Joined on 11/14/08
Flawless performance
Pros: I used this in class for a presentation. I booted the class PC into Linux using my USB flash drive (Linux live). This device works PERFECTLY in Linux. Presentation worked without a hitch. Unlike Windows, Linux will recognise the device instantly and silently. It works in a split second from when you've attached it. I think it really impressed the class too. Timer is very easy to use (intuitively) and it's effective, although I got nervous and pushed the wrong button during my presentation and stopped the timer. I'll be more careful next time and I'd still say it's the best device you can get for this work. Green laser was awesome!
Cons: The battery cover fell off once and doesn't want to stay so well. Not sure why. I used some tape on the inside to make it more snug and you can't see it from the outside so it's all good.
Poor grammar, spelling and typos in the BIOS
Pros: Small, fits in case very well, somewhat cheap
Cons: Let's begin with Biostar's credibility. Their attention to detail is zero! BIOS contained bad spelling, grammar errors and typos! It did not detect my RAM or CPU HT speed right. It appears also to be defective. Sometimes it boots, sometimes not. It also didn't work with my nVidia 8800GT that works fine in a really old Dell computer! I posted a video review on YouTube because the video here doesn't seem to work. If Biostar employees can't be bothered with small details like spelling, what attention to detail are they missing on the hardware and software design? How much does it really cost them to hire somebody in the target country to spell check a few paragraphs? It's not too much to ask.
Overall Review: The board is defective and gave me grief all day. It was a Newegg open box. I'm sure somebody sent it back, Newegg tested it but didn't bother to boot it OR it booted for them once by serendipity, and then resold it as open box. I guess I learned my mistake and I hope Newegg helps me out. I really love the Newegg shopping experience otherwise. :-)
Super fast even in older system ** UPDATE!
Pros: Very easy to install and very fast. I'm using Ubuntu Linux with a fine-tuned 3.2.9 Kernel. All of the superfluous drivers, features and hardware support were removed. So the system really flies! Startup and shut-down was always pretty fast but now it's insane. I didn't time it but it's only a few seconds to start. Haven't tried to play my Steam games yet but that's next. STILL WORKING AS OF 03/10/2016!!! Purchased on 2/27/2012!! My Mushkin was purchased 6/23/2015 and died 3/09/2016. OCZ for the win.
Cons: Sounds like the only con is if you're running Microsoft Windows and didn't get the driver and/or have a virus. I certainly don't miss those days! World Of Warcraft runs better on my Linux than it did with Windows + typical virus + nearly useless anti-virus. ;-)
Overall Review: I read that in Linux the NO-OP scheduler was best for SSD. I recompiled the 3.2.9 kernel with NO-OP scheduler support and removed the CFQ. <br>SORRY! My system is old- only the SATA II. Can't wait to see these numbers in a new system from Newegg. <br><br>hdparm -T /dev/sda1<br>Timing cached reads: 2152 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1076.35 MB/sec<br>hdparm -T /dev/sda1<br> Timing cached reads: 2166 MB in 2.00 seconds = 1082.98 MB/sec<br>hdparm -t /dev/sda1<br> Timing buffered disk reads: 74 MB in 0.47 seconds = 158.93 MB/sec<br>hdparm -t /dev/sda1<br> Timing buffered disk reads: 74 MB in 0.46 seconds = 159.29 MB/sec
Bought 6/23/2015, dead by 3/09/2016
Pros: It was fairly inexpensive. Mid-range.
Cons: -Not very fast out of the box when compared to my OCZ Agility 3 bought on 2/27/2012 (which is STILL WORKING!!) -Not reliable enough to even come close to the 3 year warranty period. -Although it lived a charmed life of in front of the 120mm Sanyo Denki aluminum fan and normal usage, it still completely died. -It dies suddenly, without warning, giving you no chance to recover data.
Overall Review: Obviously, purchase an OCZ since my Agility 3, purchase on 2/27/2012 is still working on 3/10/2016! Think about that for a moment. The OCZ did not have a charmed life either because I ran it in a hot PC with few fans during a Summer, or two, when I didn't have A/C. That OCZ is still running perfectly and still slightly faster than the Mushkin. Ouch. Newegg has been great and I'm glad I can post reviews here. I understand Mushkin can have one bad one like everybody else but I lost pretty valuable data this time. Not happy about it, especially when I only bought the Mushkin because I worried that my OCZ was too old and needed to be replaced. That's laughable.
Linux stable as hell, Windows not so much
Pros: This board has many features, including sensors, five fan connectors, plenty of USB connectors and it is manufactured very well. In Linux, I have never had any crashes or instability. All the sensors can be read using a custom mainline Kernel. I have enabled all of the sensors.
Cons: The only CON is that people refuse to give up Windows on their desktop. Windows does the BSOD, both Windows 7 64bit and Windows 8. Every test in Linux indicates the motherboard, CPU and RAM are fine. Con of the motherboard? Unlikely. Con of Microsoft OS? Probably.
Overall Review: My old board (Biostar) and AMD CPU also had the BSOD. I tried different Windows versions, same thing. Old AMD was Zambezi and new one is Vishera.
Love the feel of the keys
Pros: I love the feel of the keyboard, which says something since I hate most keyboards. I like the blue lights, the low price and the mouse. Although I already had a good mouse, this one is exceptional. Girlfriend inherited the new one and she liked it too. Keyboard DOES work in Linux! I had to add a command to the startup though. Google it- very easy to find.
Cons: Sadly, some keys were not working. It was cheap so I didn't mind voiding the warranty to fix it. I opened it up and found that it was incredibly easy to fix. Just a misaligned connection inside. Done. Keyboard works great! My keyboard had an OOPs. The I key had an O in its place so I had two Os. Coolermaster sent me the right key after I used the form on their site. Very easy to use! Great support!
Overall Review: Sure, I wish it had a light level adjustment. I wish the keys themselves were a bit brighter and sharper but the keyboard looks great otherwise. The keyboard is solid, heavy, strong. I think it's going to last. It stays firmly in place on my desk. The mouse is really nice too, an added bonus. For the money, it's going to be tough to beat this deal.