The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thread!

[Apoc]

Definitely a Craigslist order.

I seriously considered this, but heard quite a few stories about unseasoned or soft word that burns quickly. Definitely go with a recommended supplier if you can manage it.

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[Mike]

companies charge twice what billy bob does. if billy bob's wood sucks, i tell him to take it home and/or don't order from him again. most everyone i know in nova has a craigslist guy. some had to go through a few, but cheaper in the long run.

[Mike]

fuck it. went with a company and got their finest. it's a celebration!

[Mike]

i just realized i went yolo on firewood. i'm getting old...

[JustinG]

May be time to upgrade my 1st gen Nexus 7.....

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[.RJ]

Mini Roku Review - I've been without cable for a while now, since I moved into my house. I've had a Dell Zino media PC and its worked out pretty well - I get motorsports stuff through torrent RSS feeds, and TV shows that I like through usenet. Once its up and running I dont have to do very much, unless I want to go find something new/different.

The only problem is, its not 'girlfriend friendly'. To solve that, a few weeks back I bought a Roku 3. Its been a great success - its easy to use, the interface is good, easily integrates with all the major streaming providers, I can use my phone as the remote - and I set up a Plex server on the media PC to stream downloaded files to the Roku.

I've got Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime video right now. I dont know that I'll keep Netflix in the long run since its gotten stale, but for now things like House of Cards keeps it around.

[Apoc]

If you're torrenting other TV, why not HoC? Just don't want to push your luck?

[.RJ]

I dont mind paying for quality TV

[Maengelito]

Speaking of useless electronics, I need MM's help.

I'm looking for a small boombox/table radio that plays CDs, has bluetooth, has a FM tuner, and doesn't sound like crap. I can find a lot of offerings that satisfy 2 and some that satisfy 3, but nothing that checks all those off the list. Obviously, the cheaper the better but I realize that there isn't much out there that combines older tech like a CD player with newer tech like bluetooth or at least wifi streaming.

What can you guys find?

[Evan]

I'd be surprised if that exists. Your best (only) bet is to get a decent shelf unit with an aux input, then plug a Bluetooth receiver into that.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Maengelito]

I'm still holding out for something small like a table radio but I'd consider a shelf unit like this:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-Fi-System-Bluetooth/dp/B008YDTSFI">http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-F ... B008YDTSFI</a><!-- m -->

or

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I haven't really been into stereo components for at least 10 years and obviously a lot has changed since then. Does Onkyo still make good stuff? Sony? Back when I cared, Sony made great TVs, okay receivers but I was never a big fan of their speakers.

Thoughts?

[Ken]

I'm still holding out for something small like a table radio but I'd consider a shelf unit like this:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-Fi-System-Bluetooth/dp/B008YDTSFI">http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-F ... B008YDTSFI</a><!-- m -->

or

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CMTSBT100-Micro-System-Bluetooth/dp/B00DM5F19A">http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CMTSBT100-Mi ... B00DM5F19A</a><!-- m -->

I haven't really been into stereo components for at least 10 years and obviously a lot has changed since then. Does Onkyo still make good stuff? Sony? Back when I cared, Sony made great TVs, okay receivers but I was never a big fan of their speakers.

Thoughts?

from what I read they're (Onkyo) still good but apparently their HDMI ports short fairly frequently.

[Maengelito]

I'm still holding out for something small like a table radio but I'd consider a shelf unit like this:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-Fi-System-Bluetooth/dp/B008YDTSFI">http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-355-Hi-F ... B008YDTSFI</a><!-- m -->

or

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CMTSBT100-Micro-System-Bluetooth/dp/B00DM5F19A">http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CMTSBT100-Mi ... B00DM5F19A</a><!-- m -->

I haven't really been into stereo components for at least 10 years and obviously a lot has changed since then. Does Onkyo still make good stuff? Sony? Back when I cared, Sony made great TVs, okay receivers but I was never a big fan of their speakers.

