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Mark D.

Mark D.

Joined on 04/02/05

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 10
Most Favorable Review

Big and Blue...ish

Rosewill 220mm Computer Case Fan (Case Cooling Fan) - Transparent Frame & 4 Blue LEDs, Sleeve Bearing, Super Quiet Fan with LP4 4-Pin Connector; RCA-220-BL
Rosewill 220mm Computer Case Fan (Case Cooling Fan) - Transparent Frame & 4 Blue LEDs, Sleeve Bearing, Super Quiet Fan with LP4 4-Pin Connector; RCA-220-BL

Pros: Bought 2 and both work except for noted below. The promo price was crazy cheap. Slow spinning quiet fans that move a lot of air when unobstructed... see other thoughts

Cons: One fan is absolutely true and spins perfect, the other has a wobble, not horrible but makes me wonder how long it will last... appears to be a manufacturing defect. The LED's are an odd pale blue that doesn't match my other fan's. Not really a negative unless that aspect is important to you.

Overall Review: This is not a common size fan and maybe even less common is a case that has mounting holes for it. I had to modify my case side panel (drilled holes) to mount it. The fan only spins at 600 rpm so does not draw air through a filter screen well and air flow is seriously reduced. This is an important consideration if you're like me and want to control the amount of dust allowed in the case. I will use this fan for now but looking for another option.

Most Critical Review

Big but lacking picture quality

Hanns-G HZ281HPB 27.5'' 3ms Full HD 1080P HDMI WideScreen LCD Monitor 400cd/m2  X-Contrast 15,000:1(800:1)Built-in Speakers
Hanns-G HZ281HPB 27.5'' 3ms Full HD 1080P HDMI WideScreen LCD Monitor 400cd/m2 X-Contrast 15,000:1(800:1)Built-in Speakers

Pros: The price seemed very reasonable for a 28" 1920 X 1200 display which I needed. The base is stable and I appreciate that I can tilt the screen, unlike my old fixed monitor. The speakers aren't great but fine for an office computer. It looks good on my desk with its glossy black finish and relatively slim design.

Cons: Unfortunately (at least for me) the display leaves a lot to be desired, does not offer sharp vivid colors or deep contrast no matter how you adjust it. Even though it's big and bright, the picture seems washed out. It's not terrible but disappointing compared to other monitors out there. The viewing angle is pretty narrow. The adjustment buttons are not that easy to use hidden under the middle of the monitor. Did not include a HDMI cable which I needed. Lastly, it arrived with something tumbling around inside the monitor, sounds like a loose screw... doesn't affect operation but still disconcerting.

Overall Review: Keeping the price in mind this might be fine for a person who needs a lot of real estate for office work but for graphics, video and gaming... might be wise to look elsewhere.

The Stuttering Battery Monster

Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black 8 Hot Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black 8 Hot Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse

Pros: The key board is very compact and takes up much less desk space while still being full featured. The mouse is also of a smaller size but comfortable to use. RF range is good, can use the mouse and keyboard from across the room no problem. I purchased two of these over a year ago and both are still working the same as when I got them.

Cons: But just because they are still working doesn't mean they don't have issues. First is the problem with USB dongle (receiver) being susceptible to interference apparently from my wifi network. If I have the dongle plugged into a USB port in back of the computer next to the wifi antenna the mouse will stutter, that annoying delayed movement of the curser and the keyboard will delay type or missfire completely. I was close to returning both when I tried moving the dongle to a USB port in the front of the computers, that solved the problem but now it's hogging one of my two USB port which is lame. Second is how fast the mouse goes through batteries. This seems to be an inconsistancy between one reviewer and another but for me, both of my mice go through at least a battery per month. I had a brick of 48 AA batteries a year ago and less than half are left. One keyboard is still on it's original set of batteries after a year so no issues there. Keyboard key action is not very positive, sort of mushy and unresponsive.

Overall Review: Bottom line for me is the the price vs what you get and I would say for what I paid, they were an okay value... BUT... if you rely on your keyboard and mouse for accuracy & productivity you would be wise to spend the extra and get better quality. I will be upgrading soon.

Best Value Basic Black Fans

COOLER MASTER R4-S2S-124K-GP Silent Case Fan (4-Pack)
COOLER MASTER R4-S2S-124K-GP Silent Case Fan (4-Pack)

Pros: Quality long running fans for a very reasonable price. Still running strong after more than a year. Got my rebate in about 8 weeks with no hassles.

Cons: Not exactly quiet... but can't really expect them to be when running 4 at a time at max speed.

Overall Review: You're not going to find a better deal on good functional basic black case fans, especially when you can get them on sale or with a rebate.

I want the missing 2 inches.

Rosewill SATA Cable 90 Degree Right Angle SATA III 6.0 Gbps, SATA Cable 12 Inches, SATA 3 Cable - 12 Inches, Black
Rosewill SATA Cable 90 Degree Right Angle SATA III 6.0 Gbps, SATA Cable 12 Inches, SATA 3 Cable - 12 Inches, Black

Pros: I guess they work but too short to really use. Solid black is nice instead of red.

Cons: Way shorter than advertised.

Overall Review: Every other SATA cable I have bought gauged the size by the length of the actual cable between the connector ends In this case the cable and ends are measured together and even then they fall short of 10" (9 3/4) If they were being honest they would have advertised them as what they really are... 8 inch SATA cables. Fortunately they were cheap so I will keep them around in case I find a use for them in a future build.

works great in my video camera

SAMSUNG 16GB Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) Flash Card Model MB-SSAGA/US
SAMSUNG 16GB Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) Flash Card Model MB-SSAGA/US

Pros: A true SD card, not a micro SD with adapter like my last one. I won't be as likely to lose this one. Looks well made with a nice brushed metal looking finish. Samsung makes good stuff. Being waterproof is a nice plus... just in case I run it through the wash like I did my thumb drive. (it survived)

Cons: Only class 6, but I knew that when I ordered... plus I was getting by with class 4 so this is a step up.

Overall Review: 16GB will give you about 4 hours of record time in HD which for me is plenty but if you want to take a lot of video, better to get 32GB or have a spare one of these.