Share JenN7's profile
JenN7
JenN7's stats
- Review count26
- Helpfulness votes532
- First reviewAugust 27, 2014
- Last reviewFebruary 5, 2018
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count3
- Helpfulness votes2
- First answerOctober 24, 2016
- Last answerAugust 30, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
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.
Customer Rating
4
Budget Workhorse
on February 5, 2018
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
When you get a machine at a certain price point, it's important to keep expectations in line with that price point. That being said, this is a budget Chromebook on pretty much every level. You get what you pay for.
But that is not necessarily a bad thing.
First, what do you get with a Chromebook in general? Frankly? The internet and all things Google. If you live in Google--Google Drive, Android, Gmail, Google Play, and Chrome... a Chromebook will do almost everything you'll need it to do, and even more functionality has been added since the last time I used one shortly after they first came out. You get automatic and almost unnoticeable updates, almost instant boots (if you ever even shut it down), and everything living in the cloud, accessible from any internet connected computer (or phone, tablet, whatever) that you ever use.
What do you not get? Windows. (Or a MacOS). You don't get iTunes. You don't get Steam. And it's kind of hard to print stuff on actual paper. (There are ways... with the right printer... but honestly, it's still a hassle)
With this particular Chromebook? You get the base model experience in hardware with all the cloud access of ChromeOS. You could pay a lot more for nicer hardware... but you'd still just basically be getting a nice box for Chrome to live in, so a "base model" hardware experience can really make sense here.
Pros: It's fast, loads immediately, works well software-wise. I was able to log in with my google account, and it loaded up all of my preferences right away and I was off and browsing and working on a Google doc I'd started on my PC. It has TWO USB ports, which is handy if you need one for a mouse and one for a USB drive, for some extra file storage for those items which are NOT in the cloud (for instance, if you have some mp4 movies on a USB drive saved for a long airplane ride, you can actually play them from the drive). There is a full-size SD card slot and a full-size HDMI port.
The keyboard is spacious and comfortable. My one gripe is the lack of a dedicated "delete" key. Other than that, the shortcuts are straightforward and all the keys are sized and spaced just as you would expect--much appreciated by this touch typist. The touchpad is also large, customize-able in the settings, and responsive.
That being said, even for a 15 in. laptop, this machine is bulky. It's not especially heavy... but it's thick and if it was a PC, it's what I would almost term a "desktop replacement" size. What saves it from this designation for me is really three things: 1) It's not super heavy, even though it's big. You'll need a backpack to carry it instead of a nice svelte handbag, but it won't break your spine. 2) The battery life is PHENOMENAL. I got a good 10 hours of use and almost TWO DAYS of standby time out of it between charges. 3) It does NOT heat up on your lap. It's well ventilated, and because ChromeOS is not a power-hungry application, the bottom stays nice and cool. If you're a college student on a tight budget and need something to lug around campus all day that will last without a charge and not fry your thighs when the tiny desktops in the lecture hall won't cut it, this might work for you.
Cons: The large, bulky size is a con for me. I was surprised by the bulk... given how light it is, I imagine it could have been made more compact. But again... budget machine must come with certain expectations.
Also, the SD card slot will only be used when the computer is on a table. Unfortunately, this is not the kind of slot that allows you to put the card all the way in with a spring... the card only goes in halfway, so it isn't likely you'll be keeping the SD card in permanently as extra music or video storage.
Finally... the screen is just awful. If you're expecting to be enjoying HD video, lower your expectations. There is a lot of screen real-estate and it is just fine for regular web-browsing and text consumption, but video is muddied and dark. Asus saved some coin on production, here. If a sharp, glossy, high-def screen is a priority for you, please pass this one up. Or plan on using an HDMI cable to connect it to a better screen...
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Re-create the movie theater experience with this BenQ projector. It provides 2200 lumens to deliver a 15,000:1 contrast ratio even in bright rooms, and it produces 1920 x 1080 HD resolution to capture every detail of a scene. This BenQ projector has dual HDMI ports, so you can connect HD devices.
Customer Rating
4
Promising Entry-Level Projector
on December 31, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
This is a great entry-level projector. The picture quality is very good, if you've got a nice dark room and passable in a well-lit room. It seems to be geared more toward a business setting--to use with a computer to project presentations and computer screens and it does that well. It handles high-resolution picture great! But It can also handle home theater, too, with a little extra work.
