Keyan's stats
- Review count116
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- First reviewNovember 13, 2008
- Last reviewMay 10, 2024
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- Average rating4.5
- Review comment count18
- Helpfulness votes61
- First review commentDecember 3, 2010
- Last review commentAugust 1, 2016
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- Answer count43
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- First answerJune 22, 2010
- Last answerSeptember 28, 2021
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From simple tweaks and trims to advanced artistic options and effects, it’s never been easier to create beautiful, awe-inspiring photos and videos. With Adobe Sensei AI*, bring motion to your photos and click once to transform your videos with effects inspired by famous works of art. Add depth to photos with peek-through overlays, and showcase your memories with new collage and slideshow templates. Plus, go beyond your desktop with new web and mobile companion apps (English-only beta), and enjoy faster installation and performance plus Apple M1 chip support. Have fun with the easy picture editor and moviemaker for Mac and Windows.
Posted by: Keyan
Adobe, makers of iconic software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premier, for many years have made a “light” version of Photoshop and Premier in their “Elements” series for casual and home users who want to make a few light edits, fix red-eye, etc on their photos or videos but don’t want to pay monthly for access to the full “Creative Cloud” suite.
Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements both have the same modes, from a quick mode that offers some common tools in a simplified interface, to guided that walks the user through some common and quick fixes, to “Expert” mode which allows the user full control over the editing tools. As someone who has some experience with photo and video editing, I usually go straight for the expert modes. That said, there is value in the quick mode for basic edits, and the guided modes can help new users get familiar with the tools.
Most of the essential tools are here, allowing for basic photo edits such as removing blemishes or even people from photos, correcting exposure, adjusting white balance, etc. It can remove red eyes or even “open closed eyes” of a person who happened to blink when the picture was taken. The video editing is also decent, allowing for multiple clips and audio tracks, with a good selection of effects and transitions. I like that splitting files on the expert mode timeline is as simple as clicking the scissors icon, although one quirk I found is that you need to make sure both your video and audio tracks are selected and active, or else it will only cut one and not the other. For video output modes, most of the common codecs, resolutions, and frame rates are supported. One nice touch is that when importing media, if the media is different from your project settings, a pop up comes up that allows you at align the final output with the input media. You can also just export the audio from your video in different formats, which is really useful.
If you have a tablet such as a surface, you can use the pen with the brush tools, but sadly it doesn’t seem to support some of the more advanced features like tilt and pressure sensitivity. Using the back of the pen didn’t work as an eraser either, you need to switch to the eraser tool.
Overall, Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements continue their tradition of making photo and video editing accessible at a fair price that doesn’t come with a monthly subscription. Recommended for those ready to move beyond the basic tools provided with their device but don’t plan on using professional grade tools (and paying for them).
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E with the fastest system eero has ever created.* This eero Pro 6E system (3-pack) supports network speeds up to 2.3 Gbps (a gigabit wired and 1.6 Gbps wireless) and coverage up to 6,000 sq ft. Experience gigabit+ speeds for more of your wifi needs—from VR/AR, to 8K streaming to using the latest Wi-Fi 6E mobile devices.
Posted by: Keyan
eero (not a typo, the first letter in the name is lowercase) was one of the first consumer mesh systems, with a promise of being easy to use and mostly hands off. With so much of a household running on wireless these days, having a system that just works and doesn’t require continual tinkering is more important than ever. With many players in the market, eero, an Amazon company, has updated their lineup with the latest Wifi standard, 6E, in the new eero Pro 6E system.
Mesh systems allow for multiple wireless nodes to work seamlessly with your devices, effectively extending wireless coverage throughout your space and balancing how many of your devices are connected to a single node. They automatically adjust things like radio frequency to avoid interference and try to keep everything running smoothly. Most systems allow for either a wired connection between the nodes or for the nodes to connect wirelessly. When using wireless connections for the mesh nodes, the nodes will use the same radio frequencies as your devices, so a system with 3 or even 4 radios (bands) is preferred if you have a busy network with a lot of devices that need a bunch of bandwidth. The new eero Pro 6E has 3 radios across 3 bands – the classic (and crowded) 2.4ghz, 5ghz, and the newly unlocked 6ghz range (Wifi 6E). This allows the system to balance your devices across these bands and find enough “clean air” for the mesh system operate without dragging down your network performance. The 6ghz band is new and not many wireless systems use it yet, so the mesh can use this space for the backhaul connection, or it can be used with the few 6E devices on the market.
In the box is a simple set of instructions, the 3 eero nodes, power supplies, and a single ethernet cable. The nodes are slightly larger and taller than the previous wifi 5 pro nodes and are heavier, likely the shell is hiding larger antennas in a more optimal coverage configuration then the previous system. Each node has 2 ethernet ports, one of which is a 2.5gbps port, and the other is limited to 1gbps. This is something of a curious configuration – on the “gateway” node, the 2.5gbps port is likely to be used to connect to your internet provider’s equipment, especially if you have multi-gigabit service, leaving the 1gbps connection for connecting the mesh together if you are using a wired backhaul. This means all of the nodes connected to any other eero mesh nodes wirelessly or wired and all wired clients are limited to a maximum of 1gpbs internet, which considering the wireless speeds this system can create, is an odd limitation. It also means that in order to connect multiple nodes together with a wire, you would need a switch or to “daisy chain” the nodes, which is not how homes are typically wired. It’s pretty clear to me that the ethernet ports are to be used for a switch to connect your wired devices to or to connect wired devices on the nodes (which is a handy feature, the ports can be used on the nodes by any ethernet device, which is useful for those things that don’t have wireless or have trouble with it), while leaving the mesh nodes to connect to each other wirelessly.
