Lexmark X75 All-in-One Multifunction
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $79.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Printing, scanning, and copying--all in one--this low-profile device makes an ideal addition to any home PC system with low-volume printing needs. The Lexmark X75 can print from a PC or a Mac, scan images to your computer, and copy in black and white or color. It is one of a new generation of all-in-ones, a good deal smaller and neater than similar earlier devices.

Taking paper from a feed tray which folds up from the top surface of the machine to a near vertical position at the back, the X75 feeds to a pullout tray at the front, or directly onto the desktop. It uses the same print mechanism as the Z25 and Z34 printers, with the same diminutive color and black ink cartridges. For replacement, the top section of the all-in-one hinges up, and a red plastic stay springs out to support it, like the hood of an old sports car.

The lid of the machine lifts up to reveal an A4-size flatbed scanner, which can scan at up to 600 x 1,200 dpi resolution. A small control section at the front right of the top panel offers power, page feed, scan, black copy, and color copy buttons, plus two status lights. The real power of the machine rests in its software control, however. As well as the driver for the X75, the accompanying CD-ROMs provide OCR software, a photo editor, and fax software.

Print quality from the X75 is pretty good, with dense black text and bright, reasonably precise colors. Color print, as indicated by a 5-by-3-inch test photo, showed up well, with little noticeable banding. We noticed minor dithering, but the dither dots were so small that they were hard to see. Print times were also good for a machine at this price, though it's never going to break any speed records.

Copying was not as successful. The printed copy lost sharpness and color depth--blacks came through grey and colours looked muddy. We compensated for this, to an extent, through software manipulation, but black-and-white copies are, in general, much more successful than colour ones.

All in all, the X75 is an ideal multifunction device for home or small office use that takes up little space but delivers big results. --Simon Williams ... Read more

Features

• BVRP FaxTools software for storing e-mail and faxes
• Up to 2,400 dpi and up to 11 ppm printing
• Simple 1-touch scanning in 48-bit color
• 1-touch color copying, up to 9 cpm black, 4 cpm color
• Reduces or enlarges 25 to 400 percent

Reviews (41)

Diehard Lexmark fan
I am a diehard lexmark fan. I will not buy anything else. This is the worst lexmark I have owned. The software will not install on my Windows XP laptop. I finally got it working on my Macs. It scans great! It prints only "ok". The "photo quality" prints are downright horrible. I have 4 Lexmark printers and this is the ONLY negative experience I have had with any of them.

Excellent for Scanning & Editing Photos & Print Quality A+++
This has been the best multifunction machine!! The quality of scans, the ease of editing, and the clarity of prints is amazing. Copies are a breeze, and the fax capabilities make this a must for any home office user!! I have had many copiers, scanners and printers in the past, and none have lasted...but I have never regretted owning this one!!

Worst Printer Ever!!!
I've owned this computer for less than 8 months and now my black ink will not print. It only prints color and only specific colors. I'ved had to reinstall the printer hardware more times than I can count. I recommend that you do not get this printer. It will work really great when you first get it, but then that goes out the window and that's where I threw mine. This printer is so bad it doesn't deserve one star. ... Read more

Asin: B00006HYDG
Subjects:  1. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    2. Multifunction devices    3. Laser Jet (laserjet)    4. Ink Jet (inkjet)   

Compaq Presario 2575US Notebook PC (2.66-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $1,750.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you haven't upgraded your portable computer for some time, Compaq's Presario 2575us Notebook PC is ample proof of just how much the price vs. performance ratio has changed in the last couple of years. Sporting such desirable features as wireless communications and a massive hard disk, the Presario 2575 is also far more powerful than comparably priced notebooks of just a year or two ago and quite ready to handle many of today's most demanding applications.

Measuring 12.9 by 10.72 by 1.79 inches and weighing 7.5 pounds, the Presario 2575us is comfortably portable. Compaq has loaded the unit with a fast 2.66 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 1024 MB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chipset with 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. As such, the system should suffice for all 2-D and many 3-D applications, though it may have frame rate troubles when rendering ultra-complex 3-D games and animation/drawing packages.

The Presario 2575us features several welcome amenities, including a handy 3.5-inch diskette drive, an oversized 15-inch XGA TFT display screen (maximum resolution 1024x768), an 88-key keyboard, a TouchPad with scroll bar and on/off switch and a pair of JBL Pro speakers. The 80 GB integrated hard disk delivers exceptionally spacious portable storage, and the system's optical drive permits CD and DVD playing and CD recording but does not facilitate the burning of DVDs.

