Duluthian's stats
- Review count195
- Helpfulness votes357
- First reviewAugust 20, 2011
- Last reviewApril 28, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentJanuary 22, 2017
- Last review commentJanuary 22, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count3
- Helpfulness votes2
- First answerFebruary 1, 2018
- Last answerJuly 26, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
Your household wants to play, stream and work online all at once. With this Linksys router, you can do it all without buffering or other interruptions. Use the Smart Wi-Fi app to get started, control, and monitor your home network from anywhere.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Router!
on February 6, 2016
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
I can honestly say this is the best router I have used! This is replacing a two year old router from another major brand and there is no comparison between them.
To begin, the setup could not have gone smoother. The time it took from taking it out of the box to having it up and running was less than five minutes. That's including changing the default router name and password to custom ones. The setup guide that is included is simple to understand and there are not to many steps. I connected it to the incoming internet signal, turned on the power, gave it a few seconds for my laptop to recognize it, connected to the Linksys setup page and away we go. Also, the page for setting up the custom options is very easy to navigate and customize.
The router itself is loaded with features. 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels (also a guest feature), MU-MIMO, USB 3.0 (2.0 as well), and 4x Gigabit LAN ports. More features than I will ever need and very future proof. The three removable antennas are easy to install as well.
Now for the most important part, the performance. Seeing as this was an upgrade to an older router I fully expected it would perform better. What I wasn't prepared for was how much of an improvement this would be. The only part of the two story house that the signal even drops from five down to 4 bars is the farthest point away upstairs (on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz). This is compared to the old router that would be at one or two bars at that point. And as for the speed, well, it is allowing us to get every bit of the speed we pay for from our internet provider (Charter) and then some! We pay for 60Mbps internet and with this router we are getting consistent Wi-Fi speeds of 65-67Mbps thru the entire house! I know the router can handled much higher speeds as well. The old router would give us around 20-25Mbps if you were close to it and much less in another room.
If I had one complaint (and I hesitate to call it that) it's that is is a bit large. But not so large as to be an issue. All in all, I couldn't be more impressed with this router and I have no doubt that with the vast ports and features I won't be needing to upgrade for years to come.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
What's great about it: Speed & Range
What's not so great: A little bit on the large side.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Toshiba 28L110U LED HDTV: A great size for smaller rooms, this TV lets you watch TV shows, movies and more in resolutions up to 720p HD.
Customer Rating
5
Very Nice & Inexpensive!
on November 30, 2015
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
For the sale price of only $129, this is an excellent buy! It is nothing fancy. It is 720p (1080p really isn't needed on a set this small anyways) and only has two HDMI ports. But for the price it has a great picture and works nice. It fits perfectly on the wall mount in the bedroom. It has a nice remote as well. For the price, it has everything you need.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+12points
14of 16voted this as helpful.
BISSELL SmartClean Robot Vacuum: Easily rid your floors of dirt and debris with this vacuum that uses Opticlean optical sensors and a Triple-Action Cleaning System to tackle your floors. Invisible Wall technology lets you target specific areas.
Customer Rating
5
Works Great!
on November 28, 2015
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised! I have looked at robot vacuums before but I have been skeptical as to how well they really work. I can now say that this Bissell SmartClean Robot vacuum works very well!
To start, the unit is about the size of a typical vacuum but without a handle attached. It is lightweight and easy to move from room to room. The controls are pretty straight forward but a quick read of the well written instructions should really be done before first using it. Charge time to go from a dead battery to full charge is about 4 hours. Once charged, it will easy run for a 90 minutes or more.
There are various settings for how it will cover the area to be cleaned. Random (auto) mode, circle, zig zag, and so on. There are two settings for suction. The regular suction works fine but I suggest leaving it on the more powerful setting. It will run a little slower when using the more powerful setting, but not by much. It picks up all kinds of dirt, including pet hair, very well. Aside from the edge brushes that can be seen while it's running, it has a nice bottom brush at the intake. It does a very good job of going from one type of surface to another. I have not seen it having any issues going from the main carpet to right over an area rug. It has a pretty powerful drive for its size. It is well buffered for when it runs into a piece of furniture or a wall. It won't scuff anything nor will it hit a table so hard that it will knock anything siting on it over. There is an "invisible wall" sensor that requires batteries that can be placed to keep the unit from going into a certain area that you choose. Nice idea! Also, the built in sensors that keep it from driving off the ends of the steps work great.
