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Thomas B.

Thomas B.

Joined on 02/08/09

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 10
Most Favorable Review

Works well

NORCO RPC-4020 4U Rackmount Server Chassis w/ 20 Hot-swappable SATA/SAS Drive Bays
NORCO RPC-4020 4U Rackmount Server Chassis w/ 20 Hot-swappable SATA/SAS Drive Bays

Pros: This is the only server chassis with 20 drive hot swap even close to this price range. Quality is a compromise but it's a good compromise, in my opinion.

Cons: The fan card is a bit underdesigned. It could easily clip into a slot in the bottom and fasten with two screws at the top. It has to be removed to cable the drives and it has a lot of very tiny screws. Also, the motherboard area is just a big cavern. It would be nice to have an air duct or deflector to improve MB cooling.

Overall Review: This is not as heavy as a corporate server platform but it's not far off. It is easily up to the task at hand. I'm delighted with mine.

Most Critical Review

Decent

Logitech LX 710 Laser Black 102 Normal Keys 18 Function Keys Cordless Standard Desktop
Logitech LX 710 Laser Black 102 Normal Keys 18 Function Keys Cordless Standard Desktop

Pros: I've had this combination for 14 months. I like the keyboard. It's an old school clean design. The key feel is pretty good. The bezel surrounding the keys is a rubbery plastic that was odd getting used to but I like. The keyboard batteries last almost indefinitely. I don't think I've replaced them. The mouse batteries regularly last a couple of months. The wireless signal was a little flakey when the mini receiver was plugged into the back of my PC. I added a short USB extension cable and the signal has been perfect ever since. This system is much faster than bluetooth. It's pretty much as responsive as any wired keyboard and mouse.

Cons: The mouse is not as substantial feeling as it could be. Also, the left mouse button has always had a tendency to send two clicks to the system when only pressed once. After 14 months, it almost always does that so it's no longer serviceable.

Overall Review: Why are we so bent on wireless? I'm going back to wired units after paying more for lower quality wireless stuff.

Buy this from Memory Express

ASUS E45M1-M PRO AMD E-450 APU AMD Hudson M1 Micro ATX Motherboard / CPU Combo
ASUS E45M1-M PRO AMD E-450 APU AMD Hudson M1 Micro ATX Motherboard / CPU Combo

Pros: I love these boards and buy lots of them but they are cheaper from Memory Express and the shipping is lower, also. New Egg's Iron Egg guarantee is broken. They will ask you a question via email, despite all info being in the Iron Egg price match request, and then bounce every email you send them stating various arbitrary reasons.

Cons: I don't believe New Egg is dishonest and I'm not going to sue them over 7 bucks but they need to remove the Iron Egg nonsense because trying to use it is a mistreatment of their customer base.

Overall Review: If there was no Iron Egg price guarantee, I would still be a customer. They are only five bucks higher than Memory Express on product and two dollars on shipping but they made a guarantee so they need to stand behind the guarantee or they look completely dishonest to people like me.

Solid

EVGA 430 W1 100-W1-0430-KR 80+ WHITE 430W Power Supply
EVGA 430 W1 100-W1-0430-KR 80+ WHITE 430W Power Supply

Pros: Solid PSU with no LEDs or gimicks. I purchased two of these units and both have been stable on a touchy ASUS motherboards. This is the first I've been able to turn on surge detection on these motherboards and I've tested with several other PSUs so I believe these PSUs are a cut above, in terms of power stability.

Cons: Only 2 SATA connectors on a 430 Watt PSU is silly. I would have passed on this PSU, had I known. There are only 2 - 4 pin molex connectors, also. If you have more than two drives, this is not the PSU for you. The 20+4 pin connector is not the best design. You can fiddle with it and get it to work so that's good enough but other vendors have a better connector.

Overall Review: No flashing LEDs, modular cables, and minimal drive connectors.

Useful product

Rosewill RPS-200 - 6 Outlets Power Strip - 125V Input, 1875 Watts Maximum Power Output, 6 Feet Cord
Rosewill RPS-200 - 6 Outlets Power Strip - 125V Input, 1875 Watts Maximum Power Output, 6 Feet Cord

Pros: This is the only power bar I've found with individually switched outlets. That makes this product very useful for specific applications. All of my uses are on a bench. This bar can switch power to various tool battery chargers, bench lighting, test equipment, etc. I have a few of them. Beyond that, I can't think of a use for per-outlet switching.

Cons: The quality of this device is barely adequate. The switches barely rock to the point it's tough to determine if they are on or off by looking at them. I would happily pay more for a higher quality item, although it wouldn't be necessary since this product is sufficient.

Overall Review: Despite my quality concerns, I'm giving four eggs because this device does it's job and serves a very useful purpose. All of that work bench gear can be individually switched on as needed and it's nice to know there are no vampire loads for devices you aren't using.

Brilliant case

Antec NEW SOLUTION SERIES VSK-4000 Black SGCC steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Antec NEW SOLUTION SERIES VSK-4000 Black SGCC steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: These cases are brilliant. They look great, quiet, good cooling, dead simple, excellent value. I could ask for nothing more. The features list shows room for 2 internal 3.5" drives but they have room for 5 internal 3.5inch drives.

Cons: None

10/18/2013