Keep your head in the game with this Logitech G Pro headset. Its leatherette ear pads isolate surrounding noises to keep you focused, and its featherlight construction minimizes pressure for longer wear. This Logitech G Pro headset's microphone has a wide frequency response and low signal-to-noise ratio for improved communication with teammates and opponents.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This G PRO headset was used with a PC for gaming and evaluation. Like many of their gaming mice, Logitech has combined “light” with “durable” construction for this headset. Sound is excellent, and compatible with both Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos. Noise-cancellation is not available, but the ear cups fit nicely over the ears and minimize outside noise interference. The microphone is easy to adjust and very flexible, which I prefer to the hard plastic “flip down” design on some other headsets I have used. The headset is very light, and well cushioned for long periods of game play, especially when wearing glasses. The appearance is very conservative and may be especially attractive to the gamer who doesn’t desire a lot of splash on their headset (you can’t see it anyway, so comfort may win out over “sizzle” in this case). For the price, these are one of the better pairs of headsets for gaming. Audiophiles probably want to look elsewhere, but for game play and getting the nuances of sound needed to keep track of what is going on around you during game play, this headset is among one of the top performers in the price range.
G305 features the next-gen HERO sensor with 12,000 DPI sensitivity and LIGHTSPEED wireless 1 ms performance. It’s long-lasting with 250 gaming hours from one AA battery (an indicator light reminds you before you need a new AA), ultra-portable with built-in nano receiver storage, lightweight weighing in at 99 grams, and ready to game with 6 programmable buttons. G305 is the LIGHTSPEED wireless mouse for all.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The G305 is a step down from the G903 for gaming, but other than some missing bells and whistles, the G305 has essentially the same profile, feel, and performance for gaming applications. Not having the availability of a Bluetooth connection was somewhat disappointing but taking up a USB port with the unified receiver is not problem provided you have the USB port available. I tried the unified receiver with the USB pass-through on the Logitech G513 gaming keyboard, and the performance was excellent with no perceptible lag for any games evaluated. Once upon a time using a wireless mouse for gaming was risky due to the potential for lag at critical times, but Logitech has moved past this issue and although the “old school” gamers may insist that a wired connection is still more dependable, I found no issues with the wireless connection reliability and performance. Logitech has the shape of mice down to a fine art, and the G305 feels good in hand, and its hard to explain exactly but it is both light in hand but feels rugged and durable in construction. If you want to spend more, the G903 is the better gaming mouse, but the G305 provides essentially the same performance at a more affordable price point.
G513 is a high performance RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that features advanced technologies in a modern and sleek design. G513 includes full spectrum ~16.8M color RGB per key lighting with LIGHTSYNC technology, choice of mechanical switches, and a memory foam palmrest to deliver utmost comfort. G513 is the perfect blend of performance, advanced technologies and features, and unparalleled build quality and comfort.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Logitech definitely knows how to make a keyboard. Decided to have a try at this “clicky” keyboard after happily using a G810 Orion Spectrum (RGB) for over a year. Gaming needs are different from “office use” needs, and I found the G513 to be a very responsive keyboard, nicely sculpted and with the excellent Logitech customizations for the key color schemes, including individual key color programming. The G513 is, to my mind, more stylish – whereas the G810 is a more conservative approach. Again, for gaming, the G513 is the better keyboard provided you want the Blue Mechanical “clicky keys.” The G513 also has the USB pass-through, which is lacking on the G810. What the G513 does NOT have, that I am accustomed to, and prefer, on the G810, are: illumination on the 1-0 shift key functions (the ones I still forget which is which), and volume/media controls on the keyboard. These may not be that critical for a gaming keyboard, but I must admit I miss them after using the G810 for so long. My best advice for deciding on the gaming keyboard you want is to try them out on a store display, and read lots of reviews to get a feel for what to expect. Each person has particular preferences, particularly for high-intensity gaming, and if the functions on the G513 meet your requirements then you will not be disappointed in the style and construction of this keyboard.
Maximize your broadcast viewing enjoyment with this flat-panel ANTOP outdoor HDTV antenna. It captures UHF and VHF signals within its powerful 65-mile reception range, and its durable exterior resists moisture and UV damage. Install this ANTOP outdoor HDTV antenna on a wall or pole via its mounting bracket, or place it indoors with the included stand.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The performance of digital receivers is difficult to review or recommend. The same receiver in different locations in and around the house can yield significantly different results. These items are not “plug and play” like other electronics, they are “plug and fiddle around until you get the best results” items. I must have researched and read reviews for at least 20 different receivers, and reviews for the SAME receiver ranged from “no joy!” to “best ever!” – so much depends on where you are located and where you put the receiver and it seems your zodiac sign may have some affect as well. The best method seems to be “buy it and try it” to find out what will work best in your particular environment. Reading several hundred reviews left me with the impression that a lot of folks expect to hook up their receiver and immediately have great reception for every channel within 100 miles. That is not a realistic expectation, and the manufacturers and installers agree that “your mileage may vary” because of the many variables that affect signal reception.
