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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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Samsung T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up to 1050 MB/S, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Water & Dust resistance for Photographers, Content Creators, and Gaming, External Solid State Drive, Black.
Customer Rating
5
Fast. Compact. Well-built. Complete Package.
on June 1, 2022
Posted by: skylog
To echo my title, I will start by saying I really like this drive. It has more or less everything I am looking for in external storage. Simple. Compact. Fast. Clean design. Reputable name behind it. Peace of mind.
I have been running a couple of 1TB Samsung T5’s for a while now and they have been great for me. I have been eyeing the T7’s since their arrival but had not committed given how similar they were, and, frankly, did not have a need for the Touch model. Given the changes with the T7 Shield, it seemed a good option to both pick up some improvements and consolidate my ever-growing pile of drives.
As you would expect given the name, a huge draw of this drive is its durability. Now, while I have not really purposely tossed it around, I can say it does feel quite solid, and “feels good” in hand. The rubber-like grip material (elastomer apparently?) makes the drive rated for drops of 3 meters, and I think it helps protect from the repetitive bag tosses and bumps in my day to day. Being sealed in the elastic polymer also gives you IP65 rated protection against dust and water. A nice add. Lastly, despite some concerns going in, all of this protection does not seem to bring any thermal issues with it. Admittedly, I was a bit (happily) surprised. It gets warm under use, but about what you would expect.
Design-wise, it is mostly all positives for me, with a few small nit-picks along the way. I love the size. 3.5” by 2.3” by 0.5”. 3.47 ounces. Slightly larger than my T5’s, but still small. Light. Still solid. A great size for use at home, or on the go. Perfect stick to a laptop size. I also love the look. Minimal branding. Black. Clean. Plain. Boring? Exactly what I was looking for. Perfect for me…almost. My only minor dig is that the material is a bit of a dust magnet. It is not really bad, more of a personal thing for me, but a little different than the all-metal drives I have been used to recently. Worth a mention. Lastly, and not in relation to this drive, I wish Samsung would stay consistent with their color offerings in their SSD space. They seem to slightly change it up with each iteration.
In the box Samsung supplies the drive itself, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cables (roughly 17” in length, A to C, and C to C), and an installation guide. The drive is more or less ready to go, plug and play, for Windows PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. The drive comes preinstalled with some nice software that allows you to password protect your drive as well as perform some basic drive monitoring/data functions. (Samsung Drive Management Software and Samsung Portable SSD software). While I generally choose to run my drives without the protection, it is a fantastic add here to give you some built-in ability to protect your data against possible loss or theft of the drive. The software itself is simple and easy to use. All in all, I couldn’t really ask for more here. Proper, quality cables, plug and play, and some nice, provided software. As a longtime Samsung SSD user, I should add they also offer a piece of software called “Samsung Magician.” Some of the functionality is lost with these external drives, but you get an overall picture of “drive health,” it is the easiest (only way I know of) way to check and/or update firmware, and you can see the total write data on the drive. To me, it is absolutely worth the download and install.
As for speed? Well, it is quite good. It comes rated at 1050/1000 Mbps for sequential reads/writes, which is about what you would expect for drives with this tech in this class. While I generally came up a little short in my few benches (averaged at 991.13 / 949.42), they were in line, and I am happy with the results. Gigs of files move…quickly.
Ultimately, I really do like this drive. Compact, lightweight, but solid, with added protection. A nice clean design. Fast data rates and sizable capacity. There are some faster drives out there, but you get a COMPLETE package here, with comparable speed, as well as added data security. All in all, a great drive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The adidas FWD-02 SPORT gives you total freedom through road runs and track workouts. No wires. Stay focused. Don’t hold back. The sleek, ergonomic buds stay in place through warmups and hill sprints. The intuitive controls are easy to use and always responsive.
