Joined on 10/23/09
Just what I expected
Pros: -Cheap (got mine on sale, only reason I purchased) -i5 (moves surprisingly quick) -Amazing battery life (seriously.) -Nice screen -Decent keyboard -Decent size HD -HDMI
Cons: -No CD/DVD drive -Weird trackpad, but I use a mouse anyway
Overall Review: I bought this laptop on sale for three hundred and eighty bucks. Worth every penny. Like others mentioned, the Windows 8 install comes loaded with crapware, but I slapped a copy of Windows 7 on it via flash drive. Plays a few of my low-end Steam games fine (including Dota 2), which was just a bonus. A couple tips if you decide to reformat: -To install an older version of windows, you have to use f2 on startup to access bios, and swap the boot to legacy. -Up on reformatting, all the drivers from the Acer website should install smoothly, use Atheros for WLAN. Be sure to hit FN+F3 to turn your wireless card on, it's off by default.
Google Home
Pros: -Feature-rich and only getting better! -Amazing if you're "all-in" on Google services (Gmail, Play, etc.), so convenient -Very easy setup and customizing via Google Home App -Looks nice (opinion) -Speakers are of surprising quality, deep bass!
Cons: -Not sure what is being recorded with the mic always on (it can be turned off), NSA bla bla bla
Overall Review: -Had some trouble hearing my girlfriend at first and made her cry, but they get along now :)
WD m.2 500GB
Pros: -Super easy install -Great value -Even better if your motherboard supports m.2 booting!
Cons: -None
Corsair
Pros: -It's Corsair, great quality and support!
Cons: -None
Overall Review: -If I could go back in time I'd grab the RGB, as the prices are pretty close
Ryzen 1600x
Pros: -It's AMD, so great value is expected; but this is their greatest value in close to a decade! -Awesome perfomance, OCd to 3.9-4.0ghz -AMD will support this series for a while, more improvements on the way!
Cons: -Runs a bit warm -Was hoping for a stable 4.1ghz OC with the "X" version, but ended up around 3.9ghz
Overall Review: -If I could go back in time I'd probably grab the 1600 instead, as the included heatsink is a plus and the "X" version couldn't overclock much higher anyway
DIYPC
Pros: -DIYPC really stepping their game up recently with value! -Plenty of room -Looks like a more expensive case
Cons: -The front fan is covered by a (removable) plastic plate, so airflow is iffy with the plate still on. Without the plate your PC may gather a little more dust.
Overall Review: -Got this case on sale with free shipping for under thirty bucks, not bad!