The ANTOP is the 5th receiver I have tried (all from Best Buy), and here are the results going from least expensive to most expensive: *Least expensive > cute little indoor desktop receiver – got about 6 channels moving around to different INDOOR locations, some smearing and pixelating from time to time, otherwise picture quality OK. *A bit more expensive > (indoor/outdoor-ish) “small” leaf and “large” leaf models – got about 8 channels trying different INDOOR locations including attached to inside of window, some smearing and pixelating from time to time, otherwise picture quality OK. *ANTOP (indoor/outdoor) > got 8 channels trying different INDOOR locations, picture quality excellent. *Most expensive available (indoor/outdoor) > included in-line signal amplifier thingie > got 8 channels trying different INDOOR locations, picture quality excellent. So, with the ANTOP getting as many channels and as good a picture as the receiver that was 50% more expensive, the ANTOP was the best choice.
Now that the ANTOP was chosen, time to take it OUTDOORS and run it up a pole to see if there is any improvement. Once outside, the ANTOP reception almost doubled, picking up all 13 channels that are available within 80 miles, so it doesn’t get any better than that. Picture quality on all the channels was excellent – meaning I can’t tell the difference between the channels coming in over the internet connection compared to the channel coming in over the ANTOP receiver. The receiver is mounted lower than the top of the roof (stations are all in an “over the top of the roof” direction) and in the middle of a heavily wooded lot with very tall trees. Not an ideal location but all channels available are coming in crystal clear, so no need to raise the height or cut down any trees.
Other considerations are cosmetic appearance of the receiver, and mounting options for attic or outdoor installation. In both areas, the ANTOP comes out ahead. Appearance of the receiver is compact and stylish – there are pictures from several reviewers that show and comment on the appearance. The receiver is about the size of two shoeboxes, and not very heavy at 7-ish pounds. For use inside it is OK for me, kind of looks like some modernistic pottery or a jumbo-sized air freshener. For outside the house, I personally don’t care too much if an outdoor antenna looks like a traditional “forky” antenna or not, but I must admit the appearance of the ANTOP is streamlined and modern. For mounting, the ANTOP really has a lot of options. There is a mounting plate on the back that allows you to mount it on a wall with 4 “slide and lock” keyholes that make it easy to hang and remove from standing screws on an inside/outside wall. The mounting plate has a heavy-duty swivel mechanism, allowing for some adjustment in the angle of the receiver for tweaking the reception. In an attic, 4 screws in a 2x4 would provide all you need to mount the receiver. I chose to mount mine on a mast, and the included heavy-duty mounting bracket makes this very easy to install. Being old and brittle (me, not the receiver), I did not want to get involved with trying to set up a roof-mounted location, also considering the additional issues from attaching a lightning-rod to my roof in the middle of a heavily wooded lot. Instead, a $12 set of heavy-duty mounting brackets and a $20 chain link fence top-rail from the local home repair outlet were all that were needed for a functional receiver set-up (see pictures). All total took less than an hour to set the whole thing up and connect to the TV. It’s not the nicest-looking rig, but for $30 it works just fine for me. Thrifty? YES.
Bottom line for me is always “bang for the buck” and the ANTOP provides the best reception and picture at the lowest priced of all the receivers I tried. Looks good, mounts easily, and that about covers it. Of course, there is always the chance that buying a very expensive receiver and putting it on top of a 30’ tower would pull in more channels, but “cutting the cable” is supposed to save money – what’s the point if it ends up costing as much as a new car just to watch the 6:00 news from the local channel?
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Mounting Brackets - Separate Purchase (I know the screws are supposed to go the other way, but the nuts are easier to tighten like this)
Experience power and portability with this HP ENVY laptop. Its Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM provide smooth performance while multitasking, and a 17-inch touchscreen makes split-screening easier. Thanks to a slim, lightweight design and up to 9 hours of battery life, this HP ENVY laptop is ideal for working on the go.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Other than the super-sized gaming laptops that push 10 pounds, this laptop is “King of the Hill” (or “Queen of the Castle” if you prefer). Other reviews from more educated folks go into the technical details, which are interesting to some but mostly I was interested in whether this laptop looks good, performs well, and is reasonably light enough to carry around from home to office and go on the road for visits and vacation traveling.
