[vc_row disable_element=”yes” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-top%22%3A%222px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f10303%22%7D%7D”]Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen) Review Summary[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner columns_type=”1″ css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22background-color%22%3A%22%23e8e8e8%22%7D%7D”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_iconbox icon=”fas|plus-circle” color=”custom” icon_color=”#333333″ circle_color=”#333333″ size=”28px” iconpos=”left” title=”Pros” title_size=”26px” title_tag=”p” alignment=”left” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D”][/us_iconbox][vc_column_text]+ Great price when on offer
+ Compact size
+ Solid build quality
+ Excellent microphone response
+ Light ring bright and easy to see
+ Audio 3.5mm output[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_iconbox icon=”fas|minus-circle” color=”custom” icon_color=”#333333″ circle_color=”#333333″ size=”28px” iconpos=”left” title=”Cons” title_size=”26px” title_tag=”p” alignment=”left” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22margin-left%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-right-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-left-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D”][/us_iconbox][vc_column_text]- Music playback quality average
– Lack of bass and sound depth
– Sometimes needs to be asked twice[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”” columns_type=”1″ css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-top%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-top-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%22-10px%22%2C%22background-color%22%3A%22%23e8e8e8%22%7D%7D”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Our Verdict” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:22|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%225px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%225px%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2222%22%7D%7D”][vc_column_text]Echo Dot 2nd Gen is an incredible piece of technology which offers great value for money. Best suited for background music or those looking to add voice control to their smart lights or heating.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Rating” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22margin-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22border-bottom-width%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%225px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2210px%22%2C%22font-size%22%3A%2220%22%7D%7D”][vc_raw_html]JTNDcCUzRSUwQSUzQ2RpdiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyc2Fzd3AtcnZ3LXN0ciUyMiUzRSUwQSUzQ3NwYW4lMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMnN0ci1pYyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNwYW4lM0UlMEElM0NzcGFuJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJzdHItaWMlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzcGFuJTNFJTBBJTNDc3BhbiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyc3RyLWljJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc3BhbiUzRSUwQSUzQ3NwYW4lMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMnN0ci1pYyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNwYW4lM0UlMEElM0NzcGFuJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJoYWxmLXN0ciUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNwYW4lM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZwJTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator size=”small”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-top%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Inspection and general cleaning
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]When the computer arrives or is collected the very first job is to inspect and clean. This firstly involves dismantling the case allowing access to the internals. Using compressed air the entire computer is blown free of any dust which may have accumulated after several years use. You can see in the images below that there was a minor amount of dust build up in the example below, some are much worse![/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8415″ size=”full”][us_image image=”8410″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Processor cooling fan before and after cleaning.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]We clean out the insides in their entirety, not just fans and heat-sinks but all areas are covered. The external surfaces are not neglected, these get cleaned with environmentally friendly products to remove any stains and in-ground dirt. We leave no stone unturned and aim to return your computer looking like new![/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8414″ size=”full”][us_image image=”8409″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Inside desktop computer before and after cleaning.
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Backup existing data before transfer
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Before any data transfer takes place we always backup the existing computer, this means documents, photographs, music and more. This is insurance just in case there are any problems during the transfer process – there rarely are but we don’t take any chances.
After the backup we begin the transfer process from the old mechanical disk to the new solid state disk. This takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the mechanical disks speed.[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8418″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Mechanical hard disk drive resting on computer chassis.
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Installing the new SSD
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Once the data transfer is complete it is time to swap the disks over. This means removing the old mechanical disk and installing the new SSD along with custom bracket.
The custom bracket allows the new SSD to be mounted in the same fixings as the mechanical disk. Keeps everything looking factory fit and causes no compatibility issues.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][us_image image=”8388″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
New Samsung SSD installed in custom bracket.
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_column_text]We only use Samsung SSD’s, they are known to be best in the business, best warranties and fastest in actual use. Find out more about the benefits of solid state disk drives on our upgrades page here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator show_line=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22padding-top%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%220px%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%220px%22%7D%7D”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Upgrading to Windows 10
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Once the data has been transferred and the new SSD installed we are ready for the Windows 10 upgrade. This process is usually quite straightforward – sometimes the odd computer will keep us on our toes but that’s how we like it!
The upgrade process will take anything from 1-2 hours depending on the computers performance. We only recommend Windows 10 upgrades on suitable computers, if they are too old or too slow then we will advise against it.[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8411″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Original Windows 8 sticker on computer case.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Once the initial upgrade process is finished we check the Windows file structure to ensure all is OK. Then we move onto the updating process detailed in the next section below.[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8416″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Inside the computer – main board and processor.
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Updating Windows 10
[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Once the Windows 10 upgrade is finished there are still a few more steps left. Firstly we will download and install all remaining Windows 10 updates to ensure the computer is running smoothly. We download and install any available hardware driver updates.
It isn’t totally necessary but we will also run some stress tests after the upgrade to ensure the system is 100% stable. Installed software is then tested to confirm compatibility with Windows 10.
Once all these tasks are completed and we are totally satisfied the computer will be signed off, ready for use again.[/vc_column_text][us_separator size=”small”][us_image image=”8412″ size=”full”][vc_column_text]
Front of upgraded computer case.
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More Information
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you have any questions about this article then please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we are always happy to help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator size=”small” show_line=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
