Xbox One X

In terms of pure dollars is it worth the extra $250 over the Xbox One S? No. 

You get the same performance for most games. As of this writing, there are only 3 games that can take full advantage of extra performance of the Xbox One X, plus, you'll need a 4K TV with HDMI 2.1 to notice any difference and you'll also need a surround system for the full experience. I don't have a 4K TV with HDMI 2.1 or a receiver with that same standard. It does perform really well and games really do pop. Is that enough to justify double the cost? I don't think so. 

I chose the Xbox long ago over the PS system due to the controller. The Xbox One X controller is impressive. It is a step up over the Xbox 360 controller. It feels much more substantial and I liked that they still kept it to requiring just two double A batteries. Rechargeable batteries work well and offer the best life over "kits" you can buy for the controller. Amazon offers AA batteries with 2400mAh each. Most rechargable kits offer 2400mAh for both batteries. 

I do like the extra ports that the Xbox One X does offer. You can connect an external USB 3.0 drive to play games which you will eventually need. The Xbox One X comes with a 1TB of space but that will only hold 15-20 games depending on the size of the game. Games will become larger and larger. Some games coming out in 2018 are over 100gigs!

I do not like the fact that you have to load the game onto the hard drive in order to play the game. The Xbox One X does let you start playing without loading the entire game which helps but it's still an annoyance. Microsoft should have sped up the read and processing speed of the drive so that you can play off the disc since they sped up everything else in the Xbox One X. I feel that Microsoft will not make improvements in this area due to the fact that they really want to phase out physical discs. It's coming. 

Is it worth it as a long term investment? Probably Not.

Microsoft will retire the Xbox One S and the X will be lowest version of the console(It'll be rebranded under another name). I'm sure they'll come up with another version prior to that happening and you'll have to sped even more money for the next version. It's their way of taking your money. I tend to hold onto the consoles for a long, long time. I still have my original Xbox but don't play it. I have two Xbox 360s which I do use. 

The best bet would be to wait until a year after it came out for the price to drop or have them include more games or an extra controller. It may be worth while if you plan on keeping the console for 10 years.

Technical Specifications:

  

• CPU: x86-64 2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom CPU
• GPU: 6 TFLOPS, AMD Radeon-based graphics clocked at 1172MHz with 40 compute units
• Memory: 12GB GDDR5
• Storage size: 1TB HDD
• External dimensions: 30x24x6 cm/11.8x9.4x2.3 in
• Weight: 8.4 lbs/3.8 kg
• Optical drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray
• Input/Output: Power, HDMI 2.0b out, HDMI 1.4b in, three USB 3.0 ports, IR out, S/PDIF, gigabit Ethernet
• Networking: IEEE 802.11ac dual band (5GHz and 2.4Ghz), 2x2 wireless Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct
• Power consumption: 245W
• 
  

Acer R13 Chromebook

Review of the Acer R13 Chromebook

The Good:
Awesome display
Great battery life
Very lightweight
Keyboard action
Best when used for what it was designed for



The Bad:
Speakers
Camera



I've heard good things about a chromebook so I decided to see how good they really are. I decided I wanted one that will last (software and hardware wise) so I chose the Acer R13. It's one of the a very few currently that support the Google Play Store. There isn't a stable build so you have to configure it with the beta option. You can google how to enable it. I'm going to wait until there is a stable build before I enable it. I want it work well when I enable it which will come sometime this year.

Design

It definitely has a premium feel to it but is light enough to carry around. The base is a machined aluminum and it reminds me of the MacBook Pro. Acer placed the R 13's USB Type-C port, HDMI port, USB 3.0 port and microSD card reader on the Chromebook's left side and the headphone jack and lock slot on its right side. That Type-C port is used mainly for charging, but it also supports USB 3.1 data transfer and DisplayPort monitors. 



The micro SD slot acts as additional storage which you will eventually need since it only has a 32gig hard drive. I suspect as memory gets even cheaper, it'll go up approaching a normal laptop storage capacity. What would be good is if Google decides that you can integrate that sd slot memory for onboard memory like you can on Andriod 6.0 phones.

The R13 can be used in a standard laptop configuration or a touch pad configuration. It has a touch screen display that is responsive enough but it works best as a chromebook. You can even lay the touchpad configuration on a flat surface as the keys are sunken into the body so you don't scratch your keys.

