Creative Pebble SE... Reviewed! Stylish and Functional PC Speakers for Gamers

The Creative Pebble SE PC speakers are a perfect blend of style and functionality, making them an excellent addition to any gaming setup. These speakers feature a sleek, orb-shaped design that adds a touch of elegance to your desk. The built-in RGB rings at the base provide an illuminating pop of color, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your gaming space. Once you set these speakers, wipe the finger prints off, and let them shine.

Perfect for Any Setup

Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop gaming setup, including the Valve Steam Deck, the Creative Pebble SE speakers are a great fit. They can easily connect to the Steam Deck dock, making them versatile and convenient for various configurations.

Impressive Specs and Features

• Design: Stylish orb shape with built-in RGB rings
• Drivers: 2" full-range drivers
• Passive Radiators: Located at the back for enhanced sound quality
• Connectivity: USB-C cable and 3.5mm aux-in
• Power Output: Up to 4.4W (2.2W x 2); Up to 8.8W Peak power
• RGB Rings: React to sound with the push of a button; 7 Lighting effects
  

The RGB rings are not just for show; they react to sound, adding a dynamic visual element to your audio experience. This feature can be activated with a simple push of a button, making your gaming sessions even more immersive (to a degree).

Quality Build You Can Feel

When you pick up the Creative Pebble SE speakers, you can immediately feel the quality of the build. They are sturdy and well-constructed, with passive radiators on the back that complement the 2" full-range drivers. Despite the bass being a bit on the shy side, the speakers deliver a solid sound that you can appreciate up close.

Ideal for Small Gatherings... If you bring them to the Party!

While these speakers might not be the best choice for a large house party, they are perfect for small gatherings in an office, small living room, or dorm. Turn on the RGB lights, switch them to the reactive setting, and enjoy some tunes while playing spades with family and friends.

Tested and Approved

I tested the Creative Pebble SE speakers with a variety of music tracks... like those you see below:

I've also played games + watched shows that include: Metal Slug Awakening, XDefiant, and the new... Batman: Caped Crusader TV show. The audio quality was impressive, especially considering the price point of $24.99.

Room for Improvement

One area where Creative Labs could improve is expandability. Adding an option for a subwoofer would have been a great addition. However, at $24.99, the Creative Pebble SE speakers offer good value for money.

You can grab these speakers with an additional 10% off while the deal lasts. I give the Creative Pebble SE two thumbs up at this price point.

By the way... I highly recommend getting a USB-C to USB-A adapter, just incase you don't always have access to a USB-C port to power up your speakers. I also recommend a USB-C wall charger for those of you who want to free up a USB-C port on your desktop or laptop, because all it does is supply power.

Build Quality 5

Funtionality 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophi 

Support us below!

For The Walking Dead Game Fans

2023 Wishmas Guide... for the Ladies!

Unsure of what to get the teen who's indecisive about what they would like on their gift list or... seeking an alternative to one of the items they're wishing to receive that kinda sorta and more than likely... breaks the bank? Breathe easy... we've got you. Grab that cup of hot deliciousness and dive in!

Funny Purses: A gift that stands out and is worn with pride is usually a purse, but when it's off the beaten path, it turns heads that much more. A fun gift this holiday season could be a nice purse that makes her giggle, and she will appreciate this conversation starter every time she wears it out.

Wireless Earbuds: We ladies love our music, and wireless earbuds offer convenience and freedom of movement while listening to their favorite tunes. These may actually be replacements for some that were lost, but it's a great replacement so that we're able to enjoy our music, calls, and other forms of entertainment that you may not want to hear. ;) 

If she loses earbuds easily, grab a pair of 1More Omthing headphones on sale for $9.99 for 67% off as a Cyber Monday deal!

Portable Bluetooth Speaker: A compact and powerful Bluetooth speaker allows teens to enjoy music with friends, both indoors and outdoors.

Fitness Tracker: Encourage a healthy lifestyle with a fitness tracker that monitors steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns, motivating teens to stay active.

Instant/Digital Camera: Combining the nostalgia of film photography with the ease of digital, instant cameras offer a fun way for teens to capture and print memories instantly. This is the perfect gift for the woman who loves taking pictures, but often finds herself running out of space on her phone and feels forced to make a decision on which ones to delete. The KODAK Mini Shot 3 Retro is a 2-in-1 instant digital camera and photo printer. This camera allows you to take digital photos, make instant photos from the camera, and connect your phone to print photos from your phone.