As an existing eero user, setup was pretty straightforward. Just open the app, click the + button, go to replace an existing eero device, and follow the two prompts to swap out a node with another node. The most tricky node was the gateway node connected to my cable modem – I did have to reboot the cable modem to get the new eero to connect to the internet and go. For new users, set up is also simple – just download the app, create an account, and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your new network. One quirk with eero is that the setup and configuration is entirely done through the app, so you must have an internet connection and a smartphone in order to create and connect your network. There is no browser-based setup that can be reached from a laptop or mobile device. You can plug in the eero to an existing router and keep your phone on your older wireless network during setup, and then swap out the older device if you have no cell coverage at all, but in the event something goes wrong with the eero network you would have no way to diagnose or troubleshoot it.
My previous eero system was the Pro model based on wifi 5. It was solid, but not fast, especially at any distance from the nodes. Speeds of 200 or so mbps would be typical, and frequently even lower. This new system screams in comparison, with a Wifi 6 Surface Pro getting receive speeds of over 2gbps (2000mbps), and transmit in the 1.4gbps ranges in adjacent rooms. I was pulling down a game download at the full speed of my internet connection, at a little bit over 800mbps (a blazing 100 megabytes per second). An 8GB game download took under 2 minutes. By using 160mhz wide bands and Wifi 6, speeds are much higher than the previous systems and it can support a huge number of devices. I have a very busy network, with multiple smart home devices, gaming consoles, work and personal computers, etc. and it handles all of the needs of the home with ease.
The interface itself is fairly easy to use, with devices grouped by type. Additionally, you can group devices into profiles and assign things like parental controls to the kids’ devices etc. You can also see utilization and activity on your network, which is helpful if you have a metered connection or just want to see what activity is going on. Devices can be “paused”, preventing them from going through the gateway to the Internet, which can be handy if it’s time for the kids to stop using a device or if something is acting fishy on your network. You can create custom names for things, as sometimes devices appear with strange names and you want to give them a more friendly one. These names are cosmetic only, and not an actual DNS entry, and there are no features like VPN, dynamic DNS, etc. It is very much a consumer-oriented system with only a few extra features like port forwarding included. One nice feature is the ability to have multiple admins on a network. This allows control and troubleshooting to be shared with someone else, which is great for families where the system may be installed in a home with less technical people who may need help from time to time, or if it is installed in a shared living space.
eero has a premium subscription service to add additional features such as content filtering (parental controls), ad blocking, and threat prevention. It works fairly well, but doesn’t tell you exactly what it is blocking, so it is hard to tell what value you are getting out of it. The ad blocker can also lead to massive frustration, as it has a tendency to block the sponsored links in search engines, which are often what you are looking for and the first link that comes up. It also never blocks Amazon ads, which while not surprising, is a smack in the face for a service you pay extra for. Since this is an Amazon device, it is important to pay attention to “new features” that Amazon keeps wrapping into their product ecosystem. One of the latest is the ability for the newest Echo devices to be eero extenders. I would not recommend this for eero Pro users, as the radios in the Echo are not going to be as capable as the Pro series, unless you really had a coverage gap at a corner of a home or outside and only the Echo could cover it.
Overall, the eero pro 6E delivers on its promise of a set it and forget it wireless mesh system with much improved performance than the wifi 5 based eero systems and should meet the needs of just about any household. While it may not have all of the power user knobs to turn like some systems, it’s good performance and rock solid connections make it the perfect solution for home settings.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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For those looking for the best in the latest television technologies, the U8H should be a top contender. The most exciting 2022 upgrade is Mini-LED. With Mini-LEDs that are 50x smaller than traditional LED lights, local dimming and contrast control reproduce incredible black and white levels within the same scene like never before in the series. The U8H is now compatible with the Wifi 6e router protocol. Streaming from the wide selection of Google TV apps is now easier and smoother when connected to a dedicated router channel that won’t be competing with other connected devices on the same router. For gamers, the U8H now comes equipped with Dolby Vision Gaming and FreeSync Premium Pro for enhanced gaming picture contrast and even smoother, tear-free motion. And lastly, the U8H now comes with a 2-year warranty and is available in a 75” screen size. 2021 was a huge year for the Hisense U8H series and with so many upgrades, 2022 looks to be just as promising.
Customer Rating
5
Incredible for the price
on September 12, 2022
Posted by: Keyan
Hisense has become a major player in the US TV market, offering displays with a good combination of features and value. The U8H series is their new “does it all” set, with notable improvements over last year’s version. The biggest new feature is moving from local dimming to mini-LED and improved brightness, now peaking at an eye-melting 1500 nits.
In the box, you’ll find the usual items, a quick start guide, remote (which is clearly inspired by other streaming device remotes), batteries, and screws for the stands. The stands are simple if needed, however I use a wall mount for my TVs. Unpacking is pretty easy with the bottom locks that allow the top of the box to be pulled up and off of the TV.
For inputs, the TV has 4 HDMI ports. It is worth noting that only two of them are HDMI 2.1, and one of those also is used as the eARC port. If you have, say, two new gaming consoles and an eARC soundbar, you may find yourself short if the sound bar doesn’t have an HDMI input. This is a Google (formerly Android) TV, so it has the full suite of streaming apps and access to the Google Play store. It also supports far field voice control to turn the TV on or off, set inputs, ask for the weather, etc. You can also register it for use with Alexa if that is your flavor of voice control, however you’ll need an Echo device nearby to control it or use the Alexa app on your phone as the mics in the TV are Google only. Setup with the Google home app (on iOS or Android) was a breeze, the app discovered the TV, just a quick scan of a QR code and it was going. The TV can also be set up as a simple set top without the rest of the Google bits if you just like to keep things straightforward.
