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  • 2018’s Best Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptops (So Far)

    2018’s Best Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptops (So Far)

    There has been a huge increase the in number of 2-in-1 laptops that feature touchscreen controls for tablet mode. Love it or hate it, touchscreens are here to stay, and they will likely continue to be evolved into mainstream computing.

    Here are some of our favorite touchscreen laptops available right now.

    HP Spectre x360

    This lightweight, slim bezel 2-in-1 is a great option for the most mobile users among us. The battery life is amazing, and the keyboard is also a pleasure to use. You won’t find a better balance between tablet and laptop than this system.

    Microsoft Surface Pro

    The Microsoft Surface Pro has positioned itself to be the touchscreen laptop to beat. It is designed from the ground up to work around a touch interface and the Surface Pen. Going beyond simple touchscreen controls and note taking, the Surface Pro also aims to be a digital artist’s tool. Unfortunately, the newer version of the Surface Pro no longer includes the Surface Pen, so expect an accessory purchase right off the bat.

    Lenovo Yoga 920

    If screen real estate is your priority, then the Lenovo Yoga 920 should be where you begin looking. The general 13.9-inch display is larger than many 2-in-1 systems. With a fully metal build and an interesting take on laptop hinges, the
    Yoga makes a classy statement. It also features the same level of touchscreen sensitivity as the Surface Pro despite the larger screen.

    Samsung Chromebook Pro

    What would happen if you took a Samsung Note 8 and blew it up into a 2-in-1 computer? You’d get the Samsung Chromebook Pro. If Chrome OS is your jam but you find typical Chromebook offerings a little short on power, then the Chromebook Pro is well worth looking into. The Google Play store alone means that you will have more than enough apps for both your productive and procrastinating sides.


  • 2018’s Best Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptops (So Far)

    2018’s Best Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptops (So Far)

    There has been a huge increase the in number of 2-in-1 laptops that feature touchscreen controls for tablet mode. Love it or hate it, touchscreens are here to stay, and they will likely continue to be evolved into mainstream computing.

    Here are some of our favorite touchscreen laptops available right now.

    HP Spectre x360

    This lightweight, slim bezel 2-in-1 is a great option for the most mobile users among us. The battery life is amazing, and the keyboard is also a pleasure to use. You won’t find a better balance between tablet and laptop than this system.

    Microsoft Surface Pro

    The Microsoft Surface Pro has positioned itself to be the touchscreen laptop to beat. It is designed from the ground up to work around a touch interface and the Surface Pen. Going beyond simple touchscreen controls and note taking, the Surface Pro also aims to be a digital artist’s tool. Unfortunately, the newer version of the Surface Pro no longer includes the Surface Pen, so expect an accessory purchase right off the bat.

    Lenovo Yoga 920

    If screen real estate is your priority, then the Lenovo Yoga 920 should be where you begin looking. The general 13.9-inch display is larger than many 2-in-1 systems. With a fully metal build and an interesting take on laptop hinges, the
    Yoga makes a classy statement. It also features the same level of touchscreen sensitivity as the Surface Pro despite the larger screen.

    Samsung Chromebook Pro

    What would happen if you took a Samsung Note 8 and blew it up into a 2-in-1 computer? You’d get the Samsung Chromebook Pro. If Chrome OS is your jam but you find typical Chromebook offerings a little short on power, then the Chromebook Pro is well worth looking into. The Google Play store alone means that you will have more than enough apps for both your productive and procrastinating sides.


  • Top 5 Luxury Cars ..That Won’t Break the Bank

    Top 5 Luxury Cars ..That Won’t Break the Bank

    Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s just so… luxurious. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though.

    What’s a good compromise for someone who wants a nice ride but doesn’t want to take a long time to pay it off? For such discerning individuals, we have our top ten luxury cars that won’t break the bank!

    2018 Acura ILX

    The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio.

    2018 Audi A3

    The next car on our list, the elegant Audi A3, starts at around $33,000. And it does more than just look pretty: it has some stellar luxury features. The A3 comes standard with forward collision mitigation, helping make sure you keep your nice new luxury car out of trouble. It also ensures a comfortable ride, with heated front seats and leather upholstery, and even a panoramic sunroof! If you want even more, you can opt to add on blind spot monitoring to even further keep your A3 (and yourself) safe, and even parking sensors. To round it all out, you can even opt for Apple CarPlay mirroring, letting you use your phone as your car stereo!

