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- Review count182
- Helpfulness votes361
- First reviewJuly 19, 2013
- Last reviewMay 14, 2024
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- Average rating4.8
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Listen to your favorite playlists with these Epic Air wireless earbuds. The special earhook delivers a precise fit to prevent slipping during intense workouts, and the touch-and-tap controls let you skip forward or back as needed. These Epic Air wireless earbuds come with a convenient charging case for storage and transport.
Customer Rating
3
Some good, some bad. Read up.
on December 31, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I was really hoping to like these, as I was looking for a true wireless headphone experience, but after quite a bit of time with them, I can only say they are about average. There are a few things I like, as well as a few I do not.
With any discussion regarding in-ear buds, fit and comfort must be among the first as well as one of the most important things to touch upon. I know this is something many people struggle with, but I normally do not have this issue. Here, JLab mostly hits the mark, at least for me. The buds (with several available tip options) fit great, stay in place and are comfortable. Sounds good, right? Well, not exactly, and this is part of the problem. While they fit, and stay, I can’t seem to get that “seal” in my ear to have solid sound isolation and bring the most out of my music. Absolutely, a letdown for me.
With any discussion regarding in-ear buds, fit and comfort must be among the first as well as one of the most important things to touch upon. I know this is something many people struggle with, but I normally do not have this issue. Here, JLab mostly hits the mark, at least for me. The buds (with several available tip options) fit great, stay in place and are comfortable. Sounds good, right? Well, not exactly, and this is part of the problem. While they fit, and stay, I can’t seem to get that “seal” in my ear to have solid sound isolation and bring the most out of my music. Absolutely, a letdown for me.
Further, as sound quality is so important to me, I am somewhat disappointed in the overall sound quality of these headphones. I would say, generally, again, they are about average, perhaps slightly less. Maybe there or slightly better when compared across just the wireless market, but given the price I want more.
Next, the controls. Here, I am about neutral. Part of the problem is simply market-wide. These are small headphones. There is not a lot of physical space to work with. Generally, the gestures for play, pause, volume, etc…work fine, the problems arise simply from the nature of the setup. Given the gesture-based system, any inadvertent touch, adjustment, or brush causes mayhem on my track. Skip, volume, pause. It happens a lot. With all that is right about this setup, I do not have an idea about how to fix that issue.
Since these are wireless, they need a connection to a source. Here lies another source of my frustration. Getting these to connect to my phone, consistently, is inconsistent at best. Also, the process is just not very smooth. Once connected, the experience is about what one would expect, although I seem to need to stay closer to my phone than I do with other Bluetooth connections. Beyond that, it seems there are interference issues, as my connection drops, comes back and drops again seemingly more than it should. All of this is perhaps my biggest issue with these buds.
On the flip side, where these buds really shine is battery life. I could not be more pleased with the use time per charge or the charging cradle/case. With this setup, I could go days before having to charge. Here, JLab delivered perfectly.
So, in the end, what do I think? For some, they may be “good enough,” based on what they are looking for, but for all the good that is here, there is just about the same bad. I am looking for buds that fit, sound great, have good battery life and “just work.” For me, it is not these JLab Epic Air.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Go from hundreds of mystery folders to a visual view of your photos automatically sorted by date, subject, people, and places. See your best photos auto-curated based on quality, faces, subjects, and more. Make your photos look amazing with automated photo editing options, and create and share printed artwork, new dynamic slideshows, photo collages, and gifts for friends and family.
Customer Rating
5
great software, even better value
on December 29, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I take a lot of pictures. A lot. For fun, for work, for hobbies, you name it. I am always documenting something from my life. As such, I also spend a fair amount of time editing, collating, and organizing all those photos. For years, that has meant using an old, old, did I mention old, version of Photoshop CC. I like what Adobe brings to the table, and while I am an active user, it was hard for me to spend the money for the full suite with the subscription model. It is something I contemplate each year, but I never really considered making the move to Photoshop Elements. Finally, that has changed.
I could not be more pleased. While I am by no means an “expert,” I am fairly experienced with photo editing. That was always one of my concerns, that the program would be limited, or restrictive in what one could do. I have found that is not the case. It is true that Elements does not have “everything” that full Photoshop does; however, I think most nonprofessionals will be satisfied with all that the program DOES offer. Simply, there are a vast amount of editing resources at your fingertips.
