Diasfora

Computer/Technology => Computer => Topic started by: dweez on May 24, 2012, 09:47:22 PM

Title: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 24, 2012, 09:47:22 PM
I finally replaced the computer speakers I've been using for about 15 years.  I found a very small pic of the actual speakers, as well as a larger pic of a similar set.

Actual set:
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/236a7b91.jpg)

Similar set:
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/6fe3cfe1.jpg)

I replaced the old set with the following:
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/7165197a.jpg)

I also got a new keyboard.  Didn't need it as I have a Logitech G15 it was replacing but now I'll probably take the G15 to work.

New keyboard (Logitech G19):
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/46d465b7.jpg)
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 25, 2012, 02:35:26 AM
I want that keyboard.

Everytime you post something Dweez, it costs me money.  Can't you post something crap that I won't salivate over and end up de-padlocking my wallet for.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on May 25, 2012, 02:51:00 PM
the smaller pictures look similar to a set i have in the garage.
I use a pair of Bose.

keyboard looks sic  :D is that a small screen at the top.
holly sugar at the price of that keyboard in the UK  :o
mine cost £20. ($35) and i thought that was expensive.

can it cook you breakfast as well  ;D ;D
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: subvinorosa on May 27, 2012, 02:41:10 AM
Those look sweet.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 27, 2012, 11:21:29 PM
Yeah, it's a little color LCD screen.  I really didn't need it but I've wanted it for a while so I said "eff it".
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on April 04, 2013, 08:45:02 PM
Resurrecting this thread to show my latest new toy.

Microsoft Surface Pro:

(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/ms_surface_pro_zps4cb91170.jpg)

I haven't played with it much but I did use it to take the snow pic I posted in the "Dismal Weather" thread.  It runs full Windows 8 (the non-Pro runs the RT version of Win8) and so far I'm very happy.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on April 05, 2013, 01:07:29 AM
A tablet ? with add on keyboard.
depending on memory that is expensive.
well reviewed
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: Autumn on April 05, 2013, 01:19:33 AM
The asymmetry of the live tiles (or whatever they are) bothers me.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 6pairsofshoes on April 05, 2013, 03:18:47 AM
In the middle ages, asymmetry was a sign of folly.  Here, it's just a modern design trait.

dweez, you must be in gear heaven.  Is that central gauge in the keyboard a speedometer?
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on April 05, 2013, 07:14:48 AM
In the middle ages, asymmetry was a sign of folly....

Sigh.. the good old days.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: mishca09 on April 05, 2013, 08:52:20 AM
Nice ! Did you get a black key board or one of the other colors they have?
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on April 05, 2013, 09:09:49 AM
I went with exactly how it looks in the picture, black Touch Cover keyboard (actual keys, not just the rubber buttons).
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 06, 2013, 05:58:30 PM
What do you actually use the MS Surface for? 

The new laptop I am planning to buy this week is intended to pull together all the software I use on my desktop, the mobile stuff I do on my tablet, and the stuff in the middle like invoicing and static email that I do on my existing laptop.  In other words I want an all-in-one rather than more superfluous kit, which is the temptation these days with all the new machines that come onto the market.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 06, 2013, 09:20:44 PM
I use it for e-mail, browsing, and normal tablet type stuff (e-books, comics, etc).  I don't do much photo/video editing so I haven't even tried but based on the hardware, I'd assume it wouldn't work well with those.  Regular apps it runs fine.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on May 07, 2013, 07:39:11 AM
That is why I just bought a 13" MacBookPro with Retina display. Screams (3 GHz i7), loads of RAM, light to carry, but high resolution (2560 x 1600) when needed. (Truth be told things are a bit small at that resolution, but I have found that I can still work with it).

May not be suitable for you, though, as it hasn't got a separate graphics card (uses Intel HD Graphics 4000) - I don't really use graphics for anything other than to see stuff.

... oh, and it was 2 grand, but I can charge the company.
show off, must be a uni thing as my college tutor has a apple charged to his company
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 07, 2013, 10:58:05 AM
That is why I just bought a 13" MacBookPro with Retina display. Screams (3 GHz i7), loads of RAM, light to carry, but high resolution (2560 x 1600) when needed. (Truth be told things are a bit small at that resolution, but I have found that I can still work with it).