Customer Rating
4
Solid all-round. Good for active use. Comfortable.
on May 25, 2022
Posted by: skylog
For starters, these buds seem well-built and use a nice mix of materials. They are a nice weight, and given they seem targeted to the workout crowd/use case, are sweat/water resistant. I typically have some trouble getting a comfortable fit with earbuds, and this always be a user-by-user case thing, but these worked for me. Adidas did right by providing numerous sizes of tips and wings. This will always be hit and miss, but you have a good chance of finding a good fit. This is just about the most important thing for me, because if they are not comfortable, I won’t wear them. Full stop. For me, they are comfortable, and seal well, which helps with sound quality. The fit is also snug, and I have had zero issues with them staying in place. Comfort and fit are very good, and I think it is perhaps the best aspect of these buds.
They went a little “old school” and took a different path with pairing, using a button on the case (more on that case later) as opposed to doing anything with the buds themselves. That said, it was easy, quick, and problem-free. My connection has been solid and consistent. It doesn’t seem they can be paired to multiple devices, which is not a big deal, but something to note. A little flexibility here would have been nice.
As for sound, out of the box I think they sound “good.” To my ear, they are a little heavy on the bass, highs are pretty good, but they struggle a bit with the mids. That said, I don’t think these are sold as “the best sounding buds.” To be clear, whatever you throw at them does sound good. Crisp. Clear. Just not the best. That said, you should really download the app for the buds. Here you can play with EQ settings and dial the sound in more to your liking. I do think it improves the sound. It is definitely worth the time. Unfortunately, there is no ANC, and while Adidas does offer their “Awareness Mode,” I found it lacking, at least as I understand it. This is not really a concern for me, but, again, it is something to note. Perhaps others can provide a better experience?
In the app you can also customize the controls on the buds, which bud does what, etc… The controls themselves are more or less solid and standard. Play. Pause. Call. Skip Forward. Backward. Assistant. Most of the things you see and would expect. Most. Not all. It simply does not seem you can adjust the volume of playback via these controls. This is a big miss for me, and something I am not sure why they decided to pass on. Maybe this can be added going forward? In use though, I found the available functions responsive and simple to use. I just wish volume control was an option.
As for battery life, it has been great for me so far. I seem to be hitting advertised rating, and honestly, I suspect most people will be more than fine here. With the added time the case gets you, it shouldn’t be an issue. Now, let me get to that case. First, I give Adidas some credit here for not taking a cookie cutter approach that everyone else has with this case. It is certainly, different. Also, it is quite slim, and has a small footprint. I also have to add I really haven’t had any “problems” with it yet, but man, I just don’t know. I suppose having the top be detachable means it won’t accidentally break if you somehow get in that scenario, but I just don’t like that aspect. Also, given the target crowd, the mesh top “could” dry them out faster, but it is just one more thing to get caught on something, perhaps tearing, ripping, or getting damaged. It all seems a bit unnecessary. Further, the buds are bit more finnicky for me getting them in their slots than most other I have used. Again, I want to give them credit, maybe this leads to better things going forward, but I just don’t love a lot of this, for me. Most people may not care? Maybe this is me being picky?
All of that said, in the end, I do like these buds. Quite a bit. The fit is both very comfortable and solid. They are built well, and I think they will last over time, especially in a workout environment. Sound is good, the controls work well, and battery life should not be an issue. I do question the value here though. The overall package is solid, but without ANC, and a few quirks here and there, and perhaps limited versatility, you may want to wait for a sale. That said, if you are looking just for quality workhorse buds for workouts/active use (which I guess Adidas really is targeting with these), I think these would be a great choice.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Desk life getting you down? Lift yourself up with Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse – a comfy and intuitive wireless mouse with quiet clicks crafted specially for small-to-medium hands. Available in right and left. Lift’s unique 57-degree angle elevates your wrist to give a feeling of relief — and sends a wave of comfort through the forearm and upper body. Scrolling feels second nature with SmartWheel, which easily shifts from precision to speed-scroll. Customize Lift ergo mouse using intuitive Logi Options+ Software.