What I probably like best about this vacuum is its ability to be set on a timer. You can schedule it to run at set intervals. During the day when at work, at night while you sleep, and so on. It can be set to run once a day, every other day, once a week, ect. Very handy! I would say that a great use for this would be for an apartment, dorm room or condo. Also, I can see where this could be of great benefit to someone with any mobility issues that make using a traditional vacuum difficult. It has a base/charging station that it will run back to automatically when its done or if it running low on power. Aside from emptying the dust bin and the occasional cleaning of the unit, it really is plug and play. Particularly if you plan to only use it in a one level dwelling.
I really only have two cons for this vacuum. One, is the size of the dust bin. It is satisfactory but could stand to be a bit larger. However, I must say that it is super easy to remove and empty. Also, I think it would be nice if it included at least one more "invisible wall" sensor. I think I will check to see if extras can be purchased.
All in all I am very impressed with this vacuum. It works as advertised and I have no doubt it will last for a very long time. I would gladly recommend it!
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
What's great about it: Size, suction, battery life
What's not so great: Could use a bit bigger dust bin
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
5
Features
5
Performance
5
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
JBL Flip 3 Speaker: Stream your favorite songs and Internet radio stations from your compatible audio device using this speaker, which offers extensive playback with the rechargeable battery. Dual external bass radiators offer booming low tones, and you can enjoy clear phone calls with the integrated speakerphone.
Customer Rating
5
Sounds Bigger Than Its Price!
on November 16, 2015
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
Been researching bluetooth speakers for some time now. I wanted something that sounds great, is portable and would work well with my phone, tablet and Apple computer. I couldn't be happier with this speaker! I had narrowed my choices down to the Flip 3, Beats Pill and Bose Soundlink Mini II. All are very nice. The Flip 3 is the best in terms of portability and build quality. The Beats Pill is a bit smaller, but it didn't have the bass that the JBL has. The Bose sounds a bit better to my ear. But Not $100 better. Plus, the design of the Bose just doesn't lend itself to being as portable. There are others in this price range as well. But at the end of the day I couldn't find anything that came close to the Flip 3, particularly at its $99 price point.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+16points
22of 28voted this as helpful.
The intelligent, easy-to-use AirPort Extreme Base Station with simultaneous dual-band support is the perfect wireless access point for home, school or office. It offers next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology and delivers high-performance wireless access for Mac computers, PCs and Wi-Fi devices such as iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® touch and Apple TV.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding!
on October 20, 2015
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
Works perfect right out of the box. I am fairly new to Apple products. But it was time for a new router and seeing as I had a new Apple computer, I figured this was the best way to go. Glad I did! Easy setup and great range. Speeds are excellent as well! Easily gives me all the speed I'm paying for from my internet provider. Aside from the Apple computer this is connected to, we have two PC's, two Android tablets and a Android phone as well as an iPad in the house. All connect perfectly. Like most Apple products it is a bit pricey. However, it is a quality product that works great!
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
This Samsung MB-MG64DA/BBY microSD memory card features a 64GB capacity to accommodate a generous amount of photos, videos and other types of media, while the Class 10 UHS-1 speed ensures rapid data transfers.
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
I have always purchased cards from the so called "big names" in memory card makes. However, at the sale price of $42.99 (online price but the stores will match it if you ask) I decided to take a chance. Glad I did! Without question the fastest Micro SD card I've ever used. The specs listed on the BB site don't show the speeds. However, on the package it states up to 90MB read & 80 MB write. And trust me, this card is every bit as fast as they claim! Purchased it for my tablet but I think I am going to go back and get another one for my phone.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro Tablet: You can easily watch movies and shows on the go using the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro, which features an 8.4" touch screen that's large enough to ensure clear media viewing and small enough to facilitate transport. The 16GB storage offers room to house pictures, videos, music and other important files. Plus, you can connect to the Web to check your e-mail and access social media.