With the Presario 2575us, your communication options are virtually limitless. In environments with wired connections, you may select from a low-speed 56K modem or high-speed 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN. When hardwiring is a problem, you can stay in touch via integrated 54g wireless LAN. Other key components include three fast USB 2.0 ports, a single IEEE 1394 port for interaction with devices such as digital camcorders, a single PC Card slot, and a standard array of interfaces. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another disappointing computer from Compaq
I full-heartedly agree w/ Jim G's previous review.I purchased a Compaq Presario 1.5 years ago and had several problems within weeks.I wouldn't wish their customer service on my worst enemy - they are abysmal, incompetent, and have zero bargaining power in terms of trying to fix problems.I had to ship my previous computer 5 times to Compaq until finally (and after at least 30 hours of my personal time making phone calls and writing letters) I received a new computer: the 2575.While it is better than the previous version, the battery life is atrocious, booting speed is circa-1997, and the noise from the fans must hit several thousand decibels.

I am usually an easy customer to satisfy, but this is one company I am staying far away from (after numerous incidents).

Poor case design means possible damage to LCD
The 2575US is a capable desktop replacement for doing just that - using on a desktop only. The many features such as a CD-RW drive and a nice large screen make it a worthy upgrade from an old pokey desktop.

However, the processor and perihperals use entirely too much battery power to be practical portable (to be expected in a fast Pentium IV). Plus the cooling fans (at least three that I can account for) make a tremendous amount of noise, which is distracting in quiet office or meeting settings.

The biggest strike against this laptop is its physical design. The 2575US has a large plastic 'bulge' in the design of the top case where the Compaq logo sits. This roughly 3" diameter round 'bulge' sticks out from the surrounding surface of the lid about 1/4" to 5/16" or so. When the laptop is in a shoulder-carried or roller briefcase with anything else flat snug against the laptop's lid (like a large book or another laptop), the plastic 'bulge' presses inward on the back of the LCD. This stress against the display caused it to crack on my laptop.

This defect in design, allowing FLAT objects resting against the laptop case to BREAK the screen, is definitely something that would have caused me NOT to purchase this model laptop, or any similar models from Compaq/HP, if I had recognized the problem at the store.

Of course, Compaq/HP are completely denying warranty coverage for such "damage". They say that a broken LCD is absolutely not covered under warranty, no matter what the cause.

This after spending 2 hours on the phone with three different offshore support center operators that were beyond difficult to understand. It's painful to have to take *20* minutes just to get through the identifying information of who I am and what model I am calling about - I kid you not.

HP bills their support as "Total Support", but I would rate it as anything *but*.

Do yourself a favor - closely check the support availability and warranty policies before buying any computer. The offshoring of support for US-based buyers is completely abysmal, so find a company with local support if you can.

I would hesitate to buy another Compaq or HP laptop given this experience.

Powerful machine but a bit heavy
This is a power-packed machine with P4 2.6GHz processor and 512MB DDR RAM. The performance of the machine is just awesome. There are however, a few negative aspects about this machine. It is a bit too bulky. Also the processor fans make more noise than many other laptops. If you like to play games on your laptop then this machine is really good for you. But with power comes the bulk. The display is good. The CD writing is a bit slow though. Most of the times I'm able to get only 4x write speeds on my CD-Rs. ... Read more

Asin: B0000A55EN
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)    4. Compaq   

RCA RP3757 AM/FM Clock Radio with CD Player and Nature CD
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $89.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• High-Performance Bass Reflex Speaker System
• Digital tuner makes finding your favorite stations easy
• Front loading CD player plays CD-R discs
• Nature sounds
• Graduwake Ramp-Up Alarm

Reviews (4)

It'd be nice if the CD Player worked!
I had originally purchased an RCA RP3755 and the CD player stopped recognizing audio discs.Fortunately it was still under warranty and I sent it to RCA for them to either fix or send a new one.Much to my surprise they sent me the upgrade 3757!Much to my displeasure the CD player experienced the same problem within a few weeks.Didn't recognize any audio CD I put in.

So now I have an orverpriced alarm clock.I guess if I want to watch a CD spin (until it errors), I have that option.

Don't buy it.It's a waste.

What a waste of money
I bought the RCA RP3757 because I wanted to wake to a CD rather than the radio and because it just looked so techy-cool.I wish I had read the reviews first.My problems with this model are as follows:
1. The sound quality is poor, real poor.
2. After only 2 weeks the automatic door mechanism did not close all the way.
3. When you choose to wake to CD the volume does not start out low and increase slowly, it just turns on to whatever volume setting you have set your player.
4. After the CD turns on and you hit snooze the CD keeps spinning and makes grinding noises.What's even worse is that when the 10 minutes have past and it turns itself on again, it skips thru the rest of the song.I think I'd prefer the loud bell tone from a cheap two dollar wind up alarm clock.
5. Have I mentioned that I'm on my 2nd RCA RP3757?I returned the first one for all those reasons, I was hoping it was a one in a million shot that I bought the one bad player they manufactured.Boy was I wrong.The 2nd one I have now will certainly go back too because although the door works, the snooze feature for the CD seems to be the norm for this model.
6. RCA...boy have you let us down with this player.It'll be a long time before I trust another RCA product.If the folks at RCA can't make an inexpensive CD/clock radio, then they shouldn't.Don't give us lousy products just because you want to sell in this price range.It cheapens everything you once did so well.

ok small cd/radio but does not work as a cd alarm
After some searching, I determined that this product was exactly what we needed for a CD alarm clock because it has:

1) dual alarms, both which can use a CD
2) a remote (so you don't have to get out of bed to turn it off or snooze)
3) battery backup (so you don't lose your settings when you lose power)

When we got it, we discovered 3 nasty drawbacks that basically make it unuseable as a CD alarm clock.