Customer Rating
4
Quality all around and comfortable form factor…
on May 13, 2022
Posted by: skylog
I spend too much time on my computer. This has been the case for many years, but over the last couple, it has been even more…extreme. For as long as I can remember, honestly, I have been using some iteration of Logitech MX mouse…Master, Rev, 1,2…etc… I’ve been nothing but happy with them over the years. That said, my posture, setup, and bad habits mean I have been having some minor issues with hand, arm, and shoulder pain. Having never used anything remotely ergonomic before, I was curious.
It is a mostly typical Logitech experience out of the box. You get everything you need to quickly get setup. You can use either bluetooth or the USB dongle to connect (Windows, macOS, iPad OS, Chrome, or Linux). No issues for me. It is their Bolt system now, rather than the typical Unifying one from the past. I don’t really see any difference, but it is supposed to offer better connection and more security. That said, it does not seem to work with older devices. Something to note. Beyond that, power is via 1 AA battery, which is included. The battery is supposed to work for 2 years, which sounds a bit out there, but I have never had any complaints with any of my prior Logitech devices so I think it will probably be fine. Regardless, AA are easy to find, and, frankly, it is nice to have one less thing to charge.
As for the device itself. Good weight and build quality, with a “nice feel in the hand” material-wise. There is a lot of plastic here, but given the price point, it makes sense. The buttons are responsive, well-placed, and clicky but not too loud. Design wise, it looks, well, like a Logitech mouse. I like the colors and surface textures used. There is nothing wild going on here, and I like the plain black and grey design.
In the hand? Well, it feels good. As this was my first time using something like this, it took a bit of getting used to. That said, I am already adjusting, and it does not feel totally foreign to me at this point. I do have larger hands, and it feels fine, but it could be an issue for some. Anything “regular” to small should not be an issue. My hand and arm do “feel” in a more natural position, but I really am going to have to give it more time to be able to tell if there are real benefits to how I feel. I think this will be a good thing in the long run, but only time will tell.
In use, it is a very standard Logitech experience. They provide several useful buttons in useful places, their click-wheel scroll options, and the software to get the most out of the device. Definitely use their Options software. You can map other keys and or functions to the buttons. I have been a firm believer in using the center button for “Enter.” I am sure everyone has their own specific use/need that they prefer, but definitely explore this option, it is worth your time.
I should add you can also use this mouse across 3 devices. It is simple, very useful and nice to have. The device switching button IS on the bottom of the mouse, which, well, is what it is. A very minor inconvenience, but something to know.
I should add you can also use this mouse across 3 devices. It is simple, very useful and nice to have. The device switching button IS on the bottom of the mouse, which, well, is what it is. A very minor inconvenience, but something to know.
All in all, I like this mouse. Quite a bit. I guess I can’t really say, yet, if in the long term, my hand/arm/shoulder will benefit, but I think they will. It is comfortable. Beyond that, the mouse is very capable, albeit just a tick below the best Logitech has to offer. There is value here, and I think if you have or want to avoid repetitive pain, it is definitely worth a look.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Design
5
Ease of Use
4
Quality
5
Value
5
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Jabra Elite 4 Active is designed to stay comfortably in place. And that’s not all: with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), adjustable equalizer, and HearThrough technology, plus instant access to Spotify Tap playback, Elite 4 Active are engineered to bring a real boost to your workout. Made with a secure active fit, and IP57-rated water and sweat proof protection, these buds are engineered for all kinds of workouts. And with a 2-year warranty when you register them in the Jabra Sound+ app, you’ll never have to worry about your workout buddies letting you down. ANC blocks intrusive sounds at the touch of a button, so you can stay immersed in your music. From ignoring the sound system at the gym, to filtering out ambient urban noise, you get in – and stay in – the zone. You can even customize how your music sounds. Whether you want to boost the bass or turn up the treble, just download the Jabra Sound+ app and tune the equalizer to your preference. You can also activate Spotify Tap playback for instant, seamless connection to the music you need to power you through.
Customer Rating
5
Great buds. Great value. They do everything well.
on February 10, 2022
Posted by: skylog
How Often Used:3-5 times a week
As a regular Android user, wading through the sea of countless earbud options has been an experience. I have liked some and hated quite a few. After some time with these Jabra, I can say I really like them, and they are among the best I have used.