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
I've owned several tablets and this is by far the best one. Quality build, speed, amazing graphics, high end specs, and so on. It has been on sale lately for $199 and it is a true bargain at that price! I won't be outgrowing this tablet anytime soon.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Mac mini now has fourth-generation Intel Core processors, increased graphics performance, and ultrafast 802.11ac wireless networking. It also features two Thunderbolt 2 ports, great built-in apps, and OS X Yosemite. And it's still the world's most power-efficient desktop.
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
In need of a new computer to replace a 4 year old Windows 7 laptop and wanting to try a Mac, I researched the Mac line heavily. Mac's are known for being a bit pricey. Because of this, I had my doubts as to just how good a $679 Mac would be. I am a heavy Photoshop & Lightroom user. Knowing I needed a machine that could handle these programs I was a bit sceptical about this machine. Let me tell you, my fears were unfounded! This Mac fly's! The 2.6ghz i5 & 1tb HD handle everything I toss at it with ease. Much faster than my old Windows machines. Ad to it the fact that it is small & quite are big plus. It may be little and inexpensive, but its a lot of Mac!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Featuring a full-aluminum stand, this Lenovo LED monitor lets you easily tilt the 21.5" display for customizable viewing. The 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution deliver true-to-life visuals.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding picture quality!
on January 28, 2015
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
Using this Lenovo monitor with a 4 year old laptop. Hooked it up in just a few minutes and it works flawlessly. Just using the VGA connection, I can honestly say I have never used a monitor with such a crisp picture and with such perfect color, contrast & brightness. You can't go wrong with this monitor. There were cheaper ones on display at Best Buy with more features (HDMI, speakers and such) but they didn't come close to the picture on this Lenovo.
My Best Buy number: 0313828759
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
This LG G Pad - 7" - 8GB LGV400.AUSABK tablet features Dual Window, so you can navigate 2 apps simultaneously using the 7" touch screen. Q Pair 2.0 allows you to accept calls and text messages from your compatible Android smartphone (app download required).
Posted by: Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
Been looking for a tablet for a few months. As much as I wanted a more expensive tablet with a higher resolution screen, I just couldn't justify the price for my needs. After checking out this LG and also similar 7" tablets from Samsung & ASUS, this LG was the clear winner! First off, the screen is very crisp and easy to see at all angles. Keep in mind that even though this isn't the highest resolution screen on the market, it is still HD and more than enough resolution for a 7" screen. Honestly, putting a higher resolution screen on a tablet this size is a waste. You would be hard pressed to see the difference. Compared to the other tablets I looked at, this one seemed to operate the best. By that I mean there is no lag when jumping from page to page and there is no lag when turning from vertical to horizontal. The Samsung had bad lag in this area even though it is said to have a bit more RAM. Not a lot of unneeded apps pre-installed either. And what apps are there are actually useful. At its current regular price of $149 its a bargain. If you catch it on sale for less, its a steal!
What's great about it: Sreen, long battery life, ease of use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Features
5
Share this review:
+8points
8of 8voted this as helpful.
Duluthian's Review Comments
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Simple & Powerful!
By Duluthian
from Duluth, MN
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical of the claims made in regards to the Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system. Lets face it, we have all heard the claims of more powerful Wi-Fi regarding the latest and greatest routers before, right? Well let me tell you that this time around it is no joke! Not only is this system amazingly simple to hook up, but it works as advertised!
To begin, the three tower kit is elegantly packaged it a very nice box. Aside from the three devices you won't find much else in the box but that is kind of the point of this system. Simplicity. You get the towers (smaller than I expected them to be), one Ethernet cord and three power units. As for instructions, there are very few and that is just fine. You get a simple guide telling you to download the Linksys App from there website, Google Play Store or iTunes. Trust me, that's all you need.
Set up once you have the app downloaded couldn't be more simple. Easy to understand instructions will guide you thru setting up the main unit (any one of the three will work. They are all identical). It only takes a few minutes but that may take a bit longer depending on your internet connection. As soon as you have the first unit set up it will then ask you if you want to hook up another unit and so on and so on until you are done. If you need more than the initial three, individual units or a two pack can be purchased and added to the system. It really is the easiest router system I have ever set up.