May not be suitable for you, though, as it hasn't got a separate graphics card (uses Intel HD Graphics 4000) - I don't really use graphics for anything other than to see stuff.

... oh, and it was 2 grand, but I can charge the company.

That's a nice idea but as I use a triple monitor setup on my desktop, I really need real estate on my display if I am going to install software like Autodesk Maya and Cakewalk Sonar, both of which cry out for extended workspace.

Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 07, 2013, 05:13:11 PM
I can run a triple monitor setup with my rMBP too (I use two as standard) using thunderbolt, but there are very few little laptops (and not a lot of big ones) that can do 2560 x 1600 on the move.

I see things at about 640 x 480.  If it's a clear day that is.

Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 6pairsofshoes on May 08, 2013, 12:04:24 AM
What is it w/MacBookPro?  Every computer I've ever bought from that company (laptops) have cost me $2500.  Finally, after they adopted the unibody, I gave up and bought an iMac because I didn't like the way the sharp edges cut into my wrists when I typed on the new laptops.  That won't change anytime soon, so I won't be buying another Mac in the near future.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 6pairsofshoes on May 08, 2013, 09:54:15 AM
That's reassuring.  Although I may opt for an air next time.  The weight issue is substantial.  I've rarely taken my laptop out of the house for that reason.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on September 10, 2013, 10:02:49 PM
Just got my new monitor delivered today.  It's a ViewSonic VX2770Smh-LED.  It's supposed to look like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116582
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/My_Work/306531-viewsonic-vx2770smh-led-angle_zpsc8ba29ae.jpg)

Opened it up, connected it, turned it on, and it looks like this.

(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/My_Work/null_zpsace4b82d.jpg)

And the box looks like this.

(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/My_Work/null_zps640229a1.jpg)

Whoopee!!!  Already got the RMA set up.  And I was so excited too because it arrived a day earlier than it was supposed to.  Karma's a madam.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: xtopave on September 10, 2013, 10:37:06 PM
 :o :o :o
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 6pairsofshoes on September 11, 2013, 12:33:15 AM
It looks very artistic.  Quite deconstructionist.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: brickbatz on September 11, 2013, 04:13:10 AM
That sucks. I'd like to have 3 of those 27" frameless monitors set up with Eyefinity.

Or an Oculus Rift.


Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: megamarkd on September 11, 2013, 10:35:29 PM
I've seen a bit of that lately, mainly fools who have somehow fallen into their telly or indoor cricket gone wrong, heheh.
The best one looks like the Star Wars Rebel Alliance symbol with the light sabre beam coming up off it.

Just got my new monitor delivered today.  It's a ViewSonic VX2770Smh-LED.  It's supposed to look like this.

[monitor that has not suffered transport damage]

Opened it up, connected it, turned it on, and it looks like this.

[monitor that has suffered a bad hit to the head]

And the box looks like this.

[box that has been totalled by the corner of another box]

Whoopee!!!  Already got the RMA set up.  And I was so excited too because it arrived a day earlier than it was supposed to.  Karma's a madam.

I used to pack trucks for Toll and they had a lot of the big tech shop contracts.  Some companies know how to package a vdu, most do not.
"Titanic"-esque armouring (double-boxing) tends to work okay, but if there is an employee who is not happy with his (it will be a him, trust me) job, he will unload the truck in such a way that the screen side of the box (which is always id'ed on the box) will fall onto the corner of another larger box.  Not much will protect the screen if it is done right.

There is always the chance that the courier who delivered it to you did it, as for it to have happened any earlier means it would have gone through a few sets of hands in that condition, and someone would have had to have said something....
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on September 12, 2013, 12:13:52 PM
no one cares anymore. hope you get a replacement
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on September 12, 2013, 02:39:12 PM
Lol, thanks goldie.  Yeah, new one has already been shipped.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on September 16, 2013, 11:26:31 AM
As I sit here, waiting for my replacement monitor to be delivered, it has dawned on me that the damage caused to the original was probably caused when the delivery guy tried to put it between my screen door and storm door when I didn't make it to the door promptly.  The pneumatic hinge on the door probably caused the damage as he tried to shut the door.  I knew he was acting sketchy.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: xtopave on September 17, 2013, 06:14:01 AM
when the delivery guy tried to put it between my screen door and storm door when I didn't make it to the door promptly.