Pros:
-Great high-res picture
-Simple interface
-"just works"
-Most ports you will need for most applications (PC monitor, 2 HDMI)
-Simple remote
-fairly quiet, for a classic projector
-Great high-res picture
-Simple interface
-"just works"
-Most ports you will need for most applications (PC monitor, 2 HDMI)
-Simple remote
-fairly quiet, for a classic projector
Cons:
-Very simple, MANUAL picture size adjustment and focus adjustment - this is where your "entry level" really comes in. If you're putting this on the ceiling or something, make sure you've got your settings right before you put the ladder away!
-No way to really adjust picture size--if there's only one place in your room that you can put this projector, the distance from the wall it is, determines the size of your picture. There's no way to change it. I've used some higher end projectors where there are functions to adjust this more... but again... entry level.
-Puts out a LOT of heat. This isn't a problem in the winter so much... but I won't want to run this so much in the summertime. It actually heats up the room.
-No internal speakers - not really expected, but be aware--if you need sound for a presentation, or want to use this for home theater applications, you will need to add your own speakers/soundbar.
-Very simple, MANUAL picture size adjustment and focus adjustment - this is where your "entry level" really comes in. If you're putting this on the ceiling or something, make sure you've got your settings right before you put the ladder away!
-No way to really adjust picture size--if there's only one place in your room that you can put this projector, the distance from the wall it is, determines the size of your picture. There's no way to change it. I've used some higher end projectors where there are functions to adjust this more... but again... entry level.
-Puts out a LOT of heat. This isn't a problem in the winter so much... but I won't want to run this so much in the summertime. It actually heats up the room.
-No internal speakers - not really expected, but be aware--if you need sound for a presentation, or want to use this for home theater applications, you will need to add your own speakers/soundbar.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Clean fur, dust and dander quickly with this Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum. Integrated sensors automatically adjust the level of suction and the brush roll speed to handle different floor types. This Hoover REACT cordless pet vacuum uses a long-lasting lithium battery, so you can clean the whole room without a recharge.
Customer Rating
3
Wanted to love it
on November 23, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
I really wanted to love this vacuum. On paper, it has everything I wanted... bagless, a battery pack with a charging station (how awesome is it to vacuum without worrying about a cord?!), automatically detecting hard floors vs. carpets, and it's specifically selling itself as being made for homes with pets (it's in bold letters on the box!), so it should be able to deal with some dog hair, right?
WRONG.
Most of the things about this vacuum would be amazing if it could get that one thing right, but it doesn't. I LOVE that I can vacuum without a cord... The weight is good, maneuverability is excellent, there are some great attachments that would really come in handy, and the floor sense feature does actually seem to work really well--I can tell when it switches from the bare floor to carpet mode and although it takes a few seconds to detect (no problem), it does seem to really make a difference.
However, if you run into any kind of pet hair... say a little tumbleweed of it in a corner that you've missed with the "big" vacuum... this thing will clog right away.
The problem is that there is only about half an inch of clearance between the hose output into the dustbin an the filter in the middle of the dustbin. If you get a chunk of pet hair or something coming through the hose it does not have any room to actually feed into the dust bin. It gets stuck right away between the wall of the dust bin and that filter and you have to stop and actually use a chopstick or something to clear the clog, because the clearance is so small, I can't even fit my little kid fingers in there. It's a real pain and just makes me want to use my regular vacuum and just pull out the attachments on that. It's faster than having to stop and clear clogs every couple of minutes that wouldn't even slow my regular vacuum down.
If you're not dealing with pet hair (pass this by if you have pets!), this DOES work well for your average dust and debris. It worked great in the kitchen and on hard floors. It did definitely detect the difference between hard floors and carpets and change modes. I love the fact that there is a charging station for the battery, and you don't have to plug the whole vacuum in like in the old days of cordless vacuums... that is really nice.
But again... this CANNOT handle pet hair. At all.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Keep floors and carpets clean with this SHARK® ION™ robotic vacuum. Its smart sensors navigate floors while adapting to and avoiding obstacles, and you can set up no-go areas with Bot Boundary strips. This SHARK® ION™ robotic vacuum has a long-life lithium-ion battery that keeps it operating for a full hour on a single charge.
Customer Rating
5
Set it and Forget It
on October 27, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
I decided to really challenge my new buddy. I took him to work to clean my classroom for me. I had a lot of fun, watching him roll around, navigating around 34 desks and chairs, wiggle around in nooks and crannies, pick up scraps of paper and pencil shavings, and figure out, little by little, starting with big, broad turns... then transitioning into tiny little ones, how bit the room was and how it was set up.
