grimmace's stats
- Review count140
- Helpfulness votes283
- First reviewSeptember 18, 2007
- Last reviewApril 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentJune 8, 2016
- Last review commentJune 8, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
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- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
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- Answer count16
- Helpfulness votes16
- First answerMarch 3, 2010
- Last answerJanuary 12, 2022
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- Best answers1
With the Roomba Vac Essential robot, cleaning floors is simple. Simply use the iRobot Home App or press the clean button and let it get to work. This high-tech yet uncomplicated robot has the essential features people love with powerful suction for a deep clean. And it has a low-profile design, so it can grab dirt and dust from hard-to-reach places, like under the couch. It has smart navigation and an Edge-Sweeping Brush, so sensors help it navigate around furniture and avoid falling down stairs while it meticulously cleans your floors, including corners and edges.
Customer Rating
4
Decent entry level vacuum
on April 12, 2024
Posted by: grimmace
This iRobot Roomba Vac Essential does fine overall. It’s a standard robot vacuum. Good amount of battery, and can clean for over 2 hours depending on the setting. Not to big or heavy. Does a good job at vacuuming carpet. The dust bin is easy to remove and reinstall and comes with a brush to easily clean the filter and cut items tangled in the brush. The unit only has three buttons, everything you need to do can be done through the app, but basic functions can be done on the unit. You will have to make an account with iRobot.
Setup was easy overall, except for verifying, it was a hassle. The unit only has a 2.4GHz radio which his to be expected on a lower end model, so that’s not an issue. Make sure your phone is on the 2.4GHz radio for initial setup. It was trying to set it up. I was stuck on verifying for a while. I had a strong wi-fi signal, and it said it connected fine. After doing some research, it seems to have been my mesh network. Once I turned off my other mesh units and only had one radio one, it connected fine. But, you shouldn’t have to turn off part of your network to connect. After connecting the initial time, it connected with no issues with the mesh wireless back on 2 radios. The remaining setup is putting on the side brush and readying the dust bin for use.
Setup was easy overall, except for verifying, it was a hassle. The unit only has a 2.4GHz radio which his to be expected on a lower end model, so that’s not an issue. Make sure your phone is on the 2.4GHz radio for initial setup. It was trying to set it up. I was stuck on verifying for a while. I had a strong wi-fi signal, and it said it connected fine. After doing some research, it seems to have been my mesh network. Once I turned off my other mesh units and only had one radio one, it connected fine. But, you shouldn’t have to turn off part of your network to connect. After connecting the initial time, it connected with no issues with the mesh wireless back on 2 radios. The remaining setup is putting on the side brush and readying the dust bin for use.
After setup and charging the unit was ready to go. The unit was placed in a ~500sq ft that has furniture and some tables in it. Overall, the unit got around fine and did the whole room getting a good amount of dirt. I tried it on high suction next, there are 3 suction levels, and it ran out of power in the middle of cleaning, and did not return to base. It just stopped with nothing around it. On high suction it happened more than once. It got under couches and chairs with no issues and backed up on running into things. I did try it near some stairs, and it would stop and turn around upon sensing them. For cleaning the brush is in the middle of the unit. So, there is a ~3.5” gap from the brush to the end of the unit. The add on brush helps, but it doesn’t get in and clean, it just moves dirt on top into the main brush. So, edges may have to be cleaned with another device. The unit is not very loud even on high suction. Unless the sun is directly in the way of the base station, it found it’s back to recharge. When it couldn’t it was easy to place the unit on the base for it to charge.
Using the unit through the app was easy and the unit can be controlled anywhere on the web. You can make schedules and see the history of when and how it vacuumed. The dust bin is easy to remove, and open. Shake the dirt out, use the included brush to remove anything from the filter, and replace. Consumables, brush, filter etc are tracking and replacements can be bought through the app. Overall, the unit does a good job. Setup can be a hassle, and edge cleaning will need some help. But for a lower end unit it does a good job.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Type and click across computers effortlessly with the Logitech MK955 Signature Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo made out of recycled plastic. Make work-life magic with customization and shortcuts that keep you in control of your wireless mouse and keyboard. Enjoy fast, precise scrolling and a familiar laptop-style keyboard feel that allows you to work even smarter with the Logi Options+ App’s custom shortcuts. Quiet keyboard typing and mouse clicking give you more focus and less disturbance to others. Connect wirelessly with Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt USB receiver, and stay concentrated for longer with up to 36 months of battery life for the wireless keyboard and 24 months for the wireless mouse for larger hands.
Customer Rating
5
MX keys lite keyboard and mouse
on March 27, 2024
Posted by: grimmace
This Logitech set is lower priced version of the MX keys set. Same quality build, but with changes to cost down on costs. The main difference being the MK955 set comes with regular replaceable batteries, 1xAA and 2xAAA, vs the MX Keys coming with built in rechargeable batteries. The mouse doesn’t have the vertical scroll or gestures button either. But everything else on from the higher end set is in the MK955. The MK955 set is lightweight and can easily be carried.
