Pros: Plug and Play (Windows 8.1) Portable Removed microphone noise

Cons: May block other usb ports. (You can use a short extension to prevent it from blocking other ports). Drivers do not support microphone DB Boost. (Admittedly I didn't need it)

Overall Review: [-] The Problem [-] I recently picked up some new headphones (Logitech G230) and was having trouble with noise on the microphone line. Both the back mic-in and front panel mic-in ports had noise. This could be reduced by using a noise canceling option but I wanted the signal clean. My PSU is plugged into a grounded socket so I figured that was not the problem. I game down to thinking my motherboard audio ports and front panel connections were garbage. [-] The Solution [-] Upon receiving USB audio adapter I plugged it into one of the front panel usb ports and plugged in the headphones into the line out and mic-in on the adapter. I opened audacity and did a test recording.... no noise... none... maybe if you cranked the mic volume way up but virtually nothing. So glad this worked! Note: I disabled all the other sound ports in device manager, playback devices, and recording devices. I also set the microphone volume level to about 55. I tested it up to 75. Luckily the sound is so strong that there is no need for the DB boost option.

Pros: Ergonomically Comfortable Ergonomically Functional Decent number of bells and whistles

Cons: Longevity

Overall Review: In the ergonomic class I would give this keyboard a 5/5. My current Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard is starting wear out and I will most likely replace it with the same model. I've been using this keyboard for over 6 years. This has included heavy use in programming, gaming, and writing university papers. The keyboard is comfortable and the ergonomic layout works. I have had no issues with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) since picking up this keyboard. I picked up this keyboard because I was starting to have some MSD symptoms with standard layout keyboards. Other attributes: Somewhat quiet keys The keys are a bit spongy The state of my keyboard after all these years of use includes the following: The "d" key is completely rubbed off. Other keys that are partially rubbed off include "a,w,v,k,m". The period key just started to not register half the time.

Pros: Fast Solid

Cons: None

Overall Review: This drive is now over a year old and still performing great. The software that comes with it helps with some windows and bios tweaks that will increase its performance. The drive is my OS drive and holds a game or two that normally have long load times. This drive greatly reduced my load times. Boot times are also significantly reduced. The drive also held up to some heavy GIS processing projects that I moved over to it. If you are moving from an old HD a SDD, just do it. The performance of even "slower" drives will knock your socks off.