Where do you go for non-biased tech reviews and fanboy avoidance?

Neilc28

Neilc28

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So after using CNET, The Verge, Engadget and TechRadar I've come to the conclusion that everybody is a supposed IT Professional and by proxy some kind of fanatic who will do anything to defend the name of Apple or Samsung, and will quite happily spout endless crap to defend or dishonour their chosen item.

From condemning 32-Bit as useless tech in order to defend Apples move to 64, to quoting certification abbreviations as evidence that they apparently know what they are talking about in other subjects. It was funny at first but now is now tiring so was wondering what everyone else here uses to review or catch-up on tech news?

Here's 2 fine examples, which unfortunately did lead to me replying as it was infuriating to read, my weakness I guess!

cnet1.jpg



cnet2.jpg
 
I just frequent Bit-Tech.net forums. Such a wide range of knowledgeable people on there, it's very easy to work out who is worth listening to, and who is not.
 
Why are you mixing up the children who comment with the sites that review?

I'd say the two are very different. But hey if you prefer anti-apple comments then the Register is a pretty good place. Their journalistic elements can be more entertainment than informing though.

Like it or not, ultimately every is looking at what apple is doing next. Or isn't doing. Just the way it is.
 
dejongj said:
Like it or not, ultimately every is looking at what apple is doing next. Or isn't doing. Just the way it is.
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Not sure about that. They've definitely lost the lead in the mobile market and tablets if we purely look at technology. They've certainly lost momentum and the new iphone looks to be following other manufactures current offerings.

Laptop/desktop machines, they've always used the highest spec components, which you'd possibly struggle to find as nicely packaged in other offerings, but you do pay for that apple logo.
 
dejongj said:
Why are you mixing up the children who comment with the sites that review?

I'd say the two are very different. But hey if you prefer anti-apple comments then the Register is a pretty good place. Their journalistic elements can be more entertainment than informing though.

Like it or not, ultimately every is looking at what apple is doing next. Or isn't doing. Just the way it is.
Click to expand...

The review sites for the most-part are just the same, the editors/authors from The Verge and CNET come across with silly comments and miss out the most basic of things that someone might want to know about the device.

Why the "Like it or not" or the comment about "preferring anti-apple comments"? All tech is good for the consumer regardless of who makes it, the tech giants of the world today would not have the products they have if it wasn't for competition driving them forward :)
 
Byker28i said:
Laptop/desktop machines, they've always used the highest spec components, which you'd possibly struggle to find as nicely packaged in other offerings, but you do pay for that apple logo.
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Even that's not completely true. Whilst it's true that there are some good CPU options, the dependence on integrated graphics for all but the very top-end MacBook Pro means that it's trivial to buy an Alienware (for example) gaming laptop that obliterates any currently-available MacBook on performance. (I did a quick config just now: top end 15" MacBook Pro with discrete graphics: £2149, top end 14" Alienware: £1298. If you go bigger on the Alienware, more powerful options become available, such as dual graphics cards, which, if you want to use such on an OS X system, you have to buy a Mac Pro to get. I also don't think you can upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Pro. There's certainly no option on the website so to do). On the other hand, the MacBook Pro will almost certainly have a better screen, keyboard and touchpad (i.e. the things on the laptop that can have the biggest impacts on your enjoyment of the device).

And this is representative of the problem: it's hard to get objective information like this which is presented in a way that lets you make an informed decision.

The graphics thing is interesting. Right now it's not a problem; integrated graphics will be fine for many current-gen PC titles (for example, anything built on the Unreal 3, ID Tech 4/5, etc engines), but it's clear that as stuff gets ported to/from the Xbox One and PS4, with their unified memory models (Dead Rising 3 and Watch Dogs spring to mind), AAA games will become very hard on current PC systems, and once again the Mac will be a casual-gaming-only system. Won't matter to lots of people, and then The Sims 6 (or whatever) will come out, and millions of people who previously thought they were casual gamers will suddenly cry out in terror find their Macs a bit inadequate.
 
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What peter said. Apple have always had a fondness for poor gpu options. Even the pros highest option was an ati 57xx (off top of my head) that was several years old until the refresh.

But otherwise the hardware is mostly the same parts as everyone else uses, there's nothing special about them persay.
 
neil_g said:
What peter said. Apple have always had a fondness for poor gpu options. Even the pros highest option was an ati 57xx (off top of my head) that was several years old until the refresh.

But otherwise the hardware is mostly the same parts as everyone else uses, there's nothing special about them persay.
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I think that Apple's current trend for fixed RAM is going to prove deleterious to the famously strong residual values held by Apple kit.
 
pwhysall said:
I think that Apple's current trend for fixed RAM is going to prove deleterious to the famously strong residual values held by Apple kit.
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Definitely. It's a nightmare for businesses too (as well as pro users who like to get several years out of their kit) as no longer can you upgrade a tired machine for maybe £100 you have to buy a whole new box for £1500+
 
So this was about journalism and it immediately goes down in yet another ill informed "I can get it cheaper with s PC" type argument. Shame.
 
neil_g said:
Jesus. Only responding to some apple FUD.

Fwiw I own apple devices, I'm on one right now.

But yes, back to topic..
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My name is JP, not Jesus :p

Yes, on the topic....
 
Oh no it isn't. Apples and Pears it is. But let's stay on topic and not drag this down to these ill informed many times performed before comparisons as I suggested earlier.

I like toms hardware as well as another review source.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, will go and check those sites out, can't say I've been on Ars Technica before, certainly been on Tom's Hardware many years ago when looking at GPU Benchmarks! Seems so long ago...
 
dejongj said:
Oh no it isn't. Apples and Pears it is. But let's stay on topic and not drag this down to these ill informed many times performed before comparisons as I suggested earlier.
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Not so fast! Either point out what I said that was wrong, or don't. You're the one who dragged this off topic, by making an unsubstantiated accusation that my post was inaccurate.

I originally brought up my (completely factually accurate and checked on the web before writing) points as a way of illustrating how hard it is for a customer to arrive at an informed decision, because the decision is not that simple.
 
Naturally, of course.....

I do find it hard to find proper reviews regardless. I mean reviews where you belief they actually had the device for a review opposed to rewording a press article. Ultimately it is a personal decision I would think as a true like for like comparison can be hard since not all requirements are as key for other people.

For example whilst I have no interest in gaming, graphic importance and OpenGL to be exact is very important to me due to some applications. As is the overall feel of the operating system. Pumping data around, spinning up virtual machines are very important to me, hence memory and disk I/O are important. Network isn't again.

Reviews are great to get an idea and and someone else's opinion, but in my opinion can never be solid perfect buying advice.
 
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