The MK955 comes with a Bolt receiver for plug and play use. The mouse and keyboard can be assigned to up to 3 difference devices, I used PC and Android with no issues. I had no issues connecting through Bluetooth or using the supplied Bolt receiver. The keyboard and the mouse both have a slot to store the receiver when you need to travel with the set or one piece at a time. The slot is in the battery compartment for both. The keyboard is full sized with a keypad. It is designed to feel like a laptop keyboard and it does. Travel and response are good on the keys. Travel is short like on a laptop. The keys backlight as you approach the keyboard to be ready as you start to type. Backlighting is at a nice brightness. The keyboard is very quiet. The mouse, M750L is a good size and meant for larger hands. It felt fine in mine. It has left, right, middle/ scroll wheel, forward and back buttons. The mouse tracked well with no issues in the OS, office, or games. The function of some buttons and keys can be changed in the Options Plus software.
The MK955 keyboard and mouse set looks nice and has all of the features you’d want at less than the MX Keys price. At full size, you get all of the keyboard keys you need. Wireless and lightweight, the set will work on multiple OS devices with no issues. This is another solid mouse and keyboard from Logitech.
The MK955 comes with a Bolt receiver for plug and play use. The mouse and keyboard can be assigned to up to 3 difference devices, I used PC and Android with no issues. I had no issues connecting through Bluetooth or using the supplied Bolt receiver. The keyboard and the mouse both have a slot to store the receiver when you need to travel with the set or one piece at a time. The slot is in the battery compartment for both. The keyboard is full sized with a keypad. It is designed to feel like a laptop keyboard and it does. Travel and response are good on the keys. Travel is short like on a laptop. The keys backlight as you approach the keyboard to be ready as you start to type. Backlighting is at a nice brightness. The keyboard is very quiet. The mouse, M750L is a good size and meant for larger hands. It felt fine in mine. It has left, right, middle/ scroll wheel, forward and back buttons. The mouse tracked well with no issues in the OS, office, or games. The function of some buttons and keys can be changed in the Options Plus software.
The MK955 keyboard and mouse set looks nice and has all of the features you’d want at less than the MX Keys price. At full size, you get all of the keyboard keys you need. Wireless and lightweight, the set will work on multiple OS devices with no issues. This is another solid mouse and keyboard from Logitech.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Draw more frames and win more games with the brand new Strix G18 and Windows 11 Home. Powered by a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX Processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU boasting a max TGP of 175W with Dynamic Boost, be ready to dominate the competition in all of the latest games.
Customer Rating
5
High end gaming laptop has it all
on March 10, 2024
Posted by: grimmace
At this price, the laptop should be a beast, and it is. Unlike many other gaming laptops there really is nothing to add. 2.5GB LAN, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia 4080, I9-14900HX, 2 TB M.2, Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 6E, HDMI, USC-C, and a large 18” screen. The main specs show this should be great and it is. Due to its size, it’s heavier than most laptops. The plastic case looks nice and has RGB lights on the bottom front. The case is solid and didn’t flex much. The Asus symbol does not light up. The rear of the sides, and entire back are vents for the cooling. The ports are on the sides to the middle and front of the case. If you do want to add anything to the laptop hardware wise, just unscrew the bottom, note the screws, they do come in different sizes, and you can add another M.2 or change memory etc. It’s easy to open and access slots if wanted. The only update I made to this machine was upgrading it form Windows 11 Home to Pro.
Turning it on and at idle is pretty quiet. At gaming or stressing it the fan noise is noticeable. The keyboard never got so hot to the touch I couldn’t use it. An almost full size keyboard layout is nice. The keypad is a little scrunched, but at least it has one. Asus filled the space offered by the 18” screen, with a full keyboard layout, and a large touchpad. With plenty of room to rest your wrists. They also have dedicated keys for computer options as well as the F keys serving 2 functions. The keys are lit and can be assigned colors through the Asus Crate program.
The LAN 2.5GB port got throughout of ~220MB/s and the Wi-Fi6E showed a 2404 connection rate and a throughput of ~190MB/s. Both were transferring a 8GB video file. Either way, if you can support the top speeds, you’ll be able to transfer files fast.
The screen is large for a laptop 18”, 2560x1600 resolution. My screen had no issues and looked great. No bleeding and colors looked good. I was also able to connect to a 3440x 1440 100Hz monitor through USB-C and HDMI with no issues. Running the Future Mark Speedway benchmark, I got scores of 4550-4610 consistently whether using the laptop or external screens. Almost doubt of some other laptops I had with 4060 or 4070 GPUs, and 12 and 13th gen Intel processors, they scored in the 2200s with the same tests at the same or lower resolutions. Make sure to select always use the Nvidia GPU.
Coming with a 2TB M.2 leaves a lot of room for games and other items after the OS. It was easy to add another 2TB M.2 and have space for any games or programs I wanted to use. The included drive was a Western Digital one.
Gaming wise, it took on about everything I through at it fine. It won’t run with all of the features turned on like a desktop for the most advanced games, but for being mobile it’s get close enough to still look great. Pulling the plug while gaming only had a slight pause, but it kept going. Plugging in caused no issues. The Asus Crate program has gotten pretty good at making features you need for the laptop easily accessible. The BIOS is an Asus standard, and also easy to navigate. I would make sure to update all the drivers before installing more programs. There was no real bloatware unless you don’t want the Asus Crate system.
Usually for laptops you may have to make some big compromises, but not with this one. You sacrifice weight and size to get something close to a desktop with many of the the abilities of the desktop such as more ports, a LAN etc. Whether on a desk or on the go, this laptop will let you game anywhere you want and have good looking graphics to play with. Also, you don’t have to add anything to the laptop to make it work it’s best, you already paid to have it included.
This laptop is a beast, and it the cost reflects it. Unlike many other gaming laptops there really is nothing to add.