I think one of the best aspects of the program is the user interface. There are three user levels or modes for editing: Quick, Guided and Expert. Here, the product really shines, as all levels of skill are covered. Those new to photo editing can get the help they need, while those that are more familiar can quickly and easily navigate through the program to accomplish tasks. The layout was updated from what I was used to (again, I was using such dated software) but I had no trouble handling everything I typically do.
I do have a “system” I use for organizing and archiving my photos, I have used it for some time, but I am impressed with Elements Organizer. It is, well, an organizer for your photo collection. You can sort, tag, arrange, etc.…all your photos. I like what I see here, and to change will be a big commitment, but I am at least considering. I did not expect that.
Given the trend in the software world towards subscription based models, I think I should briefly touch upon the value presented with Photoshop Elements. For many people, the subscription model does not work. Either they do not use the software regularly, they are not and have no desire to become versed in the software, or simply, it is too expensive. Further, to purchase a full version of Photoshop upfront is even more costly. In that reality, Photoshop Elements is quite a value. The price is quite competitive to a Photoshop subscription, is a one-time fee, and, quite frankly, as I mentioned previously, the software provides a wealth of features that should please most users.
Ultimately, I have no problem recommending Photoshop Elements to nearly everyone. Some, mainly professionals with targeted needs may want more, but Elements is intuitive, feature-rich, a high-quality photo-editing solution and a tremendous value.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Turn up the volume on this Bluetooth-capable Sony portable speaker to create a festive atmosphere. Its EXTRA BASS technology delivers deep, thumping low frequencies, and the rechargeable battery provides 16 hours of continuous use to keep the party going. This Sony portable speaker works with the Fiestable app, so you can add fun DJ and lighting effects.
Customer Rating
4
Great and Big Sound. Tailgate/BBQ/Karaoke Dream.
on October 30, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this Sony speaker, but after some time spent with it, I can say I am pleased. This is not your typical little blue tooth speaker. At all. It is big. It is loud. Did I mention it is big and loud?
Coming in at around the 30lb mark, it absolutely is a substantial piece of speaker hardware. It is also right around 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Big. Substantial. Alllll of that said, I think it is just about right and a good weight to be solid when in place and not too heavy to hinder portability. It has a good, well-built feel and solid construction. There are rubber feet on two sides so that the speaker can be orientated in either horizontal or vertical alignments. A nice feature.
Although its size is unlike most blue tooth speakers out there, connecting your source will be familiar for nearly all. You can connect via USB, AUX IN or, as I suspect most will, via blue tooth. It is a typical experience here, turn it on and pair with your phone. I had no issues.
To get the most out of the speaker, feature-wise, you will want to download two Sony apps, Music Center and Fiestable. Through these apps, you can delve deeper into set-up, use equalizers, change the LEDs on the speakers (yes, there are lights, and there are effects), run playlists, play a multitude of sound effects (reggae horn!), as well as a host of other DJ controls and other things. That said, while functional, and fun, the apps struggle a bit, and it hurts the overall experience.
So, after all of that, what about the sound? Well, the sound is good. I found it to have clear, clean, and crisp sound that filled my space with little distortion until hitting the highest volumes. The bass was solid, giving some boom, and there was a nice overall quality bump when using the “extra bass” option, although I would have liked to see a little more bass. Overall, though, I liked the clarity and the throw. Good sound with enough punch and volume to meet my needs.
Beyond what I have already said, there are a few other notable positives about the speaker. Although I mostly have used AC, the battery has performed well, and I really like the auto shut off feature and stamina mode which will give you more battery time in a pinch (sound quality does degrade). I also love having the ability to link several units together (I am still waiting to do this). The microphone jack has made for some fun (and regrettable) times. Lastly, given the portable nature of this speaker, and its size, the built-in handle was a really nice touch….and gives it that boom box feel.
Ultimately, whether hosting a party (inside or out), breaking it down for karaoke night, chilling at an outdoor BBQ or blowing it out at a stadium tailgate, I think this speaker will meet nearly everyone’s needs. The sound is good and loud, the size is right and there is just enough fun thrown in to make it work!