For gaming, this TV supports all of the fun HDMI 2.1 features. On my Xbox Series X, I got all green check marks for supporting ALL THE THINGS. It is awesome. One thing to note, you MUST change the HDMI mode to enhanced mode for the input before all of the fun stuff will turn on. For some crazy reason even the HDMI 2.1 ports aren’t set to this mode by default. You also need to go to the “gamezone” and turn on “Freesync”, which is variable refresh rate, to enable that awesome feature. Both of those options are under the menu button on the remote with the box and two lines, NOT in the settings (gear button). It’s kind of a quirk of Hisense menus, so be sure to find those and enable them. Also remember that picture settings are unique for both the input and the dynamic range, so when you get SDR content dialed in, you need to customize for HDR and Dolby Vision. In the gaming modes, local dimming was turned to off for most modes, I turned it on to medium. It might cut input lag a little by having local dimming off, but I find the tradeoff to be worth it for more contrast. It’s very responsive in either mode. With everything up and running, this thing is basically a huge gaming display. It’s really awesome to see games running at 120fps with VRR if you haven’t experienced it before.
For other content, the display also excels. The colors are rich and the brightness is just incredible, especially for HDR content. It’s almost overwhelming in a dark room just how bright this display can be if you crank it all the way up. One area that OLED has struggled to keep up with LED panels is in peak brightness, and the 1500 nits peak really show the difference here. For gaming, these types of displays also don’t suffer from burn in like an OLED can if you clock tons of hours with the same HUD on. With mini-LEDs, it has very controlled blooming that is only really noticeable if you are intentionally looking for it in a 100% contrast scenario (white text on black screen, etc). Overall black levels are excellent for an LED TV. Other features such as “motion smoothing” etc. I don’t care for and disable on every display I use (the overly smooth motion is creepy and prone to stuttering), what I saw before I turned it off looked OK, but like I said not something I personally care for.
While I use a home theater setup, the speakers on this TV are actually pretty good. An integrated subwoofer helps provide a lower frequency response, which is nice. With Dolby Atmos audio support and virtualized surround sound, unless you have a premium sound bar or a home theater set up, this may be all you need for speakers. It’s nice to see a company put some thought into the speakers instead of just including them because they have to.
Overall, I am really impressed with this TV. It’s excellent for gaming and other content use. The brightness and contrast are really amazing, and bloom is controlled with the mini-LED array. If you are fortunate enough to own a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this TV should be on your short list for really letting your console loose and using it to its full potential.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Feel the action with 4K HDR visuals, ultra-fast 144Hz refresh rate, and Full Array Local Dimming contrast that makes game worlds come alive with detail and vibrance. Built for extraordinary gaming performance with support for Nvidia® G-SYNC® and HDMI 2.1 VRR compatibility, the INZONE™ M9 is your path to victory.
Customer Rating
5
Multi platform monitor
on September 8, 2022
Posted by: Keyan
Sony, a long time leader in display and audio technology has finally made a gaming display. How does their first venture into this space hold up in a very competitive market? Let’s find out.
Fist of all, the specs of this panel look great on paper. 144hz, 4K, integrated KVM, local dimming, HDR with an actual VESA HDR 600 certification, and each one comes with a color calibration result showing that your panel met specs before leaving the factory. Specs may look great, but real life performance will tell the real story.
The box and its contents are all pretty spartan, you get the monitor, stand, and massive power brick. No cables of any kind are included, and the two prong leader cable that goes to the brick is comically short. Also included are simple assembly instructions, two screws, and a loop to help with cable management. Be careful that you don’t lose the small plastic bags with these parts. The stand needs those two screws to be installed, and it’s ready to snap in the display. Once attached to the very unique stand design (which is clearly inspired by the PS5’s style), one design shortcoming becomes evident. It’s not easy at all to install cables into the display as they all face down and the stand gets in the way. I found by moving it to the edge of the desk and tiling it all the way back you can see what you are doing. The stand’s design did free up space on my desk.
After connecting it up, it’s ready to go. It came up flawlessly in Windows 11, with refresh and resolution going right to 144hz and 4K. The Sony Inzone hub software allows you to customize and configure many of the options for the display, and is easier to use than the OSD menus. For Sony being an audio company, the speakers in this display are barely passable. They really are bad. It’s nice that they are there if you need them, but they sound faint and tinny. I also found that it’s possible to have both the speakers and headphones working at the same time, which lead to some weirdness when I was using the headphone out on the display for my much better speakers.
Working with the display and settings, I found that local dimming on high causes a lot of bloom. Even on a fairly neutral background, the mouse pointer would cause bloom just moving across the screen. Leaving it at low seems to help with bloom, but at the loss of some contrast.
HDR is one of the big features of this display, and it works well, but there are caveats to HDR with PCs that this display doesn’t really address by itself. Since HDR tells the monitor explicitly what color and brightness to use, when SDR content is displayed, it looks dim and dull. This display locks out most settings when HDR is active, so there is no way to change the color space or correct this in the display. What I was able to do was set the “digital vibrance” on the Nvidia control panel to somewhere between 60-65, which makes colors pop again without looking really unnatural. Maybe a future update to the monitor or changes to how windows works (such as automatic switching based on content) will allow for more options here.
For gaming, the monitor is really good. It’s fast and clear, with local dimming and HDR really making your games pop. It’s also great for console gamers, supporting 120hz, VRR, etc over HDMI, allowing the Xbox Series X and of course the PS5 to really shine. It also has some extra features for PS5s. I really like having both high refresh rates and 4K, it makes this a great display for just about any use case.