Pairing was as simple as could be, and I have had zero connectivity issues to this point. The companion App is easy to use, looks good and gives you a nice amount of utility. There are some EQ tweaks so you can dial in your sound preferences, while also allowing you to adjust the noise cancellation modes. You can also keep track of battery levels. A nice add.
Battery life has been very solid. As rated/advertised. Jabra also hit most if not all of the industry norms here. An efficient and useful quick charge, USB-C charging, and a case that provides nearly another full day of charge as backup. As it can be hit or miss, I have to say I really like the case. Plain, a nice size, the buds easily go in, and they stay there. All in all, no complaints here. Not always the…case.
As for their build, given their recent releases, I hoped and kind of expected a rather high level of quality. They have it. Well-built. Solid, but with a nice light weight. They come with an appreciated high level of water and sweat protection and enough tips to find a secure and comfortable fit for most people (the standard three sizes). Obviously, fit is different for each person, but it is just about the most important thing for me with buds. If they are not comfortable, I simply will not wear them. Pretty much a deal-breaker for me. Further, without a proper fit, the sound will suffer. Why get headphones if they don’t deliver these two things? All of that said, these fit wonderfully for me. No problems. As for the look or style? Call me simple. Plain. Whatever. I love the style. They are clean, black, and matte. That is what I like, and that is all I want.
I suppose I could have hit on this sooner, given they are headphones, but they sound great. I am all over the place with my music, but I liked how every genre sounded more or less out of the box. That said, I am ALWAYS a proponent of going in and spending some time with EQ or available sound settings to tailor things to your preferences. Everyone likes what they like. Beyond music, I am also heavy into podcasts, and again, here, zero issues. Lastly, while I admittedly don’t take many calls with any headphones, in a few tests everything sounded loud, crisp, and clear on my end and the person on the other end said I sounded the same. As a whole, simply, I am just very pleased with the sound.
In the end, as you can probably tell, and as I said earlier, I really like these buds. I like how they look, they fit me very well, and they sound great. They just kind of do everything well. At a fair price. The value is there.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Comfort
5
Value
5
Ease of Use
5
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An industry defining 49” 1000R curved screen, equipped with a cutting edge Quantum Matrix HDR2000 panel, 240hz refresh rate, G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support, 1ms GTG response rates, and fully customizable Odyssey Infinity Core lighting.
Customer Rating
4
Great picture, specs. Large. Immersive. Caveats?
on December 27, 2021
Posted by: skylog
This thing is, for lack of a better word, wild. It is big (very big), with a fairly severe curve, and in some ways looks like it came straight out of science fiction movie. It is something that will certainly get some attention. The front is fairly muted, with clean, black edges, but the back is white, futuristic looking, and with a ring of a LED light. While many are probably looking for this, I really would have just preferred everything black, plain, and without the light. The stand is also black, pretty minimal, and definitely very wide in order to support the monitor. I really don’t love the wide-winged approach, but I suppose options are limited with something this large and wide. Just keep in mind all of this (size, stand, etc…) eats up desk space. I am pondering wall mounting but am not sure yet (it is VESA capable). There is some height and rotational adjustment available, but it is somewhat limited. Connectivity is about what you would expect, all the common connections are there, as are provided cables.
As for the picture. Frankly, I just really like it. Colors are bright (the dimming is good), vivid, and quite accurate (there could be improvement here). While the blacks still can not compete with an OLED panel, they are fairly deep and inky, and I am pleased. All in all, I think it looks great. Beyond that, it also performs very well in game play. Response times are good, although probably lagging from what is suggested, but I had no issues in games and I think most won’t either. The sheer size, combined with the somewhat extreme curve is also very immersive. I had expected this going in but didn’t really understand it until I sat in front of it and experienced it. I think when taken as a whole, it is a good experience. Looks good. Performs well.
