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Andrew R.

Andrew R.

Joined on 11/03/02

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 5
Most Favorable Review

Simple and effective HTPC addition

Rosewill RHRC-11002 - Windows 7 Certified MCE IR Remote Controller / Win 8 MCE + Small USB Dongle Type with Netflix CD
Rosewill RHRC-11002 - Windows 7 Certified MCE IR Remote Controller / Win 8 MCE + Small USB Dongle Type with Netflix CD

Pros: -Simple -Works without configuration in Win7 -Comprehensive controls -Good IR receiver

Cons: -USB extension cable too short!!

Overall Review: I installed this on my new Win7-WMC HTPC for the living room, and I have been pleased overall with it. Once I installed the drivers and connected the IR receiver, the remote worked immediately in Win7-WMC, and it's been very effective. I'll eventually use my Harmony, but for now it's been working fine. The only negative is that the included USB extension cable is woefully short if you have your HTPC out of the way (mine sits on the floor next to the component shelves/entertainment center). If you have your system sitting on shelving (or don't have a coffee table, I suppose), it's probably not an issue, but fortunately I had a 3 ft extension cable that works perfectly so the receiver is sitting next to my center channel speaker. It would be nice if the receiver had double sided tape attached so you could affix it in place, but that's nitpicking.

12/31/2013
Most Critical Review

Great laptop, except the keyboard

ASUS Laptop N81 Series Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 4GB Memory 320GB HDD ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 14.0" Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit N81Vp-X1
ASUS Laptop N81 Series Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 4GB Memory 320GB HDD ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 14.0" Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit N81Vp-X1

Pros: Smaller size, fast proc and graphics, respectable optical drive, sturdy build, good screen, ASUS warranty

Cons: Keyboard, keyboard, keyboard.

Overall Review: I would absolutely love this laptop except that the keyboard is just plain awful. Really. The worst I have ever used, bar none. It cannot register very fast typing, and I miss characters constantly, which can be REALLY frustrating when trying to type in passwords. It's bad enough that I'm tempted to write ASUS and call it a design defect. Otherwise, it plays all games I've thrown at it well enough, and everything else has been great. WiFi range is good. My first laptop had a heat issue with the graphics chip and would spontaneously shut down. Exchanged the laptop and no worries now. I'd recommend staying away from this model, however, because of the keyboard.

Fantastic price, excellent product

Vintage LED Edison Bulb 4.5W - Dimmable ST19 Antique Amber LED Light Bulb Vertical Filament - 40W Equivalent E26 2200K Amber Glass Warm White (6 PACK)
Vintage LED Edison Bulb 4.5W - Dimmable ST19 Antique Amber LED Light Bulb Vertical Filament - 40W Equivalent E26 2200K Amber Glass Warm White (6 PACK)

Pros: - So much cheaper (on sale when I bought them) than the comparable bulbs available through HD or Lowes - Good, soft light which is ideal for our kitchen table fixture - Energy efficient, cuts down fixture usage from 300 to <25 watts

Cons: - Bulb glass is actually colored amber, which looks a bit odd in the fixture when it isn't lit

Overall Review: - Don't expect tremendous brightness, though that's true from any Edison bulb

Excellent as usual from Seasonic

SeaSonic G Series SSR-650RM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready
SeaSonic G Series SSR-650RM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready

Pros: -Reputation of Seasonic -Efficient -Quiet -Semi-modular

Cons: -None for me

Overall Review: I wanted a quiet and efficient PSU for my HTPC, and I found it with this Seasonic. The wattage is overkill for my little system, but the efficiency is fantastic. Also, since I'm not stressing the PSU at all, there's no concerns about it running hot or loud. As it is, the PSU is as near to silent as it can be with the fan (ie., inaudible if I'm not putting my ear next to it), and the semi-modular nature was great for my little CM Elite 120 case. As you would expect with a high quality product, it comes with MORE than most people will need, and Seasonic was nice enough to include a drawstring bag to store the extra pieces that you don't need. Top notch in every respect.

12/31/2013

Quiet and effective

Cooler Master GeminII M4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes
Cooler Master GeminII M4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes

Pros: -Includes everything you need -Quiet -Effective

Cons: -Instructions could be clearer

Overall Review: I needed a new CPU fan for my AMD A6-powered HTPC since the stock cooler was simply too loud for the living room. With my Elite 120 case, I was restricted from using the really large quiet coolers but found this one with good reviews. I haven't been disappointed. Installation was fairly easy, though the instructions (in a bazillion languages) were not as clear as they could be. Once installed, there was an immediate improvement in the noise level, and I basically only hear the slim side fan in the case (need to figure out to replace that sucker!) since my Seasonic PSU is practically inaudible. CPU temps are lower than the stock cooler, too. Very effective upgrade and perfect for HTPC.

12/31/2013