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Get a theater-like viewing experience with this Epson Home Cinema wireless projector. The 2,500 lumens of color and white brightness, Full HD capability and 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio ensure a gorgeous picture on a screen or vertical surface measuring up to 11 feet diagonally. This Epson Home Cinema projector features Miracast for wireless screen mirroring from an Android or Windows 8.1+ device.
Customer Rating
5
Exceeded my expectations! Great image quality!
on October 15, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I must admit, even though I knew projectors had gotten better recently, I clearly had no idea how much. At all. At least that is the case for this Epson model. From packaging, set-up, feature-set, to ease of use, it checks every box.
Set-up is extremely straight forward. There are multiple input options, so you definitely have some flexibility, depending on your needs, but my use case, as I guess it will be for most, was mainly HDMI. Generally, you will want a dedicated screen to get the most out of this unit, but even as I ran my first tests on a blank white wall in my home, I was impressed. That is, I thought, until I had that proper set-up. I was quite floored with the quality once I had a screen and had it dialed in.
My words here will not do the projector justice, but images were bright, crisp, and vivid while the colors were quite accurate, with proper saturation and stellar contrast ratios. I found this to be the case even in “normal” day conditions, while it was even better at night or with my space blacked out. There was a true ‘movie feel” there. The image quality was beyond my expectations. Beyond the quality, I was also impressed with the amount of control offered. The tools to get that great picture. With lens shift, zoom and keystone correction, it was rather easy to get the picture where I wanted it.
Other standout features are the included remote (which provides a great deal of utility), a rather light weight (just under 8 pounds), and a relatively quiet fan (it is not very noticeable). Further, I was pleased with the advertised lamp life. It is rated for 7,500 hours in eco mode and at 4,500 hours in normal mode. Both nice figures. Lastly, replacement bulbs are reasonably priced, which is an important and sometimes overlooked aspect of projector ownership.
I can’t really say there is anything I do not like about this projector, but if I was forced to, I would have to say it is the audio. BUT, this is not really a ding against this model specifically, but more just a fact of projector life. The built-in speaker is serviceable, but, as with all projectors, you really will want to hook it up to something to get a true immersive experience.
Ultimately, with all that this Epson brings to the table, all while at a competitive price, I have no problem recommending this projector to anyone looking…or even to those looking for a new TV. Something I never would have thought I would have said before owning one. As I said earlier, it checks the boxes, and delivers…whether you are watching movies (even in 3D), sports…etc… or playing games. Inside or out. Day or night. This is a quality product.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+8points
11of 14voted this as helpful.
Listen to music without disturbing others by using these powerful Bang & Olufsen Beoplay over-ear headphones. The 40mm electro-dynamic driver delivers clear audio, and Bluetooth technology eliminate wires for less clutter. These Bang & Olufsen Beoplay over-ear headphones have a 19-hour battery life, so you can use them all day.
Customer Rating
4
Good, but know what you want...
on October 5, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I was not sure what to expect from these Beoplay H4’s going in. They come from a very respected brand. They have a price that was more entry-level for that brand. They have a look that, simply put, did nothing for me. That look seems comfortable. How do they sound? Another back and forth battle in my mind. Ultimately, while I do like these for several reasons, I find these headphones to be somewhat of a mixed bag.
These headphones have a nice enough look, but for me, it is neither something I truly like, nor dislike, it is just, well, there. Honestly, however, this is not even much of an issue for me, as I am more concerned with build quality, how they wear, and of course, how they sound.
When it comes to build quality, I am somewhat confused. B&O touts crafted lambskin leather, fabric and aluminum, which sounds great, but at their price, and their place in a very, very competitive space, they just feel somewhat cheap and uninspiring. Disappointingly, they picked up some minor scratches/marks after a couple of weeks of light and careful use. Here, the non-folding design as well as the lack of an included case or bag really rears its head. I found taking calls to be a poor experience. Audio quality was lacking and callers had trouble understanding me. As with the lack of a case, here, the lack of an included in-line remote cable hurts the user. These are accessories that simply could and should be provided. That said, none of this takes away from how comfortable they are to wear. They are extremely lightweight, do not feel tight on the head, and feel great against the ears. They are absolutely comfortable to wear. Such an important aspect of headphones.