Thoughts?

from what I read they're (Onkyo) still good but apparently their HDMI ports short fairly frequently.

I don't think this Onkyo has an HDMI port and this won't be for home theater use anyway but 15W/channel doesn't seem like a lot. Its probably sufficient since I'm still looking for a table radio anyway.

Any thoughts on the Sony?

[Apoc]

What's the line on the Yoga 2 (not pro)?

The wife wants a tablet for travel. Overkill?

[Ken]

If all you're going to be doing is surfing and watching videos, i'd suggest a Kindle HDX. That's what I have an i was anti-tablet for a while, it's awesome.

[Apoc]

That's kinda what she wants, partly because she's somewhat bought into the Amazon ecosystem. What size did you have? A coworker bought an 8.9" and it seemed just a wee bit small.

[WRXtranceformed]

Coworker just sent me this showing leaked photos of the S5.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-images-specs-leaks-in-full-glory-ahead-of-mwc-unveiling/">http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galax ... unveiling/</a><!-- m -->

Really meh to me. I am sure it will be awesome, but 2800mAh with a screen that big is definitely not enough juice. If it is going to be bigger than the S4 as the pictures are showing then I doubt it will be for me. With a case on, the S4 is already pushing the limit for me. I would love a smaller phone the next time around even if it sacrifices computing power....it gets old carrying a brick in my pocket

[Ken]

That's kinda what she wants, partly because she's somewhat bought into the Amazon ecosystem. What size did you have? A coworker bought an 8.9" and it seemed just a wee bit small.

I actually have the 7" and I think it's plenty. Especially if you're on a website and use the reading mode. I feel like if you go into bigger than 8.9" it starts getting a little cumbersome, this thing is as easy to bring around (if not easier) than a book.

[Jake]

Coworker just sent me this showing leaked photos of the S5.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-images-specs-leaks-in-full-glory-ahead-of-mwc-unveiling/">http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galax ... unveiling/</a><!-- m -->

Really meh to me. I am sure it will be awesome, but 2800mAh with a screen that big is definitely not enough juice. If it is going to be bigger than the S4 as the pictures are showing then I doubt it will be for me. With a case on, the S4 is already pushing the limit for me. I would love a smaller phone the next time around even if it sacrifices computing power....it gets old carrying a brick in my pocket

Way too big to carry around. I'm starting to think about what I'll replace my iPhone 5 with, and I'd love to consider Android, but my choices are severely limited when I try to combine "incredible features/tech" with "reasonable size." The MotoX and HTC One are my only real options right now - who knows what will be out when I'm ready to upgrade in the summertime.

[WRXtranceformed]

Coworker just sent me this showing leaked photos of the S5.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-images-specs-leaks-in-full-glory-ahead-of-mwc-unveiling/">http://www.redmondpie.com/samsung-galax ... unveiling/</a><!-- m -->

Really meh to me. I am sure it will be awesome, but 2800mAh with a screen that big is definitely not enough juice. If it is going to be bigger than the S4 as the pictures are showing then I doubt it will be for me. With a case on, the S4 is already pushing the limit for me. I would love a smaller phone the next time around even if it sacrifices computing power....it gets old carrying a brick in my pocket

Way too big to carry around. I'm starting to think about what I'll replace my iPhone 5 with, and I'd love to consider Android, but my choices are severely limited when I try to combine "incredible features/tech" with "reasonable size." The MotoX and HTC One are my only real options right now - who knows what will be out when I'm ready to upgrade in the summertime.

Pretty much. If you were a girl and carried a purse around a Note or S5 would be fine but I am sorry you are not going to keep that thing in your pocket...especially if you have any kind of reasonable protective case on it.

They came out with a Galaxy Mini that my wife really liked the look of, just a slightly less powered, smaller version of our phone. I would consider that as a replacement for the S4 at some point. I just can't see myself compromising on a bigger phone though, it's so ridiculous carrying something like that around.