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Alan R.

Alan R.

Joined on 10/28/04

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 6
Most Favorable Review

Best cheap CD-ROM enclosure

SYBA SD-U2F-525PT Aluminum 5.25" IDE USB 2.0, IEEE Std 1394-1995 and IEEE 1394a -2000 External Enclosure
SYBA SD-U2F-525PT Aluminum 5.25" IDE USB 2.0, IEEE Std 1394-1995 and IEEE 1394a -2000 External Enclosure

Pros: Works with everything I've thrown at it. Durable when I need to pack it with a laptop. Easy, tool-less opening for when I need to put in a HDD.

Cons: Had to add some little rubber feet to keep it from sliding around on the table top or top of computer case.

Overall Review: Not the prettiest but not too bad looking. Works great. Resold several to my clients.

Most Critical Review

Failed After 3 Days

Hitachi GST Travelstar 5K120 HTS541280H9AT00 (0A50107) 80GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 / ATA-6 2.5" Notebook Hard Drive Bare Drive
Hitachi GST Travelstar 5K120 HTS541280H9AT00 (0A50107) 80GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 / ATA-6 2.5" Notebook Hard Drive Bare Drive

Pros: I can think of no positive aspect of my experience with this product.

Cons: Failed after 3 days.

10/30/2006

Android Market and Archos

Archos 70 Internet Tablet - 250GB Running Google ANDROID + Wi-Fi (501586)
Archos 70 Internet Tablet - 250GB Running Google ANDROID + Wi-Fi (501586)

Pros: Android market is available by installing an easily located file.

Cons: Sure, it's too bad it's not included from the factory but if you want to complain to someone, complain to Google, it's their policy that prevents it.

Overall Review: Google Market is available only for a few smartphones and manufacturers * Google’s policy all along has been to work only with a few selected manufacturers * Not all devices need GPS, compass, 2-MPel autofocus camera and physical buttons, all being part of the minimal requirements to qualify for Google Market * Screen sizes have been limited to 7”, larger sizes and resolutions tablets above 7” are excluded * It is unlikely that any Android tablet above 7” will qualify before Google releases its own tablet running Honeycomb or beyond in the second half of 2011

Short Life

Western Digital Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive
Western Digital Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive

Pros: Inexpensive, fast compared to the EIDE drives it replaced. Runs very cool.

Cons: Dieing after about 9 months. WD diagnostic quits partway through with error "08 - Too many bad sectors".

Overall Review: I've had "value" OEM drives from other manufacturers run for years without failure. I've got an intake fan that blows cool air through the HDD cage so overheating isn't a problem. Fortunately, I had a second one of these drives on hand. Unfortunately, I hadn't setup the planned RAID 1 yet. Was able to recover all important data from the failing drive and backups on my server. It's still under warranty so I'm sure getting a WD RMA won't be a problem. But my primary desktop being down for two days was a real hassle.

DOA

Link Depot USB2-SATA USB2.0 TO IDE/SATA Adapter Cable
Link Depot USB2-SATA USB2.0 TO IDE/SATA Adapter Cable

Pros: none

Cons: DOA

Overall Review: Thought I would risk it despite some DOA reviews and got a DOA.

OK Now

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA106A
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA106A

Pros: Fast and cheap withe the rebate.

Cons: Quality problems?

Overall Review: One of the two sticks was DOA, the motherboard would not boot it installed. Other stick worked just fine. Had to send both back for replacement.