Am I the only one annoyed by this?

[linkgoron]

I thought we got to a point where GPU makers would stop paper launching...

So after reports that ATi delay their launch to September, ATi say they aren't, the launch is still at the 23rd of August, but the cards would be around at stores at around mid-september. WTF. Am I the only one that's annoyed? Call it a preview I don't know, but don't just lie and say that they're "launched". Maybe I'm the only that's upset, but this really annoys me.

Article:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3826

 

[Lonyo]

Well, it might be they will release some to the big system builders like Dell etc before hand, and only allow shop retail mid September.
Or it might be that they will not appear anywhere until mid Sept.

But it's a bit of a pointless product anyway, unless R600/G80 are delayed until January or something.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Ati has been paper launching since the creation of paper. I just got acustomed to it

 

[JBT]

Personally Id rather only have to wait till 8/23 to find out the performance of something rather than mid September. The sooner I get hard and official numbers the better IMO. I don't care if its available at that time. In fact it lets me know if I should hold out on something or not.

 

[thilanliyan]

At least if they have retail availability when they say they will and within a reasonable amount of time from the actual launch...doesn't bother me too much.

It's when they launch a product and have no ETA for retail that it becomes a full blown paper launch and THAT sucks.

 

[Ackmed]

Uh, they didnt paper launch the X1950XTX. A paper launc is, setting a date, having reviews out on that date, and no cards available. Setting a relesae date back a few weeks, is not even close to that.

Guess you missed where NV has had more launch problems that ATi as of late. Funny how that works.

 

[Nightmare225]

Kinda confused by previous post ^

Anyway, bye, bye X1950XTX, hello 7950GX2 (im done waiting)

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Uh, they didnt paper launch the X1950XTX. A paper launc is, setting a date, having reviews out on that date, and no cards available. Setting a relesae date back a few weeks, is not even close to that.

Guess you missed where NV has had more launch problems that ATi as of late. Funny how that works.

We will anounce on the 23rd and press embargo will be lifted. We will state that broad availability (retail on-shelf) will be mid-Sept

isnt that the definition of a paper launch?

nice job trying to start a flamewar with the shot at nvidia :thumbsup:

 

[linkgoron]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Uh, they didnt paper launch the X1950XTX. A paper launc is, setting a date, having reviews out on that date, and no cards available. Setting a relesae date back a few weeks, is not even close to that.

huh? WTF are you talking about?

Guess you missed where NV has had more launch problems that ATi as of late. Funny how that works.

It's a disgrace too, and I'm still pissed about the 7800GTX 512 cards (I haven't been following closely like I used too), but did you even read the article?

 

[apoppin]

only nVidia fans are annoyed

do you really want one?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: apoppin
only nVidia fans are annoyed

do you really want one?

:laugh:

So true, it's just like Rollo in the old days

Nightmare in particular has been popping up in every thread on the 1950 to tell anyone how he's soooo disappointed about Ati & is about to order a GX2, just do it already you prat

 

[postmortemIA]

I'm annoyed that they are still making cards

 

[Ackmed]

Im talking about, they havent paper launched anything. At least not yet. All of this information we have, is not direct, its rumor as of now. We're getting it second hand, or worse.

And I dont see whats the problem with paper launches. Ive said many times in the past, I like them. Lets take a look at three different hypothetical scenarios;

1. You can get reviews of a video card on August 23rd, with cards available in mass quanity on Sept 15th, at or around MSRP.
2. You can get reviews of a video card on August 23rd, with a trickle of cards available well over MSRP because they are in short supply on August 23rd.
3. You can get reviews of a video card on Sept 15th, with cards available in mass quanity on the same day, at or around MSRP.


The choice for me is, #1. I get the info I need to make a decision, and have time to plan ahead. Sell my card, save cash, etc. The sooner I have the information, the better it is to me. Too many times, #2 has been the option, and thats my least favorite. Its happend to NV the past few launches, and ATi in the past. Screw that price gouging route. I do not pay over MSRP for a card, they can keep it with those markups.

If ATi was to keep this rumored launch date of August 23rd, and didnt have the cards available for a widely available launch, and prices were gouged, you'd be complaining about that too. So which way to you want it? Make up your mind, and stick to it. Its a no win with some of you.

