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Pierre B.

Pierre B.

Joined on 04/11/10

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 6
Most Favorable Review

Video Card

XFX Radeon HD 4550 512MB DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Low Profile Ready Graphics Card HD-455X-YAF2
XFX Radeon HD 4550 512MB DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Low Profile Ready Graphics Card HD-455X-YAF2

Pros: - Draws only 25 watts - Increased Win 7 WEI Aero graphics score from 3.1 to 4.2 - ATI Catalyst software also measures GPU temp - Great value at $46

Cons: - Low profile means only the VGA or DVI interface can be connected at one time

Overall Review: Installed in a HP Slimline desktop with a 160W power supply so this card is just about the only one that can be used without getting a power supply with more juice

Works Well Once Installed

IOGEAR GPSU21 1-Port Print Server RJ45 USB 2.0
IOGEAR GPSU21 1-Port Print Server RJ45 USB 2.0

Pros: *Great value *Small Footprint *6 Foot CAT 6 cable supplied *Eliminates the need for wireless printer connectivity, which is more expensive than wired only

Cons: * Software does not load in Win 8.1, even in compatibility mode * Software dates from Vista!! even on the website * Manual installation required of local printer to TCP IP port * Some technical knowledge of networks required for manual installation

Overall Review: *Make sure you specify Protocol LPR and a print queue name if you are manually installing *Don't share the printer

HP = Best Printers

HP LaserJet Pro P1102W CE657A Personal Up to 19 ppm Monochrome USB / Wi-Fi Laser Printer
HP LaserJet Pro P1102W CE657A Personal Up to 19 ppm Monochrome USB / Wi-Fi Laser Printer

Pros: -Great price -Excellent performance

Cons: -Doesn't always wake from sleep mode

Overall Review: -Doesn't always wake up from sleep mode, which kinda defeats the purpose of Wifi. Solution is to always leave in standby mode. Extra power used is minor. -Setting up on both Ethernet and wireless is a bit tricky since wireless setup requires a wireless connection. Set up wired first, then wireless using another device.

12/26/2011

DLink

D-Link Wireless-N Home Router (DIR-601), N150
D-Link Wireless-N Home Router (DIR-601), N150

Pros: - Inexpensive - Easy to set up - Excellent range (covers both floors in our house)

Cons: - Minor: Unit is very light so any Cat5 cables connected pull it around.

Overall Review: - Bought it at Best Buy...same price there but no shipping charge. - Using it as a wireless access point on a wired network which means turning off DHCP and assigning a static IP address to the unit on the subnet - After researching online, I found the more expensive routers were rated no better by users than this one, and I won't be out $100 if it craps out in a year or two - First use with Win7 is a breeze, the config process is completely automated, not so with Win XP

Kingston RAM Netbook

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model KVR667D2SO/2GR
Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model KVR667D2SO/2GR

Pros: - Worked immediately upon boot up - Great value at $43 - Kingston brand name

Cons: - None

Overall Review: - Clearance is pretty tight on most netbooks, I used an insulated flat tool to lock the stick into the DDR slot - Installed in an Acer netbook model AO532H

USB Keypad

SYBA CL-KBD20006 Black 19 keys Normal Keys USB Numeric Keypad
SYBA CL-KBD20006 Black 19 keys Normal Keys USB Numeric Keypad

Pros: - Inexpensive - USB cable and connector store in unit - Stays put on a flat service - Eliminates the need to use an external keyboard with a laptop or netbook

Cons: - None

Overall Review: Half the cost of other sites and stores I've visited.