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Are Review Units Better Than Store Versions?
Anonymous Howard writes "Every now and then you hear about hardware manufacturers optimizing their hardware for certain tests or games to make their hardware look superior. I was surprised to hear of a new controversy brewing over reviewer units sent to hardware reviewers. This article claims that Samsung is sending LCD monitors with a contrast ratio of 700:1 when the consumer version of the same monitor has a contrast ratio of 450:1. Various sites list different specs for the same model, so it's somewhat confusing to know for sure which is correct. I don't doubt this happens, but I'm surprised that it would be this blatant. Has anyone heard of other stories of manufacturers being deceptive so that they could get better reviews?"
buy their stuff off the shelf to use in reviews. Otherwise companies will send the cherries to reviewers.
I worked for a couple of electronic manufacturers that had a standard operating policy to do this very thing.
Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
This is a crummy thing for the companies to do but it also makes you wonder about the reliability of reviewing companies. Like how he stated that designtechnica prided itself on reviewing retail products, but then never explained why they were using a review unit, and after noticing the discrepency did a lot of talking but still did not bother to pick up a shelf unit and test it, to see if it was true. Most of the hardware reviewers seem really flakey to me, more fan boys than reliable testing labs.
Unfair tweeking is part of the reason why Consumer Reports never accepts review units from companies, but rather buys them from retail stores, just like anyone else would. The other reason is that receiving free stuff creates a potential conflict of interest which is why they also do not have any advertizing in their magazine or their website. This means that you won't have reviews out before products are released, and operating this way is more expensive, relying on subscribers to run, but it is worth it. I don't always agree with CR's subjective descriptions of products (cars especially), but the hard numbers they provide are the most usefull I have found, and have saved me plenty of money.
I really wish that there was some site equally trustworthy in the computing world. For providing informative analysies there are usefull sites (I have always been impressed with anandtech). But for reviewing components, I have yet to find one I trust.
has the same model number as other retailers, but a lower price. If you look at the Bestbuy HW vs the other retailers, the best Buy HW actually is missing some 'components/functionality'.
Take a look real hard at that stereo reciever before you buy it....
You've never bought a digital SLR camera from New York -based website, have you?
Yes, great price, 15% to 30% below everyone else. Then once you order it, they call and mention that the camera doesn't have a warranty, that's extra. You know, the plastic lens mount is of lesser quality, you'd be much better of with model with the metal mounting ring. Of course the battery charger and battery is not included in that model.
Whoops, the price is now 25% above everyone else, and you have the standard package that everyone sells. Those other models you've upgraded from don't exist.
Of course, if you stick to your guns and insist on the advertised price, it's mysteriously never in stock or gets lost in the shipping system.
BTW, there are 3 or 4 genuine web shops in NY, check DPReview forums, etc to find them.