Now, all of that said, it did take a bit of work. You need to dial your settings in and perhaps make some choices for what you want. I think that is the one “issue” I may have with this monitor. It is spec’d very well and promises to give you a lot. While I think it more or less delivers on those promises, in some ways you have to choose. Choosing 120 hz or 240 hz effects quality, frame rates, brightness, and HDR performance. You see gains in some areas and losses in others. I suppose this is the case with nearly all hardware, but with such a premium device I really wish there was less of this give and take. Again, I think it gives a great picture, and delivers performance, it is just something to keep in mind.
Surely, most people buying this are looking at it for gaming, as they should, but I also like to do a lot of productivity work of all sorts on my system. In that regard, I think it is “bit” of a mixed bag for me. Text is clear and looks quite good. The size provides more than enough space to have loads of windows open (I REALLY like the extra real estate). I love those aspects, BUT, the extreme curve makes the ends of the screen, well, very curved. It makes the windows on the ends of the screen the same. I understand this a very personal thing, but it drives me somewhat crazy. A total niche complaint, but maybe some of you know what I am saying.
In the end, I really do like this monitor. I (mostly) like the look, the picture is fantastic, and it performs very well. It does everything I want it to do. That said, there are choices in this space/price range. You can look at dual 4k, single 4k, etc. If you know what you want from this monitor, and know how you will use it, I think most would be happy with this as their choice.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Rewire the rules with the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma—a sleek, customizable hub that ushers in a new era of connectivity for your ideal setup. Packed with 10 ports, lightning-fast data transfer rates, and dual 4K or single 8K video output, you’ll always be primed to make the right connections.
Customer Rating
5
Stealthy. Clean. Functional.
on December 14, 2021
Posted by: skylog
I was looking for a dock to pair with my laptop, for both a cleaner and more functional setup. That said, I was also looking to use it with my main system off and on when I was not really on the go much. To say it simply, this dock is what I was looking for.
To start, the build is fantastic. It is a nice weight, is solid, and a good size (the power brick is a bit big). Not too big, not too small, and all the ports are spaced well. Further, the ports “have a good feel,” and I think they will hold up over time. Lastly, the bottom is covered by a great rubber-like material that keeps it in place on my desk. It seems like a small thing, but I love it. Lastly, while I really like the build, I also very much like the look of this dock. It is muted black, plain, clean, and simple. Perfect for me. There is a stealth logo on top and while some may not like it, there are no labels on any of the ports. Personally, again, plain is what I was looking for, and I love it. So, that said, it is Razer, and there is RGB. I typically do not run much, and it is almost always simple, straight colors…which is what I chose to do here. Honestly, I think it is pretty understated and looks great. I will probably keep it off a lot of the time, but that is more a me thing than a statement on how well the RGB performs/looks.
So, how does the dock, dock? I really have no complaints. It hits just about everything anyone would be looking for. It does for me. 3 USB-A, Ethernet, 3.5 audio, a SD card slot (a really nice add), and 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports. All of my needs are met, rather well, with some headroom, there is pass-through charging (90W available), AND I like having a little piece of mind with the Thunderbolt being the latest spec. A little futureproofing is never a bad thing. All in all, I could not really ask for more…but (there is always a but), I do think they should have included another monitor connection, like DisplayPort. This is not currently an issue for me, but I suspect it could be for some others, and, frankly, perhaps it could be for me in the future. The added flexibility would have been appreciated out of the box.
Ultimately, though, I am very happy with this dock and what it has done for me. It is well-built, looks great, and performs as expected (great speeds). Port selection is solid, it is spec’d very well, and while the RGB is not really for me, those looking for it will not be disappointed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Create the ultimate laptop-like experience with the Brydge 12.9 MAX+. Featuring the largest native multi-touch trackpad ever included in a tablet keyboard, the 12.9 MAX+ delivers the most immersive and natural experience iPadOS has ever seen. Together with a new SnapFit™ Case designed to flawlessly match and protect your iPad, the 12.9 MAX+ creates the perfect productivity device for any environment. Brydge is critically acclaimed for their keyboard’s unmatched typing experience, and the Brydge 12.9 MAX+ is no exception. Featuring adjustable backlit keys, Instant-On™ Connectivity, shortcut keys, up to 3-month battery life and 135˚ screen rotation, you’ll have confidence cranking out that paper, clearing your inbox, or tackling whatever task comes your way.
