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?"

Well

[RedWolves2]

Review units are free and Store units are...well...not free. That would sway my opinion.

Yeah, in my review version of the Ep IV DVD

[Hairy_Potter]

Han shoots first. I think it's different in the retail version.

FARK : OBVIOUS

[Anonymous Coward]

I heard Mandrake only sent copies of 9.2 to reviewers who didn't have LG CDROMS.

Ah, the Sad Effect of Technology

[slagdogg]

What ever happened to the ancient art of bribing the reviewer?

Yes!

[TheLevelHeadedOne]

Has anyone heard of other stories of manufacturers being deceptive so that they could get better reviews?

Yes. Thank you for asking.

Re:Ah, the Sad Effect of Technology

[radd0]

I believe that's referred to as "advertising" in said publication.

-r

Scandalous!

[Daniel Rutter]

I am shocked, horrified, and revolted beyond human comprehension.

But only by the fact that Samsung have never sent me [dansdata.com] any such thing.

Dammit, I got into this business for the corruption. But do I get over-spec high-dollar hardware, automobiles or prostitutes? No, I do not. It's a bloody swindle, I tell you.

Look, Samsung. 20 inch diagonal, 1600 by 1200, 700:1 contrast ratio, 16ms response time. Is that too much to ask?

Delivery address provided on application. Favourable review [dansdata.com] guaranteed.

Re:If it looks like a duck...

[cgranade]

Gezunteit.

No?

[Anonymous Coward]

BZZZT! Sorry, YOU FAIL IT!

The canonical slashdot response to such a query is properly phrased, in its entirity as:

"No."

Your inclusion of thirty seven extraneous characters, an 1850% overrun, has led the slashdot troll judging staff to come to tne unescapable conclusion that YOU FAIL IT!

Damn lie!

[gunix]

Don't you remember the Win98 demo by Bill Gates, when it crashed? ;-) They didn't use any speciall things then! Oh.. sorry, they used their best OS at that time...

Re:Scandalous!

[Wumpus]

But do I get over-spec high-dollar hardware, automobiles or prostitutes

I'd really like to know what's an over-spec prostitute. I think I can figure out what's a high-dollar one.

Re:Yeah, in my review version of the Ep IV DVD

[Anonymous Coward]

>>I have a version where Guido, a professional bounty hunter

Guido? :-)

Guido the Bounty Hunter: Senor Solo, Jabba wants heez money, por favor.

Han: Jabba can have his money after you finish mowing my lawn.

Re:Scandalous!

[Lazlo Nibble]

I'd really like to know what's an over-spec prostitute.

Well, you know how sometimes you'll get one with a little extra equipment "down there" . . .

Chances of Samsung Admitting to this Practice:

[bcolflesh]

700:1

Re:Scandalous!

[Wumpus]

See, this is why we should all use Lisp:

(but (question-do I (get (or (is hardware (and over-spec high-dollar)) automobiles prostitutes))))

See how clear everything is now?

Re:Well

[Anonymous Coward]

Damn. My boss posts on /.

Windows XP...

[ErnstKompressor]

I recieved a review copy of XP, but when I opened the fedex package, there was an unopened Mac OS X box with a piece of masking tape next to the "X" with "P" written on it with black sharpie pen...

Needless to say, I now love Windows :)

Re:Nawwww

[tomhudson]

You wrote:

Screeners are not for reviewers.

So I shouldn't feel to bad looking at them, since I'm not a reviewer :-)