As far as sound, well, this is where it really gets interesting. Obviously, this is very subjective, and how one set of cans is tuned and what soundstage it has is neither right nor wrong, but it will determine how one feels about the sound they provide. The sound is “good,” but, for me at least, it is too artificial and uneven. There is just too much, and not clear enough, bass. Further, due to that, it seems the mids and highs are given more punch to sort of counter balance the entire sound. It just seems there is “too much,” when maybe there should just be…”better.” Do not get me wrong, for many, and probably most people, these are probably going to hit the mark. For people going around town, commuting…etc, and for those who enjoy lows, I can recommend these. However, those looking for a flat studio experience should probably look elsewhere.
There are some other notable positives here. I found the battery life to be quite good, the connections to be quick and rock solid, and the button navigation easy to use. Further, while I did not fall in love with the soundstage, I did find the Beoplay app somewhat useful in customizing the sound more to my liking.
Ultimately, B&O got a lot right here. Beyond that, I like that they offered a “lower” priced option in their stable of products, but, they are still quite expensive, and they are in a very crowded space. Depending on your preferences and your use case, they can be what you are looking for; but, given their few shortcomings and their lack of convenience (case, in-line cable), be sure to weigh your options carefully.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-2points
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Enjoy lag-free gaming with this Linksys dual-band Wi-Fi router. Its Killer prioritization engine works with Killer-enabled computers to minimize peak ping by up to 77 percent, and the 1.8GHz CPU delivers super-fast speeds with wired and wireless connections. This Linksys dual-band Wi-Fi router has a custom-built user interface that lets you manage your gaming network performance.
Customer Rating
5
Great Router. Fast. Sleek. Interface King.
on September 28, 2017
Posted by: skylog
This router is no doubt targeting the gaming audience; and, while that audience, most specifically those with Killer brand hardware, may see the greatest gains from its use, that does mean many without will not be pleased with its overall feature set.
Included items are the router itself, its four antennas, a flat ethernet ribbon cable, a quick start guide and a power adapter. Everything is very nicely as well as meticulously packaged. There is nearly no possible manner in which anything could be damaged.
Simply put, this is a nice-looking router. While there is a “slight” gaming feel to it, as one should expect as that is the target market, it is designed very well, with a sleek and muted look. No RBG here. It has a flat black color with nice blue status LEDs. Some may find them a little bright, but they can be disabled in the software. A nice feature.
The main differentiator of this router is that it is the first to feature Rivet Network’s Killer Prioritization Engine (KPE), which allows the router to find PCs equipped with Killer Networking hardware. When the router finds a PC with the hardware, it can prioritize online gaming over other network activity.
Those abilities aside, the router checks many of the feature and tech boxes you would expect from a higher-end and modern AC3200 router. A powerful chip, 4 ethernet ports, 1 WAN, 1 USB 3.0 port, a dual USB 2.0/ eSATA port and robust wireless protocols.
OK, so, how is it? Well, to start, set-up was very easy. There is no app-based set-up, which has become quite common, rather, it is web-based. That said, it pretty much must be the nicest looking and easiest to navigate router interface I have ever used. There is a great feature set that is presented in a manner that allows the novice to feel comfortable and the expert to accomplish what they want. It is a nice change to see the stale interfaces updated. I hope more companies embrace this approach.
As for performance, I can say that I am pleased. Bear in mind, I have no Killer hardware, so I had to manually prioritize my network activity. While I did not see any overly dramatic improvements, improvements were there. My pings were down, speeds were increased and I did see a decrease in video buffering and down scaling. Was everything perfect? No, but I feel that was more the limitations of my connection more than anything. Beyond sheer numbers, reception was strong in my albeit admittedly smaller living space and I had better connectivity that I did with my prior router. Overall, stable and great performance. It just worked.
