RonH's stats
- Review count149
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- First reviewSeptember 9, 2012
- Last reviewMay 11, 2024
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- Average rating4.5
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- Answer count21
- Helpfulness votes31
- First answerDecember 5, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 27, 2021
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Don’t ever worry about leaks or floods in your basement, under your sinks, from your water heater and anywhere else around the house. Phyn Smart Water Sensors alert you audibly, visually and with SMS and app notifications to your phone the moment they detect water. Set your own alert thresholds for potentially damaging high and low humidity in the free Phyn app and customize settings to maximize battery life. Easily connects via Wi-Fi to your home network, no hubs necessary. Batteries included.
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
The Phyn Smart Water Sensor is a device none of us hope to ever need then reality sets in and you have a broken water heater, frozen pipe or a flooded basement.
The most difficult part of using this device is setting up the app and that took less than five minutes. The sensor device is about the size of a hockey puck and uses two AA batteries which are included. Inserting the batteries is simple, spin the bottom cover to the left and it pops right off, insert the batteries and put it back. There is a rubber gasket to seal the unit.
Download the app and follow the step by step instructions. Setting up the account was straight forward. The initial device setup not so much. The app tells you to push the button on the device then scan the QR code. This is where I ran into some trouble. The QR code was not recognized by the app. Skipping this step it asks to enter the QR number, this too was not recognized. Skipping this step you had to change your phone wifi to the sensor’s signal which while cumbersome, worked.
The sensor not only detects the presence of water but also monitors the temperature and humidity, making this a great device for an unattended basement - although the sensor does not report to the app in real time. Temperature is monitored and alerts are sent when the temp goes below your selected setting to prevent pipes from freezing. Humidity alerts are sent when humidity goes above or below your selected range, intended to help you avoid mold growth.
The Phyn app is pretty basic and easy to use. It shows any alerts, temperature and humidity levels based on your battery selection. There really isn't much more it needs to do.
In the app settings you have three reporting levels to choose from. All provide immediate notification when water is present or your temperature or humidity levels exceed your selections.
Low Power which only sends alerts when a problem is detected. This is supposed to provide a 2-year battery life.
Occasional update which reports temperature and humidity once per day. This is supposed to provide a 1-2 year battery life.
Frequent Update which reports temperature and humidity three times per day. This setting is supposed to provide up to a one-year battery life.
Testing the device for water alerts, it sent an alert within 30 seconds of detection and followed up with a second alert to notify that water was no longer detected.
Having a home with an older hot water heater and a basement that occasionally has water leakage after hard rains, I really like the Phyn Smart Water Sensors and the two pack is reasonably priced, providing a reliable piece of mind.
It is important to note that this device does require Wi-Fi to work so if your router is several floors away you might need an extender. The device does beep on alert but unless you are in the room you won't hear it as it's not loud like a smoke detector. It really does rely on the app for notification.
I gave four stars for the setup issue and lack of a louder “siren” alert.
Yes, I highly recommend the Phyn Smart Water Sensor for every homeowner, especially for 2nd or vacation homes where you might not be present all the time.
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The Soundcore by Anker Select Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker has powerful stereo sound and BassUp technology to fill any room with high-quality sound, even in the great outdoors. It features built-in LEDs that blink in time to the beat, creating a fun light show. This portable speaker can play up to 16 hours from one single charge and has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it even great for poolside listening.
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I was excited to receive the Soundcore Select Pro speaker, mostly because I wanted to see how big or small it was as the picture and description were not clear. The suspense has ended, the speaker is 12 inches wide and about six inches tall at the handle.
Pool and beach weather are soon upon us and if you’re like me, I already have too much to lug across the sand. The Select Pro’s small size and light weight make it the perfect addition and you don't have to worry about it getting wet since it's IPX7 waterproof and it floats!
With a few exceptions, the Select Pro operates just like every other Bluetooth speaker -pair it, download the app to control it and enjoy. nothing new or exciting here. What is exciting though is everything else about this little speaker.
As for the sound, the Select Pro sounds great for its size and has enough volume to fill a yard or pool area. The app has an equalizer with four presets and allows custom settings to adjust the sound to your liking. You can hear the bass but it's not wall shaking. I found the Soundcore Signature setting with Extra Bass to be the most pleasing to me. The custom setting on the app does not allow you to start with one of the presets and make adjustments, you always start with the settings in the middle at zero - not a deal breaker, just a minor inconvenience.
The Select Pro also offers the ability to pair up to 100 speakers together for larger areas or parties. As this feature is becoming more prevalent with speakers, it would be nice if you were able to pair multiple brands as well.
To add atmosphere to your gatherings, the speakers also light up. This is controlled both by the app as well as with a button on the top of the unit. There are four variations to choose from, Beach Party which dances to the music with white “strobes”, Camping trip which is the same as Beach Party but without the white strobes. Evening Breeze and Midnight Groove which just rotate between colors, one fades side to side and the other fades both sides together. My only negative about this is all the modes “flash”. I would like one of them to just fade between the colors smoothly rather than off on off on. Perhaps this can be added with a firmware update.