    2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

    Mercedes-Benz, a well-known name in the world of luxury cars, offers the CLA-Class as a more affordable entry option to their range of vehicles. While you’ll only pay $33,695 for base models of the 2018, you’ll get the full Mercedes-Benz luxury experience. Some of the base features are pretty high-tech and impressive. For instance, it comes stock with drowsy-driver sensors, forward collision mitigation and rain-sensing windshield wipers. If that’s not enough for you, it even sports dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth! Add-ons include LED headlights, heated seats and adaptive cruise control. You can even opt for blind spot monitoring if you’re like me and forget to check those every time!

    2018 Volvo S60

    An extremely elegant car, and a great buy for $35,095. The S60 is a looker and boasts an incredibly comfortable ride to boot. Base models have low-speed collision mitigation, which is great when driving around town. They also have xenon headlights, leather upholstery and sunroof equipped standard. Oh, and don’t forget the Wi-Fi connectivity. Pretty cool, right? You can also opt for rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and navigation.

    2018 BMW 3 Series

    The 3 Series is the most affordable of BMW’s luxury cars, but it feels anything but “affordable.” This decadent ride is smooth, responsive and just plain fun to drive. You can grab a base model for $35,895, and that equips you with push-button start, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You even get Bluetooth connectivity! If you want a more upgraded experience, you can also opt for a sunroof, among other awesome options.


  • Asus ZenBook S: Surprisingly Good

    Asus ZenBook S: Surprisingly Good

    Apple is the undisputed champ when it comes to extra-thin, stylish laptops. The MacBook line is ostensibly awesome for a number of reasons. That said, PC fans aren’t without hope in the “thin, stylish laptop” race. Case in point: the Asus ZenBook S, a surprisingly good extra-thin entry from Asus. As a sleeper hit, many wouldn’t have expected Asus to deliver something this good. Expectations were low but thoroughly blown out of the water, and we’re not complaining. So, what makes it so good? Let’s discuss the finer points.

    Design and Feel

    You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a 2-in-1 at a glance. It’s little, it’s sleek and it has in interesting silver design. The signature Asus swirl is present in the brushed-metal lid. The chamfered edges are a soft gold, and the laptop comes with either red or blue accents. Little touches of understated elegance give this laptop a premium feel all its own.

    Specs and Performance

    There are two configurations for this laptop, and both are quite good. The more expensive configuration packs an i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 4K display. All of that comes with 512 BB of storage on a solid-state drive. You get this all for $1,500, which is pretty nuts when you think about it. While its not going to be powering through any modern gaming rigs, it’s great at video and photo editing and drawing. If you’re a content creator looking for a great workstation, this one has what you need. This laptop is incredible for professionals and students alike.

    Asus ZenBook S Bottom Line

    Unless you’re really adamant about gaming on a laptop, this is a great pick for you. If you’re looking to edit photos, videos or create slideshows for work, this laptop will handle it. If you like making a stylish statement with your laptop, the ZenBook has you covered. If you need something to do homework on while zipping between YouTube, Facebook and a word processor, this is your computer. Really, its hard to overstate how impressed we are with this exceedingly thin and stylish laptop. It’s well worth the money and an ample competitor with the MacBook line.

    Feature Image Credit: CNET

  • 2019 Subaru Ascent Feature Round-up

    2019 Subaru Ascent Feature Round-up

    Subaru’s first attempt at a three-row SUV, the Tribeca, wasn’t the best car in the world. In fact, it’s one of Subaru’s weaker models, and really failed to impress. Thankfully, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is here to change all of that. This three-row SUV is a great value and perfect for big families. If you’re looking for an awesome new SUV for the whole family to enjoy, check out today’s feature round-up. You’re going to love what Subaru has delivered here.

    Huge Presence

    If you like having a big footprint on the road, the Ascent will tickle your fancy. You’ve seen the Forrester before, so picture that but with three rows of seating. The Ascent is big, it’s roomy and it makes sure it has space on the road. If you’re like me, you don’t want people crowding you while you cart your family around town. As such, that huge road presence is a big deal. It also means you can fit everyone and their friends in the car without anyone being cramped!