Overall, this is a very capable display that is great for PC and console gamers. It has a few quirks that can be largely overcome and maybe future software updates will help handle SDR content on HDR better. For the price, it stands in a unique place in terms of features and performance, and should be considered by PC gamers and Console gamers alike.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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You’ll never run out of ice with the Insignia NS-IMC44S3 Portable Clear Ice Maker with Auto Shut-off. Producing up to 31 lbs.* of ice per day, this icemaker stores up to 2.6 lbs., enough to supply for any at-home get-together. It creates clear ice every 14 minutes, keeping your guests’ content and their beverages cold. Produced ice is clearer than other types of ice, resulting in cubes that melt slower and create less fizz. It has a large 3.4-quart water tank that recycles melted ice, requiring fewer refills. A digital control panel with indicator lights make this portable icemaker safe and easy to operate. Match the icemaker to your kitchen décor with a modern stainless-steel design that will look great in nay kitchen. Become the best party host on the block with a portable icemaker that keeps up with you and your guests’ expectations.
Posted by: Keyan
Insignia is at it again with another home gadget, this time an ice maker. Portable ice makers have become a popular accessory, either in a home that doesn’t have an ice maker in a fridge, or for entertaining, allowing for a ready supply of ice on demand.
This unit is a good size, it is not overly bulky, with an attractive stainless steel cover. It does have several holes for ventilation and a fan, which are essential as this unit actually has a compressor based refrigeration system instead of a solid state electric cooler. Set up is pretty simple, put some water in, run a cleaning cycle, and it is ready to go.
Insignia claims it can make up to 44lb of ice in 24 hours, which would not surprise me, it makes ice very quickly. This machine does not create the “nugget” style ice that is popular at some fast food restaurants, but instead uses a “waterfall” system to create cubes of ice. It is somewhat noisy, running at 57db. I used filtered softened water and the ice that came out had almost no taste, which is good for using in drinks. The cubes last a long while and a great for making cocktails or putting into warm glasses of soda. It is very fast, filling the bin in about an hour and a half, and each cycle (about 12-14 min) creates enough ice for about two standard 16oz glasses. If started up before a party, it should be able to keep up with demand if the bin is full and the water reservoir topped off from time to time. Ice that slowly melts in the bin is recycled as water to make more ice, which is handy. It also does not need any proprietary cleaning solutions or filters, which is nice to not be locked into a continual cycle of buying consumables.
As mentioned, the ice maker is pretty loud. It also tends to produce full sheets of ice, instead of individual cubes, which is my biggest issue with it. Unless you set the ice to the thinnest setting, which makes hollowed out cubes that melt quickly, it creates sheets of cubes with a thick (about 1/8”) solid back between the cubes. This means you have to break them apart, something the included plastic scoop is barely capable of. As the ice slowly melts in the bin area, it also tends to form into large blocks. The fill lid is also on the top of the unit, meaning it has to be pulled out from under any cabinets to fill it. After cleaning or to drain the reservoir, it needs to be plugged in to power and have the bottom clear to a bucket or sink to pull a plug and drain the ice maker. It’s an awkward and messy procedure. Cleaning has to be done every 40 hours of run time, which can be as little as about 3 days to a week.
Overall, this machine is affordable for the amount of ice it produces and the ice is fairly clear and clean tasting. But the solid sheets and high maintenance needs, along with the noise, really hold it back from being a must have.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Add storage to your workspace with a desk that compliments any décor. With the Insignia NS-ODD3 Computer Desk with Drawer – 47" Wide you’ll have sufficient space to work on and a modern new addition to your office, bedroom or dorm. Whether you are working from the office or doing homework at home, a sleek dark oak design will look great in any room. Its drawer and two open spaces can store all your essentials, keeping them close for when you need them. Choose a desk that fits your taste with a desk that meets all the requirements.
Posted by: Keyan
Best Buy is taking advantage of the new home office normal with this new desk from Insignia, a Best Buy brand. This desk promises a modern gray wood style with useful storage and cubbies in a compact 47” x 20” space, with a low price point.
The desk is packed in the typical flat pack box and requires assembly. One corner of the desk top had a small dent, so be sure to inspect the parts carefully for damage that may warrant a return if that is important to you. In this case, I didn’t notice it until some assembly was under way and it wasn’t enough damage for me to go through the process of an exchange, so I just went with it.
For a challenge, I did the entire assembly with just one person, to see if it could be done. Using the included tools and a screwdriver it took me about 2 hours with no help to complete, going carefully as to avoid damage and ensure everything was tight. There quite a lot of parts, but they are neatly packaged and the instructions have both illustrations and words to explain the process, unlike some build it yourself brands. The desk is largely assembled upside down and at a final stage is flipped over before the drawer is installed, that was the hardest part for just one person to accomplish. Outside of the small corner dent, I did have a little trouble with one of the feet not screwing in properly that required pilers to get it fully set.
Once assembled, the desk is very classy for the price point. I really like the storage, it has helped me clean up my work from home desk space quite a lot. There is also about 5” of inset in the back, which was perfect for hiding a power strip and all of the cords associated with a desk. Curiously, while there is an indent along the back of the desk top for cords to come up, there is no matching indent or pass through on the bottom to get a cord up into that area. In my case, with baseboards, the desk sat far enough off from the wall to get the power strip cord up behind it without needing a pass though. Holes in the back of the two cubbies would have been useful too to get cords in to charge things – but these can be easily added on your own if desired. The drawer is a nice touch and while not soft close, grips in a bit when closed to keep it from drifting open.