So, is this router worth considering? I think that depends on your connection, what you value, and your use case. If you have an absolutely blazing connection, you probably don’t have to worry about searching for network gains. That said, most of us are not so lucky, and having the ability to find performance gains where we can is a promising concept. Looking at it from that angle, regardless of your use case, it could be for you. I gained peace of mind knowing that when I wanted or needed something done, my machine was prioritized for that task. What is that worth to you? For people who game, have large networks, have taxed networks or those with bandwidth constraints, I feel this router is worth considering. For the casual user who checks e-mail and browses the web or for a person who is already happy with their wireless setup or has never given it a thought, they should probably pass.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take precise, intuitive control of digital projects with this wireless Logitech Craft advanced keyboard. Its creative input dial lets you make accurate object size adjustments, zoom images quickly and perform other shortcut functions with design tools in multimedia and office applications. The backlit keys of this Logitech Craft advanced keyboard automatically adjust their brightness to your environment.
Customer Rating
5
Give it the Crown! Great overall board!
on September 26, 2017
Posted by: skylog
The Logitech Craft Keyboard is the complete package. It is a full-size keyboard, with a great minimalist design, shown off with rounded edges and a beautiful two-tone color scheme; the keys have a grey matte coloring while the top portion of the keyboard is a dark metallic grey. The color scheme matches that of their new MX Master 2S mouse rather well. I like to see this uniformity across lines from the same brand.
Beyond looks, it is well-built, has some weight to it, and just feels good in the hand. While the frame itself is not metal, it is made of a hard and sturdy plastic that shows hardly any flex. This is in part due to the metal housing on top of the keyboard that holds the electronics as well as the creative input dial, or “Crown,” as Logitech has named it. Unfortunately, there are no legs or any other means of tilt control. Given the metal housing is slightly taller than the keyboard, it does not lie flat, but the angle is not that generous. Further, there is no wrist wrest. While these things posed no issue for me, it could be a concern for those putting in heavy, heavy hours on the keyboard or those with fatigue issues.
The keys have a slim profile, are well spaced and have shallow travel. They have a unique, and I found great, concave design that is meant to capture your fingertips in the keys themselves. As with any new keyboard, it felt a little odd at first, but after a few days I was adjusted, typing fast, and I liked the feel. Still a tad shy of the feel of a good mechanical keyboard (this is a personal preference), but they felt like a really, really….really good laptop keyboard. Overall, I really like the keys.
The keyboard is cross-platform, working with both Windows as well as macOS. This is a great feature, as increasingly, people work in both ecosystems; however, the keyboard does have sets of commands for both platforms on several of the keys. Logistically, I see why this was done, and, again, this may just be a personal preference, but it is just a little “busy.” Perhaps there could have been a more elegant solution. The top row of keys, many know them as the function keys, are default assigned to various system controls (volume, mute, brightness…etc), but they can be switched to standard operation (F1, F2…etc) through the Logitech software. Further, many of the keys can be customized. While this may not be something everyone is looking for, it is a nice option.
A proximity sensor is located at the top right of the keyboard that senses when your hands are near the keyboard and lights it up automatically. The keys are individually lit and quite bright (but not overwhelmingly so) in dark conditions. I love the feature. That love, sadly, does come at a cost. Unless I am simply missing it, this feature is always active. While I can see that, perhaps, at night, it seems a waste during the day and it must cut battery life. I would love to see an option to disable this great feature when it is not needed. As for battery life in general, Logitech rates it for a full week of use before a charge is needed. I imagine this will vary per user and their use case, but I met those estimates and more. That said, I was not a consistently heavy Crown user as I was getting comfortable with the keyboard. Time will tell. When it is time to charge, that is done with a USB-A to USB-C cable, which I love to see. While there are a few issues with USB-C, only wide-adoption will get us closer to the utopia of “one cable.” I like to see Logitech also moving in this direction.
The Craft connects via a unifying USB receiver (that anyone who has any Logitech input device has experience with), or bluetooth. This worked flawlessly for me. It also comes with the ability to connect it to three different devices via three dedicated keys on the laptop. I paired it with my laptop, desktop, and my phone (Android). Again, without issue.
