AMD being smart about who gets a review sample

[Azix]

I'd noticed this site was just a bit biased against AMD in their articles but this was interesting. What do you guys think?I see no problem with being smart about who review samples are sent to. If a site is seen to be biased negatively against AMD, why should they bother sending out a sample? It's not a right these sites have

http://www.kitguru.net/site-news/an...ple-over-negative-content/#comment-2087841667

On the 11th June AMD informed us via email that the upcoming FIJI hardware was reserved for KitGuru, as would normally be the case. We subsequently set a plan in motion to analyse the hardware for launch and were awaiting the arrival of the sample. Earlier this week I had a call from Christine Brown, Senior Manager, EMEA Communications at AMD to let me know that the company had withdrawn their sample from KitGuru labs and that we would now not be involved at all in the launch next week.

Christine Browne informed me directly on the phone that the reason for withdrawing the sample was based on ‘KitGuru’s negative stance towards AMD’. She said that with limited product they wanted to focus on giving the samples to publications that are ‘more positive’ about AMD as a brand, and company. I was not informed during this call of anything we have published that was factually incorrect, we were also not told to edit or remove any content we had published. Based on what AMD had seen via KitGuru editorial in recent weeks it was felt that overall coverage was just too negative.

For example, they did an article recently about the quantum PC. This is what they said in the end.

http://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/g...ems-are-based-on-intel-core-i7-devils-canyon/

KitGuru Says: AMD’s project Quantum system look rather exotic, remarkable and its concept of liquid cooling seems like a good solution for enthusiasts. However, there is a computer with serious performance and rather extreme thermal design power, but which looks even more stylish and which is probably easier to build. It is called Apple Mac Pro (it features a multi-core Intel Xeon CPU with 95W TDP as well as two AMD FirePro graphics cards with “Tahiti XT” GPUs that have serious power draw too) and it has been available for well over a year now. Perhaps, makers of gaming PCs could adopt a similar concept? Of course, custom components are expensive and the Mac Pro is virtually unupgradeable. Nevertheless, it looks very well and is probably a tad more reliable since it lacks liquid cooling.

That was just silly to say imo. Do they not look even a little biased? They did similar in the past where they had an article about AMDs future GPUs next year and another about nvidias. Similar articles, but in the AMD one they mentioned nvidia doing similar and in the nvidia one they simply praised it. Little things like that and you end up looking bad.

 

[bystander36]

I'm not sure I like the idea that only those who are "more positive" are going to review the card. I'd like to see the negatives of a product as well. If it is a good product, it shouldn't have much to scrutinize. This seems like they are trying to hide something.

 

[YBS1]

I can completely agree with not sending review samples to someone who has a history of trashing your products unjustly, however I'm not sure that was the case here. Beyond that, I'm not sure AMD is in any market position to be selective currently. This can only hurt them.

 

[96Firebird]

Bad move, will probably backfire.

 

[Azix]

That was the impression a lot of people have. To me it makes sense. If you knew a particular news outlet is highly likely to be unfair towards your product and paint it in a more negative way than they would if your competition introduced the exact same product, would you really be willing to pay for them to get that product?

All these sites get their handouts, but sometimes they'll just have to source the hardware from elsewhere.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Bad move, will probably backfire.

Yep. AMD is busy burning bridges.

 

[cbrunny]

What difference does it make? KitGuru will be first in line to buy it and then they'll write their own review. To assume they won't just doesn't make sense.

Might not be the best move on AMDs behalf if only because you're going to make angry someone who already doesn't like you and has a public voice direct to their customer base.

 

[exar333]

Yep. AMD is busy burning bridges.

Agree.

They should focus on winning more support rather than writing folks off. This will just make them even more negative against AMD.

I would support this in very special cases where a certain site either breaks NDA or other written agreement. Theoretically, I don't like troll sites either, but it is a slippery slope in identifying those who may have had harsh criticism (OK) vs. obvious trolls (bad). There is a lot of gray area there...

 

[R0H1T]

What difference does it make? KitGuru will be first in line to buy it and then they'll write their own review. To assume they won't just doesn't make sense.

Might not be the best move on AMDs behalf if only because you're going to make angry someone who already doesn't like you and has a public voice direct to their customer base.

Might be a blessing in disguise, if Kitguru does a more apt/prefessional/unbiased review of their Fury line then you can betcha they'll get more samples in the future. If not then there's a ton of sites out there that do the same even with AMD sending them free samples, like PCper or LTT, as if they're on the competitor's payroll.

 

[NesuD]

That was a pretty stupid comparison for Kitguru to make. It was an Apple to oranges comparison. You only make that comparison if you are intentionally trying to go negative on AMD. I would have done exactly what AMD did. If you don't want to give AMD a fair shake than you don't deserve to be invited to the party.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Might be a blessing in disguise, if Kitguru does a more apt/prefessional/unbiased review of their Fury line then you can betcha they'll get more samples in the future. If not then there's a ton of sites out there that do the same even with AMD sending them free samples, like PCper or LTT, as if they're on the competitor's payroll.

2 ways this can turn out. And none of them are good.

Being a minority company the first option is the most likely. And that is they are burning bridges and just gonna lose big time.