Overall, this is a very functional desk that looks better than the price point would indicate. If you are looking for new work from home desk, a dorm, or a homework space, this would be a great option to consider.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Steelcase Series 1 chair has a LiveBack flexor system in the backrest which conforms to your body and moves with you to support the spine as you change postures. The tilt mechanism is synchronized; the seat and back work in harmony with each other, keeping the body securely supported in the chair and feet firmly planted on the floor so you can recline without leaving your optimal zone for seeing and reaching your work. Feature set includes an adjustable seat depth, fully adjustable arms, adjustable lumbar, pneumatic seat height adjustment, recline tension adjustment (weight activated with adjustment and lock), flexing back with mesh upholstery, upholstered seat and wheels for hard flooring. The seat features strong yet pliable foam which conforms to the body and creates pressure-free comfort. Flexible seat edge offers a bit of bend, right where you need it – relieving pressure points under your thighs. This chair will arrive unassembled and require some assembly and is covered by a 12-year warranty.
Customer Rating
3
A decent chair, but not for larger users.
on May 23, 2022
Posted by: Keyan
The Steelcase Series 1 is the entry level of Steelcase’s office and task chair. Setup is incredibly easy - it takes at most 5 minutes from a closed box to an assembled chair. No tools required, just put the lift cylinder in the wheeled base, set the seat base and back assembly on that, and snap on the seat cushion. Boom done.
The chair is quite adjustable for an entry level offering, with arm rest height, position, and angle all adjustable, along with seat cushion position, chair height, and a locking tilt. Their is also a lumbar band that can be adjusted on the mesh seat back.
Overall, the chair is…small. It’s really small. I’m a taller person and it’s just too small. As a task chair or office furniture in the right settings it is fine, but for long duration use it is just small. This is not a gamer chair or an all day home office chair unless you are a smaller person. Additionally, the casters have a lot of resistance and don’t turn easily when no one is in the seat and it is being moved from place to place. For the price, you can find larger chairs that are more suitable for longer use or taller people.
For adjustability and ease of assembly this chair is good, and it seems solidly built and durable. I just can’t get over how small the chair is, so larger users or those needing more back support this is not the option for you.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Litra Glow premium streaming light is one of the fastest way to achieve professional-quality lighting for videos and streaming. Logitech’s TrueSoft technology delivers balanced, full-spectrum LED light with cinematic color accuracy for natural skin tones and a radiant look on camera. Eliminate harsh shadows with wide, soft light that flatters the subject using Litra Glow’s innovative frameless diffuser. Litra Glow has cleared even the strictest UL testing guidelines for all-day streaming. Easily place Litra Glow where you want it using the patent-pending three-way monitor mount with adjustable height, tilt and rotation. Fine-tune your on-camera look using adjustable brightness and color temperature settings—from warm candlelight to cool blue.
Customer Rating
5
Next level for your streaming or home office
on January 31, 2022
Posted by: Keyan
Logitech’s newest accessory isn’t a mouse, keyboard, or webcam, it’s a light! As many people have moved to working from home or hybrid work, and with more and more people sharing their experiences on streaming platforms, looking your best on your webcam has become a part of personal and professional life. Washed out poorly lit video is how many of your peers may see you, and having proper lighting to ensure your non-verbal messaging is getting across can be very important to your professional life. Streamers also know the value in a flattering and well lit environment, and a front light is a big part of that look.
Logitech has made the Litra Glow panel light to help meet this need. It can be controlled by the G hub app on your PC or by simple controls on the back. Color temperature and brightness can be controlled, and Logitech claims a high degree of color accuracy. Mounting the light is simple, it uses a small grabber foot to hook on to your monitor bezel, similar to most webcams. It can also be detached and mounted on any standard threaded tripod or mount with those threads. Thankfully, the cable is not attached to the back of the light, so you can position it as needed if you need a longer cable. The light end is USB-C, and a USB-C to A cable is included in the box.
The light features a frameless design that helps avoid eye strain and softens the edges of the light. Additionally, it has been certified as safe by UL for all day use. In my experience it was not harsh or distracting when used.
Setting up the light took about 30 seconds, just hooked it on my monitor, plugged it in, and it was ready to go! A couple of adjustments later and I found a color temp and brightness that complemented my webcam well. Having this front light is great, it removes shadows and provides a “catch light” – that sparkle in your eye without giving you a ring light reflection. With the adjustments and the soft light you can find a flattering color tone and level of brightness that makes your face clear without creating shiny spots.
On a whim, I also plugged this into an iPad Pro’s USB-C port, and it powered right up. This makes it a great compliment for on the go use as it is fairly thin and compact folded up, another advantage over a large ring light. It can also be powered by a USB power bank if you want to use it for on the go vlogging etc.
Overall, this is a well engineered light that separates itself from generic off-brand lights with good, full spectrum color and certified safety for extended use. It is flexible and compact, making it great for office or travel use. Small investments like this can make worlds of difference in how others see you on webcams, and this one is well worth it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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Powerport III Nano Pro Duo 40W Fast Wall Charger. Safely and quickly charge a single device at 40W or two devices at up to 20W speeds. Compatible with virtually any USB-C device, this includes USB-C laptops, phones, tablets, and more.
Posted by: Keyan
Anker’s latest line of Nano power adapters is out, and they are game-changing. Using a new type of power transformer, they are able to output huge amounts of power in small packages. This one is able to output up to 20W each to two USB-C devices, allowing for fast charging of two tablets or phones at the same time, in a package that is smaller than most single 20W charging bricks.
The design is a simple understated white, with a two prong power plug (that sadly does not fold into the adapter), and two USB-C ports on the other side. Plug it in, plug in your device, and you are off to the races! Using USB-C to lightning cables, I was able to fast charge two phones, two iPads, or a mix and match of both with ease. Other USB-C devices all charged well with USB-C cables.