Key are responsive and offer a very nice tactile touch. The keyboard and touch pad is not as nice as a Macbook Pro but then again, I didn't have to shell out over a grand, just $350 at Costco.com.

Battery life it top rate since the Chrome OS doesn't really tax the processors. It's been going 3 days without a charge  for about 4 hours a day and still has over 50% battery life.

Display
The display is a full 1080p and it is fantastic. Chrome OS does not play all mkv files well but it can play some. It will be able to play any file when you enable google apps. Having the full Google Play library really makes for the short comings of Chrome OS. All you will need to do is download the VLC app.

Camera and Speakers
The R13 comes with a 0.9 megapixel camera. Come on 0.9M? What is this 2004? I'm not sure why they skimped so much on the camera. It is functional but just barely. Skype calls for the people on the other end will be not great.

The speakers are located under the chromebook and one on the side. It doesn't sound well at all when used in the laptop configuration but sounds decent when put in the tablet configuration.




Overall
This is a great chromebook. I guess when you start going up in price, you expect more functionality, like a laptop. When you try to use it as a laptop, it has its shortcomings. The key is going to be how well Google integrates the play store and how stable it will perform. Then it can be a great tablet as well as a chromebook and when that happens, this is a fantastic deal at $350. If it's just a chromebook, then it's a good deal.



Specifications:

CPU	MediaTek MT8173C Core Pilot Quad-Core ARM
Operating System	Google Chrome
RAM	4GB
Hard Drive Size	32GB
Display Size	13.3
Native Resolution	1920x1080
Graphics Card	Integrated Imagination PowerVR GX6250 Graphics
Wi-Fi	802.11ac
Wi-Fi Model	802.11AC WiFi featuring 2x2 MIMO Technology (Dual-Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0
Touchpad Size	4.1 x 2.4 inches
Ports (excluding USB)	USB 3.1 with Type-C
Ports (excluding USB)	USB 3.0
Ports (excluding USB)	Headphone
Ports (excluding USB)	HDMI
USB Ports	2
Card Slots	microSD
Warranty/Support	One Year International Limited Warranty
Size	12.8 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
Weight	3.2 pounds

Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (2015)

Review for 2015 Specialized Rock Hopper Comp

The Good:

Great Starter Bike to grow with your skills

29" Tires

Great handling 

Lightweight

Local Bike Store

Great Price

The Bad:

Mediocre components 

Terrible seat

High seat post

After 27 years, it was time for a new bike. My 1994, Univega chromoly frame bike with 21 inch wheels just could not handle the trails. It was rough riding on that bike. It has served me well but it had outlived it's usefulness.

I wanted a bike under $1000 and narrowed it down to either a Cannondale or Specialized. Both great names in mountain biking which I knew would be around should I have issues in the future. I almost bought a bike on Craig's List however, after visiting 3 bike stores, I bought one from a local bike shop (LBS) near where I live. 

The clincher was that I was able to get a 2015 model for $150 off, plus lifetime warranty on the frame (which would not apply to bikes bought on Craig's List) and the local shop offered FREE lifetime tune ups!! (usually $60 each time)

I knew I was going to be really hard on the bike so the lifetime warranty was really important. I've read on the forums that Specialized is pretty good about honoring their warranty. You will have to pay for assembly. I didn't really like any of the 2016 colors and was really happy to find that I could get a 2015 plus and extra $150 off. The best times to buy a mountain bike is Sept-Oct (when new models have arrived and the shops are trying to get rid of the older models) and in Jan-Feb (when there is almost no mountain bike activity). Nov-Dec is when people buy bikes for Christmas. 

I'm not a bike mechanic nor do I claim to be one on the internet. I may eventually get into fixing it on my own but right now, I don't have much time or interest in learning how to fix my bike. I wanted something that was virtually maintenance free. 

I decided on the Comp version of the Rockhopper due to the geometry of the rear fork pictured below. 

I have not metal stress test to prove my theory other than how it rides. Think about coming on a hard landing. The stress point of the torque and weight stress is in the elbow above instead of it all coming into one joint like most hard tail bikes. This reduces stress on the frame and translates into a more stable bike. 

The seat they provide was really uncomfortable for rides longer than 30 minutes. I purchased a new seat that I will post a review on later. The seat post is a bit long. I guess I have long legs for someone who is 5'8" because I need to cut the post to make it just a few inches longer. 