The last link in the chain... Ain't that a pity?!
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: brickbatz on September 17, 2013, 06:36:16 AM
You could try to tell them you want to sign for it.

1)    Log on to ups.com and select “Access UPS My Choice” under the Tracking tab
2)    Select the “Preferences” link
3)    Select the “Authorize Shipment Release” option on the Preferences Page
4)    Select “Save Changes”
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: brickbatz on October 07, 2013, 08:05:44 AM
RMA, job security.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on October 07, 2013, 08:31:19 AM
we frequently had parcels thrown over the fence into our garden and into the water butt.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: mishca09 on October 07, 2013, 10:22:59 AM
found this while browsing

Not a valid youtube URL
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 16, 2014, 07:58:31 PM
Welp, the older of my two monitors was on it's last leg, depending on the temperature of the room, sometimes taking up to 20 minutes to kick in.  It was only a matter of time so I went ahead and order a new one.  I ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived today.  This time I was waiting outside my door for the delivery guy.  I wasn't taking any risks.

Anywho, this is what I got.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236294

(http://www.asus.com/media/global/products/kpVBmY9sj0Fe6k0l/P_500.jpg)

Looks like I'll probably be getting one at work too.  End-of-year (fiscal year) spending is coming up due (i.e., "spend the rest of your budget or you'll get docked on next years budged") is coming up and we've already got new laptops (Dells) and ram upgrade to 16GB for them.  Add a sweet 27" monitor...I might almost forget I'm working.

Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: mishca09 on May 16, 2014, 08:06:54 PM
nice !
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 17, 2014, 03:52:55 AM
I can afford kit like that nowadays, I just don't have enough space to host it.

New plan: find a bigger property!

You're a lucky boy, dweez.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: xtopave on May 17, 2014, 11:27:26 AM
This time I was waiting outside my door for the delivery guy.

 :)

It looks fantastic dweez, congratulations!
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: townie2 on May 23, 2014, 05:17:12 PM
very nice Dweez, have a whopping 18.5 inch myself  :P  , i'm jealous  :)
Mishca, that's almost as bad as these guys http://globalnews.ca/news/1280153/air-canada-apologizes-for-mishandled-baggage/ (http://globalnews.ca/news/1280153/air-canada-apologizes-for-mishandled-baggage/)
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on June 30, 2014, 07:48:49 AM
Got the same monitor for work but because my work computer has a proprietary output on the vid card (to allow for a special Y-split cable for dual monitors) I can't get the full 2560 x 1440 resolution but the 1920x1080 I do get is still good.  I'll likely be getting a replacement vid card in the future for it.  Below is my monitor setup at work.

(http://i.imgur.com/3wAgn7W.jpg)

That's a 19" (running my ubuntu) then the 27" and a 24" (running my Win2012R2).  If you look close along the left side, you can see the edge of my 24" iMac.  It only gets turned on every other month or so for patching (I have it when I need to test something on OS X).

Also, if you look close at the pen cup (please disregard the pager next to it...the boss prefers it over cell phones because of better signal access), you'll see my latest toy.  In my ongoing (but progressing) battle against smoking, I bought a Vamo V5 battery mod to go with my other vaping paraphernalia.  The big button is the power/vaping trigger and the 2 smaller buttons allow me to switch through some LED options and adjust the voltage and wattage.  The tank is a KangerTech Protank 3 with a Pyrex tank so I don't have to worry about whether the juice I use will damage the tank (some juices will crack a Polycarbonite tank quickly).

(http://i.imgur.com/N7YHRMk.jpg)

I figured I'd post a reflection shot too to add my ugly mug to the shot.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on June 30, 2014, 10:03:45 AM
flipping eck, thats some set up.
at first thought the pen was a doctor who sonic screwdriver
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: xtopave on June 30, 2014, 10:05:24 AM
I thought it was the MIB neuralyzer.  :D

(http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae166/xtopave/1neuralyzer.jpg)

...so I don't have to worry about whether the juice I use will damage the tank (some juices will crack a Polycarbonite tank quickly).