For its size, the 40W total output (2x20W) is truly impressive, either for taking on the go or reducing clutter in your workspace. As a bonus, on a standard wall outlet, it does not block the plug beneath it either, leaving that open for another charger or whatever you need to plug in. Overall, this is a great little charger with a big output and is perfect for charging your modern mobile devices.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Sure, it’s great for Netflix, the big game and the real housewives of wherever. But the U7G is made for the gamers. It’s got our exclusive ULED technologies, 4K resolution, Quantum Dot Color, Dolby Vision HDR, Full Array Local Dimming zones and Android TV operating system. On top of all that, we added a 120Hz Native panel for smoother, more fluid motion and HDMI 2.1, Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode for gaming. The U7G also has up to 1,000 nits peak brightness, which makes HDR ‘pop’ and means the picture is lit no matter how bright the room. All this looks great on paper. Now think how much better it would look on this TV.
Customer Rating
5
Affordable quality for all and features for gamers
on November 17, 2021
Posted by: Keyan
Hisense continues to introduce feature rich, decent quality televisions at prices that are much more accessible than some of the premier brands. The new U7G line is designed with gamers in mind – with HDMI 2.1 inputs, this TV can support 120fps 4K and adaptive frame rates from the newest gaming consoles. It also features support for the current HDR standards, and has a 1000nit peak brightness with local dimming.
Setting up the TV is a straightforward affair, as an Android TV, it is easy and intuitive to use. One interesting thing, when I was setting up my Harmony remote, Logitech didn’t have a profile yet for the U7G. I used the profile for last year’s H9G and it works fine to get to menus, change inputs, etc, so the IR codes are close enough or exactly the same. The TV has a LOT of protective wraps and stickers on it, which isn’t a bad thing as it was well protected, it just took a bit to find all of the edges and get it all unpacked and set up. The TV has a minimalist design with a thin black bezel covered by the screen glass on 3 sides, and a thin metal strip along the bottom. One note, and Hisense is really clear on this, you have to be careful putting pressure on the screen edges during installation. If on an articulated mount, use the sides of the set to adjust, and don’t push directly on the screen.
Picture quality on this set is really good. For the price point, it’s hard to beat. The high peak brightness means all content really pops, but HDR content is on another level. High brightness is as important to HDR as color depth, and this TV can handle both parts of HDR. This TV has fewer local dimming zones than the 8 or 9 series from Hisense, but on a 55” panel, there isn’t a lot of bleed between the zones, and overall I thought it did a good job in high contrast scenes.
Gaming performance is really good. Minimal input lag and 120 FPS and adaptive frame rates really let you take advantage of the Xbox Series X or PS5 consoles, or a PC with an HDMI 2.1 output. I still find it strange and rather annoying that TVs don’t have a DisplayPort for connecting gaming PCs, especially TVs that are advertised to gamers. You’ll have to have a PC with an HDMI 2.1 port or use a gaming console to really push the features of this TV to the limits. This TV also features automatic low latency mode when a game starts up, which is handy so you don’t have to manually switch modes.
Overall, this is a great TV for all uses that won’t break the bank, and for gamers, offers both great image quality and high frame rates in 4K.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
SHIELD IPAD AIR CASE: PROTECTION THAT'S A SNAPThe Shield Sheer Matte iPad Case Air is proof positive that less is more. The polycarbonate plastic gives every Shield case its low profile, while still being tough enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. Just snap it on your iPad Air and go.Made for: iPad AirSHEER FINISH, ULTRA-SOFT TEXTUREWe've given the Shield Sheer Matte Case for iPad Air a hint of color, so you can still show off your iPad Air's design. The matte finish gives it a velvety smooth, ultra-soft texture.EASY TO SNAP ON & OFFThe streamlined design of the Shield Sheer Matte for iPad Air Case makes it easy to take on and off, so you can change up your case as often as you change your look.FULL ACCESS TO BUTTONS & PORTSOur Shield Sheer Matte iPad Air case is designed so that all the buttons, ports and speakers are fully exposed, so you can quickly and easily adjust your volume, plug in your headphones, and connect your charging cable while keeping your case on and your iPad Air fully protected.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5$30 for a piece of plastic that broke.
By CmdrJones
from New York, NY
Bought this in October when I bought my iPad.
It developed a crack within a few days, apparently because it installed and removed it a couple of times when I was applying a screen protector.
The other day it developed another crack that left a piece of plastic sticking out by the volume control. It's completely useless.
Emailed Belkin, they said I had to call, so I called. Spent 34 minutes on the phone and discovered they wouldn't replace it without a receipt.
I pointed out that I could send the thing to them (how would I have gotten it, right?) but, no.
Have to say I didn't expect a protective case to break, silly me.
So, the design or materials used thing are defective and I'm out $30.
No more Belkin products for me.
Keyan
December 28, 2013
If you bought it from Best Buy they should be able to reprint your receipt, or you can get it from your reward zone/my BestBuy history if you have an account.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Own the Xbox One Rise of the Tomb Raider Bundle, featuring full-game downloads of Rise of the Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, and the exclusive Tactical Survival Kit Content Pack. Play and store more games than ever, including your Xbox 360 games, with the 1TB hard drive. Join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition and witness the rise of an icon in Rise of the Tomb Raider, with epic, high-octane action set in the most beautifully hostile environments on earth. And with the Tactical Survival Kit Content Pack, equip Lara with spec-ops tactical gear from enemy forces, including an all-black outfit that enables Lara to craft special ammunition, a carbon fiber compound bow that deals massive damage, and more.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Should've been a Day 1 edition...