Looks good? This machine shows well with a very nice brushed aluminum body and smooth lines. There is an accent trim at the back hinge, which adds to the sleek appearance. Overall a very nice look without a lot of billboard logos and brand-name engraving. You want a different look? Lots of inexpensive skins are available online so google a few and customize to your heart’s content. Me, I put my college logo on and that’s all I need to satisfy.
Performs Well? Newest Intel laptop processor, plenty of RAM, large hard drive, and probably the best feature is the “Optane” system to boost the 7200-rpm hard drive performance. Originally, I was wondering why HP would put a spinning platter hard drive in a new model machine when solid state drives have dropped in price, but after using this laptop for a few days and running some performance benchmarks, I have to say the new “Optane” card that goes in the M.2 slot is an excellent design decision that keeps the cost down for the laptop while providing speedy performance and large storage capacity. Running a CrystalDiskMark benchmark and comparing this laptop to my desktop, which has a Samsung 840 PRO SSD, the laptop’s read speed surprisingly OUTPERFORMED the 840 PRO by a wide margin! (see attached results). The write speed of the laptop was lower, but that’s not an issue as the read speed is what opens programs and keeps the computer running smoothly. In real-world terms: Is the laptop “snappy” when starting up and opening programs? YEP! Boot time is 14 seconds from power-on to the welcome screen and then maybe 30 more seconds for the system to fully boot and "settle down" after swiping the fingerprint scanner... I have a buncha little desktop gadgets (Addgadgets & Rainmeter) and 5 cloud drives + MS OneNote and MS Teams that start up with the system boot, so that prolongs the startup time for all the gadgets and gizmos and drives to start up. A “clean” boot without all the additional stuff would be 30 seconds, tops. Side-by-side the Envy’s “Optane” system is pretty much the same snappiness when opening programs and browsing as my i5/SSD desktop system, so what's not to like about that?
Reasonable Portability? How heavy is too heavy? Along with a large hunk of laptop real estate like this one, there is weight to consider. Compared to my little 2.45 lb. Pixelbook, this laptop is considerably heavier at 6.41 lbs. Compared to a bowling ball, this laptop is considerably lighter. Is this something you want to carry around with you all day while hiking or climbing stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower? Probably not – maybe take your phone instead? Is this something you can carry out to the car, carry in to work, or take along when traveling or visiting friends? Absolutely no problem! If I want portability, there are phones and tablets and Chromebooks and small 2-in-1 laptops. If I want to sit down for a while and do some serious work, nothing is nicer (to me) than a full-sized keyboard with a nice big readable screen. Just my opinion and your mileage may vary, but I’m tired of hunching over a mini-machine and squinting at a mini-screen when I’m not around my home desktop – this honkin’ big laptop is well worth the few extra pounds in transit and gives me plenty of room to pitch a tent and spread out comfortably.
Bonus features! *Quarter acre touchpad - Wow the touchpad is just shy of 2.5 x 4.5 inches (smallish 3x5 card) plenty roomy and not the squeezed down little post-it note size that cramps your fingers when using for extended periods. *Fingerprint reader – First one of those I have had and don’t know about the other ones, but one touch of the fingertip and I’m logged in… excuse me but that’s just too cool! *CD/DVD player (and burner) – What to do with all those CDs & DVDs you have bought over the years? Quit fighting with the kids and let them have the TV for gaming while you use those sound-isolating Bluetooth earbuds and watch your favorite movies (or catch a few tunes) that have been collecting dust in the cabinet drawers. Audio jack also available for that nice headset you haven’t used in a while. *Bang & Olufsen Audio speakers – In case the dog ate your Bluetooth earbuds (that’s another story), you can fire up a nice set of built-in speakers. I’m no audiophile, but the better half stuck her head in the office door and asked me to turn them down as she could hear it in the kitchen… what does that tell you? *Plugs and connections galore! Hook up an external monitor, a TV, a set of speakers, a USB thingamajig, charge your phone, whaddever you got there is a plug for it and another plug to spare when you get done. *SD Card Slot – been a while for me but the photo buffs might like having one of these handy. Standard sized SD Card so you can write the programs for your Raspberry Pi or Arduino or pull the videos off your GoPro or Drone without have to plug in an adapter. *Doubles as a nifty serving tray! Seriously, I was carrying this through the house and got this sudden image of a waiter carrying a serving tray. No kidding, this thing can be used to serve breakfast in bed! *Future Proof – Hey if you want to go crazy a year or two down the road and put in a honkin’ big SSD and toss in a super-speed M.2 PCIe NVMe drive when the prices come down, you are good to go. The CPU, motherboard, and up-to-date connections are there if you get the itch and want to spend the money.
