Sunday, April 27, 2014
Product News Reviews: Yoga Mats: Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Yoga Mats: Reviewed!: Manduka Black Mat Pro Best yoga mat overall Pros Extremely durable Thick and comfortabl...
Yoga Mats: Reviewed!
Manduka Black Mat Pro
Best yoga mat overall
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Thick and comfortable
- Multiple lengths available
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Heavy
Bottom Line
Supreme durability and ample cushioning make the Manduka Black Mat Pro a top pick of many expert reviewers and consumers. In fact, the Manduka Black Mat Pro receives more positive reviews than any other yoga mat. The mat is an ideal pick for those who need plenty of protection while performing tough moves. The one big drawback is its weight; at 7 pounds, it's uncommonly heavy for a yoga mat.
Weight
Ample cushioning. The Manduka Black Mat Pro is a reviewer favorite and the go-to mat for yogis and yoginis who are willing to spend a little more for a plush, durable mat. The mat is 1/4-inch thick, and users say this extra thickness makes for a very comfortable and stable surface. The extra cushioning comes with one major drawback: The mat weighs 7 pounds, which is heavy if you plan to carry your mat with you regularly. In fact, most reviewers say the hefty weight is the primary drawback of this mat, but most agree the other positive features outweigh the negative.
Materials
Recycle your old mat program. Several reviewers note that the Manduka Black Mat PRO is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can pose environmental concerns. Manduka says their PVC is manufactured using an emissions-free process. While it is not an environmentally friendly material, PVC is highly durable, and reviewers say the Black Mat Pro will last for years. Users acknowledge that this Manduka mat is expensive, but because it lasts for so long, many say the price is worth it.
Moreover, the brand offers a lifetime guarantee and a "recycle your mat" program: With the purchase of a new Manduka Mat, the company ships old mats to an organization dedicated to upcycling them. If you're concerned about PVC in the Manduka, consider the Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat(*Est. $65). It's made from biodegradable natural rubber and also receives great reviews.
Feel
Takes a little time. Many new mats can be slippery, and the Manduka Black Mat Pro is no exception. Reviewers note that after breaking it in a bit, the mat becomes sticky enough to provide traction for the toughest of yoga moves. Some owners also report the mat can get slippery when wet; Bikram yoga devotees or heavy sweaters could benefit from the Yogitoes Skidless Premium Towel (*Est. $50). Despite these small issues, the Manduka Black Mat Pro is still praised for its plushness, which is particularly welcome while performing difficult moves that put a lot of pressure on the body. Also for Direct Access to Products&Services Like this one Visit our Sister Website at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Product News Reviews: Pilates Videos: Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Pilates Videos: Reviewed!: Exhale: Core Fusion -- Pilates Plus Best Pilates video Pros Short but efficient Low-impact Calm instruct...
Pilates Videos: Reviewed!
Exhale: Core Fusion -- Pilates Plus
Best Pilates video
Pros
- Short but efficient
- Low-impact
- Calm instruction
Cons
- Boring
The Bottom Line
The Exhale Spa's collection of Pilates videos includes some of the highest-rated titles available. While Exhale: Core Fusion -- Pilates Plus isn't a traditional ab workout, reviewers say it will transform your abs and work your core better than any other DVD.
Trainer
Calm and but knowledgeable. Exhale: Core Fusion -- Pilates Plus is co-taught by the creators of the Core Fusion workout, Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito of New York's Exhale Spa. Reviewers praise their calm, low-key instruction that focuses on breath and alignment, and say Halfpapp and DeVito work in tandem to create a mellow but effective atmosphere.
Workout
Train muscle groups, but focus on the core. This DVD contains five 10-minute routines that work different parts of the body while always training the core. It particularly appeals to viewers who want a challenging abdominal workout, but like a routine that's lower in impact and intensity than a traditional exercise video. The movements take cues from ballet, yoga and -- of course -- Pilates. If you prefer higher-energy workouts, look to Jillian Michaels' 6 Week Six-Pack
Materials
Tune out the music for a calmer session. Exhale: Core Fusion -- Pilates Plus comes with no additional materials. Production value is excellent and intimate, set in a tranquil spa-like space. Viewers can turn the DVD's music off if they prefer an even quieter workout. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services Like this one Visit our Sister Website at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Product News Reviews: Air Conditioner Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Air Conditioner Reviewed!: Frigidaire FRA106CV1 Best window air conditioner for large room Pros Efficient cooling...