Laptop or Tablet: Essential for work and entertainment purposes, a high-quality laptop or tablet will help her stay connected and productive.

Funny Jewelry: Funny jewelry items, such as necklaces with cats dangling or ramen noodle earrings, make for fun memorable gifts.

Subscription Box: Surprise her with a subscription box tailored to their interests, such as a monthly book club, health, beauty, international snacks, arts + crafts, and more.

VR Headsets: Virtuality headsets are a worthy consideration this holiday season because they give her an option beyond traditional gaming. Mixed reality options such as the Meta Quest 3, also allow for virtual fun using the living room table. The TV would be all yours for sports fun!

Cooking Set or Kitchen Appliances: For women interested in culinary adventures, a cooking set or kitchen appliances like a countertop dishwasher or air fryer could be a great gift to foster their passion for cooking.

Gifts Cards: Gifts are always a thoughtful idea, but sometimes the recipient is a major challenge to provide a gift for. When gift-giving brings you lemons, make lemonade! Provide her with a funny card that taps into the decision to go with a gift card, and walk away with a win! PS - It wouldn't hurt to include a funny purse and jewelry.

Sophima | Guest Contributor

                          + BLU 

Support us via the helpful links below!

The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Bring in Happy Mother's Day with... Untraditional Gifts!

Mother's Day is a day that has been around for... as long as I can remember. It was created back in 1908 according to historical sources, which is why I wouldn't have remembered the first time it was kicked off, but I'm certainly glad it was. Love ya, mom!

Mother's Day is great because Mom's rock, and if you didn't know... my mom got me into console gaming (my mom and dad opened the door to arcade gaming via the tabletop Pac-Man).

So why not take an untraditional route this Mother's Day and show your mom just how much she means to you? Untraditional in a way that still shows love and appreciation for who she is, but also a different route in terms of gifts.

Here are the top 5 traditional Mother's Day gifts:

1. A bouquet of flowers

2. A card with a trip to the spa or salon for pampering

3. A new piece of jewelry

4. A basket full of her favorite things

5. A heartfelt letter expressing your gratitude

Here are my top 5 untraditional Mother's Day gifts:

1. Wine, Grapes, and Cheese

2. A Coffee or Tea Lover's Basket

3. Tech: A new phone, or even a laptop wouldn't be bad if she needed it, but I recommend the Echo Show. The device gives them the option to enjoy movies, games, and other apps but the main reason for the gift is for video chats. The device gives them the ability to keep an eye on the time, dates, their to-do lists, and more. I think it's easily the best gift that keeps on giving... especially for a busy mom.

4. A Mother's Day soiree: This doesn't have to be something you celebrate for just one mom alone, it can be one to celebrate the moms in your family or your circle of friends. Get swanky and celebrate!

5. A trip to the Movies: Take your mom out to the movies and enjoy a film that caught her eye. Treat her to some of her favorite snacks and have a great time!

Traditional or untraditional, enjoy quality time with your mom because it's priceless.

Support us below!

Thread Market Z

TVs Featuring Xbox (No console required)

Laptops vs Tablets: What will you buy in 2023?

Laptops are better than tablets for me, but I understand why people are drawn to tablets. They're useful to some of you, but a laptop is just a better fit for some of us. I want to type on a physical keyboard when I want to type and I don't want to use the touch screen if I'm not on my phone. The best tablets are the iPads, but even they don't compare to a good laptop in my opinion. Relax, I'll explain.

iPads are better than Chromebooks as far as capability. Chromebooks are popular in schools because they're an affordable way for students to access the educational software they need, but they're not as good as traditional laptops. It goes right back to capability.

When deciding whether to purchase a tablet or a laptop, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each option before you shell out the money. Tablets boast efficient battery life, a user-friendly operating system, they're more portable and lightweight, and the camera is usually better on something like an iPad. However, the touch keyboard uses screen space, external accessories can be costly, and the device can overheat with overuse. Laptops, on the other hand, offer a physical keyboard, more processing power, and a larger screen. To the credit of tablets, laptops are typically heavier and bulkier.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what type of tasks you will be using the device for.