Look, you are either tired of being a hipster trying to look cool using a squeezed-down super-mini micro-machine with all the bells and whistles but a screen and keyboard that give you eye strain, finger cramps, and a sore back from hunching over, or you are not. If you are ready to “go retro” and enjoy a nice big laptop with plenty of room for your fingers to stretch out and a nice big screen for your viewing pleasure – here you go!
As a teacher, I look forward to my first faculty meeting in a few weeks when I sit next to my buddies with their little postage-stamp sized Surface Pros and casually plunk down this dominating chunk of hardware. Full sized keyboard, nice big screen for tired old eyes, and plenty of horsepower to get the job done and then some. I will watch those next to me hunched down over their little 2-in-1 devices and be able to give a little smile and modestly observe that “Mine is bigger than yours!” … Bada Boom & LOL.
Run programs on this 12.3-inch HP Chromebook convertible laptop. Its detachable touch-screen display lets you enjoy brilliant 2K content, and you can write and draw on it with the included Active Pen. This HP Chromebook convertible laptop has 32GB of storage, and its Intel Core m3 processor and 4GB of RAM provide smooth performance.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I have been waiting for a nice Chromebook tablet to come on the market, and the HP 2X was a nice surprise, offering the best available for a “pure tablet” but also having the keyboard for more extensive work on documents and emails. After putting the HP 2X through the paces, I must say that this Chromebook does it all, and seems to be the logical next step for having one device that meets a lot of different needs and circumstances. The keyboard is nice to have for email and office work, then converts to a pure tablet form when going to “walkaround” use, games, or just browsing the internet. This review brings up the PIxelbook for comparison, as the Pixelbook is accepted as the high-end industry standard and the ruler that newer Chromebooks are measured with. The HP 2X has been used side-by-side with a PIxelbook to provide the observations and opinions in this review. The HP X2 easily falls into the class of the “high end” Chromebook, coming in a solid second place behind the Pixelbook. I have both, and the Pixelbook still ranks higher in terms of design, performance, fit, and finish… but the HP X2 is a very attractive Chromebook and depending on your preferences, may be a better choice for you than a Pixelbook. To me, the main attraction of the HP 2X is the ability to detach the keyboard and use as a walkaround tablet. Of course, you are leaving the keyboard behind and need to make provisions for what to do with the keyboard, so that needs to be considered. The build, fit, and finish of the HP is high-end, and it feels solid in hand. There is good action on the keyboard, similar to a Surface Pro. Battery life is outstanding, lasting a full day of use unless being used for gaming or watching videos, which cuts the battery down to 6-8 hours. The screen has good colors and is easily viewed from different angles. Side-by-side with a PIxelbook, the screens are almost identical – maybe the HP is not quite as sharp but it’s a close call. For speed and multiple applications, the HP 2X and Pixelbook are, again, very close with the Pixelbook being a little more responsive when there is lots going on at the same time. In tablet mode, the HP 2X is snappier than any android tablet I have used. The HP 2X does not leave anything to be desired in terms of performance and appearance, so to me it boils down to what you want to do with your Chromebook. If you want a Chromebook that is more of a laptop for office and classroom use, the Pixelbook may be better as the keyboard is more comfortable to use over an extended time, with greater built-in storage. Of course the HP 2X has a micro-sd slot for storage expansion, which the Pixelbook does not offer. If you are more interested in being able to “walk around” with your Chromebook in tablet mode, there is really no question that the HP 2X is a better choice. Although the PIxelbook folds over to tablet mode, you have to deal with the exposed keyboard. With the HP 2X, you are in “pure tablet” without the bulk and weight of the keyboard – a much more satisfying experience! In terms of value and “bang for the buck”… I must say that the HP 2X is the better value. It is well-built, has plenty of processing power, excellent battery life, comes with pen included (thanks HP), and the detachable keyboard ‘pure tablet mode’ is definitely a very attractive feature. Interesting to notice that the Pixelbook price dropped (for the time being) $250 just prior to the HP 2X coming on the market. I think that was a direct response to the pricing, performance, and features of the HP 2X.