 

[akugami]

Well...in ATI's defense, they said the NDA will be lifted on August 23 and that roughly mid September (one would assume 12-18) is when you'll see them on retail shelves. So unless the retail availability is later than mid September it won't be a paper launch.

It's not like they're officially announcing this thing two months in advance of availability. Most of the launch dates we've seen are from speculation and 3rd parties such as retailers and ATI's GPU partners and not from the horse's mouth so to speak.

I don't keep up with every single rumor but from what I've read, this is the first time I've read anything where it said that ATI specifically stated when the launch date was going to be.

Basically quoting myself but I'd say the same if it was nVidia. I mean seriously, most of the stuff we have been hearing about the X1950 has been rumors and not from ATI. Granted it'll be roughly a month before it officially will be available for purchase. From what ATI has said, they expect the cards to be in stores by mid Sept, not shipping at mid Sept. That means you should receive be able to get cards by mid-Sept given the 1-3 day shipping of most online places. And finally, assuming they have decent availability, was this any worse than nVidia announcing cards (I believe it was the 7600) where it was only available in Asia and wasn't available in Europe and N.America for another month and change? Is it any worse than the 1 day per week availability in the first 6 weeks of the 7900 launch? I'm sure ATI could release this card this week and do the 1 day per week availability thing. I'm actually glad they're stockpiling enough some cards first before launching instead of watching all the retailers price gouge the early birds who MUST have each new card.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: linkgoron Maybe I'm the only that's upset, but this really annoys me.

yea, i think you are.. personally i have more important things to get upset over

 

[imported_Crusader]

Originally posted by: apoppin
only nVidia fans are annoyed

do you really want one?

Only NV fans are annoyed? Wow. How biased and unfair (and untrue) is that statement.

Do you even want one?
Mr. Days of Yore X850?

Unlike you, supreme fanboy that doenst actually BUY anything.. I am interested in this card since I'm uninterested in DX10 hardware till the major DX10 engines are out.

 

[Drayvn]

Well this doesnt look like a paper launch to me, if they state that availability of the cards will be mid sept and they keep their word, then its not a paper launch.

I thought paper launch meant that the company has confirmed something for such and such a date, and doesnt actually get released until a month later then thats a paper launch.

If they do launch on the date they state how can that be a paper launch? And if this statement is true, they have just given you the hard cold facts, they will be releasing the NDA sooner than making available the cards? Where was it that that meant it was a paper launch, again as i said before, its only a paper launch if the company doesnt keep to their word on their statements that they publicly announce.

 

[imported_Crusader]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: linkgoron Maybe I'm the only that's upset, but this really annoys me.

yea, i think you are.. personally i have more important things to get upset over

Yeah most people do.

But this is a video card forum, and its more appropriate to be concerned with this, than to be unconcerned.
If you arent into video cards, and would rather downplay this for brand loyalty/political reasons, then it probably isnt the place for you.

Paper launches are not good. The man is right. Shame on ATI if they do it again.

 

[redbox]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Im talking about, they havent paper launched anything. At least not yet. All of this information we have, is not direct, its rumor as of now. We're getting it second hand, or worse.

quoted from the dailytech article
The email sent out from ATI is as follows:

Please Note: ATI has pulled the Launch Date for the Radeon 1950 Series back to Aug 23rd, as originally scheduled. We will anounce on the 23rd and press embargo will be lifted. We will state that broad availability (retail on-shelf) will be mid-Sept. Apologies for any confusion, thank you-

Guess you missed the part that says Email sent out from ATI. I would consider that to be pretty direct. Paper launch = not having part in retail channel when launched. This will be a paper launch anyway you slice it. Why even talk about a card if you can't sell it? The performance info is nice to have yes, but so is price and you can't have that if the card isn't selling in retail channels.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: Drayvn
Well this doesnt look like a paper launch to me, if they state that availability of the cards will be mid sept and they keep their word, then its not a paper launch.

I thought paper launch meant that the company has confirmed something for such and such a date, and doesnt actually get released until a month later then thats a paper launch.

If they do launch on the date they state how can that be a paper launch? And if this statement is true, they have just given you the hard cold facts, they will be releasing the NDA sooner than making available the cards? Where was it that that meant it was a paper launch, again as i said before, its only a paper launch if the company doesnt keep to their word on their statements that they publicly announce.