Turning it on and at idle is pretty quiet. At gaming or stressing it the fan noise is noticeable. The keyboard never got so hot to the touch I couldn’t use it. An almost full size keyboard layout is nice. The keypad is a little scrunched, but at least it has one. Asus filled the space offered by the 18” screen, with a full keyboard layout, and a large touchpad. With plenty of room to rest your wrists. They also have dedicated keys for computer options as well as the F keys serving 2 functions. The keys are lit and can be assigned colors through the Asus Crate program.
The LAN 2.5GB port got throughout of ~220MB/s and the Wi-Fi6E showed a 2404 connection rate and a throughput of ~190MB/s. Both were transferring a 8GB video file. Either way, if you can support the top speeds, you’ll be able to transfer files fast.
The screen is large for a laptop 18”, 2560x1600 resolution. My screen had no issues and looked great. No bleeding and colors looked good. I was also able to connect to a 3440x 1440 100Hz monitor through USB-C and HDMI with no issues. Running the Future Mark Speedway benchmark, I got scores of 4550-4610 consistently whether using the laptop or external screens. Almost doubt of some other laptops I had with 4060 or 4070 GPUs, and 12 and 13th gen Intel processors, they scored in the 2200s with the same tests at the same or lower resolutions. Make sure to select always use the Nvidia GPU.
Coming with a 2TB M.2 leaves a lot of room for games and other items after the OS. It was easy to add another 2TB M.2 and have space for any games or programs I wanted to use. The included drive was a Western Digital one.
Gaming wise, it took on about everything I through at it fine. It won’t run with all of the features turned on like a desktop for the most advanced games, but for being mobile it’s get close enough to still look great. Pulling the plug while gaming only had a slight pause, but it kept going. Plugging in caused no issues. The Asus Crate program has gotten pretty good at making features you need for the laptop easily accessible. The BIOS is an Asus standard, and also easy to navigate. I would make sure to update all the drivers before installing more programs. There was no real bloatware unless you don’t want the Asus Crate system.
Usually for laptops you may have to make some big compromises, but not with this one. You sacrifice weight and size to get something close to a desktop with many of the the abilities of the desktop such as more ports, a LAN etc. Whether on a desk or on the go, this laptop will let you game anywhere you want and have good looking graphics to play with. Also, you don’t have to add anything to the laptop to make it work it’s best, you already paid to have it included.
This laptop is a beast, and it the cost reflects it. Unlike many other gaming laptops there really is nothing to add.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Best for home offices and small teams, the Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Black & White (Monochrome) Laser Printer combines affordability and reliable quality. Designed to provide high-volume printing with exceptional efficiency, it consistently produces crisp, easy-to-read black & white prints at speeds up to 36 ISO pages per minute (1) (ppm). The convenient 250-sheet paper tray (2) means you'll make fewer paper refills, while the automatic duplex printing feature saves additional time and decreases paper waste. Flexible connection options include dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB 2.0 interfaces. Best of all, you can print from virtually anywhere with the Brother Mobile Connect App. (3) Plus, you can feel safe knowing that advanced security features are helping to protect your information and maintain secure connections while you're printing.
Customer Rating
5
Great budget Monochrome (B&W) laser printer
on January 2, 2024
Posted by: grimmace
The brother HL-L2460DW is an excellent low cost and efficient printer. I use Brother laser printers from monochrome to color and all have been great. The 2460DW is replacing a Brother 2070N I got in 2006 that lasted through multiple drums and toner and never stopped cranking out paper. But it’s gotten old. I got it in 2006 for $140 and the 2460DW is basically the current version of it now for an MSRP of $160. More memory, more features, and 17 years of improvements. I got the 2460DW because I want an Ethernet port on the printer to connect to my home network. Anyone operating wirelessly can still connect and print to the printer. The printer also has wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) built in, and an USB connection. One big difference between the 2460DW and the non ethernet versions, the 2400D and the 2405W, is the 2460DW has double the memory of them. The 2460DW has 128MB RAM the others only 64MB RAM. The 2460DW also prints faster in single and double sided mode than the other two versions. The 2460 is compact, about 7”x14” and 15lbs. and holds 250 sheets of paper (20 lbs). It has automatic double sided printed if wanted. It comes with a standard toner cartridge, ~1200 pages, and has an XL cartridge, ~3000 pages. The cartridges are the TN830 and TN830XL respectively.
Setup is easy. Basically, unpack and slide in the drum/cartridge unit, plug int and turn on. There is a 1 line LCD screen to help in setup. I was able to assign an IP address directly through the interface. If not, you can use wi-fi or USB. Setting up the printer through the software was simple too, although for wired you use the wireless selection, and it installs fine. The 1 line LCD screen conveys a lot of information and lets you alter the printer as you wish, but it’s easier through the software. For low end printer you won’t get an LCD screen, but, the 1 line LCD line does the job. A sticker on the back has the default password and MAC addresses. The Brother BRAdmin Professional 4 software utility picked up my printer and all its settings with no issues. I can see it with all my other Brother printers. If you don’t want to install the full software and just print, using the Windows add printer function will also work fine. Windows saw the printer and installed the basic drivers on other computers and laptops. You can also get software to print from mobile devices. I had no issues using them. The 2460DW prints up to 1200x1200 dpi. Black and white and grayscale look fantastic. Letter size 1 sided is up to 36 pages a minute and 2 sided up to 8.5 double sided pages a minute. First page can print in less than 8.5 seconds. I used with standard 20lbs paper and had no issues. No jams or blemishes on the paper. The printed area will hold up to 100 pages. There is a manual slot for envelops and other paper types too.