Air Conditioner Reviewed!
Frigidaire FRA106CV1
Best window air conditioner for large room
Pros
- Efficient cooling performance
- Variety of features, including remote sensing
- Solidly built
Cons
- A bit loud
- Limited airflow to right side
- Can be hard to install Bottom Line
The Frigidaire FRA106CV1 is a 10,000-Btu
air conditioner suitable for cooling spaces of up to 450 square feet. It gets
good scores for cooling performance and efficiency, but it's a bit noisy. Users
praise its solid construction and convenience features, especially the remote
control with remote temperature sensing. Most owners find it easy to install,
though professional testers disagree.
Performance
Cools well, but not quietly. In professional tests, the Frigidaire FRA106CV1 performs comparably to other similarly sized window units, getting high marks for both cooling and moisture control. Like most units, it's better at directing airflow in one direction -- in this case, to the left -- than the other, but it isn't terrible at either. It's also efficient, with an Energy Star rating and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.8.
Testers say its noise level is so-so, neither quiet nor very loud. A few user reviews complain about the Frigidaire's noise level, but most find it acceptable. They also agree with the pros that this unit cools a room quickly and efficiently.
Ease Of Use
Remote sensing. This unit has a variety of convenience features, including a digital display, timer, auto fan speed, energy saver mode, and dirty-filter indicator. However, the feature users praise most is the remote control with remote temperature sensing, which can adjust the settings based on the temperature on the other side of the room.
One user notes, however, that this feature doesn't work flawlessly: "It sometimes loses track of the remote and I have to reset the remote mode." Most owners find the unit easy to install, but professional testers disagree, saying it's much harder to install than others in its size class.
Value
Solid construction. The Frigidaire's $300 price tag is on par with other units of this size. One Walmart.com reviewer notes that the air conditioner delivers "lower BTU per dollar than the cheap 5,000 BTU, hundred-dollar models," but says it makes up for this with its quietness and features. Owners also say the unit is solidly built: one specifically notes the heavy power cord with its built-in circuit breaker. In roughly 60 reviews, only one owner reports any mechanical problems, and these showed up within the one-year warranty period. (The compressor is covered for an additional four years, and repair costs are included.) Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this one Visit our Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Product News Reviews: Apple Computers Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Apple Computers Reviewed!: 13-inch MacBook Air Best Apple laptop Pros Longest battery life Fast, responsive perf...
Apple Computers Reviewed!
13-inch MacBook Air
Best Apple laptop
Pros
- Longest battery life
- Fast, responsive performance
- Iconic thin, light design sets the standard
- Lower price than last year
Cons
- Lower- res screen than rivals
- No optical drive, Ethernet or HDMI port
Bottom line
Amazing battery life -- yes, you can web-surf for more than 12 hours straight -- makes the latest 13-inch MacBook Air tough to beat. It keeps everything good about the previous Air and drops the price tag by $100. Experts can scarcely find anything to criticize, wholeheartedly recommending it over and over. As TheVerge.com's Nilay Patel says, "If you're a normal person shopping for a laptop, you should buy a MacBook Air."
Performance
"Insane" battery life. Apple says its new 13-inch Air will deliver "up to 12 hours" of Wi-Fi web surfing, but professional reviewers regularly squeeze out even more. TheVerge.com gets 13.5 hours, which Patel calls "insane." And that's with an honest-to-goodness Intel Core i5 Haswell processor, not some underpowered Atom chip. This is "a fully functional ultraportable laptop" that just doesn't need a power outlet all day long, PCMag.com marvels. It feels quick, experts say, and new integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 even provide satisfying oomph for casual gaming; Patel plays "Portal 2" and "Half-Life 2: Episode 2" with no problem.
Ergonomics
Travels light, feels great. Critics rave about the 13-inch MacBook Air's backlit keyboard and glass trackpad, and at about 0.6 inch thick and less than 3 pounds, you'll barely notice it when you carry it around. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities help on the road, but you'll need a separate adapter if you want an Ethernet connection. The lack of an optical drive and HDMI port annoy some reviewers, but only mildly.
Design
"A modern classic." Almost every Ultrabook on Earth struggles to look like the MacBook Air, but experts say the original is still the best. It strikes a perfect balance, TheVerge.com says: "The Air's blend of size, weight, stiffness and durability continues to set the standard." Laptop Magazine calls it "a modern classic."