Toshiba 4K UHD Fire TV Edition is a new generation of smart TVs featuring the Fire TV experience built-in and including a Voice Remote with Alexa. With true-to-life 4K Ultra HD picture quality and access to all the movies and TV shows you love, Toshiba Fire TV Edition delivers a superior TV experience that gets smarter every day. The Voice Remote with Alexa lets you do everything you'd expect from a remote—plus, easily launch apps, search for TV shows, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices and more, using just your voice.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Everything I need at the right price - no remorse!
on June 17, 2018
Posted by: banjo
from macon, ga
Toshiba - 55” Class – LED - 2160p – Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR – Fire TV Edition
Best Buy is getting the knack of putting excellent “price point” electronics on the market. An example would be an Asus gaming laptop I recently purchased. The laptop didn’t have EVERYTHING that the higher priced models have (obviously, I guess) but it has EVERTHING I NEED. This TV is another excellent example. Does it have EVERY bell and whistle that is currently available on the market (regardless of price)? Nope, but it has WHAT I NEED to enjoy my first large screen TV and get an excellent picture along with assistance in CUTTING THE CABLE with the built in Amazon Fire TV. We had already jumped on the cable-cutting bandwagon using a smaller TV by picking up both a Roku and Amazon Prime, which the better half got the hang of in about a week of playing around and looking for the channels and shows that she wanted to watch. This TV seemed like a good choice to move to a large screen size for the next step, with the built-in Fire TV and Alexa Voice Remote. As a side note, we have just started playing around with an Alexa Dot and that’s another story for another product review, but an amazing and very engaging device in itself.
Back to the TV, this appliance exceeded my expectations for picture quality. It gets awful confusing when researching all the technology issues for today’s TVs, and my main concern with this model was the 60Hz refresh rate compared to the “latest and greatest” 120Hz refresh rates that are being pushed to justify the cost of the high-end models. I guess there is a difference, but after looking at the picture on this TV with the 60Hz refresh rate, if there is a difference I can’t tell what it is. Maybe from time to time something will be on the screen that the high refresh rate handles better, but money is money and for this price point I will accept a little micro-second blip once in a blue moon and keep the money for something else. I say this tongue in cheek, because we have viewed TV shows, movies, and sports on this TV in high definition and this movie might look better than that movie (or show), but they ALL look great!
Set up was easy, take the TV out of the box, attach the legs, plug it in, connect to the home wireless network, and the TV goes through an easy to follow setup routine. Add your Amazon Prime account login (really, that’s a great thing to have) and we were off and running. Since we already had the Roku and a Hulu Live subscription, all it took was unplugging the Roku from the little TV and connecting to this beautiful panel. There are a few things on the Roku that the better half wants to keep watching, so that stays as part of the package. We are still WAY AHEAD of what the monthly cable bill USED to be.
The sound system on the TV was fine, but we already had a nice little Polk Audio system with sound bar and sub-woofer (Best Buy, of course) so that got plugged in and makes the viewing experience much nicer.
Amazon Alexa is built in to the remote control, all you must do is push a button and tell Alexa what you want to watch. I was thinking about connecting the Alexa Dot to the TV, but it doesn’t seem necessary at this point and the Dot will stay in the office to tell me bad jokes, provide weather reports, remind me of upcoming to-do tasks, and find the music that I like. The Amazon Fire remote control itself is a breath of fresh air, check out the picture on the product description… the little TV we have been using has about a zillion buttons on the remote that I can’t read anyway, but the remote with this TV is MUCH easier to use and having Alexa at the touch of a button makes it all the more simple.
The old DVD player hooked right up, but with the R/W/Y composite cables it looks like the next thing to get is an up-to-date disk player with HDMI to get the full viewing experience. I saved enough on this TV to make it a no-brainer to pick up a disc player. Honestly, the stacks of DVDs will probably go the way of the old records and cassette tapes – put in a box in a closet. There is so much available online at the touch of a button (or now all it takes is a word or two to Alexa) that playing a DVD almost seems like too much trouble. A few nice Blu-Rays might be tempting, but the quality of today’s online content moves that down on the list of priorities (and expense).
Back to the opening observations at the beginning of this review, the PRICE POINT of this TV is excellent. There is always something better no matter what you buy, so the main concern I always have is getting what I NEED to enjoy the technology experience, and not have regrets a few months down the road that I “woulda, coulda, shoulda” gone with the newer/faster/better/expensive choices. This TV fills the bill, provides everything I need, makes for a MUCH more enjoyable viewing experience, and doesn’t break the bank. Best Buy has hit the nail on the head, again, by setting an attractive price point for this product in collaboration with Amazon (smile) and Toshiba.
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to the Geek Squad guys that came out to deliver this TV. They said they hadn’t had a chance to get a look at this new model and hung around to see what’s what with the new product, so they could spread the word back at the store and answer questions from customers. They were also impressed with the easy setup and out-of-the-box performance of this new generation Smart TV from Best Buy.
