Laser 14" Portable Monitor - Work from Anywhere

So we all worked from home.

We really got into it. Set up an office with all the toys... Proper desk. Decent camera and mic. Dual monitors of course.

But then we went back to work.

And for some of us, that meant we were out on the road again, suddenly squashed back into working on a laptop.

Man, I missed that extra screen though.

Turns out, I didn't have to.

The Laser 14" USB-C Full HD Portable Monitor solved all my out-and-about FOMO issues - and a few other problems I didn't even know I had.

The first thing that struck me about this Laser display was how light it is - just 560 grams. In fact, it's so light, when my review unit arrived at the office I assumed it was something else. Surely a 14-inch monitor couldn't be in a package as compact and as light as this.

But I opened the box and sure enough, there was my 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS panel, complete with USB-C to USB-C cable and an HDMI-to-miniHDMI lead as well. Like all the other Laser products I've reviewed, the included cables are very high quality. This is important, because you can't just connect with any old cord to get the best out of this device - but I'll get to that shortly.

There's no denying there's a very plasticky feel to this particular screen - there's no mistaking it for some kind of steel and glass gaming monitor or even a small TV - but I see that as a plus, not a drawback. Plastic is light. What's more, the Laser monitor is also very slim, so it certainly lives up to its "portable" designation. I've just been sliding it easily into my laptop case, right in with my notebook. I don't even notice I'm carrying it around with me.

It certainly helps that most things you plug it into will power it as well, so you'll only need that single USB-C to USB-C cable. Now, this is where I need to point out - again - that not all USB cords are created equal. Only certain types are capable of delivering both power and video data at the same time. Obviously, the cable included here does just that, powering on the display the instant I plug it into my laptop or more surprisingly, my iPhone.

There are two USB-C slots on the side of the monitor, and when I got the idea to use it to display my daily Apple Fitness workouts, I was expecting to have to power it with a standard USB-C wall charger, while my iPhone would use the other USB-C port for the video feed. Instead, being able to power the screen from my phone simultaneously was a pleasant surprise.

As robust and high-spec as that USB-C cable is, there is one modification I wish Laser had made. When I have the monitor set up next to my laptop, I like to have both screens as close to each other as possible, so I can scroll my mouse from one to the other as seamlessly as I can. Unfortunately, because the USB-C plug and cable has to stick out several centimetres from the left-hand side, it means a bigger gap than I would like if I set it up to the right of my computer, or a lot of cable going in the wrong direction if I have the screen sitting to the left.

Laser could solve this easily with a cable with a right-angled or even a U-shaped plug on one end - then I could tuck the lead tidily behind the screen, out of sight. No matter; I've already ordered a USB 4.0 U-shaped adapter to solve this issue myself.

Then there's the HDMI option - or more specifically, HDMI to miniHDMI. Not only is this a great choice if your laptop has an HDMI slot, leaving any USB-C ports free for other accessories, gaming consoles and streaming sticks are easily connected this way too.

Obviously, you'll still need to power the screen via USB but now you literally have a smart TV you can carry around in a backpack.

To this end, I've been suprised at the picture quality. Frustratingly, the monitor brightness setting always seems to default back to 30% when not connected, but it's easy enough to bump that up using the controls on the left side and I've found the colour, brightness and contrast match the ISP display on my laptop very well. I wasn't expecting particularly great viewing angles from a screen like this either - but it performs much better in this department too, which again, is handy during my workouts where some exercises are standing up, while others are down on the floor.

There are even built-in speakers. Not good ones - but better than nothing at all, in a pinch. Luckily, there's also a 3.5mm AUX-out socket on the left side too, so it's easy enough to plug in some headphones or external speakers if you feel the need to boost the audio.

The pull-out kickstand on the back of the device folds completely flat into the rear panel when not in use. And if you love the Laser monitor so much you want to connect it more permanently, there are a couple of screwholes for universal VESA mounting as well.

But for me, that kind of defeats the purpose of this very simple, yet very well thought-out device. It's super slim, ultra light and will run off most laptops with a single cable. This means that multi-screen setup you got so used to in your WFH office can now be replicated easily when you're out and about. Dual screen productivity no longer has to be sacrificed for portability and best of all, you get a very handy second screen for a pretty tidy price.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Laser 14" USB-C Full HD Portable Monitor.

Tineco CARPET ONE Cruiser - Never Hire Again

Have you ever tried to clean your own carpets?

Here's the process.

First, you have to figure out who hires out carpet cleaning machines.

Then you have to see if they have any available.

Then you have to book one.

Then you have to go and pick it up.

Then you have to buy a bottle of carpet cleaning solution.