I have it running for about half an hour a day, every day... but that's really kind of the wonderful point of a tool like this. It's a maintenance thing. Schedule it to run every day or so, and things stay pretty clean... reduces how often you need to go over the floor with the big vacuum for a deep clean.
I was pretty impressed how well the little guy picked up even the smallest little scraps. Granted, I mostly use this on hard surfaces and low-pile rugs. It was a good fit for the small dustbin. If you're really and truly using this for maintenance and not for once-a-week deep cleaning, this is no problem--just remember to empty the dustbin every time, or it will fill up and be an issue. The dustbin is VERY easy to empty, even when the bot is docked for charging.
The bot comes with an extra set up side brushes, which was really handy. Hang onto those, especially if you have pet hair that might get tangled up. You can also use the included tape to mark off areas you don't want the bot to go. I wish there was another method... putting the tape on the floor is a little unsightly and doesn't really work on carpet.
Overall, I was most impressed by the robots ability to navigate, even in small places, especially where I can't get in with the big vacuum.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Set up your workstation with this 23-inch Acer widescreen monitor, and enjoy ample space for graphics or document work. The ultra-thin backlit LED display offers easy viewing in any light from any angle, and brilliant 1920 x 1080 resolution brings your work alive. This Acer widescreen monitor features an adjustable tilt stand for comfort.
Customer Rating
5
Crazy Thin, Light, Crisp
on October 11, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
This is a simple, high quality, wide screen monitor. That's it. It does one thing and it does it WELL. You will pull it out of the box, marvel at how ridiculously thin and light it is, appreciate the simplicity of the connections, the matte finish (if you hate fingerprints and glare like I do), plug it in with the enclosed monitor cable or your own HDMI cable (I used an HDMI), and turn it on. If you have a newer computer with Windows 10, it will "just work" and be beautiful, with your splash image and desktop stretching to fit the lovely wide screen.
The colors pop and, for me, most importantly, even with an HDMI connection (which does not always work awesomely for this) text is really easy to read. The really nice matte finish the screen has also noticeably reduced my eyestrain compared to using the glossy screen on my laptop. This screen is not much larger than my old one, but moving to the wider screen means better side-by-side content, which I had previously done using a two-screen configuration. That's not really necessary anymore. For day-to-day work, this screen is just the right size to have a reference document and a working document up side-by-side or open up a big spreadsheet and be able to see the whole thing. I love it.
If you are looking for something more complex, this may not be the choice for you. It does not have speakers (so be prepared to hook up a little speaker to your PC or use a soundbar or something--I had previously been using an HDtv/monitor with built in speakers, so I had to hook up a speaker, but I knew that going in); also, there is only one HDMI port and one older pin monitor port, so if you need to connect multiple computers up to this, you may need a port replicator of some kind.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Fuse physical and digital worlds with this Merge cube. It's a toy hologram that you can hold in the palm of your hand, and it works with free apps downloaded onto your iOS or Android smart device at the Merge Miniverse site. This Merge cube lets you play your favorite games with virtual reality goggles.
Customer Rating
3
Durable, neat novelty
on October 9, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
This is really kind of a neat item, especially for kids. The construction has no moving parts, and it's a squishy, but solid foam, which means it can stand up to some abuse and handling. Which is kind of the point--you're meant to pick this thing up and play with it.
You can do this in two ways: If you have the Merge VR goggles, you can slip your phone into the goggles and play with the cube in front of you. Or, you can just use it with your phone. The packaging can be configured to work like a stand for the cube and your phone... this I thought was a good idea, but bad execution. The packaging is not made any sturdier for this purpose and will not last if you're going to be using it this way. It's also not ergonomically friendly... you'll be hunching over to view the cube with your phone using the packaging "stand" and will probably end up holding your phone in one hand and the cube in the other.
Which is just as well... You don't really need two hands on the cube itself. I kept wanting to "click" on the cube and interact with it directly when I was seeing images "projected" onto it through the goggles or my phone... because this "augmented reality" thing on the cube actually worked really well. It looks really cool! But when it comes down to it, there's not a whole lot to *do* besides look at it... Games to download are very simple and have only one or two interactions to be done using the triggers on the goggles or by clicking at your phone. The cube is really just the 3D projection screen for the AR images.