Customer Rating
5
Premium keyboard. Great productivity add.
on December 12, 2021
Posted by: skylog
I have used quite a few different case/keyboard combos with my iPads over the years, and this is among my favorite to date. Generally, because it gives a better keyboard/trackpad experience than most, and I think it is a better value that the version Apple provides.
Build is great. Solid. Feels good in the hand. Nice materials. It does provide some protection, but I would still be wary of major drops. It also does add a little bit of heft/thickness, but, honestly, not a ton and I think the added functionality is more than worth it. You can still easily toss it in a bag. I also very much like the look of this keyboard. Clean. Plain. Simple. Perfect for me. Honestly, it just has the appearance of an Apple keyboard. In many ways, it makes the iPad look like a Macbook. Further, it sits like on too. Balanced on pretty much any surface.
As for the keyboard itself, this is what it is all about for me. It is wonderful to use. Layout is spot on, travel is great, and the keys just “feel right.” The row of function keys is a great add, as are the backlit options. The trackpad is large and responsive (not perfect, but good) and better than many I have tried. All in all, as I have said, a really nice typing experience. It doesn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather the focus. I feel like I could just as well be on my desktop, laptop, etc…which is exactly what I was looking for.
I should note, while battery life has been outstanding, and I don’t feel this will be issue in any way going forward, this keyboard does require separate charging (USB-C) from the iPad, which is not the case with a lot of keyboards in this space. It is rated for 3 months between charges, and I suspect that will be the case, so, not a big deal. Just something that should be noted.
Ultimately, I really like this keyboard. It looks good, is well-built, and most importantly to me, is great to type on. It is quick to put on/take off, if need be, and it really makes it easy to get the most out of my iPad.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Coffeehouse Versatility meets Pod Convenience with the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System. Included 12-cup, double-walled thermal carafe is perfect for both hot and over-ice beverages, with an ergonomic handle and spout allow for easy control of pouring. Tackle grounds and pods with 9 grounds brew sizes from small cup to full carafe, and 4 pod brew sizes from 6 to 12 ounces. Brews a coffee pod faster than a leading Keurig coffee maker upon startup. With Thermal Flavor Extraction DUO technology, perfect flavor for grounds and pods is delivered with even saturation and precise temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee. Separate from the coffee system is a dedicated hot water line. Using a separate line eliminates flavor contamination and delivers clean water. 2 temperature settings, hot and boil, allow you to make tea, hot cocoa, instant soups, and oatmeal. Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks. Use the built-in, fold-away frother to transform hot or cold milk/milk-alternatives into silky-smooth froth in seconds. Top your Specialty brew with frothed milk for a coffeehouse-style drink. The frother is also removable for easy cleaning. Choose from one of four different brew styles; classic or rich for a traditional hot cup of coffee, over ice for an iced coffee that's never diluted, or specialty to make a cappuccino or latte. Clean function, dishwasher-safe parts, removable Ninja pod adaptor and frother allow you to easily deep clean your unit.
Customer Rating
5
Ridiculously versatile. Options. Looks Great.
on October 26, 2021
Posted by: skylog
I absolutely love this machine. It makes a great coffee (varieties, types, and sizes) and is, as my title says, ridiculously versatile.
To begin, I love the look of the machine. A nice blend of metal and plastic, and nice mix of silver and black. Further, it is all put together well. Simple, clean, modern. Just the right amount of LED use as well. All in all, it looks great. As for the design, again, I love it. To be able to have the water reservoir on either the side or back is, well, something I would love to see everywhere. Space on my counter is at a premium, and to be able to have this versatility is a wonderful add. The reservoir is also a nice large size requiring less frequent fills. Finally, it is well-built. Solid and a nice weight.