Now, the creative input dial, or “Crown.” This IS the differentiating characteristic of this keyboard. It is a dial that allows you to adjust the global settings of your machine (volume, brightness, music controls…etc). Further, the top is also touch sensitive, meaning it can serve as a button. As an example, I found that useful to start and pause music tracks. Beyond that, the Logitech Options software, which I briefly touched upon above, offers more application specific control. The software scans the installed software on your machine and matches profiles with supported programs. Currently, it seems this limited to some Adobe Creative Suite software, some Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. What you can do with the dial varies from program to program, but some things are zoom control/brightness/brush size in Photoshop, timeline navigation in Premiere, various things in Word and Excel and scrolling through tabs in Edge and Chrome. I found it easy to use, productive and quite fun, but I did find the Crown to be fairly sensitive. It could very well be one of those things where I just need more time getting familiar, but it is something to note. Lastly, while a fair amount can be done with the Crown, at this point, it is somewhat limited regarding the available programs you can use it with. Hopefully, Logitech can bring more programs into the fold as well more functionality in those already there. I expect they will.
Overall, I am very pleased with this keyboard. Be it design, build-quality or use as my every day board. My only concern is the cost/benefit angle. Nearly everything I discussed is great, but main differentiator, the main hook, of this keyboard, and where most of the somewhat higher cost (especially for a non-mechanical board) comes from is…the Crown. I am not a big content creator, do not use a lot of Adobe suite, or even do that much work in Office these days, so, in my use case, I am leaving a lot of the value of this board on the table. I do very much value the dial for general system and media control, and I cannot fully express how much I like to scroll through tabs in Chrome (life changing?); BUT, is it worth it? I feel that really depends on what you value as well as one’s use case. Are you: A content creator looking to maximize your workflow? A heavy number cruncher crushing Office? A casual user sending some emails? That is a question you should answer. Personally, I am not sure where I fit. That said, while I still have a couple of minor concerns, and I am not quite yet fully utilizing the key feature of this laptop to its fullest, the full set of features has won me over, it is worth it to me, and I am very happy with this great-looking, functional, and fun keyboard.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best BuyBring flexibility to work with the powerful and versatile Samsung Notebook 9 Pro. Easily switch between typing on the keyboard, writing with the intuitive S Pen, and navigating the brilliant touchscreen. And do it all at once with an ultra-fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor. The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro keeps up with all the ways you work.
Customer Rating
5
Clean, sleek, well-built, with some tricks...
on September 13, 2017
Posted by: skylog
Going in, I was not sure what to expect from this laptop, as I have never owned a 2-1 before, but after extended time spent with this laptop, I must say it is a very good machine. On all fronts. Looks. Performance. Build Quality. Screen. Ports. Battery. Price AND Value. Some added bonuses. It checks every box without any true weak spots.
I really like the “look” and design. Clean, sleek, and light (under 3 pounds). It is very well built, feeling “good in the hand” despite the light weight. It has a silver aluminum body with some curves and rounded edges and a dark interior that contrast well. The whole look seems to tie the design more uniformly with what Samsung is doing on the phone side. Finally. I feel this symmetry only helps the brand. The interior is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, as are most, but it is not too bad on the exterior of the device. The hinges are sturdy, keeping screen wobble in check and the hinge movement is smooth when switching into tablet mode. I was pleased with the build when using all configurations of the laptop.
The laptop comes with a Full-HD 13.3-inch touchscreen at 1080p resolution. Text and video look bright, crisp, and well, good. It stands up after long sessions. The side bezels are quite slim, and the top is about what one would expect given the camera, but the bottom is a little on the large side. Overall, not bad, but just worth noting.
Performance-wise, I could not really ask for more. The dual-core i7-7500 that powers the machine delivers, and in my use case, I have had no issues. The 8GB of RAM are enough for my use, and the 256GB SSD (makes boot times super quick) is more than sufficient for storage needs, although I am not doing any heavy storage on this laptop. I usually am running multiple windows, some browser tabs, some Office work, and streaming video. I don’t really game on the machine, but some light gaming can be done, although I would not expect to do much more than that.
With regards to ports, there is a nice mix. There are 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 microSD card slot and the power button on the right-hand side. On the left, there is 1 USB Type-C port (that supports charging), 1 HDMI, 1 audio jack and the DC power in slot. I really like the blend of ports, but they really could have found a batter spot for the power button.