The second alternative option is it goes like with games. You will see positive reviews of bad games. Because the reviewers fear they may not get the next games for free.

Nomatter how you twist and turn it, with or without overly dedication to a company. It can only end badly for the endusers. Either by company isolation or reviews we cant use for anything.

 

[Despoiler]

I'm not sure I like the idea that only those who are "more positive" are going to review the card. I'd like to see the negatives of a product as well. If it is a good product, it shouldn't have much to scrutinize. This seems like they are trying to hide something.

If you are giving out samples then influence is a factor. Review sites are not guaranteed anything from any hardware manufacturer. If they don't want AMD or Nvidia pulling their gear because of their reporting they have to option to go out and buy the gear themselves. Consumer Reports buys 100% of the items they test so there is no actual or perceived taint of bias/influence. That's the way rigorous science needs to be done. All of the computer hardware review sites out there can have their integrity challenged for this reason.

Kitguru are a bunch of hacks anyways. The video they put out (below) was atrocious. I am positive it was the last straw for AMD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFWgc8qjQwk

 

[LTC8K6]

KitGuru should not review any more AMD products.

Anyone that AMD accuses of being biased should stop reviewing AMD products.

That will mean less exposure for AMD products, and that is the only appropriate way to respond, imo.

 

[happy medium]

If the box is not good say its not good and give your reason why.

I like that. Its better than having a bunch of sites say "I'm going to give it gold award" even though it sucks.

 

[LTC8K6]

I'm not sure I like the idea that only those who are "more positive" are going to review the card. I'd like to see the negatives of a product as well. If it is a good product, it shouldn't have much to scrutinize. This seems like they are trying to hide something.

It's far better to let them do their negative review, and then have the product in reality be very good.

Negative reviewer looks foolish, AMD looks good.

AMD is assuming that Fury consumers won't be able to spot these reviews for what they really are, when in fact, they will.

 

[Abwx]

Bad move, will probably backfire.

This move from AMD is already a backfire, how could this backfire.?.

You think that depriving shill sites from gear will backfire.?.

The only result will be what happened to Xbitlabs, get into oblivion for lack of neutrality capability, btw didnt this site promoter, Anton Shilov, find some, not so safe harbour retrospectively, at Kitguru..?..

 

[LTC8K6]

I really can't see any problem with KitGuru's comments on the Quantum system.

If that's why AMD denied them a Fury sample, it was childish.

 

[LTC8K6]

You miss the chance of impressing a reviewer that previously didn't like your products.

Fury might actually be that impressive.

 

[Azix]

It's far better to let them do their negative review, and then have the product in reality be very good.

Negative reviewer looks foolish, AMD looks good.

AMD is assuming that Fury consumers won't be able to spot these reviews for what they really are, when in fact, they will.

Hope you aren't serious. No, they won't be able to stop it. All that will happen is every nvidia fanboy will be linking to the review to spread whatever meaningless negative comment was said. We all know amd has some bad PR already and it's been hard to shake. The 290 cards are still seen as the reference models and it already looks like these new 390 cards are seen better because they were introduced without reference coolers mostly.

The first reviews and comments stick for a long time. Getting off on the right leg is just the way to go.

eg. 970 cards again. Great reviews so that even after the controversy they were still going good. Nobody is going to search for 3.5GB when looking for GPUs. They will type 970 reviews and end up on those great reviews, not knowing any better.

 

[Abwx]

KitGuru should not review any more AMD products.

Anyone that AMD accuses of being biased should stop reviewing AMD products.

That will mean less exposure for AMD products, and that is the only appropriate way to respond, imo.

They can go at Amazon and order the gear, why are they whining that they dont get free gear delivered...?..

Is there any legal obligation for AMD to feed sites that trash them regularly, or any site for any matter..?.

 

[Atreidin]

I trust reviews the most when they get their own retail sample that for sure isn't cherry-picked by the manufacturer, so I don't care who AMD sends free samples to.

 

[sm625]

I wonder if techpowerup will get anything, since they are the ones that consistently put out those nice perf/watt charts. I bet AMD favors the sites that put out fps/dollar charts. Too bad there arent many of those...

 

[Azix]

I can just as easily say they probably don't and be every bit as right as you. The fact remains that when Nvidia does something "off" or "wrong" they get absolutely hammered for it around here. The same does not happen for AMD, just as you proved with your comment round-about defending AMD.

You would not be. Its far more like that they do than that they don't. If you are willing to claim nvidia sends out samples to every single site out there that might review a card then go ahead. If you agree that they don't then there must be some method they use to decide which ones not to send to.

You are wrong... basically. Cry.

nvidia does something "wrong" in the sense that its morally wrong or unfair or something. Being bashed for those things is fine.

 

[happy medium]

I trust reviews the most when they get their own retail sample that for sure isn't cherry-picked by the manufacturer, so I don't care who AMD sends free samples to.

Well said.:thumbsup:

 

[IEC]

It's far better to let them do their negative review, and then have the product in reality be very good.

Negative reviewer looks foolish, AMD looks good.

AMD is assuming that Fury consumers won't be able to spot these reviews for what they really are, when in fact, they will.

Pretty sure 290/X reference left a bad taste in AMD's mouth...

It's not Hollywood, where any press is good press.