As for the app, it allows for a good amount of control over the Velop. Tech junkies who demand only the greatest of control over their internet settings might find it a bit too simple for them. However, for the vast majority of users you will find all the control you need. Parental settings, guest network settings and so on are all here. And with the app on your phone or tablet, you can control the system even when you are away.
Each unit has two Ethernet ports. The main unit will need one of them to connect to your internet modem. After that, they are all free to be used as you like (if you choose to be wired up at all). I have the main unit right by my Mac Mini so I have that hard wired in. Everything else in the house (a couple of laptops & tablets, phones and a couple of Echo Dots) are all using the Wi-Fi.
Ok, so how well does it work? Simply put, very very well. I had a very good router set up before this (also a Linksys). The big downfall to most routers is that even if it is very powerful you tend to lose some speed with distance. Power with most routers will give you distance but not always speed. Having run a series of speed tests, I am getting every ounce of internet speed that I am paying for in every corner of the house with the Velop. Literally, no drop off in speed even from the most distant of the three towers and that one is two floors down! Before, I had full speeds in the room with the router and although I had full house coverage, the speeds were down to less than half on the extreme fringes of the range. Now you can always hook up range extenders with most routers but that only extends your range, not your speed. With the way the Velop system works not only does it increase your reach, it maintains your speeds as well. Please don't confuse this with it making your Wi-Fi faster. No router can make the speeds coming into your home faster than what you are paying for. But this system keeps the Wi-Fi speeds consistent all thru the home and that is a major advantage over a traditional router with range extenders. Ever tried watching a tv show or movie on your tablet only to walk into another room and suddenly start having buffering issues because the speeds don't hold up? Well the Velop system goes a long ways towards fixing that. The Velop is really in my eyes the perfect router system. It gives you what most of us have been chasing after in a router for a long time. Consistent speed and signal strength. If you were to buy a good traditional router and several range extenders for your home it would cost around the same as the Velop. But the Velop works far better and is insanely easy to set up. It really is the perfect Wi-Fi system!
Duluthian
Duluth, MN
Follow up to my original review.
January 22, 2017
Still loving the Velop system after a couple of weeks of use. Solid performance. I did run into one issue that really isn't the Velop's problem but felt it might be helpful to share.
I use a Wemo switch to control a table lamp by way of the Echo Dot ( "Alexa, lights on/off"). It worked great before I hooked up the Velop but it took me some time to figure out why it wouldn't work with the Velop. The Wemo requires a 2.4ghz channel. The Velop uses 2.4ghz and 5ghz but they are not controllable. Therefore, the Wemo would not recognize the Velop's signal. My work around was actually simple and gave me a use for my old router. I simple plugged the old router into one of the Velop's ethernet ports and had the old router send out the dedicated 2.4ghz channel. Now I simple have the Wemo & Echo Dot hooked to that signal. Works like a charm. I would imaging this could be an issue for any other (mostly older) devices that only work on the 2.4ghz channel as well.
As I said before, this really isn't an issue of the Velop. It is really more an issue of the Wemo not being up to date with the current 5ghz channel. However, it is still something to keep in mind.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Duluthian's Questions
Duluthian has not submitted any questions.
Duluthian's Answers
The future of gaming has arrived with the WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD. Long load times are obsolete with PCIe® Gen4 technology, reaching up to 7,000MB/s read speed and up to 4,100MB/s write speed. Spend more time playing and less time deleting, storing your latest and favorite games with 500GB capacity (not intended for NAS or server environments). This WD_Black internal SSD has a compact form factor and a PCIe Gen4 interface for compatibility with select PCs or laptops.
what form factor is this m.2? My motherboard (x570 Unify) supports 2242/2260/2280 storage devices.
The Motorola MG8702 Gigabit Cable Modem with built-in AC3200 4X4 Router supports Gigabit Ethernet speed with advanced WiFi performance. Approved for Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Charter Spectrum services, this cable modem is also backwards compatible with 32x8 DOCSIS 3.0.
Is this a wifi router as well as a cable modem?
Acer 15 Chromebook: Enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life with this 15.6-inch Acer Chromebook. Its Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM load webpages quickly and provide lag-free streaming, and the 16GB of internal storage holds documents and photos. This Acer Chromebook has an HDMI port for connecting to a larger display.