This machine is simple to use. A clear, clean, and easy to read display with intuitive controls. From there, for me, where this thing really shines, is the further…versatility. You can use ground coffee or pods. Each choice with various size/volume options (9 for ground, 4 for pod). There are 4 brew styles (Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Specialty) for each as well as the ability to make a “concentrate” for espresso type drinks. If you want a carafe, for long morning sessions like I often do, you can just put it in place (same with a travel mug). If you just want a mug, there is a stand to allow for that. All of this with minimal tinkering. Further, since there are separate hot water and coffee systems, you can easily get some hot water for tea, hot chocolate, or oatmeal without having “leftover” coffee in the line to affect the flavor. Another welcome feature I wish was universal. Options. Everywhere. It makes the machine more useful.
Ninja also included a built-in, fold away frother. It does not heat milk but can be used to add hot or cold milk froth to hot or cold drinks. It is easy to use and easy to clean as it is removable. Honestly, cleanup for the entire machine is rather simple. There is a clean function for the lines, and many of the parts are removable and dishwasher safe. As always, regular wipe downs make everything easier in the long run, but when you need to do a true clean, it should not be an issue.
All in all, I could not be happier with this coffee maker. It has been giving me great tasting coffee the way I want it. It is very, very quick to brew, and allows me to use some great beans I may have picked up, or simply pop a pod in for a quick cup when needed. I can not speak enough about being able to have the option, there, or with how much coffee I may want. It really has been welcome. Being able to also snag hot water for some tea, of which I also drink too much, or the occasional hot chocolate is also a nice add. Lastly, being counter-friendly is very important to me. Ultimately, for all of this, I think this machine is a great value. It has definitely improved my daily coffee experience.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Versatile and portable, the IdeaPad™ Flex 3 Chromebook measures just 19.6 mm thick and weighs 1.2 kg with a full keyboard and spacious trackpad, and can be viewed in tent, tablet, laptop or stand modes. Watch crisp visuals in high definition with its 10-point touchscreen on the 11.6" IPS display while being more productive with help from Google. Just say “Hey Google*,” to manage tasks, enjoy your entertainment, get answers, or control smart home devices.
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic value for everyday tasks.
on October 26, 2021
Posted by: skylog
I have used many Chromebooks over the years, and like most of them, this one is a solid machine that can get you from point A to point B and is a tremendous value. You just need to dig deeper to match your needs and expectations with what you are getting.
For starters, the build is solid. It is quite compact, has a nice weight, feels good in the hand, and has little flex. Given it is a 2 in 1, the hinges feel strong and should last over time. The look is clean and modern, and I like the gray/silver color scheme with a darker keyboard. Quite plain. Perfect for me. Given its size/weight, I have been taking this everywhere with little effort. It is very portable. Time will tell, but I think it should hold up well.
As it is a Chromebook, boot times are near-instant and initial set-up is extremely simple (with your Google account), although you can dig into some settings if you like. As the specs of the machine are not “cutting edge” by any means, I had some minor concerns about performance, but performance has been great. Honestly, that is one of the main benefits of Chrome OS. It does not need a lot under the hood to perform and I could not be happier. I have not been hitting it with 35 tabs open, but I have been able to tackle all of my work without issue using all of Google’s Suite of services and the odd app tossed in when needed. Being able to access the Play Store is a great add, and while it is still limited, I hope they keep improving the platform.
Alas, everything is not work. Here, I think they delivered as well. The touchscreen is HD (at 1366 X 768), IPS, delivers great viewing angles, and a nice sharp and bright picture. Yes, it is not 4K, but it should not be expected at this price point. Simply, it looks pretty good. Further, touch works well, and is quite responsive. You never realize how much you like it until you use it. Sound quality is…good. Honestly, not the best, and it is a bit tinny sounding, but it does get loud and is largely distortion free. All in all, I am pleased with the sound and video. I have been using it for a ton of YouTube TV, YouTube, and Netflix and have liked what I have been seeing and hearing. It is a good media experience.
The keyboard is solid with little give. Layout, spacing, and travel are all good. It feels nice to use. There is no backlighting, which, again should not be expected. The trackpad works well, and is responsive, but the push “feels deep,” and it is very “clicky.” Overall, I am happy with the inputs, but the trackpad is taking me a bit to get used to.