Another thing with the lights, when you change the volume, the individual sides light up, right for volume up, left for volume down making it easy to see from a distance that the speaker is responding. Finally on lighting, four buttons on the top of the speaker also light up. Power, Lighting, Bluetooth and BassUp. There are also multi-function, volume up & down buttons which are not lit.
LIke many bluetooth speakers, you can answer calls on the Select Pro. Calls sound clear and loud and the party on the other end is able to hear clearly and didn't hear background noise during the call.
Battery life is rated at 16 hours. Charging is through USB C and there is a USB A jack that will provide backup power to your phone as well. Of course, your mileage will vary depending on loudness and lighting use.
I really like the Select Pro. Are there better sounding speakers? Yes. But at this price point, the size, sound and feature set are JUST RIGHT. I would highly recommend this to a friend.
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The Canon imageFORMULA R40 scanner, easy to set up and use, allows users to increase productivity and organization at home or in the office. Quickly convert paper documents to searchable digital files using the bundled software.
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
Opening and setting up the R40 sheet-fed scanner was simple and I had it up and scanning in about 10 minutes. In the box was the scanner, power supply, USB B cable and top mounted sheet holder which just needed to be slid in place. There were a couple of pieces of tape and a piece of plastic inside the scanner that needed to be removed. Everything that needed to be removed was orange and easy to locate as well as pointed out in the Setup Guide.
Downloading the Windows driver according to the included instructions was interesting for two reasons. First, the web address was not something simple like setup.canon.com and second it was a .zip file rather than an executable file which I thought was a bit unusual, especially for some home users who might not be savvy enough to know to extract and run it. If you use the Canon website and search support for the model, it is an executable file.
Using the scanner is fairly straightforward, stack your pages in the top and push the start button. The software loads and the scanning begins. There is an ultrasonic feature that detects when multiple pages feed and it works great. The instructions indicate that you shouldn't scan pages that have been folded and I can attest to this. Multiple times I had pile ups and paper jams due to the folds curling up in the catch bin while scanning old bills and statements. I don't know about you but all my bills come folded. This is easily rectified by removing the sheets from the tray as they come out. Another issue I had which is not the scanner’s fault but pages that had previously been stapled often double fed. This was easily fixed by scanning them upside down then rotating them in the software.
20 double-sided pages via One Touch Scan and CardIris Pro at 200 dpi took 40 seconds. The software did take another several minutes to complete the processing of the documents but it did do OCR and save them as a PDF in the process. Higher dpi settings result in slower scan times ie. 300 dpi took just over a minute for the same documents. Also, using the ReadIris, it did not automatically discard blank pages like the One Touch Scan however, you can select this option once the pages are scanned. ReadIris did compress the PDF to a smaller size than if scanning directly through Adobe Acrobat. On the downside, I did experience several crashes with the ReadIris program where it crashed while processing documents, especially in larger files.
There are a ton of settings to set up your scan jobs and create one-touch processes on both the ReadIris and Canon One Touch Scan programs. I was able to scan and discard over a 1000 pages of old material in just a few hours.
I really like the imageFORMULA R40 scanner for home or small office use and think it's priced accordingly. It is much faster than the SnapScan it replaces but I like the SnapScan software a bit better.
I gave four stars due to the software link and paper catch tray. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
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The MFC-J4535DW features fast print and scan speeds, expanded paper capacity and duplex printing along with enough ink for up to one-year of printing with just the ink included in-box(1). Get full print, copy, scan and fax functionality, wireless printing and scanning(2) plus two adjustable paper trays for up to a 400-page total capacity for your home, home office, schoolwork or small business. There’s also an up to 20-sheet automatic document feeder for fast copying and scanning and a bypass tray to handle a variety of media. The 2.7” touchscreen enables easy navigation and easy access to powerful features plus print-from and scan-to popular cloud services including Google Drive™, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive and more(3), directly from the printer. The MFCJ4335DW INKvestment Tank all-in-one color inkjet printer includes versatile connection options with NFC touch to print(4), built in wireless(2), Wi-Fi Direct®, Ethernet or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface. This feature-filled INKvestment Tank printer is supported by the free Brother Mobile Connect(5) App providing a convenient user interface that enables printing, scanning, copying and device management from your smartphone or tablet. Enhanced color graphics and reengineered ink provide vivid colors making it great for printing photos and color documents. The MFC-J4535DW uses reengineered INKvestment Tank ink cartridges that automatically and continually supply ink to the internal tank to deliver uninterrupted printing and convenience with no need to stop and refill the ink tank. Replacing cartridges is super easy - just pop out the empty cartridge and snap in a front-loading, plug-in replacement and get back to printing. The MFC-J4535DW features the unique Brother Page Gauge(6) which estimates remaining page levels, so you always know how much ink you have left. Keep pace with the growing need for color printing with the Brother MFC-J4535DW INKvestment Tank color inkjet all-in-one printer.