And that goes to your lungs?!  :-\
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on June 30, 2014, 11:31:22 AM
Still less harmful than "analogs" (the cool way we "vapers" refer to tobacco cigarettes >.<).
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on June 30, 2014, 11:35:51 AM
So it's an E-Cig and not a light sabre?

Your kit always shows me up, dude. My son's banned from this thread as the "I'm old school" line ain't washing with him any more.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on June 30, 2014, 12:47:11 PM
hehe, sorry smokes.

flipping eck, thats some set up.
at first thought the pen was a doctor who sonic screwdriver

Wow, I so need a Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver vaping mod.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/172348083/dr-who-sonic-screwdriver-vape-mod
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on June 30, 2014, 04:32:11 PM
Hey, baby steps man, baby steps.

(http://i.imgur.com/NtJR4KC.jpg)
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: mishca09 on June 11, 2017, 10:15:22 AM
I can't find the other mircosoft surface thread...

I was doing some research and it seems like the new surface laptop will not be good for gaming. Although it is very pretty. I'm kind of disappointed. I'm thinking perhaps I'll just stick with apple if I'm paying over 1000 anyways?
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: Alfonz on June 11, 2017, 10:50:21 AM
I can't find the other mircosoft surface thread...

I was doing some research and it seems like the new surface laptop will not be good for gaming. Although it is very pretty. I'm kind of disappointed. I'm thinking perhaps I'll just stick with apple if I'm paying over 1000 anyways?

Are you referring to the newest Surface Book? They're quite expensive but it seems that performance varies greatly by the included hardware options (of course), the i7/16GB RAM model seems to do the trick but again, it's rather pricy.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: mishca09 on June 11, 2017, 10:53:40 AM
Yes they call it the surface laptop and it's comes in 4 different colors. I think it's well over 1200.. and even then I can't get it in the color I like.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 01, 2020, 05:59:05 PM
Welp, my current computer was put together around 2011. It's still going well for most functions but it's getting a little sluggish for gaming (Primarily playing Borderlands 3 right now) so I finally bit the bullet on a new system. I could have either built my own desktop like the current or get a nice gaming laptop. I decided on the later. I wanted something that looked aesthetically pleasing (not like the klunky Alienware or MSI gaming laptops) as well as something that would (should) last me for a while.

I ended up ordering a Razer Blade Pro 17 yesterday from Best Buy (went with them over ordering direct to take advantage of better and local support options). It's more than I would normally spend (and way more then if I had built my own) but Tworking (teleworking for all you uncool kids) has not put a crimp in my hours plus I already got my tax refund and stimulus check (Hey, I didn't ask for it, they just direct deposited it with my tax refund) so said "What the Fsk".

It was supposed to arrive next Wednesday which got adjusted to next Monday. Then when the shipping company got it shipped, they updated the deliver to Saturday (tomorrow!!!). I'm giddy as a kid on Christmas morning.

(https://i.imgur.com/cCEQ2cq.jpg)
Image credit: https://www.kitguru.net/
[I am not affiliated with this KitGuru site. It just had the first image I liked.]

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/razer-blade-pro-17-3-gaming-laptop-intel-core-i7-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-2080-max-q-512gb-solid-state-drive-matte-black/6377167.p?skuId=6377167
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on May 01, 2020, 11:38:40 PM
its a sexy beast  8)

Wont show my daughter who desperately needs one as started using during lock down because
A - i would have to buy it  and she works.
B - she turned hers on after a year idling away and imagine the updates on W7  :o :o which she then complained about  ;D ;D.
C - I need a new desktop as mine is literally falling to bits, power supply sits on the floor HDD attached  where works.
 She will get a currys special
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 02, 2020, 06:20:45 AM
Welp, my current computer was put together around 2011. It's still going well for most functions but it's getting a little sluggish for gaming (Primarily playing Borderlands 3 right now) so I finally bit the bullet on a new system. I could have either built my own desktop like the current or get a nice gaming laptop. I decided on the later. I wanted something that looked aesthetically pleasing (not like the klunky Alienware or MSI gaming laptops) as well as something that would (should) last me for a while.