The keyboard is backlit (with three intensities), comfortable to type on, is mostly quiet and did not take me much time to get used to. All good. The touchpad is a nice size, works well, has a pleasing click and supports gestures. It works great with Windows 10 (though more on that later). Now, on to one of the more unique parts of this laptop, the Samsung S-Pen, which it cleverly houses in a slot embedded into the right side of the base of the laptop at the lip. I find this to be not only quite convenient, but also smart, as it is so much easier to keep track of. As for the S-Pen itself, it supports Windows Ink as well as Air Command from Samsung. It is thin, and light, and I found it a breeze to use, although some may prefer more thickness or weight if that is what they are more accustomed to. That said, due to its size, it does not require batteries, or any charge, which is quite impressive given it offers 4.096 levels of pressure sensitivity as well as tilt controls. I was not sure what to think about the S-Pen prior to using it, but I feel it is great addition to available input controls.
I found battery life to be good, getting about 7 hours in my use. Again, just a mix of productivity and some video playback. I am sure I could get a little more with some settings tweaks, but overall, I am pleased with what I am seeing. Further, given the USB-C port, I have been able to use a portable battery I already had for my phone to charge while away from an outlet. A great option to have.
The 720p webcam is, well, just “good.” It serves its purpose, no doubt, but having typically used 1080p and better, this is a bit of a downgrade for me. This is more due of my prior experiences, but just something to be aware of. That said, it works flawlessly with Windows Hello to log on to the laptop. A nice feature.
As for sound, there are two speakers that are located on either side of the curve of the base of the laptop. The sound can get somewhat loud, and the audio is clear, but there is a distinct lack of bass. I think it is fine for most use, but I just feel given the space available, the speakers could have been positioned somewhere on the top of the laptop which could have only improved the quality.
Lastly, for what I feel may be the only true downside to this laptop, and it is not much more than a temporary nuisance…the bloatware that is installed. There are a variety of Samsung Apps, vendor maintenance programs and Windows programs present on first boot. This is not unique to this laptop, and all it took was some cleaning up to take care of this issue, but it is a step that I wish I could have skipped. For most people, this may not even be a concern, but I like to keep a clean system.
Overall, I could not be more pleased with this laptop. Samsung stuffs a ton of value into this machine at this price point, while being very competitive with rivals across the laptop landscape while also providing much of the same power and flair as machines from Apple for far less.
PROS
- Build quality
- Performance
- 2-1 capability
- Thin and light. Portable
- Keyboard and touchpad
- S-Pen capability and storage
- Selection of ports. USB-C is great
CONS
- Presence of bloatware
- Not the best sound
- Not the best webcam
- Build quality
- Performance
- 2-1 capability
- Thin and light. Portable
- Keyboard and touchpad
- S-Pen capability and storage
- Selection of ports. USB-C is great
CONS
- Presence of bloatware
- Not the best sound
- Not the best webcam
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Upgrade your home office equipment with this HP Envy all-in-one printer. Its dual-band Wi-Fi support lets you print sharp, borderless photos directly from your mobile device, and the 2.7-inch color touch screen lets you configure options for printing, scanning and copying. This HP Envy all-in-one printer increases productivity as it delivers 14 ppm of black and white documents.
Customer Rating
5
great all in one printer
on August 30, 2017
Posted by: skylog
This full-feature and all-in-one home desktop printer checks all the boxes. I was looking to print, scan, and copy while also being able to print the occasional photo. This device does these things. In my experience, it does them well.
Set-up is easy, having zero trouble with a Windows 10 installation, and the ability to use the device wirelessly is absolutely a great feature. There are many benefits, but simply having options with printer placement is worthy of praise. It seems a simple thing, and it is, but given space constraints that many have, me included, it is a nice solution to a problem. Further, this is my first experience with this technology in a printer and being able to print from my phone (there is an app download) is something I didn’t know I was missing.
Printing documents is quick, faster than most people would ever need, and clear and the paper tray is large enough to limit the need for constant refills. An often forgotten, but nice feature. I have not printed a high number of photos, but my first tests produced wonderful looking results. I think the quality is on a level most people would appreciate.