Then you have to pay a bond as well as the hire fee.

Then you have to figure out how to use it.

Then the whole time you're using it, you have to worry about how long it's taking you to use it, in case you don't get it back in time.

Then you have to take it to bits and clean it.

Then you have to return it.

Then you have to convince someone you've cleaned it enough to get your bond back.

Then you have to spend the next day or so squelching around on wet carpets that may or may not be much cleaner than when you started.

Fun times.

Or, you gould just get your own Tineco.

The CARPET ONE Cruiser, compared with one of those supermarket/hardware store hire machines, is like it's from another dimension.

It's light, compact and is easy to assemble - it took me about five minutes, straight out of the box.

You can connect to the Tineco Life app, although I'm not exactly sure how much benefit there is to that - other than being able to change the language of your voice prompts, keeping an eye on any maintenance issues and selecting what kind of carpet you're about to clean.

Given that it has yet to actually record and log any of my cleaning or drying sessions yet, I can't say I've paid Tineco Life too much attention.

But none of that matters, because the CARPET ONE Cruiser itself is so easy to use.

The hybrid clean/dirty water tank unclips with the push of a button and snaps back in with a satsifying click.

The maximum water level is clearly indicated and you only need to add two capsful of cleaning solution to each tank. That solution is included in the box, along with a spray bottle of Pre-Treat Formula to apply to more problematic stains and messes, loosening things up a bit before you clean.

The CARPET ONE Cruiser boasts 3-level SmoothPower Tech that automatically senses whether you're pushing or pulling and helps drive the wheels in the right direction, already making using this device exponentially less cumbersome than the much bulkier cleaners I've hired before.

Although I simply leave the device on Automatic, there's a MAX button within easy reach on the comfy handle if you want to apply extra water where you're cleaning at any given moment.

I've found the machine surprisingly easy to manoeuvre - probably thanks in no small part to the design of the water tank sitting above the wheels, rather than built into the handle as it is on some other cleaners. I was pleased how close I could get to my skirting boards, thereby extending my clean to the very edges of the room.

Whether it's the potency of the concentrated cleaning solution, the 130w of pure suction, the long, sturdy bristles of the brush roller or the fact it's rotating at 3000rpm, the result has been quite startling. 

As you'll see in the video below, one room I cleaned was literally where a cat went to die. You can only imagine what that ended up smelling like and how ineffective my various attempts heve been to remediate it.

One clean with the CARPET ONE Cruiser and that lingering reminder smell has all but vanished! I believe the key here is Tineco's High-temp PowerDry system.

Not only is the water heated to 75°C for a more effective, sterile clean, the air used to dry the carpet is heated to 75°C as well. I've never been able to walk on freshly-cleaned carpets until hours - if not days - have passed, even when "professionally cleaned." Using the CARPET ONE Cruiser, this basically becomes a non-issue. You dry the carpet as soon as is clean. And I mean dry-to-walk-on, sit-on, play-on dry. 

Another very user-focussed feature is the combination of coloured LED lighting underneath the CARPET ONE Cruiser and the colour LCD screen embedded into the handle itself. Both of these are used to indicate your progress - either when you're cleaning or drying, taking the guesswork out of the whole operation.

But its not these more techie tricks that make the CARPET ONE Cruiser so fun to use, it's the simplicity and efficacy of the design.

Take the upholstery cleaning hose and brush attachment for example; this simply clicks into place when you open the flap at the front of the brush roller housing - again, just so user-friendly. There's even a storage bag you can hang it up in when you're not using it.

Speaking of storing, once you're all done and you've emptied and rinsed out the dirty water tank, you can then sit the CARPET ONE Cleaner in its compact storage tray and activate the FlashDry Self-cleaning System with a single push of a button. 

This sets off an eyebrow-raising high-pressure wash and rinse of all the hard-to-access bits and pieces, including the brush roller, its cover and the suction inlet. Most importantly though, it also spends several minutes drying it all out at - you guessed it - 75°C. This prevents any slimy build-up or icky odours.

This thing is just so damn easy to use - in fact, as Tineco itself suggests, because it's not much more bother than normal vacuuming, you're far more likely to use it regularly, instead of just waiting to call in the carpet cleaning professionals the week before you finally move out altogether.

When people ask me how much a miracle machine like this costs, they're always pleasantly surprised when I tell them the RRP is only NZ$1,199.00 - Then I really blow their minds by mentioning the fact it's on special right now for $300 off.

I now consider MYSELF to be a carpet cleaning professional - and thanks to Tineco, I'm now a carpet DRYING professional too. No more wet socks. Ever.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Tineco CARPET ONE Cruiser.

Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene - They're Back, Baby!

After being surprisingly underwhelmed by my last Dyson experience, (the Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum) I was a little anxious about dipping my toe back in to its latest product line.

What if there really was a robot apocalypse happening at Dyson? What if Sir James and his cohort of solution-obsessed engineers spread across the globe were starting to lose their edge?

Is Dyson still the dominant force in floor-cleaning tech innovation? Or after all this time at the top, has the empire finally started to fall, as they all inevitably do in the end?

No. Not to worry. I've had a go with the latest Dyson and it didn't let me down. Far from it.

It would be easy to suggest the Clean+Wash Hygiene is just a stripped-back version of the V16 Pistion Animal Submarine I reviewed late last year - or more specifically, the Submarine 2.0 Wet Roller head, the ultimate attachment for dealing to hard floor mess and spills.

The physics of it is essentially the same; a hyper-absorbent wet roller sops up any dirt or liquid it runs over, then that roller is intensively combed, squeegeed and rinsed with every rotation. As a result, solid waste is separated from dirty liquid - the former ending up on the debris tray, the latter in its own sealed tank.

The liquid part of the equation is absolutely true; dealing with the dirty water couldn't be more simple or fuss-free. The dirty water tank is essentially just a bottle on its side, complete with water-tight screw cap. The tank just unclips from the roller head, you unscrew the lid, empty, rinse and replace.

But before you put it back, you'll have to deal with the solids side of the formula. This gets a bit more hands-on - and therefore a bit yuckier.

In Dyson's promotional videos, you'll see a happy-go-lucky homemaker slide out the debris tray, shake a bit of nice, dry detritus into the bin, before giving everything a quick rinse and popping it all back together. The website specifically claims, "No sludge. Water and debris are separated." Well, watch my video below and you tell me what's left in the red debris tray isn't best described as, "Sludge."

The black anti-tangle comb and sprung mangle do a fine job of constantly cleaning the roller as it spins, but when you're dealing with a mess like soggy Weetbix and dog hair, not even Dyson can instantly dehydrate that mix so you're left with a nice, dry little pile of rubble that can be playfully scattered into the trash.

Don't get me wrong; the Clean+Wash Hygiene does an unbelievable job of making vast splodges of K9-Bix-Sludge disappear off the floor, it's just... you will have to get your hands dirty at some stage.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. First you get to use the thing, which is pretty darn fun - definitely at least 17 times more fun than hand mopping... and about 84,000 times more effective. You see, that's roughly how many microfibre filaments make up Dyson's most absorbant roller ever. Because the roller is being constantly cleaned, you're not just smearing dirty water all over your floor like you would with a conventional mop.

What's more, because the roller is so absorbant and only the exact amount of water is being used to wash it from the easy-fill clean water tank, you're left with a streak-free finish that's dry enough to walk on within seconds.

That wonderful roller isn't just about thousands of microfibre filaments, there are also hundreds of firm nylon bristles embedded in there too, to make sure no stray strand of hair gets left behind. This is essential news if you're a dog-owner like me. As cute as he is, my mutt seems to be able to leave a fine sheen of hair across every corner of the floor which catches the setting sun just beautifully at the end of the day.

Or at least it would, if I hadn't dealt to it with the Clean+Wash Hygiene. So you end up with a lot of hair in there, which is often big trouble for any kind of roller mop or brush. But not this one - that's where the Anti-Tangle comb comes in, diverting it directly to the debris tray before it can wrap itself around the roller, wrecking its usefulness and shortening its lifespan.

That's the other cool thing about this cleaner - it's not just a mop; you don't have to vacuum first. In fact, you don't have to vacuum at all. Although it's a Dyson, it doesn't suck. In the video below you'll hear me describe it as more of a pump-action cleaner. Strictly speaking, it's "capillary action" that draws all the waste into the head unit. (No, I don't fully understand what that means either) 

What I do know is, it's super effective, in many cases requiring only a single pass to clean up every day grime, with your choice of four different modes (including a dedicated MAX mode button) to adjust how much water is used at any given time.

All this is clearly displayed on the bright, colour LCD display on the handle, nestled among the easy-reach controls.

The fully-charged device will comfortably run for over an hour. Then, once you're done, it's time for clean-up, which is essentially where we started.

Look, having to scrape a bit of Sludgy-Bix into the bin by hand is the very first of first world problems. I just wish it was as easy and as hands-off as washing and drying the roller is.

