Product Review: HUANUO Dual Monitor Mount Stand

 

I got this to have my two 32" monitors up off my desktop, and allow for them to be side by side, since my job requires me to have multiple programs like Word, Adobe Acrobat, and at least one internet browser screen open at one time, along with Outlook. I have a limited amount of space for my office setup right now so I cannot get the monitors exactly side by side (one is a bit lower than the other), but if you have a wide enough space they are able to be put side by side, with or without a laptop between them.

Overall, the stand is easy to assemble. It can be mounted just by screwing the base to the tabletop in almost a C-Clamp like manner, or you can drill into the table. This will depend on how thick your table is. All of the adjustments are made with one of the included Allen wrenches, which you definitely do not want to lose track of. It can be assembled in about half an hour, give or take, and the instructions are fairly well-written, but I did have to refer to the pictures a few times to figure out how to attach things.

It is definitely sturdy once you get it put together. I did have to adjust the arms once the monitors were on to keep them in place (when I initially put the monitors on, the arm kind of drifted down), but once everything is tightened, they stay in place just fine. I absolutely recommend this if you are looking for an inexpensive way to get dual monitors set up.

Product Review: Jabra Evolve 75 UC Wireless Headset

 

I have to participate in many calls and web meetings in my job. Working from home made it harder to do so just trying to use computer audio and my cell phone. This works very well as a solution. The headset has excellent noise reduction, it seems like people can hear me well on the other end. It has 14 hours of battery life on a full charge, which, depending on how often you are on the phone, can last several days.. The only issue I have found is that if you are on a web meeting on your computer, then later, after the meeting is over, want to use this with your phone, you will need to turn it off and back on so it can re-pair with your phone. Aside from that, this works great, and although a bit pricey, is worth it.

Product Review: IUKUS PC Microphone with Mic Stand

 

I use this for audio/video conferencing on my home computer when I work at home. The people on the other end seem to be able to hear me well and I have not had any issues with feedback or had anyone comment about my audio cutting in and out. It is really handy that it comes with a small tripod and can sit on a desk, and has a long enough cord that you can easily move it out of the way when not using it, and move it closer when you are. It is a great deal when using it in that context. I do not use it for gaming, so I am not sure how well it does or does not work for doing that.

Product Review: Amazon Basics USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Dual Monitor Docking Station

 

This is pretty much a plug-and-play device, with the caveat that you need to install the drivers before you connect it to your computer. I am not sure what happens if you do not, but the instructions make clear to do that first, and if you do, it is very easy to get up and running.

My office instituted a work-from-home policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I needed to connect multiple monitors to my laptop in order to efficiently work from home. This has one HDMI port, one port that allows you to connect a monitor with a VGA connection, and then has several USB ports so you can connect a flash drive, an external hard drive, or whatever other USB devices you would like. It also allows you to connect speakers and a microphone if you so desire. The only thing I would have liked it to have is two HDMI ports so you can connect two monitors via HDMI. Aside from that, I am very satisfied with it.

Product Review: VicTsing Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

 

I bought this was looking for a better wireless keyboard-mouse combination, mainly because my old wireless mouse was a total pain to use. This is much better than my old one, but not perfect, and not as good as the more expensive Logitech models. The only thing that the keyboard is missing that would be nice to have is a hotkey for the calculator. Aside from that, it has a nice feel (but the keys could be softer), and the mouse is responsive and does not have issues with scrolling that my old one did. I am not sure that it would be all that good for a gaming keyboard, but if you mainly your computer to surf the internet and use Word or Excel or something like that, this is a decent to good, inexpensive option. But, if you really prefer softer touch keyboard keys, this will not be a good option for you.

Product Review: Samsung Xpress C430W Wireless Color Laser Printer

 

I got this after my color inkjet printer died. It has an easy setup. You can either connect it directly to your Wi-Fi using the WPS button on your router, or you can use the installation CD. There is also an app available that you can use to monitor the toner level. It comes with smaller toner cartridges to start with, and the replacements are pricey (about $30 to $60 depending on the color). The good thing is that they are all separate so you can replace a cartridge when it runs out of toner without having to buy them all at once, and they last a long time. Since I purchased this in 2018 I have only had to replace the cartridges one time (at different times) with light to moderate use. It is usually more cost-effective, however, to buy the toner cartridges in a pack than it is to get them one by one. The app allows you to connect to your Amazon account and automatically order replacement cartridges when they get low. 

My only complaint is that this drops off Wi-Fi a lot. More than any other wireless printer I have ever had. And, it can be a gigantic pain in the ass to get it reconnected. Sometimes it is as easy as just unplugging it and plugging it back in. Other times, you have to redo the entire initial setup to get it reconnected. If not for the life of the toner and the fact that it has good print quality I would have found something else, but given that the Wi-Fi issue is more irritating than anything else, I live with it.. 