I ended up ordering a Razer Blade Pro 17 yesterday from Best Buy (went with them over ordering direct to take advantage of better and local support options). It's more than I would normally spend (and way more then if I had built my own) but Tworking (teleworking for all you uncool kids) has not put a crimp in my hours plus I already got my tax refund and stimulus check (Hey, I didn't ask for it, they just direct deposited it with my tax refund) so said "What the Fsk".

It was supposed to arrive next Wednesday which got adjusted to next Monday. Then when the shipping company got it shipped, they updated the deliver to Saturday (tomorrow!!!). I'm giddy as a kid on Christmas morning.

(https://i.imgur.com/cCEQ2cq.jpg)
Image credit: https://www.kitguru.net/
[I am not affiliated with this KitGuru site. It just had the first image I liked.]

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/razer-blade-pro-17-3-gaming-laptop-intel-core-i7-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-2080-max-q-512gb-solid-state-drive-matte-black/6377167.p?skuId=6377167

Got an elongated "Whooaaa" from the boy so I'm guessing it's the nutz and then some.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 6pairsofshoes on May 02, 2020, 09:50:02 AM
Congrats.  There's nothing quite like a shiny new toy that is powerful and fast.  And given none of us knows how long this lockdown will continue, it's a reasonable investment in your continued sanity.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 02, 2020, 12:07:54 PM
Got an elongated "Whooaaa" from the boy so I'm guessing it's the nutz and then some.

High praise indeed, smokester! And thanks 6pairs for helping me fight the buyer’s remorse.

Arrived just a little bit ago and I’m in the setup process now.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 02, 2020, 03:41:30 PM
PCs still have a set up process? How quaint.

You also have to move furniture around and put on the right clothes before pushing the power button. It's a right sodding ritual, I can tell you.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 02, 2020, 03:45:39 PM
PCs still have a set up process? How quaint.

Well, there is still the initial "Welcome to Windows" phase to configure specific personal configuration settings. Also, it came with Windows Home so I changed the Product Key to Windows Enterprise (work provides me with a license to use) and perform any needed OS updates (an there were quite a few...I believe it was on Win10 1806. Now I'm at 1909). I also needed to get a minimal set of software installed (Upgrade IE to Edge, install Chrome, Everything Search Engine, my password manager) and of course, install Borderlands 3.

In the "waiting" periods for all of this, I mistakenly hopped on Amazon.com and purchased more stuff (keyboard, laptop stand, ssd for more storage) and I still really need to replace my mouse as well.

So, idle hands may be the devil's workshop (but I don't have to tell you christ ;-) ) but it's also the nemesis to my bank account.

You also have to move furniture around and put on the right clothes before pushing the power button. It's a right sodding ritual, I can tell you.

I thought about videoing the whole unboxing process and what not as that also seems to be a ritual nowadays but that would delay me actually getting to play with it so I'm fine with just the one stock image I found from a random Google search. >.<
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 02, 2020, 03:49:38 PM
.... In the "waiting" periods for all of this, I mistakenly hopped on Amazon.com and purchased more stuff (keyboard, laptop stand, ssd for more storage) and I still really need to replace my mouse as well ....

I bought a new mechanical keyboard and a new mouse and I only upgraded my monitor. Lucky Amazon doesn't sell missuses and sprogs.

They don't, do they?
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 02, 2020, 05:32:28 PM
I have no idea what those items are but I'm confident Amazon sells them.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: goldshirt*9 on May 03, 2020, 12:05:06 AM
I have no idea what those items are but I'm confident Amazon sells them.

 ;D ;D
missuses and sprogs,  Wife and children
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 01, 2022, 03:26:07 PM
Well, pretty much 2 years to the date, I no longer have the Razer Blade Pro. Last night, it started running very sluggish. While I was investigating, I got the "Low Power" warning then before I could do anything, it shut off. I checked and the power brick was still plugged in but I saw no light on it. After unplugging and plugging it back in and letting it set for a couple hours, I tried powering the laptop on. It got about 10 seconds into the boot up then turned off again. Subsequent attempts had the same result. Knowing that Razer historically has issues with battery bloat, I was positive this was the issue so planned to go into the local Best Buy in the morning (I bought specifically from Best Buy instead of directly from Razer for the local aspect and extended warranty).