All self-cleaning requires from you is a full clean-water tank and a push of a button once the Clean+Wash Hygiene is back on the charging dock. Then you'll be treated to a pretty loud 145-second cleaning cycle, where the whole system is thoroughly rinsed through, followed by a slightly (but not all that much) quieter hot air drying.

I'll choose a bit of fan noise over the literal hours of drying many other hard floor cleaners take (robot or otherwise).

Perhaps the best thing about the whole process, no icky smells. I've reviewed some devices that absolutely reek after a few uses because apparently, that's just what happens when moisture gets into a filter. But guess what? With the Clean+Wash Hygiene, there is no filter. Remember? It's not a vacuum. Genius.

When it comes to keeping wood, tile, or any other hard floor spick and span, this is a pretty fun way to do it. Both solids and liquids are dealt with at the same time, and even if there's been a lot of water spilled, the Clean+Wash Hygiene will have that "capillaried" up in no time. The large size of the roller head also helps speed up the job and the whole device can be used totally flat, to reach under furniture and cabinets.

This is the kind of Dyson design we've come to expect; outside the box thinking that does an old job everyone hates in a new, much more effective way.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene.

HP Smart Tank 7605 - Easing the Biggest Printer Pain Point of All

Printer frustration. After arguments between colleagues about what temperature the office air-con should be set at, surely getting the printer to do what it's supposed to is cause for more workplace stress than any other issue.

And that doesn't just apply to the office - even those of us working from home often have to print stuff and that means you're your own IT department when, inevitably, the printer there won't do what you want it to either.

The big difference is, when the office printer runs out of ink, that's not your problem.

When your own machine comes up empty, the ink bill buck stops with you.

HP might be able to help with that.

Nobody loves replacing ink cartridges and although the HP Smart Tank 7605 does have cartridges, it's really only the ink you have to change, and you won't have to do that very often.

So many other printers come with only the bare essentials in the box - perhaps even smaller-than-usual cartridges just to get you started, before you have to lay down about the same amount of money the whole printer cost to keep stocked up in ink.

A key selling point for the HP Smart Tank line is unlike those other printers, you get four large bottles of ink as well - enough for up to 6000 black-and-white pages or 8000 colour ones. Depending on individual use cases, that's likely to be more than two years worth of printing, included in the box. 

What's more, the replacement bottles aren't that expensive and of course, plastic bottles are a lot more recyclable than whole empty cartridges.

There's nothing about the Smart Tank that doesn't make more sense.

In truth, not all that much has changed between the 7605 and the 7305 I reviewed three years ago, which is not to say there's much wrong with either device. More accurately, it's kind of a if-it-ain't-broke situation.

You still get high capacity scanning and copying, with a well-designed flip out document feeder. You can still have full-colour, double-sided printing in next to no time and as you'll see in my video below, for a home printer, the 7605 is pretty darn quick - even when printing full-colour A4 pics.

However, there are a few crucial distinctions with the 7605. For example, you can fax. Why you should want to do this, I have no idea. But somebody must and with the 7605, they can.

Apparently, faxing is still more secure than other forms of e-transmission so medical and financial institutions are still pretty into it. Who knew?

But for me, the 7605's crucial modification is the "touch interface" (screen) now embedded into the upper panel of the printer, appearing as if by magic, then vanishing completely when not in use. On other HP printers we've seen a bunch of confusingly labelled buttons, with a small LCD screen, or perhaps a more intrusive, colour touch screen on the front that you could tilt up at an angle.

This new monochromatic touch interface is much more elegant, guiding you through every step of setup, use and maintenance.

Of course, the key to all this used to be the HP Smart app, although that seems to have evolved into a more streamlined app, now simply called, HP. Regardless of whether you use this from your phone or your desktop, once signed in, you get instant access to your printer from anywhere, with clear status windows showing connected devices and ink levels at a glance.

In fact, thanks to the revamped app, it's never been easier to do things like scan and print from your phone, order more ink (you know, in two years time) or yes, even send a fax!

Other than that, it's silly little basic things I like about this printer. I've already mentioned the ample flip-down flap on the 35-page document feeder, but there are similar flaps on the copy return tray and on top of the paper tray to ensure your printouts don't end up randomly shuffled on the floor.

The paper tray itself is much more generous than most other home printers - able to accommodate up to 250 sheets of normal paper, 50 of photo paper or 30 cards at a time.

There's a front-facing USB port to make it easier to print from or scan directly to a USB drive.

And there's an easily accessible off button. Why does that matter? If your printer is in the spare room like mine is, when guests come to stay, it's nice to be able to shut off any glowing lights without having to switch the thing off at the wall.

But at the end of the day, surely the only reason you need to seriously consider the Smart Tank 7605 is the smart tank system itself. It's cheaper, better for the environment and most importantly, it lasts for ages. 