It comes with a 720p camera which does the job. In time I am hoping all laptops push for better tech here, as video is becoming more and more important. That said, it works, and looks about what you would expect.
You get a nice selection of ports, with headphone jack, USB-A, USB-C and a card reader. More would always be better, but you should be fine. I really like the inclusion of the card reader. If I had one issue with the “specs” of the machine, it would be the 32Gb of storage. Sure, given the nature of the machine saving to the cloud is important, but 32 just seems too little to me. At least with the card reader you can supplement that a bit. Connectivity is also solid, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that have been nothing but rock solid for me.
Battery life has been great so far. I have generally been getting through days with battery to spare. Obviously, this is going to depend on how you use your machine, so it may vary from person to person. That said, I am fairly confident it should not be an issue.
Lastly, the machine can be used in tent, tablet, laptop, or stand modes. Frankly, I have really only been using the “standard” laptop mode. The others work for what they are, and I suppose many will get use of those modes, but I just don’t really see myself using them often if at all.
Ultimately, this is good machine. It is well-built, lightweight, and performs well. If you are looking for a machine for everyday tasks, this machine is solid in just about every way, and I think it is a great, great value.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+10points
12of 14voted this as helpful.
Nothing about your personal style is standard. So why should your appliances be? CAFÉ redefines the kitchen space with trend forward appliances that reflect your personality. Get the look you crave with CAFÉ’s distinct finish offerings that blend sophistication and performance for a kitchen this is unique as you.
Customer Rating
5
Quality build, beautiful look, wonderful espresso.
on October 26, 2021
Posted by: skylog
As someone who took some time in life to appreciate coffee in general, let alone espresso and espresso-based beverages, this is the most premium machine I have used in my coffee journey. In short, I love it.
To start, given my space, counter space is tight, so I do appreciate “small-ish” footprint for what it is. Further, if something is going to make the cut on the counter, it has work well (looking good is important too). This machine nails both of those.
The build is a lot of plastic, not all metal, but feels well-built and solid. The weight is good, with regard to the machine, as well as for the accessories. The tamper and portafilter feel good in the hand. As for design, everything is in the right spots, and is rather straight forward. Simple. I love the look. While not metal, it has a nice matte finish that gives that feel/look. The look is simple, clean, and modern. Plain. What I like. I am not in love with the copper accents (a personal thing) and would be happier without, but overall, as I said earlier, I really like the look.
Setup is intuitive and is not an issue. The machine is also quite easy to use. The bean hopper is a good size (less frequent fills), has a tight seal and is even UV protected. The water reservoir is also a nice size (again, less frequent fills) and can easily be filled when needed. The grinder performs well, various sizes, without a clog for me so far, and the steam wand/frother is quick to heat up.
With the clean interface, and all the things I mentioned above, I found it pretty simple to get the flavor I was looking for. It honestly was pretty exciting getting something at home that I have always relied on shops to give me. That said, there are so many variables here (beans, grind, water, pressure, etc…) that I am sure I will be playing around for some time to change and improve both what I get and what I like.
GE offers a companion app for the machine, the Smart HQ app. While I don’t love that everything has an app these days, there is some nice functionality here. You can control aspects of the brewing process (grind time, brew volume, water volume, etc…), and it gives you information on water levels, and helps with the cleaning schedule. So, I do think you should grab the app. It is not the best, but I hope they improve it over time.
Cleanup is pretty typical, about what you would expect, and fairly easy. You get a nice little set of cleaning accessories and quite a few pieces (drip tray, bean hopper, grinding burr, etc…) can be removed to make the process easier. Like anything, I think a quick clean/wipe down per use would be best to reduce buildup, but cleanup has not been an issue for me.
Ultimately, I like this espresso maker. It is a beautiful machine (just lose the copper lol), is well-built, is well thought out, and produces professional looking and tasting espresso that I have really been enjoying. No doubt, it is an investment, but I think the value is there. Taking an occasional trip to the coffee shop, rather than daily, is easily worth it to me…for several reasons.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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