While waiting for Best Buy to open, I did one more attempt with the same result. To prepare the system, I opened it up to clean out some dust and see what I might see. Indeed it was battery bloat and kind of scary. Once I got to BB, the Geek Squad guy looked at it and said "I'm not touching that" then called on his walkie for others. Two others showed up and in quick turn they said it was a total wash and gave me store credit for my full original purchase.

As I didn't want to be without a gaming PC, I ended up buying a pre-built desktop unit (ugh) and have just now gotten it to a "useable" state. It's got more RGB bells and whistles than I really care for or need, but spec-wise, seems like a decent system (Intel i7-12700KF, nVidia RTX 3080), though I did add 16GB more RAM to bring it to a total of 32GB. I also have about 1/3 of the original cost left in store credit.

Also, my director at work watched a "remote-work productivity" video and one of the things he got out of it was that often people's home rigs don't have the proper display real estate so he ended up approving us purchasing ultra-wide monitors for home use. The model generally approved on is the same base model as the one smokester got, SAMSUNG CJ890 Series 49-Inch Ultrawide QHD.

It's going to take some getting used to though not too much as it is replacing 2x 27" monitors I previously used.

All in all, not a pleasant or restful weekend but productive. Now I just have to get all my apps and games reinstalled.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 01, 2022, 04:00:18 PM
Well, pretty much 2 years to the date, I no longer have the Razer Blade Pro. Last night, it started running very sluggish. While I was investigating, I got the "Low Power" warning then before I could do anything, it shut off. I checked and the power brick was still plugged in but I saw no light on it. After unplugging and plugging it back in and letting it set for a couple hours, I tried powering the laptop on. It got about 10 seconds into the boot up then turned off again. Subsequent attempts had the same result. Knowing that Razer historically has issues with battery bloat, I was positive this was the issue so planned to go into the local Best Buy in the morning (I bought specifically from Best Buy instead of directly from Razer for the local aspect and extended warranty).

While waiting for Best Buy to open, I did one more attempt with the same result. To prepare the system, I opened it up to clean out some dust and see what I might see. Indeed it was battery bloat and kind of scary. Once I got to BB, the Geek Squad guy looked at it and said "I'm not touching that" then called on his walkie for others. Two others showed up and in quick turn they said it was a total wash and gave me store credit for my full original purchase.

As I didn't want to be without a gaming PC, I ended up buying a pre-built desktop unit (ugh) and have just now gotten it to a "useable" state. It's got more RGB bells and whistles than I really care for or need, but spec-wise, seems like a decent system (Intel i7-12700KF, nVidia RTX 3080), though I did add 16GB more RAM to bring it to a total of 32GB. I also have about 1/3 of the original cost left in store credit.

Also, my director at work watched a "remote-work productivity" video and one of the things he got out of it was that often people's home rigs don't have the proper display real estate so he ended up approving us purchasing ultra-wide monitors for home use. The model generally approved on is the same base model as the one smokester got, SAMSUNG CJ890 Series 49-Inch Ultrawide QHD.

It's going to take some getting used to though not too much as it is replacing 2x 27" monitors I previously used.

All in all, not a pleasant or restful weekend but productive. Now I just have to get all my apps and games reinstalled.

TNG was just explaining to me how Razors are prone to battery bloat due to how hot they get with their metal casing. He has/had a Razer Blade Advanced but the graphics blew on it and now he's in a bit of a legal battle to get his money back. He bought it ever so slightly second hand but still under warranty, but it's unfixable and everyone is passing the buck.

It might end well. Who knows ..
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: dweez on May 01, 2022, 04:38:23 PM
Is he dealing directly with Razer Support? I've read nasty horror stories about support in the subreddit, about taking months of back-and-forth and still no progress, the whole time the customer is without their device. I've even heard of systems being "lost" and Razer playing dumb about it.