If you need a larger screen? Laptop

Need something more portable for taking notes? Tablet

Need to type more often than not? Laptop

Need a lightweight device to mount and control devices from? Tablet

Need to work on multiple things at once? Laptop

Need a lightweight device to do your artwork? Tablet

Gaming? Both! Streaming has made it easy for us to access our favorite console-quality games from any device, but you're paying more if you want to hardwire a tablet.

If you want to settle for something in the middle, both roads cross at a good lightweight 2-in-1 but be prepared to pay. A good 2-in-1 can easily cost you over $1,200 unless you score a factory refurbished option, which on a side note are the laptops that you end up with anyway if you have a warranty and you're outside of a particular window. 

If the system is a brick out of the box, they owe you a brand-spanking new replacement. If the system is past a certain period, you're getting a factory-refurbished replacement. You can't go wrong because any issues are no longer an issue due to the part(s) being fully replaced with a new one. The exterior is usually pre-existing, but little to no marks may appear on the product. Companies won't tell you this, but that gives you an idea of what goes on behind the scenes.

I'm a traditional laptop guy, but another member of the team prefers a good 2-in-1 as long as he can actually draw on the screen. So that's where the benefit for tablet users comes in. If you can't use a pen on the screen, you're better off sticking with tablets like the iPad, but if a 2-in-1 can marry the things you need from both devices you have the best of both. 

I think Microsoft comes the closest with the Surface Pro because you can detach the keyboard, it runs standard Windows, and it has a pen.

Here are the specs for the Surface Pro 9's $1,399.99 option:

• 12th Gen Intel Core i7
• Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Windows 11 Home
• WiFi
• 13" Display (2880 X 1920)
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Ports
• No Microsoft Office, although I prefer a one-time purchase over 365
• Weight 1.95lbs
• 15.5 Hour Battery
• 1 Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
  
  
• Surface Pro Signature Keyboard - $107.99 (Additional)
• Surface Slim Pen 2 - $92.99 (Additional)

You're looking at $1,600.97 if you want to get the true 2-in-1 experience.

What we know as the traditional 2-in-1 is usually a laptop that cannot detach the keyboard, and one that I've identified in a similar price range is from Lenovo.

Here are the specs for the Yoga 7i's $1,399.99 option:

• 12th Gen Intel Core i7
• Intel Arc A370M 4GB GDDR6 Graphics
• Windows 11 Home 64
• WiFi
• 16" Display (2560 X 1600)
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB SSD
• HDMI
  
• 2 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Ports
• 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Ports
• SD Card Reader
  
• Weight 4.19lbs
• 65W Power Supply, 4-Cell 71 WHr Battery (Is my guess since that's the one in a lesser unit)
• 3 Months Xbox Game Pass

• Lenovo Active Pen 2 - $44.99 (Additional)

You're looking at $1,444.98 if you want to add the pen and make it worth it.

I don't want to crap on other tablets, but I don't want to serve up any fluff either. So I'll acknowledge some other tablets worth considering:

Galaxy Tab S7 FE, delivers a very nice Android experience with an S Pen included at no extra charge. This tablet has a good 12.4" LTPS 60Hz display, a Qualcomm SDM778G Octa-core processor, up to 8GB RAM, and a Li-Ion 10090mAh battery. This tablet weighs in at 1.34lbs, which is $552.16 before taxes. If I needed a tablet, I would go for something like this if I couldn't score an iPad.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), is an affordable tablet that gives you a pretty good battery life to enjoy eBooks, web browsing, enjoying shows, gaming through Luna, mobile games, and notable apps at $179.99. You can't use an active pen on these tablets, but Amazon needs to get with the program if they want to make the device even better. The Fire HD 10 Plus has a 9.73" X 6.53" screen and weighs in at 16.5oz.

Tech Help: Boost Your PC Speed + More

Support us below!

Save BIG on fun & trips!

2022 Wishmas Guide... for the Guys!

 

You don't think we would've forgotten about the guys do ya? We got you. There are quite a few guys that have said they're good on gifts, more than a few actually. They didn't exactly say they didn't want anything, some of them just said it in a way like... I wouldn't mind this or... it would be kinda cool if I had that. So don't take it as the guys in your life are Team Scrooge or something... no no no, just listen and capitalize.

There might even be some gifts that they didn't think they'd be interested in... just come from an angle that keeps their interests in mind, making the gift even more useful.