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
Brother MFC-J4535
The Brother MFC-J4535 Inkvestment ink jet printer resembles most of Brother’s other MFC printers. Primarily plastic with plastic pieces. This is my second MFC printer and other than a few design changes they are pretty much the same.
The J4535 is an “INKvestment” model, using a larger ink tank cartridge to fill a smaller internal tank on the print heads. I guess this is to compete with Epson’s ecotank line. The unit ships with what Brother called the “starter” cartridges and advertises on the box and unit that it has enough ink to last up to a year (fine print: when printing only 150 pages per month). There are two versions of the cartridge, the regular which is about 3000 pages and the XL which is double at 6000 pages. I was unable to find a duty cycle rating for this machine.
The J4535 comes with two paper trays which hold up to 400 sheets. It can handle 8.5x14 paper in either tray; however, legal paper sticks out the front of the machine. There is also a single-sheet feed in the rear of the machine for thicker paper and card stock. Brother says you can use coated or photo paper in the top tray but I prefer to use the single sheet feeder.
Connecting the machine to my wireless network was quick and easy and installing the software went as expected on both my Windows and Mac computers and laptops. They all found and recognized the printer without incident. The software includes PaperPort SE 14 for document handling. Most of my scanning is to create PDF’s so I use Acrobat rather than the bundled products. I find bundled software like PaperPort cumbersome but generally usable.
Other than the lack of the flip-up document holder, the scanner is the same as my previous model, which is nice, especially if you have it on a shelf with low clearance. There is a flip up catch to stop the scanned documents from running off the top and over the edge. You can also lift up the feeder and use the flat glass to scan items that can't go through the feeder. Scanning is good quality and depending on settings, moves through at a decent pace although I wouldn't consider it high speed and it does not do auto duplexing like the printer does. The software gives you the choice of output including PDF, JPEG, PNG, TEXT, RTF and TIFF. It will also auto-rotate your documents. You can create workflows which save your favorite settings for things like photos and documents. Scanning to email and cloud services like google and dropbox are also supported.
The print quality from the J4535 is acceptable and pretty much the same as my previous Brother MFC machine. Text is readable at 8 points, colors are accurate and shading was smooth both in gray scale and color. I would have liked the black to be a bit darker. Although not as crisp and dark as I would like, I was using standard copy paper and not inkjet specific paper which has a less porous finish and is a bit more expensive. Repeating the same page using a generic glossy photo paper fared even worse than expected. Using photo paper in the media settings - the print took considerably longer and the ink created spots and drops in solid areas. Using the same paper but with regular media selected, the drops in solid areas got even worse. This is clearly not a photo printer. Examples of prints and how the scanner works are included.
There is also a front mounted usb port to print directly from a thumb drive but this seems limited to jpeg files and with the print quality I mentioned, not something I see getting much use.
The printer does have an auto-duplex mode to print on both sides of the page which is very convenient when sending a large print job, however as mentioned above, the scanner is only single sided so it's a no go on double sided copies unless you duplex manually.
The Brother MFC-J4535 also does faxing but in 2021 I don't know why. Like many people these days I don't have a landline phone line. The fax system seems to be full featured and there if you need it.
The LCD touch screen is easy to see and the interface makes it easy to use and control all of the device's features.
Like many printers these days, Brother provides a mobile app that allows you to print and scan to and from your phone. The app works as expected and is great for road warriors that use their phones.
Final thoughts - this machine is plastic and the paper trays and supports are pretty flimsy and need to be used with care. The reason I purchased my first Brother printer was due to it having the least expensive consumables however, after having to purchase new ink cartridges every time I print (which is not that frequently) it might not be such a great deal. It is important to know that even when turned off, this machine, like most other Brother machines, will turn on to perform print head maintenance which drinks ink to keep the nozzles clean. While this is not the first INKvestment printer Brother makes, it is a new design cartridge and I havent found replacements yet. The wireless connectivity is a huge convenience and the mobile app is a nice touch. While it might be possible to refine the print quality by working with the settings and using different paper, I find print quality out of the box with default settings to be a touch disappointing.
There are three models in this INKvestment lineup so far. Unless you absolutely need multiple paper trays for the convenience of using different paper sizes, I would hesitate to recommend this model but would steer you to the mid-range version.
If you need dual paper trays because you print that much, an inkjet printer might not be your best investment.
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No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro is a revolutionary hybrid styler that can trim, shave and create clean lines and edges, on any length of hair. Its dual protection system – a glide coating combined with rounded tips – makes shaving easier and comfortable. Its shaving technology features a fast-moving cutter (200x per second) so it's efficient - even on longer hairs. Trim your beard to an even length with the included adjustable precision comb. Dial up one of the 14 lock-in length settings to get everything from a 5 o'clock shadow, to a tight trim, to a longer beard style. OneBlade is water resistant, so it is easy to clean: just rinse it under the tap. You can shave wet or dry, with or without foam - whichever you prefer. Rechargeable Li-Ion battery delivers 120 minutes of constant styling power after a 1 hour charge. The blades are designed for lasting performance. For optimal performance, you will only need to replace each blade every 4 months (For best shaving experience. Based on 2 full shaves per week. Actual results may vary.).* Replacement is easy and hassle free.