Overall, it’s not too loud and prints come out great. Saves a ton of money over inkjet if you don’t need color. Laser printers are precise, fast, and this one not too expensive. Manuals and printer specific software and drivers can all be found on the Brother website if needed or wanted. If you don’t need a scanner/fax/copier and don’t have huge volumes to print this Brother printer works. Its recommended monthly volume is ~2,500 pages. It’s a simple printer and works, and the build quality seems good. The printer can also be used with Brother refresh if you know how much toner you need on a consistent basis. I expect this printer to last a long time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Whether you just got a new computer or simply upgrading your current setup, you can’t go wrong with this Insignia NS-PM3NK3B24 Bluetooth 3-Button Mouse. It uses reliable Bluetooth technology to easily connect to your Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android systems. A slim, ambidextrous design works for both right and left-handed users, and a timeless layout consists of 3 buttons. Finally, optical technology makes this mouse more than suitable for a variety of daily uses. Upgrade your setup with this easy-to-use Insignia mouse.
Posted by: grimmace
Looking for a cheap Bluetooth(BT) mouse that’ll just work. This is it. It connects by BT 3 and 5. It has right, left, and the middle/scroll wheel buttons. It’s symmetrical so you can easy change it from left to right-handed in your computer settings. There are two buttons underneath the mouse, on/off, and DPI changer. The DPI changes from 800, 1200 and 1600. The DPI button also double as the BT pairing button. The mouse is powered by a AA battery. In the bottom of the mouse, the end slides off to reveal the battery chamber. The battery goes in with the + end towards the bottom/end of the mouse. Finally, there is a blue led light on the bottom to show on/off and connection status. The black and gray color looked good. It comes with a small set of instructions.
The mouse is medium weight for its size, and glides nicely on surfaces. It felt fine in my hands. Connecting it to multiple laptops, and desktops. The device connects to one device and will need to be paired again with each device. I didn’t find any software for it, so you’ll have to use the devices mouse setting to make customizations. It’s simple and low cost. Does what it says. Should be good to put in a bag with your device and take with you traveling. The battery can last up to 3 months depending on use. This is a no-frills mouse that just works.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The DUEX Max DS is Mobile Pixels' most upgraded, portable dual-screen laptop accessory that makes multitasking effortless. It is ideal for 14" and larger laptops. The iconic portable, external monitors complement mobile work, entertainment on the go, and everything in between.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to carry along and looks great
on October 28, 2023
Posted by: grimmace
This extra screen is great for around doubling your laptop screen on the go or at home. It was easy to install doesn’t add much weight and can be removed easily if needed. It can be used with a USB-C video capable, or HDMI connection. If you use HDMI, you still need a USB connection for power. The cables provided are just the right length. Not to long, but long enough to allow the screen to move as needed. In the box you get the screen in its shell, an alignment plate, USB-A/C and HDMI connection cables, magnets, and extra stickers. This device is just based on magnets and sliding out an extra screen.
Placement is easy. Using the supplied placement sheet, line it up on the back of your laptop. Before you go and put the magnets on, make sure of a few things. Which way you want the screen to slide out, and are the connections you need available on the side you want. The directions say to place the device in the center of the laptop back, I put mine a little more to the side I needed to make sure the screen would fully clear the laptop back and could be angled as I wanted. Once the magnets are in place, the screen attaches to them. The magnet groves allow the screen to move a few inches to the left or right so the screen can clear the laptop. Then attach the cables as needed. With the video connection on the back of a laptop I had no issues with the screen going either way. With the connection on the side, to cut down on cable length I made sure the screen went in the direction of the cable locations.
On a Dell laptop I used the USB-C connection, and the screen came on with no issues. On a Gigabyte laptop I had to use USB for power and HDMI for video and it worked with no problems, just need the extra cable. The screen looks great. Just slide it out from its shell. It has three buttons on it. Top and bottom for adjusting selections and a middle one to bring up the main menu and options. Brightness and contrast are good, and all can be adjusted. The screen will show its connection type and you’re set.
I used this like any other two screen or ultra-widescreen setup. Programs on different screens was no issue. For both laptops I tried it with the laptop screen on a discrete Nvidia 40XX mobile GPU, and I powered the second screen with built in Intel graphics. This really stepped up the laptops for gaming. I have my game on the main screen and discord or control/monitoring features on the second screen. Also worked great in some games I could go across both screens with. You can tilt in the screen for a better view or twist it around.
The second screen really adds versatility to a laptop without adding much weight or bulk. I can still fit the laptop with cables and screen in the same carrying case with no issues. You buy extra magnets and stickers from Mobil Pixels or find you own. Then, you can just slap the magnets on another machine and swap out the screen as needed. The magnets did not affect the laptop screen displays at all. Overall, an easy to setup device that makes you laptop much better.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Worx 4V ZipSnip Cordless Electric Scissors are designed to do everything traditional handheld scissors can—and more. Powered by a rechargeable 4V Max Lithium battery, this cutting tool spins a rotating blade that can cut through various materials up to ¼” thick—including tough plastic packaging, cardboard, fabric, rubber, leather, and wrapping paper. Its self-sharpening blade keeps the edges fine to deliver a precise cut with every use. While the cutting capabilities are powerful, the ZipSnip is optimized for safety. The safety switch works in conjunction with the trigger to prevent the blade from moving unintentionally. The blade guard also blocks the sharp edge to prevent accidental cuts. The cutting tool weighs only .86 lbs. and features a textured GRIPZONE handle to optimize comfort during extended projects. And with its compact and cordless design, the ZipSnip can be conveniently maneuvered in the home, kitchen, garage, and garden. While the battery maintains its charge for several months, it can be recharged in just a few hours using the included charger—so you’ll always have a cutting tool ready to use.
