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Stephen D.

Stephen D.

Joined on 02/25/04

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 19
Most Favorable Review

Works Great with Synology DS418play

Crucial 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1866 (PC3L 14900) Memory Model CT51264BF186DJ
Crucial 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1866 (PC3L 14900) Memory Model CT51264BF186DJ

Pros: Plug and play installation on Synology DS418play NAS. Instantly recognized the additional 4GB for a total of 6GB.

Cons: None

Overall Review: Cheapest on the market and way cheaper than the official Synology DIMM.

Most Critical Review

Latest batch are duds..

TDK 8.5GB 8X DVD+R DL 25 Packs Spindle Disc Model 48973
TDK 8.5GB 8X DVD+R DL 25 Packs Spindle Disc Model 48973

Pros: None compared to older discs.

Cons: Latest batch I ordered (disc part # VR9S04-00835-13) are duds. Trying to burn Xbox backup's with a Lite-On iHAS124b and keep getting logical time outs. Never had a problem with the past five TDK spindles I've ordered. Will be switching to Verbatim per everyone's suggestions.

Overall Review: As mentioned, I've ordered a ton of TDK spindles in the past and all have been great, but something is different with this batch. The blank disc market is such a pain, due to constantly changing disc manufacturers and dye components.

Gets the job done as a drive cloner, could use QoL tweaks

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA I/II/III Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station for 2.5/3.5 Inch HDD/SSD with UASP (6Gbps), Support Offline Clone Duplicator Function [Max 16TB X2 ]
WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA I/II/III Dual Bay External Hard Drive Docking Station for 2.5/3.5 Inch HDD/SSD with UASP (6Gbps), Support Offline Clone Duplicator Function [Max 16TB X2 ]

Pros: -Convenient PC-less cloning -Dual drive functionality while connected to a PC -Sleek design

Cons: -Cloning is very slow, took about an hour and a half to clone 400GB -Cloning documentation steps are incorrect and contradicts itself -Cloning doesn't work if USB 3 cable is inserted, this is not documented anywhere

Overall Review: The offline clone quick guide details the steps to get a clone started. Many of the steps detail what the LEDs are supposed to do, but my unit's LED do something different than whats documented. Specifically, the steps state to hold the clone button until the 'source' and 'target' LEDs start flashing, but they never do. The progress indicator LEDs start flashing instead when the button is held. If I continue with the steps, the clone does start, but this was a waste of ten minutes as I continuously held the button down waiting for the other LEDs to start flashing. The final two steps contradict each other. Step 7 states the LEDs will turn off when the clone is complete, but step 8 states the LEDs will turn solid when complete. Poor QA on the documentation.

Feature Rich, but buggy GUI and unreliable wireless

ASUS RT-AC87U Dual-band 4x4 AC2400 4-port Gigabit Gaming Router with AiProtection Powered by Trend Micro
ASUS RT-AC87U Dual-band 4x4 AC2400 4-port Gigabit Gaming Router with AiProtection Powered by Trend Micro

Pros: This router is aesthetically beautiful and sleek. Even the box that it comes in makes you feel like you really purchased one of the best routers ever manufactured. The LED lights are a nice blue, but aren't super bright like some other router brands or devices with blue LEDs. The GUI is simple enough to navigate and offers a wide variety of features that most normal users probably won't even touch. Wireless devices absolutely scream when the signal isn't dropping out on you. LAN speeds and connectivity are awesome, and this baby can handle multiple Xbox Ones, my FTP and seedbox servers, and Netflix streaming with ease. Asus is constantly pumping out firmware updates for this router to increase stability and add additional features.

Cons: As pretty much every other review has stated, this router still has major stability issues with the 5 GHz radio. I am constantly seeing my Galaxy S5 and iPad disconnecting/reconnecting from all different areas in the house. I often also see that my devices are connected to the 5 GHz network, but no traffic gets passed which forces me to disconnect/reconnect just for it to happen again an hour later. I had this same issue with my AC66u when I first got it and the only remedy was flashing Advanced Tomato instead of the stock Asus firmware. A shame that there is no 3rd party firmware for this router that offers the same features that the Asus firmware does. This router has been on the market for almost six months and Asus still hasn't been able to iron out the bugs, which is concerning because the predecessor routers experienced the same exact issues. Get it fixed Asus. Also the GUI English translations have been notoriously bad for several generations of routers ('Are you sure to log out?) and its kind of embarrassing that it hasn't been fixed. I know thats a stupid gripe, but with how often firmware updates are released, you would think they would clean this up.

Overall Review: Before Asus support chimes in, as soon as I unboxed this router I updated the firmware (3.0.0.4.378.3885) and factory reset via the button on the back TWICE. This thing couldn't be any fresher, so there is no way that there are any leftovers from the previous 'buggy' firmware. If anyone is contemplating upgrading from a previous generation router (AC66u) and you are satisfied with wireless performace, I would stay stick with what you have. This router isn't a huge upgrade aside from the wireless (which is partially broken anyway).

Beasty and Beautiful Case

CM Storm Stryker - White Full Tower Gaming Computer Case with Handle and External 2.5" Drive Dock
CM Storm Stryker - White Full Tower Gaming Computer Case with Handle and External 2.5" Drive Dock

Pros: Case is beautifully crafted. It looks so delicious on the inside if you take the extra time to properly cable your setup, There are no wires hanging anywhere in this beauty. Plenty of cable management slots to ensure everything can reach where it needs to go. Lots of 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays - Also very well cooled by the cage fans. Right side door is slightly bubbled out to allow for the mess of cables to be hidden. Built in fan controller is great and USB 3.0 ports are a nice touch. Case fans are very high quality.. When they work. Top handle is very solid and is rubberized, very comfortable when picking up the case.

Cons: Not a fan of the red LEDs at the top. The rest of the case LEDs are white, so why are these ones red? One of the power rails coming from the PCB board (where the power button and LEDs are) that controls the top and rear fans died after a week. It was necessary for me to submit a parts replacement request. Case fan wiring and configuration is very confusing and the booklet included does not do a good job at explaining what goes where.

Overall Review: Cooler Master support isn't very quick on responding to RMA or parts requests. I submitted a request for a replacement PCB board due to the failed power rail and after two weeks I still am getting the run-around from them. My case has been sitting open for two weeks and I'm not looking forward to undoing all the wiring and redoing it when the replacement PCB arrives. The Cooler Master registration and RMA portal is nicely set up, but I wish their support was a bit more responsive to requests. All this being said, I would still buy this case again in a heartbeat, it is definitely worth every penny and is the nicest case I have ever owned.

Works great in my Dell XPS 15z

HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 HyperX Plug n Play Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3P1K2/8G
HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 HyperX Plug n Play Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3P1K2/8G

Pros: No problems with spacing, heat spreaders add very little overhead, and the XPS 15z is a pretty compact notebook. Booted up and my BIOS immediately picked up on the 1600mhz clock speed. Haven't really noticed a huge difference once in Windows, but I'm sure I'll find something.

Cons: None that I have run into so far.

Overall Review: Kind of upset that Newegg decided to put the RAM on sale a day after I purchased, but that's how it always goes right? Also, why is Newegg shipping RAM out in padded envelopes?? Big NO NO Newegg!