This is the primary reason I bought from a 3rd party instead of direct. I chose Best Buy over Amazon or Microsoft because I knew I could just walk into a local Best Buy store for support. Even with that, I had a Wireless/Bluetooth controller issue 11 months after purchasing it so took it into BB. I walked them through everything I tried and the Geek Squad guy was like "Ok, that's everything we'd do so let's just write up the replacement order".

But after putting it in their system, he said he'd still have to send it to Razer because the original manufacturer's 1yr warranty was still in effect. After some more chatting, we decided that, since I could still use wired ethernet fine, I would just wait and come back in a month after the BB warranty kicked in. When that time came, I double-checked and Wireless/BT was back so I just canceled the support meeting.

I'm still fine with Razer peripherals (keyboard/mouse/etc) and the laptop performance was great but after the last 2 years of waiting for the inevitable, I'm done. I'll stick to desktops for gaming and just use work laptops or my tablet/phone for mobile stuff.

Sorry to hear that TNG is having to go through all that crap. I hope everything turns out well but the realist in me would advise he prepare for the worst.
Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: smokester on May 02, 2022, 05:22:11 AM
Is he dealing directly with Razer Support? I've read nasty horror stories about support in the subreddit, about taking months of back-and-forth and still no progress, the whole time the customer is without their device. I've even heard of systems being "lost" and Razer playing dumb about it.

This is the primary reason I bought from a 3rd party instead of direct. I chose Best Buy over Amazon or Microsoft because I knew I could just walk into a local Best Buy store for support. Even with that, I had a Wireless/Bluetooth controller issue 11 months after purchasing it so took it into BB. I walked them through everything I tried and the Geek Squad guy was like "Ok, that's everything we'd do so let's just write up the replacement order".

But after putting it in their system, he said he'd still have to send it to Razer because the original manufacturer's 1yr warranty was still in effect. After some more chatting, we decided that, since I could still use wired ethernet fine, I would just wait and come back in a month after the BB warranty kicked in. When that time came, I double-checked and Wireless/BT was back so I just canceled the support meeting.

I'm still fine with Razer peripherals (keyboard/mouse/etc) and the laptop performance was great but after the last 2 years of waiting for the inevitable, I'm done. I'll stick to desktops for gaming and just use work laptops or my tablet/phone for mobile stuff.

Sorry to hear that TNG is having to go through all that crap. I hope everything turns out well but the realist in me would advise he prepare for the worst.

This is essentially what I said to him in as much as he may have to take the hit. He has initiated a "small claims" against the guy he bought it from but, in all honesty, I think that guy is being messed around as much as he's messing TNG around. He bought something else in the interim that he's quite fond of and there is a best case scenario that he may get a brand new machine from Razor that is the latest model (as I think his is discontinued). If that ends up as the case he may just sell it and be a couple of thousand quids to the better.

Title: Re: dweez's new toys
Post by: 8ullfrog on May 02, 2022, 08:46:01 AM
You get a nasty little email from razer the day before your products go out of warranty date, telling you they are now held harmless.
It actually results in a little tombstone on your inescapable cloud profile.

I'm still using the equipment, 2011 on both, the Razer Black Widow and the Razer 2011 Naga MMO.

The mouse has held up better than the keyboard. The black paint on the number pad scratched off with cleaning and the bumpers under the mouse could probably use a replacement.

Also, it weirdly clicks the next item down in context menu sometimes (This resulted in an official warning on the steam forums for posting on the ruski board instead of off topic)

The keyboard, it's the cable that's the problem. If the keyboard moves slightly, it will disconnect from the PC. or it will repeat input, resulting in a long key reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
peat.

I'm also not a big fan of synapse. 2011 hardware caps out at 2.0, but I stupidly downloaded the 3.0 software trying to fix the mouse issue, and it damn near choked my pc to death.

I'd rate Razer as more style than substance. I used to like the flared mouse buttons, but considering the mis-click crap, I could do without.

I'd probably rate the Microsoft 2.0 explorer intellimouse with all the buttons as the best mouse I've used. only downside is they used that shitty 2000's rubber type garbage that devolves into a goo substance over time.