Posted by: grimmace
Simple and easy to use electric tool for cutting or opening items. It is simply a spinning circular disc to cut through paper, fabric, plastic, cardboard, and the like up to 1/4 of an inch. Charging is done with an included cable. A light on the end glows red while charging and green when done. The tool can be used in either hand with no issues. The is a safety button you press in from either side and then squeeze the trigger underneath to start the blade moving. So, left or right-handed use is not an issue. The grip has a good feel and will stay in your hand. The operation is simple, press the safety switch from either side and squeeze the trigger. The wheels spins at the same speed no matter the pressure on the trigger.
I used it on paper, envelopes, cardboard and plastic with no issues. It cut right through and made things easier to open or cut up. From a letter opener to removing plastic coverings it cut through with ease. It was also good in maneuvering. Making circles or going in different directions was easy. I didn’t have any ¼ inch fabric, but with some thinner fabric was cut with ease. The blade is easy to remove. It says it is self sharpening. When a new blade is needed, they are cheap and with one screw easy to replace.
I used it on paper, envelopes, cardboard and plastic with no issues. It cut right through and made things easier to open or cut up. From a letter opener to removing plastic coverings it cut through with ease. It was also good in maneuvering. Making circles or going in different directions was easy. I didn’t have any ¼ inch fabric, but with some thinner fabric was cut with ease. The blade is easy to remove. It says it is self sharpening. When a new blade is needed, they are cheap and with one screw easy to replace.
Whether you need some help opening or cutting items or just want the convenience, this tool can be pretty handy. It weighs under a pound, and is easy to use. Fully charged it could last months depending on use per the manufacturer. Worx continues to make good cordless tools.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The G5 gaming laptop powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series GPU combines gaming, entertainment, work and more! Its powerful 12th Gen Intel Processor allows you to effortlessly handle multiple tasks at the same time. It features a 3 screen display output, built-in SD card slot, and next-gen Wi-Fi 6 technology; with a tool for every task, this laptop provides great balance between gaming, entertainment, and work capabilities. Welcome to your new go-to laptop.
Customer Rating
5
Good entry level gaming laptop
on September 23, 2023
Posted by: grimmace
This Gigabyte laptop packs a lot of features into smaller price for a dedicated “gaming” laptop. The build is solid, and it comes with a decent screen, 15” 1920x1080 144hz screen. It is a full laptop with lots of I/O ports. WiFI 6, BT 5.2, USB A, USB C, min DP, LAN, micro SD, and HDMI. The main stars of this laptop are a mobile RTX4060 GPU and a 12th gen Intel I7-12650H CPU. Both can power games quite well. The default of 16GB of DDR5 RAM is also enough to run about any game. The 512GB M.2 is a good starting size for storage. It comes with Windows 11 Home.
I compared it to an Intel 13th Gen 4050 laptop and the Gigabyte beat it by ~1/3. The Gigabyte scoring ~2500 and the other laptop ~1700 in 3DMark. The Gigabyte comes with a good amount of power for a laptop. It is not powered by USB-C, but a barrel charger that connects in the back of the unit. It has HDMI and min DP, but does not have full HDR on the built in screen, or for external connections. Windows only allowed HDR for streaming. I used both HDMI and the mini DP port to run on an 2650x1080 75hz monitor with no issues. Picture and sound came through fine. Being a full laptop, it’s a bit on the heavy side, but it has everything built in port wise, no extra dongles are needed to connect to anything. LAN, and USB ports are there to accept what ever is needed. Hardware wise, the unit can adapt to your needs. The keyboard has a numpad, but with the size of the device it’s pretty cramped for all of the keys, but it’s always good to have a numpad. You can easily change the color of the keyboard backlighting through all RGB colors.
For software, good on Gigabyte for not including any bloatware. A standard monitoring/adjusting features software system is all that’s included along with a Gigabyte screen background. Nothing to remove or turn off. The WiFi 6 connected fine and close the AP had throughputs or 105-112GB where the LAN port got 111-117GB sustained. Everything is standard Win 11 and easy to setup. To use this machine in gaming it needs to be cooled. This is done primarily through 2 fans, one for the GPU and one for the CPU. Each can get up to 5000 rpm, which can make the laptop pretty loud. The heat is pushed out decently and the keyboard never got so hot I could type on it. Sustained gaming may cause some heat issue to slow down the unit. Using the built in screen on a desk may have some issues with heat. But, when I closed the top, had it elevated off the desk, used an external monitor and BT KB+M, I did have any issues, just noise, but the heat was sent out the back decently it seemed. The speakers are standard small laptop speakers and sounded average. The camera worked fine, but does not include a way to cover it.
Upgrading the laptop is something Gigabyte made easy. I upgraded the RAM to 32GB, and added an additional 2TB M.2 in the second slot. 13 screws and the back pops off. No plastic retainers. I lifted from the vent holes on the side and came right off. The Memory is in the middle and easy to replace. The empty M.2 slot is next to the installed one. Gigabyte includes the M.2 screw needed to secure it, also very nice. Once in, the BIOS recognized everything and after a second reboot everything was good. Upgrading to Win 11 Pro went smooth as well.