Hear high-resolution in-game audio with this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO gaming headset. Its 50mm drivers and noise-isolating acoustic chambers provide optimal sonic performance, and the flip-to-mute microphone is simple to use. This Plantronics RIG 500 PRO gaming headset comes with a Dolby Atmos activation code for your Xbox One or Windows 10 system.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Comfortable for long gaming sessions + good sound.
on June 16, 2018
Posted by: banjo
from macon, ga
Plantronics – RIG 500 PRO PC Gaming Headset
These were tested by my resident gaming enthusiast who has gone through 4 or 5 headsets in the past few years, some economy and some more expensive units in the $100+ category. He reports the following results: Very lightweight and comfortable – the soft self-adjusting headband provides a comfortable and secure fit. The ear cups are great for long-term gaming and do not make ears sore like some other headsets he has used. Microphone very clear according to other gamers during gameplay and chats. Sound quality is the best of all headsets so far – which includes both mainstream and less well-known companies. Some concern with the cord being short to reach CPU on the floor, but an inexpensive sound extension cable took care of that. This model does not have USB connection, rather has dual Mic/Sound plugs that go in the back of the CPU. That’s not a problem as almost every motherboard has those plugs, but this may explain why the cord seems too short – it must go around to the back of the CPU instead of plugging in to USB port on the front side. Those with sound panel plugs on the front may not have this concern. NOTE: if you do not have Mic/Sound plugs on your device, do NOT get this headset unless you also get an adapter to convert plugs to USB connection. Software download for bonus Dolby Atmos software went smoothly and provides good sound enhancement. The gamer recommends this headset as being the best so far and his father appreciates the price.
Wacom Intuos wireless pen tablet has been designed for those who are getting started drawing, painting or photo editing with their Mac, PC, Chromebook or select Android smartphones/tablets. Enjoy the convenience of wireless creating with built in Bluetooth - or connect the graphics tablet directly to your computer with the included USB cable. Whether it’s the pressure-sensitive pen, the stylish design, the included software or online tutorials, Wacom Intuos is all you need to get creative digitally. Wacom Intuos can also be used to easily write, edit or convey ideas to in education or remote work settings. This product works with devices capable of running the latest version of Chrome OS and has been certified to meet Google's compatibility standards. Google is not responsible for the operation of this product or its compliance with safety requirements. Chromebook, Android, and the Works With Chromebook badge are trademarks of Google LLC.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Wanted to re-try the drawing pad concept after less than fulfilling experimentation with an early Bamb** tablet several years ago. The improvements are remarkable, particularly with the wireless Bluetooth capability, and finally I am comfortable investing the time to learn how to use a pen tablet. If you are looking for an expert opinion from an experienced pen tablet user, please look elsewhere. If you are just getting started and want something that works, is easy to use, and very responsive to the pen input… we are in the same place.
Setup is pretty easy. Drivers need to be downloaded from the Wacom web site (not a problem) and installing the driver software just took a minute or two. The Bluetooth pairs without problems on Windows 10 system. The tablet can be used with USB cable to charge/connect or using Bluetooth wireless connection. Once the tablet gets charged up, the Bluetooth is very nice and allows the tablet to be moved around or held in the most comfortable position.
Drawing without looking at the tablet will take some getting used to, but there is some good software that comes along with the tablet and extensive video tutorials. Another user suggested the open source software Krita, and that looks very promising as well. Nice software packages at no additional cost, what’s not to like about that? I chose the small sized tablet to keep the desktop from getting too crowded, and the larger size seemed to be a little bit intimidating for a beginner (that’s me).
There is a separate tablet control console, which has an abundance of settings for pen sensitivity and programmable keys on the tablet. Too much to learn at first, and I am confident that this tablet has all the bells and whistles currently available to make the learning experience worth the time invested. I keep getting back to having a device that is adequate, since it will take me a considerable amount of time to get the hang of the device and software. I’m not interested in spending a lot of time just to find out down the road that I should have gotten something better. With this tablet, I don’t have that concern. Wacom has been around quite a while, and this tablet seems to be “future proof” for quite some time. Maybe a larger tablet will be in order later on, but I expect this design will still be available to make a future upgrade to a larger tablet go smoothly.
Can’t say much about the battery life with this being so new on the desk, but other reviews seem to indicate that several days of use is reasonable, and it’s very easy to top off the charge with the universal USB connection. Not worried about battery life, and if I end up using the tablet with one of my laptops, I expect the laptop will run out of juice long before this tablet.
Of the available “bonus” software, the Clip Studio seems very interesting, and after installation and registering the software there is an abundance of additional material that can be downloaded to help with the drawing process. The open source (free) Krita drawing software seems to have most everything for basic drawing, so I opted for the Corel After Shot to focus on photo editing and the Clip Studio to put a toe in the water on creative drawing and animation. Your mileage may vary but these are my choices to try and cover as many bases as possible to get started.