Customer Rating
5
Almost as close as a blade
on April 2, 2021
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I’ve been intrigued about the Norelco OneBlade shavers for a while and am glad I finally got the chance to give one a try.
The OneBlade head is about the size of a disposable razor with clipper-like blades on each side. The blade is very thin and is on a pivot. It can shave like a blade and trip like clippers and it's good to use wet or dry.
The device arrived needing charging which only took about an hour. The digital display on the front of the unit tells you the remaining charge. There is a charging base included with the OneBlade but you can also plug the charger directly into the shaver although the shaver slides in and out of the base easier than the plug slips in and out of the shaver. The only disadvantage of the base is the bottom of the One Blade is angled so it won't stand on its own without the base.
I was really surprised at how close the OneBlade shave was. The blade is on a pivot similar to disposable blades, making it easy to keep flat while shaving. Several shaves later and I’ve found it's easier to drag the head rather than push it forward. The shave is not as close as a blade but there wasn't enough stubble to attract any material from a fuzzy blanket. I think this would be a perfect choice for anyone who gets razor bumps.
The Pro model comes with an adjustable beard/moustache trimmer which works well. Due to the tooth size of the blade it took a little more effort to use but the cut was even and consistent.
Regarding the battery life, I’ve gone a week and am just over 80% remaining. I would feel comfortable taking this with me on a week long trip and not having a charger with me.
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
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Whether you prefer pods or drip, choose how you brew with the Mr. Coffee Pod + 10-Cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer. This programmable coffee maker lets you to brew a single cup using a pod, or up to 10 cups of drip coffee into a carafe. The pod holder attachment makes this coffee maker more versatile: you can brew 2 ways, and save countertop space. This coffee making machine is designed with a Strong Brew Selector, as well as an advanced water filtration system to help improve coffee flavor. This drip coffee maker also features a stainless steel thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. When brewing a carafe, if you need a cup before brewing is finished, use the Grab-a-Cup feature. Also includes removable reservoir, and a reusable single-serve filter.
Customer Rating
4
Don't just be good, be great.
on March 24, 2021
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I’ve been a coffee drinker for too many years, using every type of brewer imaginable. Percolator, drip, espresso, french press, pour-over and both of the major pod brands. In the end, I always seem to fall back to my Bunn speed brew - the model I base all others against. The only downside is when I want a quick single cup.
Like many, counter space in my kitchen is limited so having two coffee makers just doesn't work. The Mr. Coffee Pod + solves this by combining full pot capability using a filter along with a single cup maker using K-Cup pod technology. There is also an included single cup K-Cup filter so you can use your favorite grind.
When you first unbox the Mr. Coffee Pod+, the plastic smell is overwhelming, even after washing the parts. It took two days for this smell to subside.
Making coffee is just like any other coffee maker, fill up the removable water reservoir, put your filter and coffee in the basket, select the number of cups you want to make with the selection button then press brew now. The pump pulls in a bit of water and heats quickly. The pump moves the hot water from the reservoir at a decent pace. I was impressed with the speed of the Pod+ brewer, a full carafe of coffee took just over 7 minutes, While not as fast as a Bunn, it's respectable and having the timer feature to have your brew ready when you want makes this not so much an issue.
Using a pod is a multi-step process. You need to insert your pod into the pod holder, place the holder in the brew basket then put the brew basket into the machine - the machine knows it's a pod and changes from cups to ounces on the size selector button. Select your cup size, strong setting if desired then press the Brew Now button or you can schedule brewing for later using the Brew Later button. The finished cup from a K-Cup pod tasted as expected.
There is an automatic shutoff on the brew basket for those who just can't wait to get to the coffee but I don't recommend doing this. Like most things the 80/20 rule comes into play here. 80% of the coffee is extracted in the first 20% of the brew time so you either end up with a strong first cup and weak rest of the pot or weak first cup and strong pot. A final thought on the shutoff feature. The trigger arm for the shutoff feature runs down the back of the unit which allows you use pretty much any thermal carafe that fits under the brew basket if you have others available and need to make multiple pots you should be good to go.
The Pod+ has a timer so you can set it up at night to have your brew hot and ready when you wake up. Another reason you shouldn't have to use the brew pause feature. This also works with the pod feature - a really nice touch.
There is a strong setting that pauses and slows the brew cycle, allowing the grounds to saturate, then continues the brew cycle leaving a stronger cup/pot of coffee. This setting adds about a minute to the brew time of a full carafe. Unfortunately, it does not remember this setting and you have to press it for each brew.
While brewing a carafe, the Pod+ pours the hot water in a steady stream in the middle of the brew basket and there is not enough turbulence to stir all the grinds so the top grinds around the edges suffer from an incomplete extraction making the finished product not quite as full bodied as my Bunn. The strong setting helps with this a little.
The Pod+ comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe which works well. Running a 10 cup regular brew cycle, the liquid temp was 186. After three hours it was 168.
