the true PS VUE experience. It still works but is very slow in operating and navigating. PS VUE is also capped at 30FPS which is noticeable if you watch sports as the video quality is not as smooth compared to the PS4. I would suggest the newest FIRE TV, or NVIDIA SHIELD but that cost $90 and $200, respectively. I would only recommend this if you're not using it for PS VUE.
daytonadan
Daytona
YOU are right about PS Vue
March 25, 2017
I have the stick on one set and the regular Fire TV on the other, which is much much faster. The lag times following commands on the stick are just unbelievable, five or ten seconds sometimes. Unacceptable. If you use PS Vue, pay the extra bucks for the box. A much better option.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Acer 27" S271HL DBID LED HD Monitor: The thin design lets you place this large monitor almost anywhere — even hang it on the wall (wall mount sold separately). Great for playing video games, showing movies, viewing documents side by side, and enlarging photos during the editing process.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Decent, for the price.
By Nathan
Calibrating to achieve reasonably accurate color has proven difficult. "Black" is apparently not achievable.
Overall the image feels washed out. For the price, It's easy to get used to. However, I would not recommend this for any kind of graphic work.
daytonadan
Daytona
how to fix that washed out look
March 26, 2017
Make sure you don't use the HDMI connection. Use DVI and it will look just fine. True blacks return. Decent contrast, color. HDMI just looks awful for some reason and cannot be fixed no matter how hard you try. Several reviewers have reported this problem,
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
daytonadan's Questions
daytonadan has not submitted any questions.
Until now, streaming devices forced you to use each of your apps individually – creating browsing headaches and disconnected watch lists. TiVo Stream 4K is the first to help you find what you want to watch–across your favorite apps–without needing to switch between platforms and navigate different screens. Recommendations from your apps are combined, giving you all your options in one place. And with direct integration with Sling , your live entertainment has a home alongside your streaming shows and movies. From beginning to end, from binge to browse, TiVo Stream 4K delivers an amazing Android TV streaming media player experience. A voice control remote with the power of Google Assistant lets you find movies, check scores, dim the lights and so much more, all with your voice. With Chromecast built-in, you can easily cast movies, music, and more to your TV from your mobile devices. Google Play integration gives you access to a world of movies, shows, games, and over 5,000 apps. Plus, with 4K UHD, Dolby Vision HDR, and Dolby Atmos compatibility, you can enjoy cinematic-quality viewing from the comfort of your couch. The company that invented the DVR just simplified streaming. Less scrolling, more watching. Availability of streaming content from third-party sources is subject to change and certain third-party fees may apply. Streaming apps may not be available in all regions. Broadband internet connection is required to access and receive streaming and live TV content.
Can this record live tv ? And can I watch another channel while it is recording ?
No recording here. This is simply a streaming device.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
daytonadan
Power your office machines while keeping them safe with this APC Performance SurgeArrest surge protector. Defend your network connection with coaxial cable protection, and use the 11 outlets for everything from fax machines to your desktop tower. This APC Performance SurgeArrest surge protector comes with all cables included for easy setup.
Would this work with a 1200w window AC? The only other thing that would be potentially plugged into it would be a floor lamp? Thank you!
No. Not ever close. Much more owoer needed for AC units.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
daytonadan
From pour-over to French press and every method in between, Ode Brew Grinder brings the café experience to your kitchen. With single dosing, a small countertop size, a magnetically aligned catch and grinds knocker for added cleanliness, Ode turns a morning chore into an elevated experience.
Hi. Since this is sold in America that would imply it is to be used in America. So I was wondering why the specifications here list the voltage requirement as 220v? While I do agree that 220v grid is indeed a better design, I live under tyranny of 120v...
The New Definition of High Definition: This FHD monitor feels as good as it looks, packing IPS technology for 178 degrees ultra-wide viewing angles, 99% sRGB color gamut for color accuracy, and AMD FreeSync to keep your eyes up to speed with your imagination.
how do you connect the monitor to the laptop
If your laptop has an HDMI OUT port, that would work. Many laptops have this. A VGA output would work too but that is less likely to be found on most modern laptops.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
daytonadan
![Norton - 360 for Gamers (3 Device) Antivirus Internet Security Software + Game Optimizer + VPN (1 Year Subscription) - Android, Apple iOS, Mac OS, Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6420/6420877_sd.jpg)
Norton 360 for Gamers provides advanced multi-layered protection for up to 3 PCs to help protect against cyberthreats like malware, DDoS attacks, doxxing, SWATing, and PC webcam takeovers. PC notifications are optimized so you’re only alerted if you’re under attack, at risk or you aren’t using a feature your entitled to.
Does this version comes with parental controls?
Experience Wi-Fi 6—the new standard for home wifi. The 3-pack Wi-Fi 6 system supports speeds up to 500 Mbps and coverage up to 5,000 square feet—so you can say goodbye to dead spots and buffering. Work, play, video conference, and stream from anywhere in your home. Set up eero in minutes and get automatic updates, a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, and more. Powered by TrueMesh, eero optimizes your wifi to work for your space and supports 75+ devices.
What is the difference between the eero wifi system 5,000 sq. ft. and the new eero 6 AX1800 dual band mesh
eero 6 supports the new wi-fi 6 standard, which is better at handling multiple devices. The earlier version does not
3 years, 5 months ago
by
daytonadan
Experience Wi-Fi 6—the new standard for home wifi. The 3-pack Wi-Fi 6 system supports speeds up to 500 Mbps and coverage up to 5,000 square feet—so you can say goodbye to dead spots and buffering. Work, play, video conference, and stream from anywhere in your home. Set up eero in minutes and get automatic updates, a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, and more. Powered by TrueMesh, eero optimizes your wifi to work for your space and supports 75+ devices.
Does the eero 6 do automatic updates?
Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
I just bought I phone 12 and your 15 watt pad wiaoo2. Your instructions are so small I can’t read. I googled and can’t find answer to What color light should be when I put my phone on top of pad. Right now phone is on pad, no light.
Yeah, amazing they provide no info on this. And the info on the web site is wrong. Light is white when charging and does not change color when charging is complete. .... I think it will turn a different color if something is wrong. It should not be off, unless you have the stand upside down. Make the the wider featureless side is up. The turbine design side is down.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
daytonadan
Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
Will this charge if the phone is in its protective case?
Yes, as long as it is not too bulky. My phone has a thin case and it charges fine.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
daytonadan
Safe and convenient fast wireless charging up to 15W.* Our fastest wireless charging pad unclutters your bedroom, office, or living room while simplifying charging—just lay your phone onto the pad and go. Qi certification ensures standard compatibility and provides peace of mind.
Is this compatible with both the Samsung S10E and the Samsung S20FE? Will it charge at the 15W rate for each phone?
Yes, at least with the 10e.... and I assume the newer one Works fine on my 10e.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
daytonadan