One definition of a paper launch is that you announce something, the date of release passes and there are still no cards. The other is that you announce a product so far in the future that it won't be available for quite a while. Using the second definition, nVidia has criticised ATI of this even though nVidia itself has paper launched products after criticising ATI of such, again using the second definition.

The reason so many are decrying this as a paper launch by ATI is because they are actually trying to stick with a launch and have decent availability. Even if the actual availability date is 3-4 weeks in advance. These are the same guys who excused similar behavior from the company they are brown nosing. And these are the same guys who lauded nVidia for launching a product very early, even though said product was available only one day out of the week for the first 6 weeks.

Personally, I think a one day per week availability is worse than announcing a product that will be released in three weeks and have decent availability. But that's just me. I also actually like a two week prior announcement because I am not tied to the internet. I have work as well as a GF (which I'm lucky enough to be going out with for about a year now). This gives me time to assess whether the card is right for me.

BTW: I think there are a lot of double standards going around as far as criticism goes for paper launches and product launches in general.

 

[n7]

WTF are you guys whining about? :roll:

ATi is basically allowing a performance preview a couple weeks early.

Same as Intel did with Core 2 Duo, except that Intel still barely has any 4 MB CPUs available.

This isn't a paper launch, it's a preview.

I too prefer a preview rather than having to wait till the release date to find out performance, or having to rely on rumored benches that would normally leak w/o an official preview like this.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: apoppin
only nVidia fans are annoyed

do you really want one?

:laugh:

So true, it's just like Rollo in the old days

Nightmare in particular has been popping up in every thread on the 1950 to tell anyone how he's soooo disappointed about Ati & is about to order a GX2, just do it already you prat

NO one - who even wants one - is annoyed. . . not a SINGLE ATi fan or anyone who is considering BUYING these cards is the slightest BIT annoyed - disappointed, maybe.

it's just the nVidiots who are making a big deal of it.

So what.

if you are SERIOUS about buying one, then - maybe - just maybe, you have a "right" to complain.

OTOH if you have ZERO intererest in actually BUYING one, you might as well STFU. . . . you are just looking for another opportunity to put down ati and extoll your marvelous company that NEVER paperlaunches ANYthing.
:thumbsdown:

we know where you are coming from
and it doesn't work . . . only Rollo could 'pull this one off' . . . you guys lack his 'skills'

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: schneiderguy

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Uh, they didnt paper launch the X1950XTX. A paper launc is, setting a date, having reviews out on that date, and no cards available. Setting a relesae date back a few weeks, is not even close to that.

Guess you missed where NV has had more launch problems that ATi as of late. Funny how that works.

We will anounce on the 23rd and press embargo will be lifted. We will state that broad availability (retail on-shelf) will be mid-Sept

isnt that the definition of a paper launch?

nice job trying to start a flamewar with the shot at nvidia :thumbsup:

QFT.

Maybe when AMD cans ATI's marketing, this kind of thing will stop......maybe.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Wreckage

Originally posted by: schneiderguy

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Uh, they didnt paper launch the X1950XTX. A paper launc is, setting a date, having reviews out on that date, and no cards available. Setting a relesae date back a few weeks, is not even close to that.

Guess you missed where NV has had more launch problems that ATi as of late. Funny how that works.

We will anounce on the 23rd and press embargo will be lifted. We will state that broad availability (retail on-shelf) will be mid-Sept

isnt that the definition of a paper launch?

nice job trying to start a flamewar with the shot at nvidia :thumbsup:

QFT.

Maybe when AMD cans ATI's marketing, this kind of thing will stop......maybe.

i doubt it

AMD/intel/nVidia all PL

if your definition of ATi's x1950xt launch is as a PL

and WHY do you care? . . . are you anxiously really looking forward to buying one in August?
:Q

so far, i haven't seen anyone who is considering one - complaining

i guess they UNDERSTAND what ATI is doing.

:roll:

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: linkgoron
I thought we got to a point where GPU makers would stop paper launching...

So after reports that ATi delay their launch to September, ATi say they aren't, the launch is still at the 23rd of August, but the cards would be around at stores at around mid-september. WTF. Am I the only one that's annoyed? Call it a preview I don't know, but don't just lie and say that they're "launched". Maybe I'm the only that's upset, but this really annoys me.

Article:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3826

if you know the cards aren't going to be around until mid-september, then you know the launch date...you only have a right to be pissed if there are no cards available by mid september, otherwise its just you being an idiot.