For an entry level gaming laptop, the Gigabyte G5 KF5 has a good amount of power. The 12Gen intel CPU, and 4060 GPU can power through about anything. It has plenty of ports and wireless capabilities to connect to anything you need, easy to upgrade, and a decent price for it. It doesn’t have HDR, but without an HDR monitor or TV it may not be an issue for you. Noise and heat are really the only drawbacks and can by mitigated somewhat depending on your setup. Overall, for the price it’s a good machine whose positives are far greater than its negatives. It should be more than fine we any gaming sessions at the price.
Upgrading the laptop is something Gigabyte made easy. I upgraded the RAM to 32GB, and added an additional 2TB M.2 in the second slot. 13 screws and the back pops off. No plastic retainers. I lifted from the vent holes on the side and came right off. The Memory is in the middle and easy to replace. The empty M.2 slot is next to the installed one. Gigabyte includes the M.2 screw needed to secure it, also very nice. Once in, the BIOS recognized everything and after a second reboot everything was good. Upgrading to Win 11 Pro went smooth as well.
For an entry level gaming laptop, the Gigabyte G5 KF5 has a good amount of power. The 12Gen intel CPU, and 4060 GPU can power through about anything. It has plenty of ports and wireless capabilities to connect to anything you need, easy to upgrade, and a decent price for it. It doesn’t have HDR, but without an HDR monitor or TV it may not be an issue for you. Noise and heat are really the only drawbacks and can by mitigated somewhat depending on your setup. Overall, for the price it’s a good machine whose positives are far greater than its negatives. It should be more than fine we any gaming sessions at the price.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Rexing J1772 Extension Cable - 17ft - Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle
Customer Rating
5
Add some distance to your J1772 charging cable
on September 1, 2023
Posted by: grimmace
If you need a little more distance to charge at a full 32A this extender is for you. The connection ends are solidly built. Both ends firmly connect to their respective counterparts. A good click lets you know the ends are fully connected. The cable itself is flexible and easy to manage. It comes in a nice bag to easily carry it where you need too. I found my current charger let me charge in my garage with no issues, but if I wanted to charge the car outside the garage while I cleaned or needed the room I couldn't. The Rexing extenders extra 17ft makes it possible. My charger had no issues with the extender on, and a full charge made it through to the car. Nothing got hot or seemed out of sorts. Both ends of the extender have caps to help protect the connectors. The J1772 connector button lets you easily remove the connector from your car when done. Attached are pictures of the ends and the bag. Quality build and it works like it should. It's not heavy and I was able to add it to my existing cord holder when wanted. Also has an IP66 waterproof rating to use when raining etc.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance your audio with the CORSAIR HS80 MAX multiplatform gaming headset. Enjoy true audio immersion via high-fidelity 2.4GHz wireless, and activate Dolby Atmos on PC to place yourself in the middle of the game with detailed, three-dimensional sound cues. The HS80 MAX includes Bluetooth support to connect to a myriad of devices. A high-performing omni-directional microphone boasts exceptional dynamic range, so you can have a clear, commanding presence on the battlefield. Listen up to 65 hours on a single charge in cushioned comfort thanks to plush memory foam ear pads and a stress-free floating headband. Sonarworks SoundID Technology personalizes your headset’s sound to match your unique hearing profile, so you can forge your own legacy with the HS80 MAX.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Surround Emulation
on August 17, 2023
Posted by: grimmace
The Corsair HS80 Max is a good and comfortable headset. I was going to give it 4 stars but raised it to 5 after a firmware upgrade fixed some issues I was having. I tested it on a PC which allowed to use Dolby Atmos. Make sure you upgrade the firmware for the receiver and headset first thing. In the box is the headset and a receiver specifically for it. The manual can be found be scanning a QR link in the package which takes you to the Corsair webpage for it. On the left ear are the microphone, volume, and power/connection type button. On the right ear is a Bluetooth button (BT). The headset isn't to heavy, and is comfortable. The ear-cups have a good amount of cushion on them and can be worn for a while without discomfort. The headset is plastic and has a rechargable battery rated for 24-130 hours depending on the connection type and if the RGB lights are used. For lights, the corsair light emblem is on both sides and the microphone has a light to indicate status.
Out of the box you can connect the headset with the included receiver, or connect via BT. The receiver is plug and play, while BT is a standard search and connect. The receiver blinks red when disconnected and stays a solid white when connected to the headset. Once connected voice prompts will give changes in status. The mic has a flexible boom and will stay in position once you bend it to the desired shape. When the mic is down its light is blue, and when you move it up, it changes to red and automatically mutes the mic. Pressing the power button quickly will switch the headset connection from the receiver to BT. In either mode you have access to all the features of the headset. I loaded the Corsair iCue which gives you more control over the headset, lights, microphone boost etc, and is an easy way to upgrade the firmware on both devices. When upgrading the headset is supposed to be connected directly to the computer, no dongle/hub. I could not get the upgrade to work with a dongle/hub as stated. The included charging cable for the headset is a USB-A to USB-C cable. My computer only had USB-C ports. I used a USB-C to USB-C cable and had no problems upgrading the headset.