    Interior Accoutrements

    The Ascent features a big, bold infotainment system and a nice interior. While the interior cabin won’t blow your mind, it’s nice and does its job. The infotainment screen comes in a 6.5 or 8-inch display, depending on which configuration you go with. Either way, it’s helpful and works well when you need to use it. The Ascent also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

    On the Road

    Subaru’s Ascent handles great on the road. It gets 21 miles per gallon city and 27 miles per gallon highway, all while putting out 260 horsepower. That’s not too shabby! The steering is responsive and accurate, especially considering the SUV’s big size. The suspension is great, and this vehicle features less body roll than most in its class. The best part is, the ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable. You’ll hear barely a whisper from the engine, and bumps are handled with ease.

    2019 Subaru Ascent Bottom Line

    This is a great SUV! If you’re looking for a car for lugging your family around town, this is a great pick. It drives well, it’s roomy and it has a ton of modern tech in the cab. You’ll love the ride, and you’ll love all the cargo space. The best part, though, is the price. The base model is $31,995, making it a great option for a family that isn’t looking for a luxury car. Not to mention, that price tag gets you the rock-solid Subaru name on the back. Customers are loyal to that company because its cars are just excellent.

  • Moto E5 Plus Feature Round-up: Worth the Money?

    Moto E5 Plus Feature Round-up: Worth the Money?

    Motorola, an old name in the cellphone industry, has been somewhat revived from the dead. The original company went under years ago, but Lenovo holds the rights to make handsets with the Moto name. That said, today we’re looking at the Moto E5 Plus, a “budget” phone with a huge screen. Is it worth the money, or should you stick to its siblings?

    Pricing and Availability

    The first stumble for the Moto E5 Plus is the availability. It’s only available on Sprint and Cricket, and neither of those are particularly strong networks. While they’re both serviceable, they’re less than ideal. That said, this is marketed as a budget phone, so being on budget networks shouldn’t be too big an issue. However, that’s the second stumble for this phone: the price. On Cricket, the Moto E5 Plus runs for $180, but on Sprint it’s $288. That’s absurd, to be honest, as you’re getting the exact same phone for $108 extra. Trust us, Sprint’s network and customer service don’t merit that much of an upcharge.

    At least on Cricket the $180 price sounds more reasonable. But how does the phone perform?

    Performance and Design

    In a word, the phone performs poorly. Yeah, unfortunately it’s not even worth $180. The camera, the screen and the processor are all just cheap. The screen isn’t as bright and vibrant, and there’s some notable delay on inputs. The processor doesn’t help here, as the phone sluggishly tries to keep up with apps. The camera is grainy, images are fuzzy, and the low-light performance is abysmal. If you’re on Sprint, don’t even think of getting this phone. If you’re on Cricket, it’s hardly worth it unless you love the design.

    On that front, the phone fares a bit better. The screen is quite large, which is nice if you have large hands. The resolution is really low, though, so images don’t look crisp. If you have small hands, you’ll hate this phone. The rounded design makes it easy to lose a grip on if your hands are smaller. That said, those with larger hands may like the design. Another positive, it has a long battery life, which is about the only good thing we can say about it.

    Moto E5 Plus Bottom Line: Skip This Phone

    If you’re looking for a good budget smartphone from Motorola, look for one like the Moto G6. That phone has a Gorilla Glass back, slick design and better overall performance. The crazy part it, the Moto G6 only costs $249, making it cheaper than Sprint’s price for this phone. All in all, this is a forgettable Android phone that’s overpriced for what it does. Skip this one!

  • Brava Pure Light Oven Feature Roundup

    Brava Pure Light Oven Feature Roundup

    There’s nothing that can ruin a good vacation faster than a sunburn. It’s hard to believe just how much you can be cooked by little more than light. Well, what if you could turn the cooking power of light from your skin to your dinner? That’s the concept behind the Brava Pure Light Oven. Today, we’re taking a closer look at this innovative gadget and rounding up its unique features. Let’s get cooking!

    It’s Not Magic, But It Seems Like It

    Brava’s biggest draw is the light-powered cooking it brings to bear. Using specialized bulbs and sensors, the oven tracks what type of food is in it and adjusts accordingly. As such, when you put a type of food in and tell the oven how to cook it, it responds with light energy. The wavelength of the light emitted allows the oven to penetrate deeper or hit the outside of the food. Things like searing and frying can be done equally well, as the Brava uses physics to bypass the normal issues with cooking.