It's pretty neat... but probably won't hold attention for too long. Fortunately, the cube itself is simple and not really expensive. It's a fun little diversion, but not going to blow anyone's mind.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Be transported into another world with the Merge VR Goggles. Compatible with Android and iOS devices, Merge VR Goggles provide an immersive virtual reality experience powered by your smartphone.Explore virtual worlds with these Merge VR goggles. The input system lets you perform simultaneous action, such as running and jumping, and the soft foam construction keep you comfortable. These Merge VR goggles take you to new worlds via hundreds of apps with VR START, and they’re compatible with newer Android and iPhone devices for versatility.
Customer Rating
3
A neat novelty, but a novelty
on September 30, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
from Phoenix, AZ
Because software and apps can always change, I'm going to try and limit my review to the actual hardware and how well it works and feels as much as I can. I did test it with the Merge Cube as well as with a couple of standalone VR apps. As a regular VR headset, these goggles were fairly comfortable, if a bit heavy and blocky... I liked that the lenses were adjustable and they were not uncomfortable to wear with eyeglasses, which was nice. However, the foam material of the goggles did not allow my phone to breathe at all inside the goggles... my phone (a Pixel XL--admittedly on the large end of what will fit in these goggles) was almost painfully hot to the touch after only 10 minutes of use inside the goggles, which was really worrisome.
When using Merge apps, with the Merge Cube for instance, the "trigger" buttons on top of the goggles worked well to select buttons and the Merge Cube was a pretty neat Augmented Reality accessory, but the apps and games to play with it are pretty short and demo-y without much meat, which wasn't really a big surprise. This is kind of geared toward 10 and up kids who will probably find the cube to be pretty neat for a little while. All interaction with the cube, though, is done using the triggers on the goggles... I kept wanting to use my fingers to interact with the cube, and was disappointed that it was more of a "look but don't touch" thing.
With non-merge apps, I found that the triggers on the goggles didn't work so well... the apps worked well visually, but as with other VR goggles, it would be useful to have a bluetooth controller or some other input device, as the construction of the goggles makes it really hard to pull your phone in and out to touch the screen. You may find that on different sized phones, the triggers align better or something, but on my phone, they did not work well for non-merge apps from the Google Play store. I did not test this with an iphone.
Overall, if you're looking for a VR experience for kids, this is a sturdy headset choice that will probably hold up really well to some wear and tear. Throw an old phone in there and let them go to town for a while. For older kids or adults looking for more than a novelty item or a toy, there are much better options out there. Recommended, with caveats.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Take your productivity to a new level with this Dell XPS tower PC. The Intel i7-7700 processor and 16MB of RAM provide lots of power, while the easy-open chassis and expansion slots are ready for future upgrades. This Dell XPS tower PC has nine USB slots, including seven USB 3.1 ports, and a 1TB hard drive for ample file storage.
Customer Rating
5
Silent, Expandable, Investment
on August 30, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
It has been a long time since I owned a tower--I generally prefer laptops, but find myself buying a new one every couple of years as my needs change... which I thought was a good reason to have laptops. And there are very good reasons to have laptops... I will certainly always have one...
But... my current lappy doesn't have a DVD drive. It only has one full sized USB port. It's not powerful enough for some of the games I want to play on Steam. There are always tradeoffs... and I find myself missing a home-base kind of computer for those things that a laptop or Chomebook just doesn't work for when I need to be a poweruser.
Some people never need to be a poweruser. Some people need to be a poweruser so rarely that they can't justify this kind of investment. I get that. But some people need to make an investment is something with a new, fast processor, a solid power supply, a lot of ports, and room to expand that they can depend on for a good while for poweruser needs.
This is a really good machine for that stuff.
The foundation is solid. This is the fastest computer I've ever used. It booted up lightning fast--even before I uninstalled McAfee. Apps open instantly and I am getting downright spoiled by the lack of lag. And all the while, I haven't heard a peep from any fans and the tower is cool to the touch. Even when I fire up a game.
I have not installed a new video card, but even with the base hardware, World of Warcraft - Legion is running at totally respectable frame rates (85-95 fps in populated areas) on medium settings. Sim City runs smoothly as well... the Intel Graphics 630 seems to meet requirements at least for some older, less graphics intensive games and the CPU has the juice back it up. And the system can handle an upgraded vid card to meet more discriminating tastes.
Video runs really smoothly and right out of the box, plugging into an HD tv/monitor with an HDMI cable was beautiful.
I love that the tower came with a wifi adapter... I'm nowhere near the router with this thing, but the internet is fast and stable. Also has bluetooth for my mouse and keyboard... the perks of a laptop with the power of a tower. Awesome.