Let's start with hygiene

One that some of you may have been curious about, but never bit on is... Dr. Squatch. Dr. Squatch is a natural soap company with crazy commercials of guys showering (and sometimes bathing) outside to awesome spokesmanship, and there is still a number of curious people who would like to know how good the soap is for the guys in their lives... without a subscription. We have you covered!

A gift of a Dr. Squatch subscription certainly comes in handy, but... if you want to get a bar of soap or different types without subscribing to anything... you can grab the soap here.

To be honest, if you get the individual bars without the subscription, you actually save more (which would be great stocking stuffers that leave the guys in your life smelling fresh). Yes, you can get the soap on the main site without a subscription, but... there's a minimum order requirement for shipping and they cost a little more. This Wishmas guide isn't to break the bank, so... save where you can.

These are Dr. Squatch soap options that you can grab for less than $6 per bar:

Pine Tar
Wood Barrell Bourbon
Fresh Falls
Birchwood Breeze
Cedar Citrus

Nothing wrong with being fresh and clean know what I mean? You never want the guys in your lives to go around others smelling like... the Infamous Mr. Stinky. It can put a damper on the day... or night.

If you're eyeing this department regarding hygiene, you might as well bring it full circle. I'm not saying that you have to go off the deep end where they feel as if you're trying to send a message. Stocking stuffers will keep tension out of the air... so stick to the stocking unless you're going with a bundle, trust me. You don't want them opening gifts, and instead of a thank you, they want to know what exactly are you trying to say. But anyway... back to the circle. Don't forget about their dental health.

You might be wondering how can you possibly help them with that, but if you get them a Dr. Plotka's Mouth Watchers Toothbrush, they will thank you. Their dental game could be amazing right now, but if they're using a standard toothbrush, it's simply not the same. I've had the honor of reviewing one of these toothbrushes and it's the cleanest my grill has ever felt outside of the dentist's office. I still use this brand to this day, and you can even ask them how their teeth feel after the first brush. There are 2-packs + kids options as well.

If you're looking to gift fragrance this season, this could be a tad more complicated based on the guy. You may want to see what he has and re-up on the pleasant options. There are some heavier options where a little goes a long way, but if the guy bathes in the stuff (leaving other men, women, and younglings gasping for air, it might be a bit too much)... you may want to stick with a lighter fragrance. I prefer a lighter scent like a Cool Water, it's not a fruity-like scent but... but it's light like such scents can be. Even then I hit one wrist one or twice (based on intensity), share the love with the other wrist, and dab it all around from there.

I can't forget about tech

While a number of people will utilize their phones and even peripherals for their phones to take photos and video, there are some people with a passion for photography and videography. You may not have the budget to go to the top of your budget on one item, so consider some good options that help your wallet breathe.

The Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera w/ the 18-55mm Lens can certainly get the job done for hobbyists and professionals. Why not start off with gaming? Relax, we're saving the best for last, but... a number of people are looking for opportunities that don't consist of the traditional 9 to 5. So this could be a great gift for the guy with aspirations in this field. Pair it with a nice photo editing software, and consider gifting a photography course.

Another great gift... is a large mouse pad. Even if it's to replace another one that ran its course already. It goes across their desk (covering a nice area) and allows them to have room enough to shift their mouse, keyboard, etc. The more stationary items can chill on the bare desk, but the items that they shift and slide around... won't smear or potentially scratch the desk with a large mouse pad protecting it.

The Aukey XXL Gaming Mouse Pad/Mat is $8.99

I won't hate on consoles this holiday season, but... PC is the best route to go in my opinion. If they're more of a nomad or just constantly on the go for work, a gaming laptop would be a great gift. It's a gift that keeps on giving. There are many to choose from, just make sure the system specs are good: 

RAM between 8GB & 16GB

GPU between Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 to Core i7-4770K or AMD Radeon RX 470 to Radeon RX 580

CPU between Intel Core i5-3570 to Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X to Ryzen 7 1800X

DirectX Version 12

Try to avoid going below the minimum specs you see here.

The Lenovo Legion Slim 7i Gen 7 Intel (RTX 3050 Ti) has the following specs:

12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H (E-cores up to 3.5GHz, P-cores up to 4.7GHz)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6

16GB DDR5-4800MHz

512GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC

16" WQXGA (2560 X 1600) HDR400 | 165Hz (Low Blue Light)

3 Months of Xbox Game Pass

The available ports are:

HDMI 2.1

3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (1 x always on)

Headphone / mic combo

SD card reader

Intel Thunderbolt 4

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4, 135W power delivery)

This laptop also comes with 3 months of Xbox Game Pass (which again... not crapping on consoles), but they're getting access to PC games, multi-console releases (and even previous console exclusives), plus the benefits of PC. This particular system has a nice form, the power input is in the back along with HDMI, etc. The HDMI and power on the side aren't as aesthetically pleasing, so I appreciate the placement on this laptop.