    Physics Make This Oven Smart

    You don’t even need to watch food with a Brava. You simply pop it into the over, tell it what you want and let it go. The smart oven will then send light energy directly into the food. Not into the air around the food, or into the pan underneath it, no. The Brava Pure Light Oven sends the energy directly into the food you’re cooking. That means that the food will be cooked in a fraction of the time it would normally take to cook it. You don’t have to wait for anything to heat up, and you’re not transferring energy. As such, the food will be cooked faster, automatically, and perfectly every time. That’s revolutionary.

    Brava Pure Light Oven Pricing and Release

    The Brava oven will be available this November for around $1,000. That might sound steep, and in fact you might be thinking about similar premium kitchen products that have flopped in recent memory. Juicero, for instance, the $700 juicer that sank like the Titanic, comes to mind. Brava’s makers, however, are confident that their oven will find its market. And why shouldn’t they be? Their oven can cook a meal for two in minutes for less power than it would take to preheat an oven. That’s no mean feat! Expect the name Brava to be on everyone’s lips come November.

  • Smartphone Spotlight: Galaxy Note 9

    Smartphone Spotlight: Galaxy Note 9

    The 128GB Galaxy Note 9 can be purchased through carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Xfinity, along with Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Straight Talk Wireless, Target, Walmart, Samsung.com and the ShopSamsung app.

    The Great

    • Slamtastic Screen
    • Instalike worthy camera
    • Adequate long battery
    • Interesting new S-Pen tricks
    • All the Specs needed

    The Conclusion

    The Galaxy Note 9 is Samsung’s Ultimate cry for tech geek attention. It has all the specs, a gigantic, magnificent, Fortnite worthy screen, a Bluetooth-powered S Pen, and a headphone jack… you know just all the essentials on the checklist for the kind of Android user that Samsung is targeting with a Note update. It’s a Phablets lover’s dream come true!

    I’m sure we all remember the note 7 scandle, but that is all history for the Galaxy Note brand. That was two years ago, this is the Note 9 we are talking about today.

    Galaxy Note 9 puts powerful technology in the hands of the tech geeks and gamers who demand more powerful and more screen from their smartphones. It certainly boast Innovative features and design make it the only phone to keep up with the next generation of users. Yes the rumors we have been telling you are true. Packed with a huge battery, a massive screen, and a powerful stylus, the Note 9 has more of everything than any other phone on the US market.

    How does it look and feel

    It’s large, I mean this phone is obscenely large. And when you put it in a case, it will become a liability. This is not a one-handed phone for any but the largest hands. Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor so no longer will the Note 9 fit into Note 8 case. On the bright side no more inadvertently smudging the camera lens.

    The Galaxy Note 9 has a 6.4-inch quad HD Super AMOLED curved screen, and USB-C and standard headphone jacks, it is IP68 Waterproof. We have been through this, the checklist of required wants and needs are covered. Not only that but it is stunning, think Charlene Theron on the red carpet elegant.

    No 5g on The Galaxy Note 9

    We have talked about 5G coming next year, Don’t get hung up on that; it will be another year before 5G is widespread and before chipset makers work out the power-management kinks that come with new wireless data systems. Yes write that down you are hearing it here first. Next year’s Note 10 will be 5G. Wanna wait that long? Anyways, The existing X20 modem get speeds up to 700Mbps with the right carrier setup, showing there’s still plenty of room in 4G. That’ll do, That’ll do just fine.

    Sounds and Stuff

    The Note 9 brings the S9+’s dual speakers to the Note line. The two speakers are by the earpiece, and along the bottom. Compared to the previous Note 8’s single bottom speaker, the speakers here aren’t much louder but clarity and treble are off the charts. Outside of the iPhone X I don’t think I have heard a better device speaker.

    The Biggest Difference

    The Galaxy Note 9’s biggest upgrade is its enhanced and gargantuan 4,000mAh battery hit it with a 10-hour battery test video. Yes you know the one where I leave it on the10 hour loop of He-Man singing 4 non blondes “what’s going on”. Results, 13% left, astounding. This leads me into projecting screen-on battery life out to 12 and half hours. That Destroys all other flagship smartphone on the market. The battery is significantly larger than the one in the Galaxy S9+ (3,500mAh, 10+ hours), the Galaxy Note 8 (3,300mAh, 6 hours), or the Galaxy Note 5 (3,020mAh, 8 hours and 30 minutes).