I had to take the bike into the shop for an adjustment due to the shifter setting not being set properly. It should be free fix since I bought the bike a few months ago and if it's not, it's covered under the yearly free tune up (love it). 

It handles the rough terrain very well and soaks up almost all bumps. Where it could be better is in rough downhills. Granted it is a hard tail so I can fully understand why people like full suspension bikes. I think it does a decent job on those jarring down hills for a hard tail. It's wide handle bar makes steering a breeze and really comfortable for long rides. 

The 29 inch wheels make a huge difference. I don't even really need as many gears due to the large tires. The tires it did come with are fantastic. They are rough on the streets but that is what you would expect from mud/snow tires. 

Brakes a first rate. Very biting with little fad. the crank gears are something less to be desired. This would be my first upgrade if I did one. I probably wouldn't upgrade unless I broke the frame and had to reassemble the entire bike. 

I know I'm going be very hard on this bike. I've been on about 10 rides so far and it's handled everything I've thrown at it like a champ. Let's hope this bike will last another 27 years. 

Thuja Green Giant Arborviate from Sandy's Nursery (Amazon)

Review for Thuja Green Giant Arborviate Trees from Sandy's Nursery



The Good:
$40 for 10 trees
Healthy when arrived

Packaged well for shipment


The Bad:
They are really small

Small pot

Need to let them grow before planting

These trees are suppose to grow to be 50+ feet. They are a good deal for getting ten trees and they seemed healthy. They are wrapped in plastic so if you get them in summer be sure to get them out of the sun. I had ordered scotch pine trees from another vendor and they were out in the sun all day when the USPS delivered them and they ended up dying. The vendor was terrible because you had to ship the dead trees back to get a refund which costs more than the cost of the trees that I purchased which basically negates the refund process. I can't recall who I bought them from but just be aware when you order live plants that this can happen.

This is a picture of the day they arrived.

I potted them in 12 inch pots the next day and waited 6 months before I planted them in the ground. I am happy to say that five of the six I planted are still alive after a year. They are between 3-5 feet tall now and are doing well.

Qixels Turbo Dryer

This is a review for the Qixels Turbo Dryer

The Good:

• It is really fun to use
• You get to play with the dryer(make it spin)
• Keeps the water in the container 

The Bad:

• They say that it is not messy but it is
• If you spin it to fast the design will fly off
• Does not make them dry faster
• They should add more of the Qixels characters  

Recommendation: 

yes - 7 year old

no - 11 year old 

  The whole point of dryer is to make them "dry" faster. This is not the case. It takes just as long to dry with the dryer than without. It is not worth the money paid for this item. There is fun factor in that you can spin the design and watch it go around. That's about it. 

Halo Screen Protector for the Samsung Galaxy S5

This is a review for the Halo brand screen protector for the Samsung Galaxy S5.

        I've had other screen protectors for other phones and tablets. The protector is a glossy screen protector so it will show finger prints but I have noticed that the prints do not show as much as other clear screen protectors. I've used the "fingerprintless" or matte but they take away from the clarity of the screen.

          I liked that this came with several things that most companies don't provide. It included several sticky tabs to remove dust and an alcohol prep pad. They provide simple instructions and a url to watch a tutorial which is a nice touch however, nothing beats experience when applying a screen protector.

           The screen has to be COMPLETELY dust free. I curled the protector from the sides and put it down on the middle of the phone and worked my way out to the sides.

The pack comes with three screen protectors and they say it has a lifetime warranty. I will be testing that as I have a small scratch on mine right now. When I applied it, I messed up on the first and used the second. I still have one more but would like to save that.

           The package on the front says, "Premium Japanese Protectors". I'm not sure what that means other then the company tried to convey they are "Japanese" quality. They are made in China.

Nyrius Songo Link Wireless Bluetooth Receiver

This is a review for the Nyrius Songo Link Wireless Bluetooth Receiver.

             I switched to a Samsung Galaxy S5 from an iPhone 3GS. I know, I know, a really old phone. My 2009 Infiniti had the 30 pin connector that worked as an ipod for my phone so when I changed phones I needed a new solution.

         I tried a 30 pin to USB connector. That did not work. I read one Amazon review that said it this Bluetooth Receiver worked with his M35 which has the same connector. This unit requires a powered source for it to work AND to change the battery inside the receiver.

