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Robert R.

Robert R.

Joined on 04/30/03

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 6
Most Favorable Review

Wrong dimensions

Fractal Design Core 1000 Micro ATX Computer Case w/  1 x 120mm fan
Fractal Design Core 1000 Micro ATX Computer Case w/ 1 x 120mm fan

Pros: Everything else is as-described and it's a great quality case at a steal of a price.

Cons: The listed dimensions are a bit off. It's basically 14.75" tall, 17.5" deep, and 7" wide. No wonder it fits a little more snug into the space I chose than I thought it would. If it were the dimensions it's supposed to be, I wouldn't have to jigsaw out the fiberboard backing of my enterainment center for the plugs that will stick out the rear I/O.

Most Critical Review

Couldn't connect

Edimax EW-7438RPn V2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender, Repeater, Wireless Bridge, Access Point, Wall Plug design, Smart LED Signal Indicator, Easy iQSetup by Smart Phone (No CD Required)
Edimax EW-7438RPn V2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender, Repeater, Wireless Bridge, Access Point, Wall Plug design, Smart LED Signal Indicator, Easy iQSetup by Smart Phone (No CD Required)

Pros: Easy setup, good directions, design (indicator lights & leaving space around socket)

Cons: Did not transmit internet

Overall Review: I could not ultimately get it to work. By WPS it connected to my AT&T 2-wire Gateway fine and the computer connected to it fine, but I could not actually get to the internet. By manual setup, again the extender connected to the computer and Gateway, but again no internet. I made sure the Gateway channel being broadcast matched the channel specified in IQ Setup. Signal strength on the extender was solid orange and to the computer was ~80%, which is very good because I could navigate to the extender quickly and it performed it's function test successfully very quickly. I updated its firmware to .16. I searched the Edimax website and the on-disc manual and the Newegg comments. All the network passwords were correct. All the DHCP settings are automatic. IP address of the extender noted in Gateway matches the IP address noted in my computer's wireless dongle's status window. Nothing fixed it so I'm giving up. So many reviews here say they had it up and working in 5 minutes. So comparatively I've spent way too much time trying to get this thing to work. My guess is there's some single setting buried deep in Windows, or the Gateway, or something.

impressed

Aduro MEMBRANE Anti-Glare (Matte) Screen Protector for iPhone 4 / 4S (3 Front + 2 Back Films) AI4S-FBAG-SP
Aduro MEMBRANE Anti-Glare (Matte) Screen Protector for iPhone 4 / 4S (3 Front + 2 Back Films) AI4S-FBAG-SP

Pros: Easy to install, good matte finish anti-glare, good smoothness of touch surface. Make sure you use the method where you expose only part of the protector, line it up, hold that end with your finger, and then roll out the rest. That reduces lint and dust the most. Have some tweasers or a razor and lift the corner near lint or dust, use a piece of tape to snag it, and then set it back down. I'm impressed with everything about the Aduro, almost as good as MediaDevil. Would definitely buy again. Also, these are great at being thin enough to fit under the lip of a case, especially a case that slides on like the Otterbox reflex series, without it curling or bubbling the screen protector as you slide the case on over it.

Cons: odd to have 3 fronts but only 2 backs. I guess I don't care about the backs as much since there's no screen?

Impressed

PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKIII Series 400 Watt 80+ Bronze Semi-Modular Active PFC Industrial Grade ATX PC Power Supply (PPCMK3S400)
PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKIII Series 400 Watt 80+ Bronze Semi-Modular Active PFC Industrial Grade ATX PC Power Supply (PPCMK3S400)

Pros: modular, high A on single 12V rail, sturdy, good presentation, 80+ bronze.

Cons: Would like one more cable. It is 1 or 2 cables short of all the connectors it has available, though I had plenty to independently hook up my DVD, HDD, mobo, and CPU. Looks like there's clear plastic inside blocking about 1/3 of the fan; apparently this is normal for PSU manufacturers to direct airflow, but why not just use a smaller inlet and fan; it's just odd.

Overall Review: 1 cable included is for the old molex 4-pin connections. I assume the fan sucks in from inside the case and blows out; if you watch the video they tout how the writing is right-side-up no matter it's installation, so I guess it won't matter for the fan either.

Great deal

ECS H61H2-MV LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
ECS H61H2-MV LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: Low cost and small size but has 1x PCIe x1 and 1x PCIe x16 so you could still expand with a dedicated GPU and some other x1 expansion (e.g., TV tuner, wifi - though I prefer the tiny button-sized USB adapters for that). A very good choice for an HTPC without spending an extra $40-$50 just to go down to miniITX. Connectors and things are also well-placed to reduce chances of conflict inside a small case. I/O panel seems to fit snug with the mobo connectors and with the case opening.

Cons: USB is 2.0, but at this price I accept not getting 3.0. Also, the manual is tiny bit confusing regarding the front panel connectors, specifically which connectors are the power switch vs. power indication.

Overall Review: I would think they could drop the old PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, include an adapter instead. The front panel audio connector appears like it might get in the way of the PCIe x16 slot, or at least have to be managed and zip tied away from a fan or hot GPU, but I won't know for sure until years out when I get a dedicated card.

Above average, but issues

HEC 6T Series 6T18BB Black 0.6mm SECC Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case
HEC 6T Series 6T18BB Black 0.6mm SECC Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case

Pros: Good price, smallest microATX tower I could find, front panel pops off easy for cleaning without attached LED/button cables (the audio, USB, eSATA, and LEDs are slide into place similar to the rear I/O panel), removeable HDD cage that still allows you to have the 2 external drive bays and 2 internal HDDs (aka external 3.5" bays), lightweight and pretty solid, the 'inacurrate' cover venting is actually better as a contiguous strip because you could mount a fan to the ventilation holes, at least the stock 80mm, possibly a 120mm.

Cons: there are sharp edges and the metal can be bent but not so bad that you have to overly worry. I'm extremely disappointed at the lack of mobo standoffs. I'm also disappointed that the described case cover is wrong: the cover I have is grated from top to bottom with no funnel; not that I wanted the funnel but what I bought isn't exactly what I got. Fans: I can't tell if the rear takes a 90mm or 92mm in addition to the standard 80mm. Intake fan is tough: either "mount" it to vent holes between the front cover and metal case not allowing for much flow and barely squeezing in the stock 80mm fan, or flatten the unused speaker tabs and line up the stock 80mm fan so its bottom corner is in the grate hole just above the tab. You could mod the inside of the plastic cover for a bigger fan, but would probably still have flow issues. No way to mount a 120mm fan inside without removing the HDD LED. No reset button, if you care about that, which I don't.

Overall Review: Struggled between a 3 and 4 rating, but the lack of mobo mounts, inaccurate description, and lack of intake fan at this price were enough to go down to 3. I'm going to move the stock 80mm to the inside front for intake and get a 90/92mm fan for rear outlet.