Out of the box you can connect the headset with the included receiver, or connect via BT. The receiver is plug and play, while BT is a standard search and connect. The receiver blinks red when disconnected and stays a solid white when connected to the headset. Once connected voice prompts will give changes in status. The mic has a flexible boom and will stay in position once you bend it to the desired shape. When the mic is down its light is blue, and when you move it up, it changes to red and automatically mutes the mic. Pressing the power button quickly will switch the headset connection from the receiver to BT. In either mode you have access to all the features of the headset. I loaded the Corsair iCue which gives you more control over the headset, lights, microphone boost etc, and is an easy way to upgrade the firmware on both devices. When upgrading the headset is supposed to be connected directly to the computer, no dongle/hub. I could not get the upgrade to work with a dongle/hub as stated. The included charging cable for the headset is a USB-A to USB-C cable. My computer only had USB-C ports. I used a USB-C to USB-C cable and had no problems upgrading the headset.
The sound for the headset falls into two categories. For music it was good. Music sounded decent and was pleasant to listen too, nothing really stood out about it, but all genres of music sounded good. But, it’s for games and it really stepped up in them. Using the Dolby PC app, the surround sound from Atmos was quite nice. In Atmos surround demos you can hear the sound circle your head and come from different directions including height. The presence of the channels is represented well. This translated well into various games. I can play without disturbing others since my speakers are off. I didn’t have any problems with the mic, on Discord and other apps my voice came through fine once I set it up properly in the programs. Just shift up the boom to mute. For games the sound is wonderful and for music it’s average, but good enough to listen too between games. I’d say the receiver seems to have better emphasis than when it uses the receiver compared to BT mode, but not by much.
Overall, the HS80 Max is a good headset. The sound is great in games and emulates surround sound well. It’s not heavy and comfortable. A solid headset whether using BT or the included receiver. I walked around out of my room and for a good 20-30 ft had no issues with the sound or mic. Just make sure you upgrade the firmware when you get it.
Overall, the HS80 Max is a good headset. The sound is great in games and emulates surround sound well. It’s not heavy and comfortable. A solid headset whether using BT or the included receiver. I walked around out of my room and for a good 20-30 ft had no issues with the sound or mic. Just make sure you upgrade the firmware when you get it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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grimmace's Review Comments
Your household is busy streaming media, working online, and playing games every day. This Linksys Wi-Fi Router will expand your network coverage, send signals directly to your devices, and deliver a lag-free connection, even when you’re all online at the same time.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Just average router for now
By grimmace
from MD
This is a high end router from Linksys. Hooking it up was easy, and starting it was not a problem.
Positives-
8 ports – lots of ports to plug directly into the router.
Interface and setup are easy
Dual band worked fine
Multiple VPN ports can be designated
8 ports – lots of ports to plug directly into the router.
Interface and setup are easy
Dual band worked fine
Multiple VPN ports can be designated
Neutral-
The have icons to attach to your network devices. They have the Wemo series of products and some other generic icons, but not much else if it matters to people.
The have icons to attach to your network devices. They have the Wemo series of products and some other generic icons, but not much else if it matters to people.
Negative-
No aggregate ports
No bandwidth monitor (couldn’t find it in the regular Linksys screen location or any other pages)
Have to use an app to connect with mobile devices
Keeps trying to get you sign up for Linksys smart-fi
Requires adobe flash for the speed test. Flash is going away.
Wireless range was not as great as other similar range routers.
No aggregate ports
No bandwidth monitor (couldn’t find it in the regular Linksys screen location or any other pages)
Have to use an app to connect with mobile devices
Keeps trying to get you sign up for Linksys smart-fi
Requires adobe flash for the speed test. Flash is going away.
Wireless range was not as great as other similar range routers.
All of the comments are from the original firmware shipped with the router. The issue is, for a top end router with the matching price, it needs to have features others in the range do. Firmware upgrades should be able to fix many of these issues I think, but they should be there from the start. So, average overall since it has room to improve and should.
grimmace
Baltimore, MD
Range update.
June 8, 2016
I did play with the position of the antennas, The link you provided has very basic information. I tried the antennas at all angles, mostly 45 and 90. The range was still not as great as other routers in this price range.
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grimmace's Questions
grimmace has not submitted any questions.
Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO with Heatsink for next-level computing. With a PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ interface, get up to 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe® 3.0¹ while remaining compatible with PCIe® 3.0. ¹Results are based on a comparison with Samsung PCIe® 3.0 NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs.
Anyone know if the heatsink is easily removable in case I want to use it in a gaming laptop? I am not sure this will fit my laptop 2nd bay, Asus ROG m16 SSD slot. Thanks!
I tried to get it off. It has 5 small screws. I tried all of my small head. Philips, star, hex, etc, I couldn't anything that fit right to remove the screws. It's a big heat sink. If on a MB or laptop that has a heat sink built in to a cover it's not going to fit. If it doesn't have a heatsink cover built in it might fit, but measure or something first. It's a really big heat sink.
2 years, 3 months ago
by
grimmace
Introducing G303 Shroud Edition—the remaster of our iconic mouse. Featuring LIGHTSPEED, it delivers ultra-low latency and reliable performance. Helping Shroud and you take aim. With HERO 25K Sensor, Shroud’s G303 is built for precision and speed, without sacrificing energy. G303 Shroud Edition weighs 75 grams, made for low-sensitivity DPI and faster aiming. Designed in collaboration with Shroud, the new G303 perfectly matches his specs and includes our latest pro-grade technology.
Does this mouse have a battery included? Is the battery replaceable?