Overall, I like the Mr. Coffee Pod+ coffee maker and have been looking for something that would make both pods and full pots for some time. It makes a decent cup of coffee from both the pod and carafe.
Yes I would recommend the Mr. Coffee Pod+ Thermal Carafe brewer to a friend with this caveat - buy this brewer if you regularly make pots of coffee and have an occasional desire for pods. I think the somewhat convoluted (although unique) way this machine handles pods would become frustrating with everyday use, versus simply lifting and lowering a handle - but it works.
I think the addition of some type of diverter to shower the water over the brew basket for a more even distribution and better extraction would take this model from just good to great.
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Wahl Edge Pro Corded Trimmer/Shaver
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I’ve been using Wahl clippers and trimmers on and off for over 40 years and like the Edge Pro, all have been well built. I can't tell you the number of clippers and trimmers I've purchased trying to get the closest cut, until now.
The motor in the Edge Pro is more powerful than in my battery or rechargeable products due to it being corded. This motor moves one of the sharpest closest blades I've seen. Speaking of cord, Wahl has given you plenty of it, measuring in at just under 9 feet long.
For those used to going to the barbershop (oh those were the days) you may remember a small white clipper called the peanut, also by wahl. This was the first thing I thought of when I got the Edge Pro’s. Although not quite as small as the peanut, the Edge Pro’s are not what I would consider a full-size clipper. The weight gives them a nice balance and feel, not making your hand and arm tired while cutting.
While you can use the Edge Pro’s as a beard and moustache trimmer, and it works perfectly in that regard, it feels the trimmer was designed more as a hair clipper and edger/designer. I shaved each side of my head with two different clippers and my wife picked out the Edge Pro’s side as the closest shave. It's not as smooth as a blade or foil shaver and left me with a faint amount of stubble, not quite a 5:00 shadow but perfect for those who might suffer from razor burn. The sharpness of the blades allow them to cut through the thickest hair like a hot knife through butter.
The Edge Pro comes with 12 different length blade combs, two cleaning brushes, barber shears, a hair comb, a smaller beard comb, a vial of blade oil and a satchel to carry it all. I love the larger cleaning brush and beard comb. Not so much for the rest of the items. To start with, the satchel to hold everything is just a little too small so you have to cram everything in it. The long hard comb just barely fits. Like most wahl products, the combs are sharp and scratchy to the scalp when used.
At the end of the day, the Wahl Edge Pro clippers are definitely worth their price. They have the closest clipper cut I’ve ever had. I gave four stars for the poorly designed carry pouch and cheap feeling blade combs.
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
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The all new XPS 13 featuring 11th Gen InteI Core mobile processors, it’s now possible to enjoy incredibly immersive entertainment on a remarkably thin and light laptop. The stunning 4-sided InfinityEdge display enables us to bring a 6.8% larger 16:10 display to the 13-inch, all in a 2% smaller size than before, delivering a 91.5% screen to body ratio. 100% of the enclosure is sculpted by a CNC (computer numerical control) machining process. A high precision, machine-milled aluminum chassis creates an elegant design with high build quality that’s stronger and stiffer than magnesium or plastic.
Customer Rating
3
Don't buy it for the battery life
on February 25, 2021
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
This is my second XPS 13, the first was a 2017 two in one model with the standard HD display.
I thought being able to use the XPS as a tablet would be cool but it had an awkward feel to it and I think if I used tablet mode five times it was a lot so not having the two-in-one model isn't a game changer for me.
This year's model is a stunning frost white model with the 16:10 UHD touch screen, 16 GB Ram and a 512GB SSD and it comes packaged in a beautiful jewelry box looking case, supposedly to match the gem Dell wanted it to be. Inside the box you also get the power brick which comes with two plug options - a direct fit plug so you can plug the brick right into the wall as well as a longer cord if you need a bit more length. A nice touch. There is also the USB C to USB 3 dongle, all of which are white to match the frost white of the machine. The XPS comes with two USB C ports which support Thunderbolt 4, a MicroSD slot and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The build on the XPS is solid due to the aluminum body and Gorilla Glass 6 on the display. I did find it requires two hands to open though.
Start-up out of the box took just under 20 minutes, getting windows, Windows Hello face recognition (you can also use a fingerprint, the reader is built into the power button unlike my previous model which was a separate spot on the hand rest) and account info setup.
Like my first XPS (and other Dell laptops) it comes with a one year subscription to Mcafee antivirus, which I generally delete and just go with Microsoft’s defender product. You are also offered one free month of Microsoft Office if you like. Side note here, the browser version of Office is free for anyone who wants to use it.
The UHD display on the XPS is gorgeous! Text is smooth and crisp, graphics and photos are sharp and clean. I’ve never been a fan of touch screens on anything other than tablets, I just don't like seeing the finger prints on my screen so I generally don't use that feature. I did notice that with some colors and backlight brightness you get some backlight edge bleed. Another difference on this model is the webcam, which was moved from the bottom to the top of the screen, giving a better view and making the windows hello login easier.
For connectivity, the XPS comes with Wi-Fi 6 which is not currently wide-spread and I haven't upgraded my equipment to it yet. I had no trouble connecting to my network and easily reached my subscribed speed.