By kjk91
I like that it has a 1TB SSHD and comes with the new elite controller, but this really should've been a Day 1 edition for the next gen consoles. ESPECIALLY since with the xbox one you have to download all games onto the console even with a disk format compared to a direct purchase from the xbox store. I've had to uninstall and reinstall games over and over just to play a game that I want to because I have about 4-5 core games that I keep on there that I play regularly. 500GB HD on a next gen console is frustrating especially when we had it on the xbox 360.
Overall, I am thinking of getting this if only for the extra hard drive space to store games. If I can't trade in my old xbox one, I may be waiting to get this until the price drops and just dropping $100 on an external hard drive.
Overall, I am thinking of getting this if only for the extra hard drive space to store games. If I can't trade in my old xbox one, I may be waiting to get this until the price drops and just dropping $100 on an external hard drive.
Keyan
In regards to your space concerns
October 6, 2015
You know that you can just plug in an external HDD to your xbox one and store games and apps there, right? Just go get a portable external HDD, plug it into the back, and tuck it away behind your xbox and store your games on that.
+10points
11of 12voted this comment as helpful.
Own the Xbox One Rise of the Tomb Raider Bundle, featuring full-game downloads of Rise of the Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, and the exclusive Tactical Survival Kit Content Pack. Play and store more games than ever, including your Xbox 360 games, with the 1TB hard drive. Join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition and witness the rise of an icon in Rise of the Tomb Raider, with epic, high-octane action set in the most beautifully hostile environments on earth. And with the Tactical Survival Kit Content Pack, equip Lara with spec-ops tactical gear from enemy forces, including an all-black outfit that enables Lara to craft special ammunition, a carbon fiber compound bow that deals massive damage, and more.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5This is a ok deal..
By Steve
I think this should of been day one edition .. This is good for people that are just getting a xbox one but also for hard core gamers for just the elite controller . I was going to get it but not worth it and in my opinion this isn't the best upgrade ever I think that will be when they make a slim ..
Keyan
New focus since Day One
October 6, 2015
The focus of the Xbox team prior to the launch of the XBO was as a media hub of which gaming was just one function. Unfortunately they miscalculated the effect that focus would have on their most vocal and dedicated fans. Since then they have rededicated their focus to gamers and gear heads who appreciate the options of a hybrid SSD and the elite controller. It's actually pretty remarkable what they have done in 2 years in terms of feature enhancements to the console and this new line of Elite console versions and accessories that are focused on the gaming community.
+3points
6of 9voted this comment as helpful.
We set out to create a performance-class controller to meet the needs of today's competitive gamers. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller unlocks your full potential and adapts to your unique style of play. Experience game-changing accuracy, faster speed, and a tailored feel unlike anything before.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Perfection
By Keyan
The Xbox already has one of the most well designed controllers out there, and this one refines it to perfection. Everything about this exudes quality, from the high end packaging, to the case, to the controller itself. It is a joy to hold and you immediately get a feeling of quality and fit and finish that is unparalleled in Xbox controllers. All of the interchangeable parts lock in magnetically, no friction tension parts to wear out, no wondering if it is going in the right way, they just lock into place and are secure but easy to remove when you want to customize the controller. The long throw sticks are perfect for driving games or other precision uses, and the two profiles allow for on the fly switching of sensitivity, a great feature for running around and then switching to a lower sensitivity mode for careful aiming. The mappable under paddles mean you can map buttons that would normally take your thumbs off of the sticks to your other fingers. The hair trigger locks are great, I tend to set the right one for hair trigger and the other for long throw for aiming.
I also like that this controller, like all of the other Xbox controllers, just uses two AA batteries. Sealed in batteries means that you can't just swap in new ones and keep going - and when they eventually wear out, it means a new controller. I use high capacity rechargeable batteries in mine. It also comes with a nice long braided USB cable if you need to use it wired.
This controller allowes for you to customize it exactly to your gaming style and it is the ultimate Xbox controller. Recommended for gamers who are looking for the very best and are willing to pay the price for this controller.
Keyan
No I wasn't paid
October 29, 2015
Oh no, someone likes something on the Internet, they must be paid for it! No, I spent my own money on the controller and am just that impressed by it.
I did realize after posting that I didn't say anything negative and I was waiting for a comment like this to come along. If I had one negative it is the soft touch finish on the controller. It makes it feel great in the hands but it shows fingerprints if there is any oil at all on your hands, so it will need a wipe down with a microfiber cloth to keep the oils from breaking down the finish and to keep it from looking nasty.
+5points
6of 7voted this comment as helpful.
This Insignia™ NS-PCHD335 enclosure's aluminum construction safeguards your 3.5" Serial ATA hard drive against damage, allowing external use. USB 3.0 connectivity and a plug-and-play design help make setup easy.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Works but 3.5 HD is not very snug.
By RSS060609
The speed is great but the drive sits in the case pretty loosely.
Keyan
Agreed
October 30, 2015
I found this too. I've had this with other enclosures by other manufacturers too, the solution I have found is to go to a hardware store and get a package of the "extreme" all weather heavy duty Velcro, cut a couple of small pads out of the "soft or fuzzy" side of the velcro, and stick them to the far end of the HDD that goes into the enclosure (over the platter area if you know where that is) - do not stick it to any exposed circuit boards or directly over the motor in the center of the platter area of the drive. That will act as both a sound dampener and it will fit in there very snugly. Makes the enclosure quieter and the drive won't rattle around.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
The Smart Cover for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is constructed from a single piece of polyurethane to protect the front of your device. The Smart Cover automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. It folds into different positions to create a stand for reading, typing, or watching videos. And it’s easy to remove, so you can snap it on and off whenever you want.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5It's a Smart Cover...
