Author: Mike Flacy

    Editor-in-Chief for The CheckOut. During my free time, I love to write about pop culture, home theater, digital photography, social media, mobile technology and cool gadgets!

    If you are interested in having The CheckOut crew review one of your products, send me an email to reviews at bensbargains dot net. (Of course, replace at for @ and dot for .)


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    Check out my most recent posts:

  • new_matter-3d-printer
    Shut Up and Take My Money: New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer

    Blasting through a funding goal of $375,000 as of today, a company called New Matter will be building an end-to-end 3D printer for consumers that will allow people to share designs with others. While 3D printers are definitely...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 0
  • SurfacePro3Primary_Web
    When will the price drop on the Microsoft Surface Pro 3?

    Recently announced last week and arriving in the hands of consumers on June 20, 2014, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is already garnering positive reviews. Receiving accolades for a vibrant, high resolution 12-inch screen as well as solid...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 11
  • Amazon box
    Is Amazon Prime Worth $99 A Year?

    I’ve been an Amazon Prime subscriber for a few years now. I was an early adopter, long before the retail giant started adding perks like free access to select Amazon Instant Video content or a free Kindle...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 16
  • What are the best Memorial Day Sales this year?

    With Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching, retailers have started rolling out a rash of early sales turning the last half of May into an extended Memorial themed sale holiday. In years past, Memorial Day has traditionally served up...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 2
  • amazon-coins
    What are Amazon Coins? Ben’s Guide to Racking up the Coinage

    If you aren’t familiar with the virtual currency, Amazon launched Amazon Coins approximately one year ago to encourage Kindle Fire users to purchase more applications, games and purchases within the apps. Basically, you can purchase the coins...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 1
  • So Many Ports! IOGEAR USB 3.0 Docking Station Review

    Designed for the mobile user in mind, IOGEAR has revised the much older USB 2.0 docking station to include faster USB ports as well as DVI and HDMI ports for advanced high definition displays. Sporting 6 USB...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 2
  • yoda
    Enter our May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Giveaway!

    In celebration of Star Wars Day (May 4th), we’ve decided to give away a Star Wars prize pack (pictured below)! The prize pack includes: The hardcover edition of Star Wars Frames: LINK ($95) A talking Chewbacca Plush Ball...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 112
  • memorial-day-sales
    Waste Not, Want Not: The Best Deals to Buy in May

    While Spring has been around for over a month at this point, temperatures have finally started to get more tolerable across the country. As you emerge from your winter hibernation, retailers are excited to get you into...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 0
  • Harry Potter Hogwarts school of wizardy
    30 Amazing Travel Posters for Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Star Wars

    Created by Bristol-based illustrator Ali Xenos, this collection of thirty travel posters combines the retro, art deco design style of the 1960’s with popular fantasy locations from books and movies. Travel destinations depicted within the set include...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 0
  • still-of-ray-liotta-in-field-of-dreams-(1989)-large-picture
    Top Five Best / Top Five Worst Baseball Movies

    If you are gearing up for the start of the new baseball season, what better way to get into the mood than watching some of the greatest baseball films of all time. Of course, we’ve also rounded...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 1
  • Half-Life-2: Rise and Shine Mr. Freeman
    9 Amazing Children’s Book Covers Inspired by Video Games

    Developed by the creative genius of illustrator Joey Spiotto, this collection combines the classic 1980’s design of children’s books with popular video games of today. Video game franchises represented within this collection include Super Mario Brothers, The Legend...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 1
  • samsung-galaxy-s5
    Want the Samsung Galaxy S5? Wait two months; you could save up to 40%

    With the official U.S. launch of the Samsung S5 upon us, fans of the S4 and previous generations of smartphones are considering an upgrade this week. While some reviewers have pegged the S5 as an incremental upgrade...

    • Posted 12 years ago
    • 1