Product Review: DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Benfei DP DisplayPort to VGA 6 Feet Cable Male to Male Gold-Plated Cord

 

I got this because I have an older VGA monitor that has a serial port connection on the other end. This has a VGA on one end and a display port connector (not USB) on the other. So if your computer does not have a display port connection, you will need to get a display port to USB adaptor. They have them on Amazon, but none at a reasonable price, so you may want to shop around. 

Once I got the second adaptor this worked great to allow for another monitor for my laptop. This would be perfect if had a USB connection on the other as an alternative to the display port connection so you did not have to get another connector to use it if your computer does not already have a display port connection. That knocks it down a star for me, but otherwise, it works well.

Product Review: Epson Perfection V19 Color Photo & Document Scanner

 

I mostly used this to scan documents to upload when I needed to turn in my homework when I was in school. When I initially set it up, it was a fairly easy install, even on an outdated desktop computer (that is running Windows 10). I would not call that experience true plug-and-play, which would very likely be on a newer machine, but I was able to get it set up. You can either scan by first opening the Epson scan application on your computer or pushing one of the buttons on the front. I use the PDF button which automatically opens the app and scans to a pdf file. It scans documents very fast (around 30 sec give or take) and they come out very well. I have not tried scanning pictures or anything like that at this point, so I am not sure what the quality of those is.

It is much lighter and more compact than old-school flatbed scanners. It also has a built-in stand that you can flip down which allows you to have it sit on its side so it is taking up less desk/table space. It does not have a power cord, just powers itself through a USB connection to your computer. In all, it does what I need it to do so far, and I have not had any issues with it after getting it set up.

Product Review: USB 3.0 Hub, VIENON 4-Port USB Hub USB Splitter USB Expander for Laptop

 

This is a USB 3.0 hub that can connect to a computer or a docking station to give you three additional USB ports. It is powered through whatever it is plugged into, so it does not have a separate power supply. It is plug-and-play and works as expected. A good choice if you are looking for a reasonably priced USB hub.

Product Review: Vertical Laptop Holder - Asher Fashion Vertical Laptop Stand with Adjustable Dock Size

 

This is a laptop stand that can hold a laptop and a tablet vertically, to help free up desk space. It can also hold a cell phone in landscape mode. It is very small and comes in pieces that have to be assembled. The three pieces that form the slots screw into the base using very small screws with heads that you need to use a small Allen Wrench (which is included) to get into place. It is definitely a bit of a pain to assemble, but once it is put together, it is sturdy and does what it is supposed to. I do think it could have been designed a bit better such as to have the top pieces already mounted on the base, and the two end pieces movable to size the gaps without having to put in or take out screws. But, for a relatively inexpensive stand, it does the job.

Product Review: BOOX Magnetic Pen2 Pro with Eraser Feature

 

This is a stylus that works with the BOOX series of E-ink tablets. I have the Note Air 2 Plus, and the stylus that comes with it does not have an eraser end, which makes it kind of a pain when you are writing, because in order to erase you have to switch from the pen to the eraser using the icons on the screen and back to the pen. This allows you to turn the stylus over and use the eraser end. The only real trick to erasing with this is that you have to push down on the stylus when you are using the eraser end in order to get the writing to erase. 

As far as the writing experience goes, it uses nibs that do have to be replaced when they wear down. One drawback to this is that it does not come with extra nibs, but the stylus that comes with the tablet itself does have extra nibs. How quickly the nibs last will, of course, depend on how much you use them, but I have found that with what I would call regular use, writing on the tablet multiple times per week, the nibs last quite a while. The big plus, for me anyway, is that the stylus does not have to be charged (unlike the Apple Pencil that works with iPads), so you do not have to interrupt what you are doing to recharge the stylus (which could definitely interrupt your work flow, especially if you are taking notes "live" during a meeting, a class lecture, or something like that). 

Product Review: Computer Speakers, Bluetooth Computer Soundbar, HiFi Stereo, 3.5mm Aux-in Connection, USB Powered Computer Speakers

 

This is basically a soundbar that can connect to a computer (desktop or laptop) or a tablet (assuming it has an AUX port). It powers via a USB connection, so it definitely has fewer wires than the old-school computer speakers that had to be connected together via a wire and had to be plugged into a wall outlet and it is definitely a major upgrade in sound quality over the PC speakers on my laptop. 