Bluetooth 5.1 connected to everything I attempted, speakers, keyboards, mice and headphone all connected without issue.
Dell says battery life while streaming with the UHD screen is rated at just over 8 hours. With the scaling set to 100% (300% is the Windows recommendation) and brightness set to about 60%, I was unfortunately only able to stream tv shows (using Wi-Fi) through the Edge browser for almost exactly five hours before the XPS shut down with only 10% battery life remaining. I expect using productivity apps like Photoshop or Premiere Pro you would get considerably less due to the processing power and cooling fans running required for these types of apps.
The backlit keyboard is responsive and has a solid feel. Using it at night with the backlights gives the appearance that the keys are sloped and messed with my mind a bit (the keys are not sloped). The trackpad is improved over my previous model and is much more responsive. Both the keyboard and trackpad are much improved over my 2017 XPS.
The built-in speakers had nice volume with sufficient sound that matched the equipment. I wouldn't consider them audiophile by any stretch but they get the job done.
Unlike my previous XPS, RAM is now soldered on and is not user upgradeable so purchase accordingly. Storage however, is upgradeable using M.2 2280 drives, however this is not the case with all the current XPS models.
I really wanted to like this laptop. The build quality, UHD display, overall chip performance and better trackpad and keyboard are much improved over my previous model. Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 4 are definitely forward thinking. If you need a premium compact Windows laptop now, the Dell XPS 13 9310 is not the worst you could do. The abysmal battery life in my opinion however, is a deal breaker. Five hours is barely enough to cover a cross-country flight.
With the technological advancements in the last six months, especially those from the red delicious folks in Cupertino, PC manufacturers have a lot of ground to make up.
Sadly, due to the battery life, I cannot recommend this model to a friend.
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No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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1of 3voted this as helpful.
![H&R Block Tax Software Premium 2020 [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6440/6440231_sd.jpg)
This H&R Block Premium Tax software provides everything a homeowner, investor, rental property owner, or self-employed Schedule C filer needs to easily complete federal and state taxes. It includes a free online chat with a tax professional, step-by-step assistance on hundreds of credits and deductions, in-person representation in the unlikely event of an audit, and tax calculators to help determine the cost basis of a home sale, dividend, gift, and inheritance assets.
Customer Rating
3
Maybe not for first time filers
on January 28, 2021
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I don't know anyone who enjoys doing taxes but it's something we all need to do.
A lot of reviews speak to having trouble getting the H&R Block software downloaded and installed. I did not experience this. The product downloaded and installed on the first try with no issues.
I am a multi-platform user and when using the competitor, both PC and Mac versions were always included in the box. H&R Block does have specific versions along with some dual platform versions. I shouldn't have to worry that I might purchase the wrong version. Keep it simple, include both with all offerings.
After installing and running the product, I didn’t find the interface as friendly as the competition, it was very pedestrian, designed more for accountants and number crunchers. No frills.
I’ve used the competitor's product for about 20 years and was able to ingest last year's files, even though they were not done with the block product.
I did like that I didn't have to enter my information. Block was able to locate and download one of my W2s and the others I was able to import the .pdf files, just having to double check the numbers. You can also snap a picture of your documents and import those as well. This was a plus.
The software does go through all the questions needed to ensure it gets all your financial information correctly. It does this by presenting you with lists of questions displayed all at once rather than asking one or two at a time. Simply check the items that pertain to you then enter the numbers from the corresponding documents. While this made the process faster, I did have to go through the questions multiple times to ensure I read and selected the appropriate boxes. Having them presented in a singular format gives you the opportunity to focus on the question, read the description and decide before moving to the next.
The Premium product (along with others) included the state product as well. Downloading and installing went just as easily as the main product. Filing state taxes was just as simple. The program entered the main information directly then asked specific state questions for additional info and deductions.
The software checks your information for accuracy and audit potential and guarantees if you find another software preparation that results in a larger refund H&R Block will refund your fees. They also offer free in-person audit support should you need it.
The license for the product allows you five free federal e-files. You have to pay for state e-files with all products (I print and mail these). Filing was just as easy as with the competitor. Enter your banking account information for up to three separate accounts to have your refund deposited to.
I found the H&R Block software easy to use and am comforted with their guarantee and audit protection, something the competitor charges extra for. I’ve given it three stars due to the numerous windows/mac versions rather than fewer options covering both platforms, it's drab interface and possibly confusing method of asking questions for your tax and financial information.
I would recommend this to a friend BUT only if they were already comfortable with filing their own taxes. I think this product might be a little confusing for a first time filer.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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3of 3voted this as helpful.
Feel the bass in your bones with Crusher Evo — the latest advancement in the famous Skullcandy Crusher line. Patented Adjustable Sensory Bass technology is an experience that you can’t get in any other headphones. And now, you can even customize the sound to your unique hearing through a quick audio test in the Skullcandy App. So you’ll hear the music exactly the way it was meant to be heard. Critical controls — call, track change, volume, and Crusher Bass — are conveniently located with easy-to-use tactile buttons. Tile finding technology lets you “ring” your headphones if they’re ever lost or misplaced, so you’ll never return home without them. Rapid Charge capability provides 4 hours of listening time on just 10 minutes of charge, and a full charge lets you feel the music for an amazing 40 hours. Crusher Evo is also travel-ready. It folds flat to fit perfectly into the included travel case.