By Keyan
It does exactly what you would expect it to. As some others have mentioned it slightly overlaps the edges of the Pro - this is by design as Apple seems to assume you are going to also get the silicone back cover. With the back cover it fits perfectly to form a complete cover for the iPad Pro. One nice change in this generation is that the Smart Cover will magnically lock to the back of the iPad when it is folded open - although I don't like that my hands are against the felt the entire time it is flipped open as it will probably get dirty over time. I usually just pull it off when I am using the iPad and want it out of the way. The cover has a nice feel that matches the back shield cover. Overall it is exactly what you would expect. It and the back shield add up to a ridiculous price though, coming in at about $110 for little more than scratch protection.
Keyan
Slight correction
April 11, 2016
It's closer to $120 for both covers....
0points
1of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Take on your next adventure without missing a moment or scene with this ASUS gaming monitor with IPS technology for easy viewing. The 4K UHD brings your worlds to you in brilliant relief, and this ASUS gaming monitor boasts gamer-specific features, including ASUS Game Plus, to take you to new battle, flight or racing heights.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5typical
By BeniMIllah
from aldie
i hookd it up 2 my xbox but im only getting 720p, NOT what they said it would be!! very disappointed in SNSV
smh
Keyan
Can only do what the source can output
July 29, 2016
A 4K monitor, just like a 4K TV, can only run at the resolution the source device can output and is also potentially limited by the cables used between the devices. An Xbox cannot output 4K yet - only the Xbox One S will be able to output at 4k, and it will require that any devices between the TV and the Xbox (such has a receiver) support 4K, along with the cables between components.
As someone who owns this monitor, I can tell you that it supports 4K just fine, and performs very well.
+7points
7of 7voted this comment as helpful.
Enjoy desktop gaming power on your Alienware laptop with this Alienware 452BBRG graphics amplifier, which supports most full-length, dual-wide PCI-Express x16 graphics cards. The 4 USB 3.0 ports provide room for additional accessories.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Love it.
By solat152
Its great. Setup was easy. I have a 1070 in it right now. The 1070 will play just about anything at 1080p with ultra settings. Don't use the amp as a docking station or you will hinder performance in games. Looking at youtube videos you can expect to attain about 70 to 85 percent of the cards power. Still its better than the 970m or 980m. The locking mechanism is really bad though. Hard to open and when you do it makes a sound like you broke it.
Keyan
Why no docking station
August 1, 2016
Looking at the riser card and how this registers to the system, I'm pretty sure the USB portions of the Amp have dedicated conductors in the cable, meaning they will be on a separate path from the 4 PCIe 3.0 lanes that feed the graphics card. It shouldn't make any difference in game performance at all. What source did you find that indicates otherwise?
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Keyan's Questions
Keyan has not submitted any questions.
Pair your workout with these black Jaybird Vista wireless headphones. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 6 hours of listening time, while the waterproof, sweatproof design helps prevent fluid damage. These Jaybird Vista wireless headphones have ear hooks and three pairs of soft interchangeable eartips for a secure fit and added comfort during extended periods of use.
What is the play time on a full charge.
Around 6 hours, plus 10 hours of charge in the case, so up to 16, with a couple of charging breaks in there.
4 years, 9 months ago
by
Keyan
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
Is there a gtx 1660ti installed or not? What size pwr supply?
Yes, 1660 Ti, 500W. My review should post soon if you want a deep dive.
4 years, 10 months ago
by
Keyan
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
Why in the graphics for the specs its says intel hd graphics is there not a gtx 1660 TI?
The spec sheet is REALLY wrong for this thing. It's a 1660 Ti.
4 years, 10 months ago
by
Keyan
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
Does this computer have a memory card reader built in?
No, but there are two USB ports on the front to hook one up.
4 years, 10 months ago
by
Keyan
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
How many cores are there in this pc
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
Is the 1660 ti better then the 1060? And if so why is this one cheeper then the 1060?
Yes. It's a new part from Nvidia, and really awesome, it's on par with a 1070.
4 years, 10 months ago
by
Keyan
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
The advertisement and stated processor says its a 9th gen i7-9700 however if you click on the pdf information for this computer it states that it is an 8th Gen i7-8700? Also indicates that graphics are onboard and not the GPU?
It's wrong. It's an i7-9700, there are no onboard video outputs, it is a 1660 Ti GPU that provides video.
4 years, 10 months ago
by
Keyan
Unlock new potential for your wireless headphones with this Airfly headphone accessory. It plugs into any conventional headphone jack to enhance your listening experience and can pair with in-flight entertainment systems for added convenience. This Airfly headphone accessory has an eight-hour battery life and recharges through USB, so it's easy to take anywhere.
IS THIS EASY TO PAIR? IS IT NECESSARY TO PAIR EACH TIME THE TV AND HEADPHONES ARE TURNED ON, OR ONCE THE PAIR HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED CAN YOU FORGET ABOUT THE TRANSMITTER HANGING ON THE BACK OF THE TV? AND WHAT KIND OF RANGE DOES IT TRANSMIT?
It can be tricky to pair, but once paired, it will remember the device it is paired to. It needs to be charged, so you can’t forget about it. It transmits as far as Bluetooth will, in most cases about 20 feet. Note that Bluetooth is laggy, and if you are watching TV, you may noice lips out of sync.
5 years ago
by
Keyan
Unlock new potential for your wireless headphones with this Airfly headphone accessory. It plugs into any conventional headphone jack to enhance your listening experience and can pair with in-flight entertainment systems for added convenience. This Airfly headphone accessory has an eight-hour battery life and recharges through USB, so it's easy to take anywhere.
Can you plug wired headphones into this to make them wireless?
Ditch the headphone cable with these Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds. With up to five hours of use per charge and an included charging case for mid-day boosts, these earbuds are ideal for daily use. These Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and easy voice commands.