1) CD mechanism is so *unbelievably* loud that you don't wake to the music of your choice, you wake to a grinding humm as the CD spins up for 10 seconds before the music comes on.

2) No numerical volume level. When you change the volume for music during the day, you have to guess by ear to change it back to the best volume for wake-up.

3) The CD spins but does not play during snooze. So you don't actually snooze, you listen to the grinding humm described above.

If you don't want to use it as a CD alarm clock, I guess it's ok, but pretty expensive, compared to other non-CD alarm clocks.

I'm returning it.

btw - if anyone knows of an MP3 alarm clock, which would completely solve the noise problem, I'd love to hear about it. ... Read more

Asin: B00008UVAK
Sales Rank: 46845
Subjects:  1. Clock Radio (Radios)    2. Accessories (Accessory)   

Danby Deluxe Compact Refrigerator (4.3cu.ft.)
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $149.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Deluxe compact fridge increases storage and saves space
• 4-2/7-cubic feet of capacity and a built-in freezer
• Accommodates tight spaces with recessed handle and reversible hinges
• Features push-button defrost, 4 wire shelves, and tall bottle storage
• Measures 20-3/4Wx21Dx32-5/8H"; 1-year parts and labor warranty, 5-year compressor warranty

Reviews (12)

Great if you like warm food...
If you are looking for a compact refrigerator to keep food cold then don't buy this one. Temp only gets down to 48... not cold enough.

wrong ptcture
The picture is of the 3.2 cubic foot model

two came and went
We ordered this for a spare fridge and it would be a great size, but the first on came and it was damaged. It looked like it had been dropped. Then I called Target. They did great taking care of getting us another on. Only the second came today and it was also dropped from a truck. The back was dented and it was already rusting. so I think we will try some where else for this item.
... Read more

Asin: B0000667EE
Sales Rank: 3012

Back-to-Basics Smoothie Elite Maker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $39.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Designed just for the purpose of blending fast, nutritious smoothies, the Smoothie Elite does the job better than an ordinary blender and is easy to operate. The 56-ounce jar has measuring marks for adding just enough fruit, yogurt, and protein powder (or whatever you prefer in your smoothie) for either two or four servings. Running at 500 watts, the pulse-power motor blends at three different speeds--mix, smooth, and pulse--letting you control the consistency of your drink. The jar's shape pulls ingredients down to the center blade, ensuring that even larger foods mix evenly. Additionally, a unique stir stick in the center of the Smoothie Elite's jar breaks up air pockets during blending for more efficient mixing. This smoothie maker even has a special heavy-duty ice-crushing blade, so frozen drinks are blended into a consistent texture. A dispenser valve on the front of the unit eliminates spills so you can continuously mix and serve without a mess. This machine is an inexpensive alternative to ordering daily smoothies at a juice bar. It is covered by a one-year limited warranty and comes with instructions and a recipe book. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Includes instructions and recipe book; 1-year limited warranty
• 500-watt pulse-power motor with three speeds; 56-ounce capacity
• Unique stir stick breaks up air pockets, increases mixing efficiency
• Ice-crushing blade creates consistent smoothie texture
• Dispenser valve serves smoothies without a mess

Reviews (102)

Great idea, poor quality
I bought the Back to Basics 600 smoothie maker about 6 months agos.I was pleased with it until the plastic toggle on the spout broke.It is made of plastic and apparently could not withstand the tension on the plug.I was very disappointed since I use it every morning but thought it would last longer.I will look for a better quality one next time.

not that good
I really wouldn't recomend this product to anyone.It is very loud and has too many parts to clean.My latest problem is the gears on the bottom that turn the blade are striped.I have written the companys customer service twice now and have gotten no response.They are too expensive to be breaking down like this.Save your money and buy a nice blender instead. :( :(

Good if it happens to last
In Christmas 2003, three of us got smoothie makers.Two of them broke during the first drink on New Year's Eve!Ours worked great for about 11 months, until its base blade attachment completely shredded.Overall, this product worked, but has extremely poor quality. ... Read more

Asin: B00005O0N1
Subjects:  1. Gifts    2. Wedding Gifts    3. Family Fun    4. Kitchen    5. Easter    6. Small Appliances    7. Electrics    8. Specialty Appliances