Joined on 04/22/03
Great product
Pros: Exactly as advertised. Works on ever machine I've plugged in to.
Cons: None that I know of.
Overall Review: I've used both the Sata II and USB interface on XP x86, Vista x86 and Windows 7 x64 (in fact I used it as the boot device to install Win7 on my x64 machine). No issues anywhere... it just worked. USB is obviously slower than Sata II (I 'm not sure why I felt compelled to mention that other than the fact that others seemed to be surprised by this).
You CAN make it work, but...
Pros: After days of tweaking and fiddling I did get it to work.
Cons: I give it 2 eggs instead of 1 ONLY because I didn't end up using the RMA that I requested. I had this packed up and ready to ship back because of the problems I had using it. I tried it on 3 machines running XP x86, Vista x86 and Windows 7 x64. What I got out-of-box didn't work for any of them. The CyberLink software is garbage. My ancient VHS home movies (the reason I bought the thing) gave copy-protection errors. I tried using Sony's Vegas Video V4.0 but it wouldn't recognize the device. I downloaded their V8.0 trial with the same problem. Like mentioned above, at this point I requested an RMA from NewEgg but before I mailed it back I re-read the reviews and based on bunc5224's comments, I tried downloading the Debut Video Capture freeware. That allowed me to get it working. BTW - the website is useless. They referred me to Cyberlink to fix my problems (but I don't recall having done any business with Cyberlink to begin with).
Overall Review: Read the reviews from the following folks. I found them all to be true and helpful... * skoville (exactly my experience - he didn't get a lemon) * bunc5224 (took the words right out of my mouth)
Unimpressed
Pros: Easy setup Inexpensive
Cons: Just doesn't "extend " much
Overall Review: My barn is 100' from my wifi router (out of box Viasat satellite ISP). I ran an extension cord from the barn to the farthest point that I could still connect, approximately 125'. (Gotta admit I was a bit surprised I could connect from that distance). Once connected I could only get 25'-30' farther away before losing connection. I expected better.
Nice Monitor
Pros: I've got to ammend my earlier review with the same title (the first review for this product) from 5 eggs to 3 eggs... All the pros I mentioned before still stand.
Cons: After having this monitor for awhile I found there is problem with it waking from sleep state. Intermittently when my computer wakes up the monitor does not wake up as fast as the computer and the computer sets the resolution to the safe default of 640x480. If I disable sleep mode on the monitor this does not occur. It never happens on a cold boot or reboot - only from sleep mode. I can reset the resolution by power cycling the monitor. Went through HP for a replacement. The second monitor does the same thing. This is clearly a design issue not a manufacturing defect. Note that my computer is an Intel I7 CPU with a SSD boot drive so it wakes up REALLY fast - I'm guessing more conventional setups don't experience this issue.
Overall Review: Mixed feelings about HP service... 1. Forget trying to use the web site and just call them. The product isn't registered properly so you can't create a ticket. 2. Note that if you do call this is considered a 'Commercial' monitor. Call the Commercial support line. 3. The service tech was great. Asked some obvious questions but ultimately with one phone call promised a replacement would be received in 24 to 48 business hours. 4. A week later, no monitor. Called again and the customer service rep acknowledged a hiccup in the ordering process - told me to call back Mon-Fri because she couldn't fix it. (Frankly, this is what irratated me and is costing them 1 egg. I had to take responsibility now for a glitch in their ordering system and follow up personally). 5. Once I called back they did overnight a new monitor which as stated above had the same problem. Total time to get the replacement - 16 days. 6. Within 3 day of having received the monitor I received 2 phone calls and an email warning that I hadn't returned the old monitor and they were going to have to charge me.
Surprising graphics
Pros: I realize no one really buys a CPU for its graphics capabilities but beyond the speed of this CPU I must say I'm impressed with the embedded graphics. It registers a WEI 6.7 for Aero experience. Since my primary use is to compile code and SQL Server these graphics more than meet my needs and saved me the cost of a graphics card.
Cons: None
Overall Review: I wish Intel did a better job of letting you know that the CPU fan has thermal lube on it already. I had to check the web site to confirm that's what those blobs of stuff were.
Solid case with some nice features
Pros: I specifically wanted a case with easy access to the hard drive bays and this case certainly delivers that. Toolless access and I like how the drive bays slide out the front once released. The construction of the case is very solid. All in all I'd buy this case again for the price.
Cons: I'm deducting 1 egg not for construction but more for design factors. None of these are particularly significant but in total they are an eggs worth. 1. Wires could be more clearly marked as to +/-. 2. Front panel has the Power and Reset buttons right next to the USB ports. It is very easy to accidently reset the machine when reaching for a thumbdrive.
Overall Review: Not so much a CON as a product suggestion but it would be much nicer if instead of using 4 small philips head flathead screws on the sides to secure the top slider, use 2 thumb screws on the back to make access much easier.