Posted by: RonH
from Washington DC
I love listening to music with heavy bass and have several pairs of headphones that fill this requirement, including last year’s Crusher 360 Limited Edition which were one of my all time favorites. Until now!
Packaging
When you open the package you are greeted with a fur-lined canvas-like bag that contains the Evo’s. Unlike drawstring pouches, this has a hard plastic clip which rolls down like a coffee bean bag. Roll it twice then clasp the clip. When you open the inner flap you are presented with instructions on how to pair the headphones to your device and instructions on how to download the Skullcandy app. Both were trouble free. Also in the box is a USB C charging cable and an aux cable to use if your device doesn't have bluetooth.
When you open the package you are greeted with a fur-lined canvas-like bag that contains the Evo’s. Unlike drawstring pouches, this has a hard plastic clip which rolls down like a coffee bean bag. Roll it twice then clasp the clip. When you open the inner flap you are presented with instructions on how to pair the headphones to your device and instructions on how to download the Skullcandy app. Both were trouble free. Also in the box is a USB C charging cable and an aux cable to use if your device doesn't have bluetooth.
Build
Unlike the LE’s, the EVO’s are mostly plastic but maintain a solid feel. Also unlike the LE’s, the EVO’s ear cups swivel 90 degrees in each direction, making the fit a bit more comfortable from the LE’s limited movement.
Unlike the LE’s, the EVO’s are mostly plastic but maintain a solid feel. Also unlike the LE’s, the EVO’s ear cups swivel 90 degrees in each direction, making the fit a bit more comfortable from the LE’s limited movement.
Battery life
Crusher 360 EVO’s are rated for 40 hours of battery life and live true to this. I only have to charge them once a week or so with moderate usage. There is a 10 minute rapid charge that will give four hours of use and a full charge only takes an hour. Charging is via the included USB C cord.
Crusher 360 EVO’s are rated for 40 hours of battery life and live true to this. I only have to charge them once a week or so with moderate usage. There is a 10 minute rapid charge that will give four hours of use and a full charge only takes an hour. Charging is via the included USB C cord.
Sound
But how does it sound? OMG, this is the reason you buy headphones! Let me start with you HAVE to get the app! These headphones sound great with no sensory bass but when you move the slider up, WOW! Not only do you get brain shaking bass, you don't lose any warmth of the mids and highs. Unlike last year's Crusher LE’s, you actually hear the bass through the entire range rather than just being shaken by the vibrations, what I referred to as simulated or manufactured bass. Once you adjust for your personal hearing on the app, it sounds even better.
But how does it sound? OMG, this is the reason you buy headphones! Let me start with you HAVE to get the app! These headphones sound great with no sensory bass but when you move the slider up, WOW! Not only do you get brain shaking bass, you don't lose any warmth of the mids and highs. Unlike last year's Crusher LE’s, you actually hear the bass through the entire range rather than just being shaken by the vibrations, what I referred to as simulated or manufactured bass. Once you adjust for your personal hearing on the app, it sounds even better.
The EVO’s come with an aux cable so you can use them with older devices that might not have bluetooth, like my iPod classic, or when the battery is dead. You need to have the power on for the sensory bass but they sound excellent even without it. I read a few reviews that mentioned a slight hiss while using the aux cord but I didn’t experience it.
Phone calls sound crisp and clear. The called party was unable to tell I was using headphones.
Tile location finder
The Crusher EVO’s include Tile finding technology which worked as expected. You have to install the Tile app if you don't already have it, then activate the headphones. Once set up, click find in the app and the EVO’s chirp so you can find them. It works even when the headphones are powered off. I hope I never have to use it but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.
The Crusher EVO’s include Tile finding technology which worked as expected. You have to install the Tile app if you don't already have it, then activate the headphones. Once set up, click find in the app and the EVO’s chirp so you can find them. It works even when the headphones are powered off. I hope I never have to use it but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.
Conclusion
I thought last year’s crushers were great but the EVO’s blow them away. They are more comfortable to wear and sound better than I expected. If you love head banging bass you need to get these headphones.
I thought last year’s crushers were great but the EVO’s blow them away. They are more comfortable to wear and sound better than I expected. If you love head banging bass you need to get these headphones.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Farenheit Flare is great for the backyard or for your outdoor adventures. This easy to transport fire pit will add warmth and atmosphere. Designed to reduce smoke so you can cozy up and enjoy yourself.
Can this stove be used on a deck?
Per the instructions, this should be placed on a non-flammable surface like concrete and not used on decks, either wood or composite wood. While this is a compact unit, it does get very hot.
