Review : Logitech LS21 2.1 Stereo Speaker System

Review : Logitech LS21 2.1 Stereo Speaker System
Review based on connecting them to my computer for about 5 minutes (I returned them)
Price : £20/$33
Verdict : Not enough power to judge them for sound quality (which on first impression didn't sound too good). Don't buy.

Logitech LS21 2.1 Stereo Speaker System specifications :
Subwoofer and 2 satellite speakers
Wired control device (volume, headphone input, on/off)
Suibwoofer has bass control knob.
Mains powered
3.5mm input plug to connect to your chosen device
Subwoofer power : 4 RMS
Satellite speakers power : 1 RMS
Total peak power : 14W 

Review based on using for computer for 5 minutes :

Main dislikes :
There's hardly any power/volume. The maximum volume on my computer was about 1/3 of the computer master volume. Headphone was the same. I have read that someone said if you connect the headphone direct to the PC rather than via the speaker control device you might get more volume (I never tried that)

Sound didn't seem too good. The subwoofer too bassy, and the tweeters too tinny.  

Wires everywhere :
As well as all the wires for the speakers, you have more wires for the 'remote wired device'. It says the tweeters have cable management but it's basically a plastic loop at the back of each tweeter to wind your cable around. Don't forget you have the mains plug too. The 2 tweeters connect to the subwoofer with a 3.5mm connector. Then you have the 3.5mm device connector too. What a mess.

Other negative comments I have read :
A lot of people seem to be happy with the speakers (Amazon reviews etc). Of the negative reviews that are to do with sound quality or non-faulty comments, some have said you can hear humming as if the speakers aren't shielded. I didn't use them long enough to notice.

Likes :
I can't think of any. Perhaps they are a cheap option for something like a mobile phone to give you a bit of oomph. But even at a cheap price I took them back.

Verdict :
Very cheap but still not worth it. Avoid. I'm surprised because I thought Logitech would always be good products.

Kind of speakers I would like :
A 2.1 speaker set that used bluetooth. Preferably not mains powered (or optional).

Amazon USA search : Computer Speakers
Amazon UK search : Computer Speakers

HP x3000 Wireless Mouse : quick review

This is the UK version
Bought for around £10 from Asda
Quick summary : Good receptive basic mouse for the price
Value : 9/10


Contents :
Mouse
2.4 ghz micro transmitter
One AA battery

Basic facts  (According to HP) :
2 button mouse and scroll button (manual says 3 buttons. Including the scroll wheel)

IKEA office chair review : IKEA Malkolm chair

Summary : Solid reasonably comfy office chair for maybe 1-3 hours. If you are thinking of choosing between this and the Markus chair, especially for long hours, choose the Markus.

Perhaps there are comfier office chairs for the price range (seems to be the IKEA mid-range office chair) but this is definitely in the entry-level 'comfy chair' league. Wide seating space (about 50cm/20 inches). No discomfort or bad back (like my old cheap 'executive' office chair). Can get a bit hot but overall a good desk chair to sit on for hours. Not a 'working-hours' chair (i.e. 8 hours). For that choose the Markus

My chair is the UK black artificial leather version (link to UK IKEA page for desk chairs).

Rating : 7/10
Rating per cost : 8/10
Cost : £65 at the time

Update : Jul 2015
I was using the chair for long hours and finding it pretty uncomfy for that use. I have now bought a Markus and this is a real 'long-hours' chair. If you arwe thinking between the 2 chairs, I say go for the Markus.    

The 3 main questions this video gets about the Ikea Malkolm chair

1 : Chair won't tilt at all. Stuck upright  ...
probable answer : you need to pull the up/down lever out a bit. The height lever seems to lock the chair in upright when it is fully in. Pulling the height lever slightly out unlocks it from upright (thanks to TheAlexandraGo aand anyone else who pointed this out)

2 : The side rests are missing
answer : They are in the back. Unzip to get out.

3 : Can't use the winder. It hits underneath.
answer : You pull the winder out before winding.

I bought the plain 'black' version of this IKEA chair as my back was hurting from being hunched at the copmputer for hours in an uncomfy 'executive swivel office chair' (cost £40). Main priority was 'comfort' (I would say a comfy chair is more important than the computer). A big bonus with IKEA is that I could go and sit on their chairs as long as I want without feeling too odd. Tried out all their office chairs. Price was also a factor but I thought it unlikely I would get comfort under a certain price, so quality was more important.

Lidl wireless keyboard and mouse set (Silvercrest STMS 2017 A1)

Silvercrest STMS 2017 A1

Lidl wireless keyboard and mouse set :
Bought : Lidl
Cost : £20
Conclusion : imperfectly great
Score : 9/10 (if no mouse-battery problem)

Lidl occasionally have a wireless keyboard and mouse set available. As long as it is secure (can't be intercepted), I am delighted with it...

Update : After about a year I am having a problem with the mouse. One of the batteries was a very tight fit but now that area has become looser and the battery doesn't always connect. It means it keeps interrupting the current. I mentioned this battery compartment problem in the original review and it seems to have come home to roost.

Video in post >>>

Wireless Mouse : Logitech M180

logitech m180

logitech m180

Review : Logitech M180 Wireless Mouse
Summary : Great, as long as it is under £10

Cost under £10 from Tesco
Uses a small radio nanoreciever
Signal is excellent. I hope it is encrypted (packaging doesn't say)
The mouse can work from many feet away from the computer (I wish it didn't)
2 buttons and a scrollwheel. The scrollwhell is slightly flimsy but ok
Uses 1 AA battery. Estimated to last a long time
Optical function is fine. Works on 'glossy' ground too

Don't like :
Shape. It is the standard mouse shape. I prefer whe nthey are curved to fit the right hand
Logitech never give enough info on products. For instance, is it encrypted ?

logitech m180

logitech m180

Conclusion : Great mouse for under £10. I prefer trackballs but this will do for now. Ideally I would prefer a wireless keyboard with a trackball but there seems no suitable purchase at the moment

Video below >>