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Scott M.

Scott M.

Joined on 12/26/09

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 7
Most Favorable Review

Kaspersky - the current king

Kaspersky Internet Security 2015 3 User - Download
Kaspersky Internet Security 2015 3 User - Download

Pros: #1 - Effective against "all" (changes constantly) known threats. Stops crypto-lockers. #2 - Doesn't slow down your computer significantly, it only notifies you if there's a threat detected, if it alarms - PAY ATTENTION! It's for real. It doesn't waste your time or resources counting supposed "saves" and otherwise waste your time and resources advertising itself. #3 - Cheap and on sale frequently for little or no money (rebate for full price common). When this software gets the reputation it deserves, it will probably command full price - and be worth it!

Cons: None I've seen.

Overall Review: Right now this AV is in a class of 1. It stops crypto-lockers dead. I personally have seen Crypto get right past an "M brand" antivirus program, while Kaspersky dispatched it with no effort. This happened to one of my customers who lost their whole MS database on the "M" anti virus (just re-suscribed) equipped machine. When it alarms, click on the toolbar icon and foloow directions, then go back to what you were doing. No fuss.

10/12/2014
Most Critical Review

Good Product, Disorganized support

McAfee Internet Security 2014 - 3 PCs (Product Key Card)
McAfee Internet Security 2014 - 3 PCs (Product Key Card)

Pros: Good, reliable relatively un-obtrusive Anti-Virus protection.

Cons: Telephone support unreachable, dis-organized internet support.

Overall Review: I was a McAfee customer for many years, (Since Norton stiffed me with poor support ... trend here?) Using McAfee exclusively myself, and recommending/installing it most customers machines. A couple of years back, I tried to add my sons' laptop on to my account which had an unused copy on it (you get 3 personal machines per license, installable through the website), and they charged me the full amount (nearly $100 if I recall), and opened another account with 2 unused licenses on it. This all happened without my knowledge, since they had my CC number on file, and permission to draw from it for yearly update charges. Numerous e-mails and phone calls went without response. After getting no answer from repeated e-mails, I made several phone calls all of which were on hold for over an hour, with some 3-4hours. I finally gave up and let everything expire.

11/26/2013

Natural, balanced sound, well above any expectations, works as it should.

Xiaomi MDZ-26-DB Mi Bluetooth Speaker - Gold
Xiaomi MDZ-26-DB Mi Bluetooth Speaker - Gold

Pros: Sound from the days when how it sounded counted more than anything. Incredible price point. The sound, the Mi punches so far over it's weight class, it's shocking. Works perfectly, does exactly what is needed, and executes it flawlessly. Well made, exudes quality, solid construction. The sound, can't say this enough. Bought this during a computer build, ordered a pair of 2 way vented speakers (Rosewill Bz-201) for 6 times the price. The Mi shreds them, I made the mistake of listening to the Mi while setting up the BZ-201 system. What a letdown, trouble getting BT connected, then nothing but typical hiss and boom you get these days. Turned them off, sitting here listen to the Mi, 4 MORE in cart. I have 2 sons getting them for Christmas, need one for car, shop, and one to take apart. Gotta see how they're doing this.

Cons: Buy more than one, people will want yours. Lipo doesn't appear to be consumer replaceable, not an issue for me, but a user replaceable battery would be nice. This WILL outlast the battery, several times. Lack of manual, had to go online for details, expected, I guess these days, but shouldn't be. Darn, it sounds good, have Dire Straits "So Far" on.... wow.

Overall Review: Absolutely hits all the marks. Best sound from any Bluetooth driven system I've heard. I'm an electrical engineer whose sound system is model 604 Altecs driven by JVC Super A and a MacIntosh preamp fed by moving coil. I have over 40yrs in audio, 20 professionally. I don't throw around these reviews. I would buy this instantly at ten times the price!! Best quality build I've seen in a very long time. feels like there's something there (and there IS) Just order one, you can't get a decent 32gb SD card for the price of this. If I'm wrong, get in touch, I'll buy yours. Welcome to the tiny family of quality audio Mi!