2 years, 7 months ago
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The Soundcore by Anker Select Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker has powerful stereo sound and BassUp technology to fill any room with high-quality sound, even in the great outdoors. It features built-in LEDs that blink in time to the beat, creating a fun light show. This portable speaker can play up to 16 hours from one single charge and has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it even great for poolside listening.
Does the Soundcore Select Pro have a mic to answer phone calls.
Yes, the Select Pro has a microphone and it sounds great!
2 years, 11 months ago
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RonH
The Soundcore by Anker Select Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker has powerful stereo sound and BassUp technology to fill any room with high-quality sound, even in the great outdoors. It features built-in LEDs that blink in time to the beat, creating a fun light show. This portable speaker can play up to 16 hours from one single charge and has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it even great for poolside listening.
Does the connection for charging other devices use USB-C or USB-A?
The charging port is USB C the port to charge your phone is USB A
2 years, 11 months ago
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The Canon imageFORMULA R40 scanner, easy to set up and use, allows users to increase productivity and organization at home or in the office. Quickly convert paper documents to searchable digital files using the bundled software.
Can this scan documents directly onto an external hard drive or thumb drive, without a computer intermediary?
No, the R40 does not have the ability to scan to a thumb or external drive.
2 years, 11 months ago
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RonH
The Canon imageFORMULA R40 scanner, easy to set up and use, allows users to increase productivity and organization at home or in the office. Quickly convert paper documents to searchable digital files using the bundled software.
can you use as a flatbed?
No, this is a sheet-fed scanner. It does not have a scanning bed like a multi-function device.
2 years, 11 months ago
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Wahl Edge Pro Corded Trimmer/Shaver
Does this product have a nose trimmer attachment to remove hair from inside the nose?
No, this product does not have a nose hair trimmer.
3 years, 2 months ago
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RonH
Feel the bass in your bones with Crusher Evo — the latest advancement in the famous Skullcandy Crusher line. Patented Adjustable Sensory Bass technology is an experience that you can’t get in any other headphones. And now, you can even customize the sound to your unique hearing through a quick audio test in the Skullcandy App. So you’ll hear the music exactly the way it was meant to be heard. Critical controls — call, track change, volume, and Crusher Bass — are conveniently located with easy-to-use tactile buttons. Tile finding technology lets you “ring” your headphones if they’re ever lost or misplaced, so you’ll never return home without them. Rapid Charge capability provides 4 hours of listening time on just 10 minutes of charge, and a full charge lets you feel the music for an amazing 40 hours. Crusher Evo is also travel-ready. It folds flat to fit perfectly into the included travel case.
do these come with a usb adapter or do they connect via bluetooth?
These come with a USB charging cable but they only connect via Bluetooth or Aux cable.
3 years, 3 months ago
by
RonH
Feel the bass in your bones with Crusher Evo — the latest advancement in the famous Skullcandy Crusher line. Patented Adjustable Sensory Bass technology is an experience that you can’t get in any other headphones. And now, you can even customize the sound to your unique hearing through a quick audio test in the Skullcandy App. So you’ll hear the music exactly the way it was meant to be heard. Critical controls — call, track change, volume, and Crusher Bass — are conveniently located with easy-to-use tactile buttons. Tile finding technology lets you “ring” your headphones if they’re ever lost or misplaced, so you’ll never return home without them. Rapid Charge capability provides 4 hours of listening time on just 10 minutes of charge, and a full charge lets you feel the music for an amazing 40 hours. Crusher Evo is also travel-ready. It folds flat to fit perfectly into the included travel case.
Can these work with a iPad
Feel the bass in your bones with Crusher Evo — the latest advancement in the famous Skullcandy Crusher line. Patented Adjustable Sensory Bass technology is an experience that you can’t get in any other headphones. And now, you can even customize the sound to your unique hearing through a quick audio test in the Skullcandy App. So you’ll hear the music exactly the way it was meant to be heard. Critical controls — call, track change, volume, and Crusher Bass — are conveniently located with easy-to-use tactile buttons. Tile finding technology lets you “ring” your headphones if they’re ever lost or misplaced, so you’ll never return home without them. Rapid Charge capability provides 4 hours of listening time on just 10 minutes of charge, and a full charge lets you feel the music for an amazing 40 hours. Crusher Evo is also travel-ready. It folds flat to fit perfectly into the included travel case.
Does this set of headphones have infrared? Looking for a set for DVD player in my vehicle
No, these do not have infrared. They connect via Bluetooth or aux cable.
3 years, 3 months ago
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RonH
Full-size cleaning without the cord. Full-size Bin. Full-size cleaner head. Now with full-size bin and full-size cleaner head for full-size cleaning, without the cord. ¹ Tested at the cleaner head to ASTM F558, dust-loaded.² Runtime based on consecutive use of two battery packs. Actual runtime will vary based on power mode, floor type, and/or attachments used.³In Boost mode. All other modes achieve at least 99.97% filtration.
Does this model produce a high-pitched noise like the older models? - curious if anyone has a point of reference on noise level.
The motor does have a unique sound but i don't feel its really high pitched and it doesn't bother my dogs.
4 years, 2 months ago
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RonH