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JAMES C.

JAMES C.

Joined on 12/12/01

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 37
Most Favorable Review
BUFFALO LS-V2.0TL 2TB LinkStation Pro LS-VL Network Storage
BUFFALO LS-V2.0TL 2TB LinkStation Pro LS-VL Network Storage

Pros: FAST, inexpensive, good build quality. I'm using it with macs and PCs on a gigabit network. Stays cool and quiet. The On/Off switch is a nice implementation. When you toggle it OFF, it runs through a proper shutdown routine of the NAS, not just cutting off the power. Fast Web UI.

Cons: if not running DHCP, it's a bit hard to get setup using a static IP. LED is a bit bright, can't lower the brightness/shut them off. The AUTO power feature isn't recommended. The NAS seemed unreliable when this was set.

Most Critical Review
BUFFALO LinkStation Pro 4 TB High Performance Network Attached Storage (NAS) - LS-V4.0TL
BUFFALO LinkStation Pro 4 TB High Performance Network Attached Storage (NAS) - LS-V4.0TL

Pros: Inexpensive. Good UI.

Cons: Slow speeds. Uses a 5400rpm drive. My previous LS-VTL and LS-VL Buffalo Pro drives are way faster. Could not get it working reliably for Apple Time machine. Seems to freeze up during large (100GB) file transfers.

Overall Review: I've owned almost a dozen Buffalo NAS Pro units since the LS-320GL series and this new series was quite disappointing. I'm going to start using BYO-drive NAS from now on....

Good memory, but beware software

G.SKILL Trident Z RGB (For AMD) 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C18D-16GTZRX
G.SKILL Trident Z RGB (For AMD) 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C18D-16GTZRX

Pros: Good build Working over a year so far so good nice LED customization

Cons: Beware some versions of the LED software caused some games to crash or flagged by antivirus software. If you google the software name you will find some info on it. It was a little weird!

Overall Review: Would recommend. Other than the software snafu, all was good.

Great multi-device mouse

Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse, Bluetooth, USB Unifying Receiver, 1000 DPI, 8 Buttons, 2-Year Battery, Compatible with Laptop, PC, Mac, iPadOS - Black
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse, Bluetooth, USB Unifying Receiver, 1000 DPI, 8 Buttons, 2-Year Battery, Compatible with Laptop, PC, Mac, iPadOS - Black

Pros: multi-device works well long battery life good build quality (not cheap glossy plastic)

Cons: Not as great as the MX Master mice but feels like just as good quality and way longer battery life.

Overall Review: Would recommend this for folks that have multiple devices (RF USB and Bluetooth) and switch. Have this on a Windows 10 laptop with the RF USB dongle and iPad with Bluetooth. Works well.

Pretty great for the IT enthusiast

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch US-8-60W - switch - 8 ports - managed (UBI-US-8-60W)
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch US-8-60W - switch - 8 ports - managed (UBI-US-8-60W)

Pros: Lots of bells and whistles for even the most curious tech savvy folks. No recurring licensing subscriptions. Relatively straightforward to setup. Lots of metrics/monitoring info. Responsive UI.

Cons: Requires a controller appliance/software installation to work. Meant for DIY, no one really to hold your hand, unless you count the community forums.

Overall Review: Would recommend this for folks trying to build out an entire network and want to be able to see everything going on. lots of features you only see in bigger networks. Like some folks said, it only supports POE, not passive POE and some Ubiquiti/Unifi equipment does run on passive POE. If you design your network right it will be fine but it is unfortunate that Ubiquiti doesn't make it clear for everyone. Though if you need to run passive POE and 802.3af POE like I do, Ubiqiuiti does sell passive POE to 802.3af POE converters.

Fractal Design Define R4 Black Silent ATX Midtower Computer Case
Fractal Design Define R4 Black Silent ATX Midtower Computer Case

Pros: Excellent build quality. Solid construction. Good cable management features. Large number of drives given the size of the case. drive trays very easy to use. Alot of space for power supplies with modular cables. silent fans included.

Cons: No 2.5" external bay for media readers.

Overall Review: My first Fractal Design case - quite a step up from my 6 year old Lian Li case which was 2-3x more money!