         Unfortunately, it did not work on my 2009 Infiniti. It is a powered source but I think the Infiniti needs the feedback software telling the car that it is connected to an ipod. I tried the receiver on my Altec ipod player and it worked fine. It had good range and played well. I just wish it worked with my car.

Corolla NC Beach Realty Seabreeze 4 unit 572

The Good:
Close to the beach (two blocks)
Good price (off season)
Air conditioner
Wifi (once I got it working)
Relatively quiet
Outdoor second floor porch
Programmable thermostat


The Bad:
Not that clean
Dated furniture and decor
Dirty utensils
Dangerous Stairwell
Customer support
Broken fixtures and furniture
Bad ceiling fans
No backyard
Tetanus BBQ


We decided to try renting a house on Long Beach Island in North Carolina since so many people make the trek. The house we stayed at was located in near Corolla (Cor ale a according to the locals). It was our first time renting a house. Definitely try to rent during the off season because the prices are half. If you can, try to arrive on the island in the morning, because traffic is terrible since there is only one bridge onto the island.


What you need to bring:

Soap (dish washing, handsoap for each sink, laundry detergent, dishwasher soap)
Sponges
Paper towels
Sheets
Blankets
Pillows
Toilet paper
Tissues

Food

What they provide:
Wifi router
Some pots and pans
Some utensils


The house has a nice garage that is covered. Most of the houses don't have a covered garage. It is really nice since it will rain at least once when you are here toward the end of August.

You have walk up a set of stairs to the first floor which has all the bedrooms.

Bedrooms have that lovely 70s wood paneling decor which meant they didn't want to upgrade to something this decade or they went with a cheap durable option. I'm thinking the owner just never got out of the 70s. 

This bedroom in the corner of the house had the wifi router which was behind the TV. It is a plus that they offered a wifi router but it was a negative that it was really hard to work. The router had to be reset to the original specs in order for any of us to log in. It's a good thing I knew how to do a hard reset  on this router. I was temped to flash DDWRT on the router but I didn't want to waste my time on something I would only use for month. 

I am always concerned when a place has wood paneling. You never know what's underneath. I guess that is the same for dry wall but at least you know it was updated within the last 20 years.

I should have brought my lava lamp. It would gone really well with the paneling.

You do have to navigate a winding staircase going up to the main floor that has the kitchen and living area. It was scary to do and even scarier going down but there was plenty of wood paneling to cushion your fall.

I did fall once or twice and then I got use to it. Oh look, more wood paneling. 

Try to go down or up when you're a little tipsy.

We put in a service call to fix the outside light because there are no street lights and it's pitch black at night. When they came, we were not in the house and they locked a deadbolt to the house which we didn't have a key for. When we called, the woman at the desk didn't "have" a car and we had to drive to the place to pick up the key. Annoying and the staff was not friendly.

There was minor things that were broken like this bathroom lamp and the vinyl blinds and missing and broken pieces. Nothing too major but it made the place look run down. 

The owner really does love the 70s. This was either his old receiver or he picked this up on Craig's List for free. This model came out in 1974. It was actually a very good receiver when it came out and didn't sound too bad. It does with the 70s decor.  

They did offer a moder dvd player. And by modern I mean 1990s dvd player. It worked. 

They actually did have a flat screen tv and really nice B&W speakers. If they had a better receiver it would sounded even better. You really don't come down here to watch tv so I thought it was a nice addition. 

This was the most modern item in the entire house. It was builder's grade thermostat which was nice and worked well. 

The kitchen had some appliances. Everything needed to be clean though. None of it was really ready to use clean. Be prepared to do cleaning for the first hour when you are there.

The living area next to the kitchen. 

This house had two decks. One off the top floor and one off of one of the bedrooms on the second floor. 

It had a wash off area outside. It really needed to be cleaned. It had a bumper crop of green algae and moss growing.

The bathrooms were, you guessed it, 70s themed. Everything worked well. I wish it was cleaner though. 

This is what they called a ceiling fan which looked like it was built in the 50s. It was tiny and spun very slowly so there wasn't much air movement from the fan. 

This is what they called a backyard.

This was their "picnic" area.

This was the grill they had you could use. Tetanus anyone?

Overall it was a good experience but I'm not renting this house. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either unless you get it really, really cheap. I can't imagine paying double of what we did to stay there.