This seems like a good tablet to start down the road to creative digital art, and should be future-proof for quite some time.
ASUS Laptop: Experience powerful gaming performance in a slim, compact package with this 15.6-inch ASUS laptop. Its 16GB of DDR4 RAM and Intel Core i7 processor let you multitask between programs, and its GTX 1060 graphics card smoothly renders 3D scenes. This ASUS laptop has a 1TB HDD, 8GB SSHD and 128GB SSD for versatile storage options and fast boot times.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Good price point and the right amount of sizzle...
on April 26, 2018
Posted by: banjo
from macon, ga
Good price point and very polished look with just the right amount of sizzle….
As a more mature gamer, I like having good quality equipment that is tasteful in appearance for daily use but still has enough “sizzle” to stand out from the crowd. This laptop fits the requirements, and is a good BB ‘private label’ model to steer you towards BestBuy to get a premium gaming laptop at a very nice price point. Best Buy made a good marketing decision on what to keep on this machine to keep the performance high and save a few hundred bucks off the price of the similar ASUS model.
The pictures I saw of the laptop before seeing it in person did not do it justice. I was expecting kind of a “plastic case” appearance, but in the hands the machine feels very solid with a nice brushed finish on the metal case. The overall look is of a well-built and nicely styled laptop, very slim in appearance with some nicely stated color accents around the edges and the illuminated ROG logo on the lid. The ROG logo is one of the “sizzle” features that makes this laptop stand out (tastefully) in the crowd. The RGB keyboard really adds the final “pop” – quite eye-catching and very programmable. If it is too much for the occasion (as in school or office use) then the keyboard RGB effects can be turned off or put on single color just as a standard backlit keyboard. The 5.5 pound weight is not that much different from most laptops of the same size, and actually much less in the hand than other gaming laptops I have looked at. Final comments here are don’t go by the picture, see if you can get your hands on a laptop before spending the money and be sure it looks and feels premium – this one certainly does. In terms of hardware - for me, this machine has all the needed features of high-performance CPU, SSD, plenty of RAM, good storage space, and a very nice screen. There are also plenty of USB ports, with 1 Thunderbolt and HDMI. I must say having the Thunderbolt is nice as that is starting to be the way to go in the future to have one connection that rules them all. Quick comment that it was surprising at first not to have a network plug as that has almost always been pretty much standard on any laptop you look at. In the real world a hardwire connection is not needed that often, and have already gotten an inexpensive connector for Ethernet plug if the need should ever arise. Lack of a network plug has not been a problem – even when first setting up the machine it connected to home wireless system and was up and running without a hitch.
The hardware, styling, and performance are what I want and expect from an up-to-date gaming laptop, but having all of this at the price point set for the Best Buy model is what really makes the package nice. What I am saying I guess is that there are a good number of gaming laptops on the market, but this model hits all the sweet spots for me, has better specs than many, performs at a high level, and comes in with an attractive price for a well-built and well-styled machine.
I will be playing around with VR soon, and this unit passes the STEAM VR-Ready benchmarks with plenty of room to spare – no problem there. I have only had the laptop a short while, but with several current games set at high to ultra settings the laptop is able to provide a smooth, visual gaming experience. There will always be some games that need to be dropped down from the very highest settings to run at their best, but that is to be expected considering this laptop has the 1060 video chip. Just a technical note for you – if you are looking at the 1060 be sure you go with the 6gig of RAM and not the 3gig version on some of the mid-range machines. More RAM is really needed to get higher performance from the 1060 chipset. As always, you can spend more money to get a higher 1070 or 1080 video chipset, but this machine is about having a good price point and not about having the best of everything regardless of the price. No problems with a little compromise when you consider the quality of the components, sturdiness of construction, and attractive price of this laptop.
Logitech Orion Spectrum RGB Keyboard: This keyboard's Romer-G mechanical switches respond quickly to your keystrokes to minimize lag time during fast-action game sequences. Plus, you can create a custom look with programmable intelligent RGB illumination.
