Reviews Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Review: Dell XPS9360-7758SLV-PUS 13.3-Inch Touchscreen Laptop

Posted on April 21, 2018

Most laptops used to be weak, watered down PCs that sacrificed power for portability, but that’s no longer the case.

Today’s modern laptop and notebook computers are plenty powerful enough to do most anything that even the fastest desktop PCs can do.

Even as laptops get more powerful by the day, they are also getting thinner and lighter, making them easier than ever to take along with you as you travel for work or pleasure.

The Dell XPS9360-7758SLV-PUS 13.3-Inch Touchscreen Laptop is a perfect example. Even though it’s strikingly thin, measures just 15×12 inches and weighs less than 3 pounds, this machine has all the power that one might need in a laptop. Check out these awesome specs: [Read more…]

Review: Audio Technica ATLP60 USB Turntable

Posted on April 16, 2018

Do you enjoy the retro sound of music played from a good old fashioned vinyl record? Or do you have a stack of old LPs and “single” records that you’d love to transfer onto CDs?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, a high-quality USB turntable will allow you to listen to your favorite vinyl records using the latest in modern audio technology.

I have checked out several very nice USB turntables, and one that I really like is the Audio Technica ATLP60 USB.

The sound quality produced by this turntable is superb, and the built-in pre-amplifer lets you plug it directly into a set of powered speakers or a stereo system with standard phono inputs. [Read more…]

Review: HP Elitebook X360 1030 G2 13.3″ Flip Design Notebook

Posted on April 14, 2018

The lines between notebook computers and tablets are becoming more blurred by the day.

“Convertible laptops” can also be used as fully-functioning tablets, offering you the best of both computing worlds in a single device.

The HP Elitebook X360 1030 G2 13.3″ Flip Design Notebook is one of the more powerful “convertible” notebooks on the market today.

Like other convertibles, you can either flip up the lid and use it like a traditional notebook PC or fold it all the way back and use it as a tablet. The choice is yours.

This little gem weighs in at a mere 2.8 pounds but it packs plenty of power into its relatively small frame. Here’s a quick run-down of what’s inside: [Read more…]

Review: TRENDnet Powerline 500 AV Nano Adapter Kit

Posted on March 21, 2018

A Powerline Ethernet Adapter kit is the perfect solution when you need to connect a computer to your home network in a distant room where the Wi-Fi signal is weak, and running an Ethernet cable would be difficult or impossible.

Simply plug one adapter into your router and a nearby electrical outlet and the other adapter into an outlet in the room where you need service, and you’re all set.

I recently had the opportunity to check out the TRENDnet Powerline 500 AV Nano Adapter Kit, and overall I really like it. TRENDnet is known for making high-quality, highly effective devices, and the Powerline 500 is one of the best I have ever used. [Read more…]

Review: Samsung SE-208DB/TSBS USB External DVD+/-RW 8X Optical Drive

Posted on March 19, 2018

These days many laptops are shipped without a built-in optical drive. And in my opinion, that’s a good thing since our video and musical entertainment is now streamed to us instantly over the web.

Not having to include an optical drive means the computer manufacturers can sell their laptops for less while also reducing the laptop’s over-all weight.

That being said, many folks still have program installation files, music and movies on CDs and DVDs. If you’re one of them, you know that not having an optical drive at all is simply not an option for you. [Read more…]