Right, that's the printer sorted. Now... About the air conditioning...

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the HP Smart Tank 7605.

JBL Endurance Pace and JBL Endurance Zone - I'm Open To It

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; when it comes to earbuds, it's all about the fit.

I want a tight seal. No movement. And above all else, no noise.

But what if I didn't?

I can't just exclude other designs because they're not my thing - especially when they might be yours.

I've had plenty of people tell me they just can't wear earbuds, for perfectly valid reasons;

They always fall out.

They hurt their ears.

They make them feel claustrophobic.

Fair enough.

But just because you can't wear buds, doesn't mean you can't have mobile music.

And I'm not talking about big, bulky headphones either.

The Endurance Zone and Endurance Peak are the answer for anyone looking for the ultimate open fit.

Both sports headsets are essentially the same except while the Endurance Pace is one single device, connected by a titanium memory metal neckband, the Zone is two separate earpieces you keep in their own charging case.

But neither can really be described as earbuds - or at least, not as I think of them.

Even other so-called "open fit" earbuds I've worn still sit in the outer part of your ear canal, just without the tight seal of a silicone ear-tip, worming its way further in.

By stark contrast, both the Zone and Pace earpieces hook over your ear instead, not even resting on the sensitive opening to your ears at all. Rather, once in place, the 11x18mm speaker drivers are suspended right over your ears, relying on JBL's OpenSound technology to provide a full, powerful soundscape from your connected device, while still allowing other ambient sounds in at the same time.

I thought I would hate it.

But if there's one thing I've learned reviewing tech, it's never make assumptions about a gadget until you've tried it for yourself.

Let's start with the obvious bit; these are probably some of the most comfortable portable listening accessories I've ever worn. In fact, once you loop them over your ears, because they're so well balanced and so light, you can hardly feel them at all.

That even applies to the Endurance Pace with its connecting neck loop. The band doesn't actually sit against your skin - unless you choose to take the earpieces down and rest the whole device on your neck, perhaps while you have a conversation with someone. The connected design of the Pace does feel slightly more secure than the two separate earpieces of the Zone - but neither came close to falling off while I was testing them, no matter what activity or exercise I was doing.

Both devices also carry an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, which is kind of reassuring given there's no tight seal to keep rain, sweat or dirt away from the more delicate bits. In fact, the whole vibe of these Endurance specimens is one of action and durability; drop them, sit on them, throw them across the room - you get the feeling they'll keep on taking a beating.

In fact, they'll keep on, full-stop. Battery life is impressive. I guess being bigger than your average buds has its advantages. The Pace charges directly via USB-C and will last about 10 hours on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Zone will only play for 8 hours straight, but there's another 24 hours charge in the case.

There are a couple of downsides to that case, however. Firstly, it's bulky - not as large as some ear-hook style earbuds cases I've used, but still too big to comfortably slip into most pockets. Secondly, it only charges via USB-C. You can't just pop it down on a more convenient wireless charger. On the plus side, there is a lanyard cavity on one corner of the case so you have the option of attaching a carabiner or some other kind of connecting strap.

The thing that surprised me most about both these devices was how genuinely good they sound. This is where that "Don't make assumptions" thing really kicks in. My most incorrect assumption was that too much space between ear and driver would mean a tinny, weak performance with virtually no bottom end.

But I guess I'd kind of forgotten how headphones work.

Essentially, they're just speakers you wear next to your ears, right? And these little speakers deliver.

Whether it's the unnerving a cappella noises David Byrne makes at the beginning of the extended mix of "Lady Don't Mind" by Talking Heads, or merely Jamie Cullum's simple, soulful, rolling piano and vocals on "These Are the Days," both the Zone and the Pace do a lovely job of creating a rich, warm and full atmosphere, placing surround effects in all the right places and yes, even pumping out what JBL is pretty famous for; decent bass.

My only major niggle is the onboard controls. I'd like to be able to customise them a bit more using the JBL Headphones app - but this is rather limited, especially on the Zone where you don't have the physical buttons you do on the Pace. Instead you're restricted to taps, double taps and long taps - which all gets a bit confusing, especially if you're only trying to turn the volume up or down.

The Headphones app does give you plenty of options when it comes to adjusting the EQ though, so you can tailor things to your preference there instead.

I love being surprised by gadgets - even when they prove me wrong. I was wrong to dismiss this kind of open ear design and I'm glad I got to try it so I can let you know, there's more than one way to take your sounds with you.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Endurance Pace.

Click here for more information and pricing on the JBL Endurance Zone.