The minimum specs also apply to desktop PCs, the same thing applies because the game specs don't change... they're just not going to be carrying around a desktop (if they do, get it on video).

Regardless of whether you get a desktop or a laptop, definitely add a game controller to the mix (duh of the day). If you'd like to gift a handheld game console... a Steam Deck is the way to go. They have access to PC games on the go, but for hobbyists, they can also play a variety of games that aren't even through the Steam store. Valve wants people to have fun and find creative ways to use their Steam Deck, so that's perfect for someone interested in STEM or simply wants to be a part of a game mod community. 

Overall, it's a handheld that keeps on giving... I believe it has more life than what the Nintendo Switch can deliver because the PC doesn't come out with the PC 2 or something like that (so no need to replace it because support is no longer there, you have access to Steam regardless). Make your budget work wonders, and I keep forgetting that you can connect the Steam Deck to the telly.

If you're researching smart watches, you may have come across the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro, in addition to the Apple Watch + the Galaxy Watch. This watch works on both the Android & iOS and delivers a lot of the features you expect like a heart rate monitor, GPS, 2-week battery life, and Water Resistance.

You also get the PAI Health Assessment System, along with stress level + sleep monitoring, and 60+ Sports Modes to access via the 1.69" display. If your heart is set to gift one of the more well-known brands, I can understand... but the quality isn't based on brands or price (hence some of the items in this Wishmas Guide). You can get the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro for less than $75, which... if someone isn't huge on smartwatches anyway, it's a safe investment that gives them useful features, and if they don't use every feature... there are still enough they'd likely use to keep the doc informed that would make it worth it.

If you have it like that... to buy the Apple Watch Ultra for $799, go for it, just... make an inventory of what he has versus what he doesn't have. You can gift the Apple Watch Series 8 for $349 and have $400 left for a Steam Deck or a number of other items. Play with the numbers, see what's what... and knock your gift out of the park (it's the thought that counts). 

The best advice I can give for this category is to seek what would be beneficial to the person, especially if they're up in age. If they like to go jogging and all that awesome athletic stuff... a watch like the Apple Watch Ultra has an 86 dB siren on it that Apple says can be heard up to 600 feet (or 180 meters away). That's not just a gift, that's another feature that can help you breathe a bit easier, and overall having the ability to make emergency calls with a smartwatch goes a long way. The Apple Watch Ultra also has crash detection + fall detection.

The battery life for the Apple Watch Ultra is 36 hours (on normal use) to 60 hours (low power setting). So there are certainly pluses you can get from these various watches, just aim for the perks that can help the recipient level up. It can even help with productivity if their phone is in their pocket and they can just check a caller ID via their watch, and control their phone from their watch seeing texts, to-do lists, etc.

I didn't forget the Galaxy Watch5 and its 5ATM IP68 waterproof body, sleep tracking, 410mAh, armor aluminum, etc. It's a nice option at $239.00, but keep some of the features in mind... just like with the Apple Watch, you can find some of the same features in the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro. The Amazfit Bip 3 Pro also has a 5ATM+IP68 waterproof body, meaning you can swim with the watch on without issues.

Overall, I hope this gift guide helps you in your mission to find some great gifts for the guys in your life. Stop, look, listen, and remember the things they may have mentioned. Take those hints and knock it out of the park. 

There are even a number of guys trying to get smaller means of transportation to get back and forth from work because doing the math, it beats... driving back and forth in some of the gas guzzlers out there. Not everyone wants to ride a bike to work, but there are bikes out there that can get them anywhere from 45 to 65 miles with battery power (i.e. long-range Lectric eBike). One of my neighbors has one of these actually, and he floats through the neighborhood. Again, not everyone wants a bike, but... you're paying a bit more in some cases if you decide to gift a gas-powered scooter. The electric scooters are cool, but... the miles aren't great for a number of them, so an eBike is a great alternative just in case they need to pedal. Happy gifting!

Support us below!