Overall5 out of 5
Great for older geeks who don't need the "sizzle"
Bybanjofrommacon, ga
Actually the "top of the line" G910 gaming keyboard was marked down to a lower price when I got this, but too much "gamer" stuff on the G910 and not for an 'older professional' who wants to appear more mature than his 13-year-old gaming son. IMO the G910 wasn't selling as well as hoped, and the G810 is (to me) the superior model in design, appearance, and performance. This G810 looks professional on the desk, has OUTSTANDING color display (note that the 'special' keys on the number keys are also illuminated -- missing on many of the other illuminated keyboards - aren't these ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) the ones you can never remember when typing in the dark?), no "bottom of the keys" light spillover that takes away from the illumination focus, superior engineering on the Romer-G switches (Check out the tour of the Romer-G factory in Japan on YouTube), and feels like a BRICK in the hand (a GOOD BRICK) with heavy-duty construction. The 3-way adjustable tilt and huge rubber feet on the bottom will keep this from sliding around on any desk, including glass-tops. The only thing that makes this look like a "gamer rig" is the FABULOUS and CRISP color displays... which are easy to see even with the lights on in the room > fully adjustable to get it just the way you want at home or at work. I may be an old-timer, but I don't mind showing off a little bit and this keyboard is an EYE-CATCHER when the lights start doing the 'wave' across the keyboard! I read all the reviews and fiddled with the keyboards on display and there seem to be "Logitech Nay-Sayers" who can't bear the idea of using anything other than the older design "cherry" keys. I have gone from manual touch-typing > to I B M Selectric > to I B M 'clicky' keyboard (still one of my favorites) > to membranes > to whatever-cheapo-keyboard Dell includes in their educational computers > to a Saitek PK17U Cyborg > to this keyboard. This one is the best by FAR! Re: keys... you get a little 'click' so the sound and some tactile/touch reinforcement for keyboarding (typing) is there, but not too loud and for me just enough to let me know I hit the key. Yes it feels different from the cheapo Dell keyboard i just unplugged and replaced, but every keyboard is different and this one feels like driving a luxury car! Speaking of my son, he is now looking over at my new keyboard and looking at his illuminated keyboard and I think I know what he will be asking for come Christmas. Fortunately, the box still had the promotion of free download and activation code for "The Division" so the kid has something to keep him busy until Santa Claus comes. If you are an old crab like me, but like a little 'sizzle' when using your computer and want to treat yourself to a smooth-as-silk keyboard... this is the one I would recommend. Leave the "whoopee" keyboards to the kids. PS - you can hit a quick button on the keyboard and turn off the light display if you want to turn off the light show for a while.
Mentioned that my son was keeping an eye on my G810 from the get-go... first time I let him 'test drive' my G810 he says "ooooh, that feels nice" and decided he wanted to go to mechanical keyboard. He has a 'gamer' RBD keyboard (non-mechanical) with extra bells and whistles he has been using for a year or two, but instantly fell in love with the mechanical feel. Just gave him a "Week before Christmas" present of his own G810. He had his pick of the models available, and after tapping some keys and looking at the different models chose to get the G810. Just goes to show the "fancy schmancy" keyboards might look more-cooler-better but the proof is in the feel of the keys. It's a keyboard, after all.
Enjoy Full HD viewing with this 25-inch HP micro-edge display. It has one VGA and two HDMI inputs for versatile, high-definition connectivity, and its edge-to-edge panel lets you opt for a clean-looking multi-monitor setup. Play video games smoothly thanks to the AMD FreeSync technology of this thin HP micro-edge display.
There was no vga cable in the box. Should I go to best buy or hp?
Enjoy Full HD viewing with this 25-inch HP micro-edge display. It has one VGA and two HDMI inputs for versatile, high-definition connectivity, and its edge-to-edge panel lets you opt for a clean-looking multi-monitor setup. Play video games smoothly thanks to the AMD FreeSync technology of this thin HP micro-edge display.
What vesa mount adapter do I need to mount this display?
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.
Does this device allow you to create file folders that I can be accessed while on a website? I need to transfer pics from my notepad and then upload them by accessing the folder from my companies website.
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.
Oh my goodness! You must have been shipped the Australian model that is used south of the equator! LOL but seriously folks simply hit ctrl+shift+refresh. The refresh key is the one with the spinning arrow. It'll rotate the screen 90 degrees. Do that again since 90+90=180 degrees which is half-way round the circle. Peace out...
Logitech Orion Spectrum RGB Keyboard: This keyboard's Romer-G mechanical switches respond quickly to your keystrokes to minimize lag time during fast-action game sequences. Plus, you can create a custom look with programmable intelligent RGB illumination.
Does this game as of 7/15/16 still come w/ a free The Division key?
I just picked one up 8/21/16 and it had the "Offer" logo on the box and a cupon inside.... should be good to go as long as your box has the "Offer" logo on it....
With a Super AMOLED capacitive touch screen and built-in Wi-Fi, this Samsung Galaxy S III I747 BLUE cell phone makes it easy to navigate Web content while you're on the go. The 8.0MP camera lets you snap photos to share with friends and relatives.This device is not warrantied through the manufacturer. This device has a limited 1 year warranty provided by CCR Warranty. To obtain technical or warranty assistance, please contact CCR Warranty at 866-579-8436.
s dis fon new or refurbished n does it take simple mobile Sim card