Scanning and copying both work as expected. The speed and resolution are both good and I was pleased with the results. Most of my use case is with documents, which looked great, but I think pictures would also be adequate depending on what one needs in terms of quality.
Lastly, when thinking about printers, one must discuss ink. To start, it is nice that you only need two cartridges, as many printers use multiple for color needs. The printer ships with both a black and a color cartridge. They are slightly lower in capacity than that of the standard replacement options, but just slightly, and they are rated for ~185 (black) and ~120 color each. Going forward, there are options for standard or XL cartridges. This is nice to have options based on need. Finally, there is the HP Instant Ink program, which charges you a monthly fee for a set of cartridges that ship to your home. I have no experience with this service yet, and the need would depend on how much ink you use, but from my research, it seems as if people generally find it is a nice and very convenient service that saves them money. Again, nice to have options.
Overall, I am quite pleased with this printer, from utility, to quality, to features, to price and to ink. I think most people would find it meets their needs (and more) and from a price to performance ratio (ink included) it is absolutely worth a look!
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
6of 7voted this as helpful.
Create an intelligent home network with this all in one Samsung mesh WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub. Not only does it deliver an optimized Wi-Fi signal to every corner of your home, it also works as a SmartThings Hub, connecting compatible cameras, lights, voice assistants, and more to create your smart home. Now you can manage your Wi-Fi and all your smart devices from the palm of your hand with this Samsung Mesh WiFi Router and Smart Home Hub.
Customer Rating
4
solid product. better for some...
on August 6, 2017
Posted by: skylog
I like the idea behind this product, as it combines two products into one: a wireless router and a smart home hub. Having the ability to remove one device from the growing pile is certainly something that I appreciate, as these days, there is always another product finding its way into my home.
The Samsung Connect Home Pro, as a device, is physically small, well-built and a stylish, good looking product. A nice change to have a device that does not take up space as well as a device that looks nice enough to be able to not have to tuck somewhere behind something. It should be noted, however, that it only has one ethernet port available to use, so if you need to connect more than one wired device, you will need a switch. This may negate the options when placing the device.
As a router, it was very easy to set-up. Plug it in, plug it in into your modem, install and open the Samsung Connect app, which detects the router, you are prompted to create your network name and password and you are good to go. I found performance to be good, as speeds were roughly on par (in most cases a little faster) with what I was getting from my previous set-up. I had no issues with signal loss or connectivity, however, my living space is not that large. If you have a very large space, perhaps this would not be your experience, and while this model does not have other units to deploy in a mesh set-up, this overall line does, so that could be something to look into if range or strength of signal is a concern for your space.
When it comes to the second function of this device, the Smart Home Hub, I have somewhat limited experience, but I was able to successfully connect some of the few connected home products I own without any trouble. My Phillips Hue bulbs and Samsung TV were easily connected and functioned as expected. That said, not all of my devices are supported, which is somewhat of a let-down. I hope as time goes on, Samsung can add to the list of supported devices. Further, not all the functionality of the system I was running is present when using the new hub. Hopefully, this will also be resolved over time with future software updates.
Since the app is needed to use the hub, I will say a few words. It is clean, and simple enough, perhaps too simple. Is it a little bare in the functions it provides, and in some cases, the user experience is frustrating, as I was clicking things to even determine if something would be “clickable” to provide more data or utility. While it does “get the job done,” I feel if there was some work put into the app, it would improve the overall experience of the device as a whole.
Ultimately, I think this is an good device as it is currently. The router itself functions and performs well, and the ability to expand the network with mesh units is great, but I would prefer a little more control over the unit, via in depth-settings, if I were to keep this in my set-up. As for the smart home hub, I really wish there was better integration with all devices, especially devices that already work within the SmartThings ecosystem. Again, perhaps this is a software issue, perhaps with updates this could be fixed. Now, all of this said, if you are someone who is not looking for more control over your wireless network, and is just getting set up with a connected home, this could be a very good device for you. You get a small, good-looking and great-performing router and the ability to cater all your connected home purchases to those that would be certain to work with the hub.
My Best Buy number: 0563642235
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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