The mouse has in internal battery charged by a USB-C cable. You'd have to take the mouse apart to access it.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
grimmace
Explore a new world of personalized home theater audio. The SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker uses Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology to envelop you in the rich audio of your favorite shows and movies, while being unobtrusive to others in your home.
Do these have 3.5mm jack or do they only connect via bluetooth?
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.
Must I use the pods for single cup?
No. Just put in the amount of grounds needed, and select a one cup server size. It will brew just that.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
grimmace
Forged to obliterate games, empower creativity and inspire envy from anyone who makes eye contact with it, the Triton 500 SE has all the tools to tackle any task in today’s performance-hungry world. Slim, stylish and infused with the latest 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and cutting-edge GeForce RTX™ 3060 laptop graphics, this awesome machine serves up what you demand in a cutting-edge PC. Fast, realistic and with AI-enhanced technology, it features a CPU that ensures epic streaming, photo editing and 3D rendering capabilities, while its powerful GPU revolutionizes the immersive gaming experience via high frame rates that drive incredible realism! Get smooth gameplay at refresh rates up to 165Hz on the 16" WQXGA IPS Display — while a 3-Zone RGB backlit keyboard and stellar audio round out a gaming experience that’s second to none
On the 2nd M.2 slot (for expansion), how do I access it? Where is it? Where is the schematic of the laptop? What type of driver do I need for the screws? Please confirm the primary M.2 contains the operating system and is rated at Gen 4 speeds.
Yo have to remove the motherboard and flip it over. The memory and 2nd M.2 slot are there.The M.2 slot has a screw in it already. Cover screws are hex and internal Philips. I found no schematics. The M.2 that comes with it is a OEM Samsung and has the OS on it. I added the 2nd M.2 and upped the memory to 32GB. See a better explanation on the process in the review I did for it.
2 years, 8 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your home theater with this JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system. The powerful 820W output offers an immersive movie and music experience, while Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and Chromecast connectivity lets you stream audio smoothly. This JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system has detachable speakers with rechargeable batteries for flexible placement, and Dolby Atmos technology delivers quality surround sound.
I currently stream directly from my LG OLED. Is it possible to do this and still have the audio synced? If not how do I accomplish this without another box of some sorts?
From the manual.
Audio sync
With the audio sync function, you can synchronize audio and
video to make sure that no delay is heard from your video content.
1. On the remote control, press and hold for more than three
seconds and then, press +.
2. Within five seconds, press + or - on the remote control to
adjust the audio delay and match with video.
→ The audio sync timing is displayed.
NOTES:
− If no action is taken within five seconds, you will exit the audio sync
mode.
Audio sync
With the audio sync function, you can synchronize audio and
video to make sure that no delay is heard from your video content.
1. On the remote control, press and hold for more than three
seconds and then, press +.
2. Within five seconds, press + or - on the remote control to
adjust the audio delay and match with video.
→ The audio sync timing is displayed.
NOTES:
− If no action is taken within five seconds, you will exit the audio sync
mode.
3 years, 9 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your home theater with this JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system. The powerful 820W output offers an immersive movie and music experience, while Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and Chromecast connectivity lets you stream audio smoothly. This JBL BAR 9.1-channel soundbar system has detachable speakers with rechargeable batteries for flexible placement, and Dolby Atmos technology delivers quality surround sound.
I connected jbl 9.1 soundbar with my tv through hdmi arc and playing atoms content through Netflix but on soundbar it’s showing Dolby surround not atoms. How to get atoms ??
Your TV has to have an eARC HDMI port for Atmos or DTS:X formats to be passed. So, an HDMI 2.1 port. Without that you won't get Atmos from a TV. If you have a steaming device you can connect to the HDMI port on the soundbar, you'll get Atmos through it.
3 years, 9 months ago
by
grimmace
Warm and cook food with this 18-inch vinyl black Galanz retro countertop microwave oven. The power-level knob and five-item one-touch menu offer easy operation, while the defrost programs provide hassle-free reheating. This 0.7 cu. ft. Galanz retro countertop microwave oven has a classic design that brings a nostalgic flair to your kitchen, and the turntable enables even cooking.
None of your microwaves show a wattage. How are we supposed to know?
On the microwave page under specifications and electrical specifications, it says 700 watts and has a power consumption of 1100 watts.. Same as most .7 cu ft microwaves.
3 years, 10 months ago
by
grimmace
Upgrade your sound entertainment experience with this Yamaha sound bar. The robust construction ensures longevity even with rugged use, while built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies provide convenient wireless connectivity. This Yamaha sound bar (winner of the 2020 CNET Editor’s Choice Award) has a compact design for easy placement, built-in Alexa technology for hands-free operation and four woofers for immersive sound reproduction.
Can the subwoofer be hard wired on the new YAS 209?
No, it's wireless, only connection is a power cable
4 years, 6 months ago
by
grimmace
Get peace and quiet anywhere with these Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. An advanced HD noise-cancelling processor blocks distracting background noise so you can focus in noisy environments, and Bluetooth connectivity ensures easy use with smartphones and other devices. These Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds include a convenient charging case that offers up to 24 hours of use per charge.
Does the Sony 1000XM3 InEar have it's own volume control? I need to amplify my listening, while my wife listens to the normal TV volume. I have a pair of the Sony 1000XM# over the Ear Head Phones and of course they DO have volume control. Thanks.
No. Volume is controlled by the device outputting sound. There is no volume control on the earbuds.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
grimmace