    Quick Speck Look

    • Graphics Mali-G72 MP18
    • Processor Octa core (2.7 GHz, Quad core, M3 Mongoose + 1.7 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A55)
    • Architecture 64 bit
    • Ram 6 GB
    • Audio Features Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
    • Display Type Super AMOLED
    • Aspect Ratio 18.5:9
    • Screen Size 6.4 inches (16.26 cm)
    • Screen Resolution 1440 x 2960 pixel

    The Final Thought

    The screen alone will improve your Fortnite results instantly giving you an unfair advantage over any other player on a regular smartphone.


  • Dyson V8 Absolute Feature Roundup

    Dyson V8 Absolute Feature Roundup

    Dyson’s a big name when it comes to things that suck. I mean that in a good way, though! While the Dyson V8 Absolute isn’t the newest or flashiest thing from the company, it is still excellent. The V8 Absolute is one of our favorite cordless vacuums, and today we’re rounding up its best features!

    Cordless and Convenient

    The V8 Absolute is totally cordless, light and easy to maneuver. It’s great at getting into hard-to-reach sports, and perfect for big houses where you have to cover a lot of ground. Having to fuss with a cord around corners or furniture is a pain, so its nice to not have to worry about it here.

    Different Brush Heads

    The many different head attachments are great for the convenient Dyson V8 Absolute. If you want to take it outside to clean your car, there’s a head for that. If you want to vacuum the stairs, use the hose attachment. It’s really flexible and works great!

    Performance

    It’s a Dyson, so it’s great. It can clean on carpet, hardwood, whatever! It works like a charm in most any environment. Even really tough messes you’d normally think a cordless can’t handle are easy for this vacuum. We also love how quiet it is! If you have pets or live in an apartment, you can be sure this vacuum won’t disturb anyone nearby. It’s still audible, of course, but not nearly as loud as most conventional vacuums.

    Battery Life

    The only place where we dock points from the vacuum is on its relatively short battery life. It gets about 50 minutes of life with everything but the main brush head. The main head, however, only allows for 25 minutes of charge. After the charge is spent, it takes about 4 hours to get another full charge. That’s not amazing, but it doesn’t totally diminish the experience.

    Dyson V8 Absolute Bottom Line

    The $500 vacuum is a great value and works like a charm. Other than its relatively shallow battery, it’s a fantastic pick for cleaning your house. It’s light, convenient and powerful, and works in any environment. Try it for yourself and you’ll see what we mean!

  • Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Beats headphones are wonderful, but they’re really quite expensive. Ironically, you don’t have to spend all that much money to get a solid pair of headphones. To be honest, unless you’re the type that just loves name brands, you should probably check out some of these options instead! Let’s look at some of the best headphones under $100.

    Klipsch R6

    If you’re looking for a great value on a great set of earbuds, we’ve got good news for you. The Klipsch R6 earbuds are a steal, running only around $40-$50, having been knocked down in price considerably. They were introduced around $100, but they were well worth that price too. The fact that they’re running for less than half that now is pretty mind-blowing. If you can find a good sale on these, pick them up. You’ll be glad you did.

    Shure SE112

    These come in right at $100, but they’re all-around great wireless earbuds. There’s a wired version, too, if your phone still has a headphone jack. If not, no sweat, the wireless configuration is also great, with excellent battery life and sound quality. These earbuds sound great on all registers, high and low, and do a good job blocking outside sounds. The sound quality is the real star of the show, and these earbuds cost about half what a product of their quality could.

    V-Moda Forza

    These comfortable, powerful and stylish earbuds will set you back $100. And man, they’re worth every penny. They have a wide variety of endcaps and fins, so you can customize yours until they fit in your ear perfectly. They’re also water-resistant, making them perfect to bring by the pool or take out exercising. These little workhorse earbuds sound great, too, bringing a big, wide sound despite their small size. The drivers are crisp, and all genres sound great with them. If you’re looking for a great, affordable set of workout earbuds, here they are!

    Our Favorite Headphones Under $100: Marshall Major II

    These fantastic over-ear headphones are our favorites that come in under $100. Marshall’s headphones are often stylish, and these are no exception. They have a classic appearance, looking like a vintage set of earphones. Importantly, they also have impressive sound quality, blowing headphones that cost twice as much out of the water. It’s really hard to justify buying more expensive headphones when these can be snagged for around $50 when they’re on sale.