11/15/2019

Fast, Cool, Efficient.

AMD A10-7850K - A-Series APU Kaveri Quad-Core 3.7 GHz Socket FM2+ 95W AMD Radeon R7 Desktop Processor - AD785KXBJABOX
AMD A10-7850K - A-Series APU Kaveri Quad-Core 3.7 GHz Socket FM2+ 95W AMD Radeon R7 Desktop Processor - AD785KXBJABOX

Pros: KAVERI - Loaded in ASUS Crossblade Ranger w/8GB 2400 PC3 Runs cool (<200w loaded - NO Fan noise) [email protected], Samsung 500gb ssd w/Magician This just plain flies 40FPS most Games, X-Plane -- 89% in Sandra Lite for <$500 NO video card!! Try it, You'll like it!

Cons: Competition hates it. Don't let anybody tell you it can't handle games. It can.

Overall Review: Hard to believe these aren't all the rage, as fast and energy efficient as they are. The Kabini's are it's baby brother and share all the advantages for very low bucks.

10/21/2015

Most bang for the non-enthusiast buck

AMD Athlon 5350 - Athlon Kabini Quad-Core 2.05 GHz Socket AM1 25W AMD Radeon R3 Desktop Processor - AD5350JAHMBOX
AMD Athlon 5350 - Athlon Kabini Quad-Core 2.05 GHz Socket AM1 25W AMD Radeon R3 Desktop Processor - AD5350JAHMBOX

Pros: An incredible home office/school computer solution. Will run most anything well. Bottom line: Don't overthink this, put it in a decent compact ITX MB, small power supply, 4-8gb of good memory, and use the factory heatsink. It will work great for anything but resource hogging games or exotic systems. The stock heatsink is more than adequate, as is most any power supply. It doesn't waste power as heat. Most people figure on upgrading the heatsink automatically, RESIST this urge. Small power in = small power out (Heat) Runs well on 4GB. Use 8gb if it makes yo feel better. go DDR either way. It runs Realflight 7 Flight Sim @ 30FPS with all options on full. Surprised the heck out of me. (RF7 can overheat nearly any factory processor setup) I started out with 8gb DDR but "borrowed" a strip for a repair job. Still runs RF 7 fill tilt on 4gb single channel. This processor just keeps amazing me. This is a resource sipping processsor. It will run any home application effortlesslly. I havn't tried gaming with it beyond the flightsim but it most probably holds it's own quite well. If you're building a gaming machine, go with the APU line, otherwise, you'll love this chip! Bought this release day in a package from Newegg with a CoolerMaster compact case and MB. I wish I could get more at that price.

Cons: Works so well it's boring. No overclocking, liquid cooling, massive fans or drama. Set it up with the included drive package, run it. Works great. B-O-R-I-N-G.

Overall Review: I'm surprised these havn't made the news. If all the computers out there were replaced with one of these, it would do more to save energy than all the compact flourescents in China!! Revolutionary. They are the Home Office answer to the APU line. If you truly need extreme power, go with a black edition 12 core APU, otherwise this will handle the job economically. Intel must hate these 2 processors. The fans that cool Intel's equals to these 2 processors cost more than the AMD processor does. Amazing.

Feels American Made

Cooler Master Elite 130 - Mini-ITX Computer Case with Mesh Front Panel and Water Cooling Support
Cooler Master Elite 130 - Mini-ITX Computer Case with Mesh Front Panel and Water Cooling Support

Pros: SOLID construction, more steel than plastic. Quality feel. Good airflow - both convection and fan. Included fan adequate for most systems (that this case style suits) Well laid out for such a small case.

Cons: Had to repair DVD drive retainer - plastic spring wasn't pulling the pins into the drive. Here's the fix: pop out the strip, heat the points where the 'springs' meet the center with a lighter until soft, flex them inward (away from the lever) and let cool. Snap back in place. - done.

Overall Review: The new stackable version is genius. I was going to suggest a larger version, but they beat me to it.