Really thrilled with it so far and looking forward to unleashing its further potential with upgrades down the line!
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Hear everything happening in the game with this Logitech gaming headset. Low distortion and an acoustic port behind the driver combine to produce precise, realistic sound, and downloadable software lets you customize audio for each game. Play in comfort with the ultra-soft microfiber ear pads of this Logitech gaming headset.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable and Quality
on August 30, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
This headset is lightweight and does the job, which is really all you can ask for, right? But then, there's also a cool aesthetic (liked the blue camo) and actually useful accessories and touches, like the detachable mic boom, extra ear cups and fabric case which are a great bonus.
The most important thing is--do they work? Yup. They work really well gaming on both PC and PS4 with really good, 3D sound... you can really hear the sound effects, music and chat voices from multiple directions. These are not headphones that will cancel out other sounds in the room... but if you crank the volume up loud enough, you will have trouble hearing anything else. The sound quality through the mic is also really good... My husband and I tested them in group chat on PS4 with him using the Logitech mic and me using another pair of good headphones, and his voice from this mic came through crystal clear. Great for team gaming! We're sold.
Comfort is also a win. He and his big head found them very comfortable and I with my small head and glasses on my ears found them cozy for long sessions as well. Highly recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enjoy music wirelessly with these Everest Bluetooth in-ear headphones. A built-in microphone with echo cancellation lets you make clear, hands-free calls, and ergonomic ear tips in three sizes ensure a comfortable fit. The built-in battery on these Everest Bluetooth in-ear headphones provides up to 8 hours of listening between charges.
Customer Rating
5
Great Bluetooth Earbuds
on July 26, 2017
Posted by: JenN7
I really like these buds a lot. They are very comfortable, light and stay put really well, once you get the right fit with the provided inserts. Sound quality is excellent and pairing has been drama free with my android phone, an iphone, Windows PC and Amazon Echo. Very reliable, with good battery life too. The only detractor for me was that the rubber that goes into the ear seems to be a dust magnet... so when you're storing these, keep them in a case or you'll feel like you want to rinse them off before putting them in your ears again. But overall, really satisfied with these, and probably the smallest, most unobtrusive wireless earbuds I've ever used. Definitely recommend.
My Best Buy number: 0025352696
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
JenN7's Review Comments
JenN7 has not submitted comments on any reviews.
JenN7's Questions
JenN7 has not submitted any questions.
JenN7's Answers
Take your productivity to a new level with this Dell XPS tower PC. The Intel i7-7700 processor and 16MB of RAM provide lots of power, while the easy-open chassis and expansion slots are ready for future upgrades. This Dell XPS tower PC has nine USB slots, including seven USB 3.1 ports, and a 1TB hard drive for ample file storage.
What version of Windows 10 is it shipped with? Windows 10 Home ? or Pro?
Windows 10 Home
6 years, 7 months ago
by
JenN7
Take your productivity to a new level with this Dell XPS tower PC. The Intel i7-7700 processor and 16MB of RAM provide lots of power, while the easy-open chassis and expansion slots are ready for future upgrades. This Dell XPS tower PC has nine USB slots, including seven USB 3.1 ports, and a 1TB hard drive for ample file storage.
I am not sure about the graphics card on this. The image on the inside of the machine shows an installed graphics card, while the spec indicates "Intel HD graphics". The image of the back of the machine doesn't show a card. What's the deal?
According to the Device Manager, the version of the onboard graphics chip is Intel HD Graphics 630.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
JenN7
Add high-end performance to your everyday life with the Google Pixel XL. A quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch LED screen and 32GB of memory ensure this phone is able to handle daily life, and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protects the screen. Easy cloud storage ensures you never run out of space on the Google Pixel XL.
Can u transfer ur songs and photo from ur iPhone to this kind of phone
Yes--during setup, you will be prompted to use a cable to transfer things like your music and pictures from your iPhone to the Pixel. A dongle is included in the box to help you do this. You will NOT be able to transfer any DRM protected songs from the iTunes store, but any of your own music in your music library (or non-DRM music from the iTunes store that you may have paid extra for) or any downloaded (non-protected) music in another app like Google Music on your iPhone should transfer too. Any pictures or videos that you took on your iPhone will transfer, as long as there's enough space. The transfer will take some time depending on how much there is, so be patient. :)
7 years, 6 months ago
by
JenN7