The Air keeps its 13-inch screen at just 1,440 by 900 pixels, which is somewhat low-resolution compared to its rivals and especially the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Est. $1,500 and up). The Air's screen probably saves both battery life and cost, reviewers point out, and it's still fantastic, with vivid colors and wide viewing angles. The speakers sound rich and loud.
Support & reliability
The gold standard. Year after year, Apple's rock-solid reliability leaves other laptop brands in the dust in PCMag.com's reader survey. Users say Apple products rarely break down, and if they do, the company's support staff is friendly and helpful. Tech support is just as outstanding. Laptop Magazine staffers hit Apple with anonymous questions and get great help via phone and web. Any Mac owner can bring a laptop in for free help at a Genius Bar with a reservation, but the 1-year warranty includes just 90 days of phone help.
Value
"The best on the market." There's a reason why experts recommend the 13-inch MacBook Air more often than any other laptop: It's "one of the most universally useful laptops you can buy," says Dan Ackerman at CNET. You get plenty of power, that ergonomically and physically elegant design, and now just about double the battery life of other ultraportables, all for $100 less than last year. Laptop Magazine's Mark Spoonauer calls it "the best ultraportable value on the market."
If every ounce counts, the 11-inch MacBook Air (Est. $1,000 and up) delivers roughly the same performance for $100 and a half-pound less. For more power, features and an eye-popping screen, consider stepping up to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this one Visit our Website at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com or Visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ebuysonlineproductsservices
Monday, April 7, 2014
Product News Reviews: Online Backup Service Reviewed!
Product News Reviews: Online Backup Service Reviewed!: MozyHome Best online backup service Pros Easy to set up and use Unintrusiv...
Online Backup Service Reviewed!
MozyHome
Best online backup service
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Unintrusive backups, fast local backups
- Strong security features
- Stash feature adds syncing capabilities
Cons
- Unlimited storage plans eliminated
Bottom Line
While experts are disappointed the MozyHome eliminated its unlimited storage plans, most still name it as the best online backup service for most personal users. MozyHome is flexible, highly customizable and easy to set up. It's compatible with PCs and Macs, with Android and iOS apps available for photo viewing and secure file access. An app for the Kindle Fire is also available.
Ease of Use
Simple and straightforward. Reviewers say MozyHome is a great choice for those who want a simple backup solution. The latest version of MozyHome has earned accolades for its ease of use and fast uploads. Reviewers report that MozyHome's interface is sleeker and more intuitive than ever before, and it supports all previous functionality. MozyHome advertises that its customer support is entirely U.S.-based, with knowledgeable representatives available 24/7, 365 days a year. Enter through the Mozy Support Portal on their website to find video tutorials, community forums and knowledge base articles. Live chat is available only to customers with paid subscriptions, and only people who subscribe to the MozyPro plan have access to phone support.
Features
Backs up to external hard drive. The latest version of MozyHome provides automatic local backup to an external hard drive (for Windows machines) in addition to online backup. The interface has been redesigned and uploads are slightly faster. The program takes advantage of system idle time to back up your files. Reviewers also like that you can pause the backup process if you're in the middle of an intensive task that needs your computer's full attention.
Mozy's Stash tool adds a synchronization service to MozyHome, a unique feature for a traditional online backup service. Any files changed or added to the Stash folder on your PC or Mac immediately become available on your other computers that have Stash installed. Android and iOS apps let you access your files and upload mobile photos and videos directly to Stash.
Safety and reliability are also feathers in MozyHome's cap. The service saves file changes for 30 days and allows you to restore deleted files in the same time frame. Users can choose between two types of file encryption: Mozy-supplied 448-bit Blowfish encryption or 256-bit AES encryption with a personal key you devise yourself. File transfers to Mozy's servers use additional 128-bit SSL encryption.
Plans
Multiple storage options. Mozy eliminated its unlimited data storage options in 2011. Now, users can opt for a 50 GB, one-computer plan at a cost of $6 per month or a 125 GB, three-computer plan at $10 per month. Critics say the change has made MozyHome one of the more expensive online backup services available -- at least if you have more than 50 GB of data. If you sign up for a year, you get a free month, and you get three months free if you sign up for a two-year commitment. Additional storage is available in 20 GB chunks for $2 more per month.
Mozy also offers a free account with 2 GB of online storage, with no credit card required. Users of this free service who recommend their friends earn more storage space. Also for Direct Access to Brand Name Products&Services like this one Visit our Partners at http://ebuys-onlineproducts-services.weebly.com
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