The sound through the speaker is very good (in my opinion anyway, but I am not exactly an A/V wonk), and the big feature for me is that it can be connected to devices via Bluetooth, so I can play things from the apps on my phone through the speaker, and do not have to wear headphones to get better sound than what is emitted through the speakers on my phone. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Vantec CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter Supports 2.5-Inch, 3.5-Inch, 5.25-Inch Hard Disk Drives

 

This is an adapter that, when it works, allows you to get files off of old hard drives. It does give you connectors to hook up to a SATA or IDE connection, as well as a power supply to power SATA drives. This issue is that it works sporadically. I tried it on two older hard drives, one internal and one external. It initially worked on both of them, and then eventually just stopped working on the external drive. So, when it works it does what it is supposed to, and is easy to use. But, it is hit or miss, so when it works get everything off the drive at once because you may not be able to stop and resume transferring files later.

Product Review: InstallerParts 3 ft USB 2.0 High Speed Cable

 

This is a standard high-speed USB cable. It works as advertised and comes in three-feet or ten-feet lengths. It works as advertised and is a good value. I definitely recommend this if you need a USB 2.0 cable.

Product Review: TP-Link AC750 Wifi Range Extender

 

I live in a split-level townhouse with four levels. As a result, there are a lot of dead zones, especially if the router is set up in the basement. This works well to eliminate (or at least reduce) the dead zones. Setting up the extender is very easy. The setup amounts to just plugging the extender in near the router, pushing the WPS button on the router, and waiting for all of the lights on the extender to light up. Then, you can move the extender to whatever area of the house you would like. There are a couple of caveats. If you have multiple dead zones, for example, because you have a split-level house, you may need a couple of these, otherwise, if you try moving the extender too far away from the router (e.g., the router is in the basement and you move this to a third or fourth floor) it will not work (or will not work well). But, if you have a router in the basement, put one of these on the second level, and another on the third level, you should get a pretty good signal everywhere. Also, while it does give you decent internet speed, it will probably not match the speed that your modem or modem/router combination will (especially with a wired connection). That said, I think it does what it is supposed to, and I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: MaxTeck USB 3.0 to HDMI External Video Card Graphic Adapter for Multiple Monitors

 

I got this to try and hook up a monitor with an HDMI connection to my computer. Unfortunately, it did not work either as just a plug-and-play device or trying to find drivers to get it to work. So, I would recommend looking for other options.

Product Review: Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0

 

I got this to store my school materials from my engineering degree, which includes a ton of video lectures that are in MP4 format and take up a lot of space. This is a drive that is purely plug-n-play, has a lot of space, and is powered by the computer you plug it into (via a USB connection). So, you do not have to deal with another power supply. It is definitely worth the pickup.

Product Review: EPSON T252 DURABrite Ultra Ink Standard Capacity Color Combo Pack (T252520-S) for select Epson WorkForce Printers

 

The print quality from these cartridges is good, but they run out of ink fast. Much faster than off-brand cartridges. Given that they are definitely a lot more expensive than the off-brand cartridges, they should last at least as long as those, if not much longer.

Product Review: Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet

 

I use this mainly to annotate Word documents, using the tools on the "draw" tab in Word. For that, it works well. It has fairly good control to allow me to mark or write where I intend. I would not say that I can make writing look great, or as good as I can with a pen and paper or even with an Apple Pencil on an iPad, but on the documents I am annotating, it is not important to make things look perfect.

I will say that this is not exactly plug-in-play (at least on a Windows machine). When you plug it in, Windows does recognize it and does some setup. But, I did have to go onto Wacom's site to download the setup file and manually run it. Once I did that, it opened a pretty typical setup dialog box and it was very easy from there. You do have to restart your machine halfway through the process, so it is best to close everything besides your browser before you start the setup. Once the setup is complete, it works very well. The pen comes with one nib already inserted and then there are three extra nibs stored in the base of the pen (which screws apart).

Product Review: Epson WorkForce WF-7610 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer with Scanner and Copier

 

This is a beast of an all-in-one printer. It is very heavy and does take up a lot of space, which definitely bucks the trend of making everything electronic smaller. It does have a very good flatbed scanner that, at least for scanning most documents, works great. I am not one that is into photography, graphic design, or the like, so I am not really interested in great picture quality when it comes to printers. But, for printing and scanning documents like forms, then it works fine. It does, as many wireless printers do, lose internet connection from time to time, and can be kind of a pain to reconnect. Sometimes it is easy to reconnect and sometimes you have to go through the menu multiple times to get it to work. And, the paper feeder is not great. Sometimes it legitimately jams and sometimes it thinks it is jammed when it is really not. Hopefully, they worked out some of these issues in the newer version, especially for the price given that it is not an inexpensive printer.