Even a creature from outer space should know you can't buy a good review on HEXUS

[YorkieBen]

Im surprised they wrote that stuff down in an email, but to be frank I don't blame Alienware in not sending Hexus a system to review, its bad for business - Alienware have always been poor value for money imo, they are a fashion brand of pc.

Unless they make a considerable change in their systems etc then Hexus would (rightly) make the same conclusions - Alienware, for their price do not offer enough over companies like Mesh etc in system specs etc - although this doesn't take into account warrenty etc and to be frank Alienware are not in competition with Mesh and vice versa - people who buy Alienware are for a large part buying it for asthetical, brand, reputation and the famed support.

I can see both sides of the argument, I don't really agree with the publication of the emails etc, I am just wondering why they have been published and why this is issue has been made public (interesting as it is)

[d3fiant]

I can see both sides of the argument, I don't really agree with the publication of the emails etc, I am just wondering why they have been published and why this is issue has been made public (interesting as it is)

That was my point and my concern, I dont agree with Alienware's comments, not on any level, its shortsighted, however I have to also add that the decision by Hexus to post the emails in their entirety is also possibly shortsighted, I hope not.

[trashcanmonkey]

shocking, but understandable....
Come on Alienware, get your act together. Boy this has really let the cat among the pidgeons, trust them to make a bad situation worse.

[Vini]

The corruption discussed is no surprise to me, given that 'corruption' in the 'scene' has been around for ages even when OCS where still around...

[kempez]

The more I re-read it and digest it the more it sounds pretty petty tbh. Whilst the practice mentioned is to be frowned upon, the first page of the article could have sufficed.

Hexus are not THE authority on hardware reviews...although very good and informative, there are other respectable excellent sites that have their own (very good) views on things.

<Speaking purely as a Hexus reader>

[Syn]

The more I re-read it and digest it the more it sounds pretty petty tbh. Whilst the practice mentioned is to be frowned upon, the first page of the article could have sufficed.

Hexus are not THE authority on hardware reviews...although very good and informative, there are other respectable excellent sites that have their own (very good) views on things.

<Speaking purely as a Hexus reader>

So what if Hexus aint only one why does that matter? Alienware wants for review sites to write only nice things about thier products and they tried to force Hexus to do the same, Hexus is not having any of it and is exposing them.

Thats whats important.

[badger]

Not surprised, I once had a very similar discussion with Alienware about a review. Never bothered speaking to them again. Alienware is an arrogant company which appears to be staffed by people who truly believe that its systems are the second coming, rather than the gimmicky, overpriced crap they are shown to be in many reviews.

[father smurf]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35418

[Methanoid]

This one almost made me piss myself laughing. This is the same Mat Bettinson who used to be a reviewer or whatever for CU Amiga. He's sat on the other side and now he's telling us that all his reviews etc for CU Amiga were based on only giving good reviews? What a plonker.

I got some review kit before from companies and not one gave me any pressure to write a good one for them. Perhaps he is being naive in his thinking. Of course Hexus would "expose" him.

He needs to remove the foot from his own mouth!!

[kempez]

So what if Hexus aint only one why does that matter? Alienware wants for review sites to write only nice things about thier products and they tried to force Hexus to do the same, Hexus is not having any of it and is exposing them.

Thats whats important.

I agree that Alienware shouldn't do this. Totally 100% behind the fact that NO manufacturers should do this. But the article makes it look like every site that disagrees with Hexus is wrong, which is rather an impertinent boast imo.

And I don't agree with publicising e-mails that should be private between the manufacturer and publisher.

But don't get me wrong - the sentiments I agree with.

I would say, however: that Alienware are well within their rights (and as anybody in marketing would tell you - sensibilities) to stop sending review products that they feel (note the bold - this is Alienware's view) have been treated unfairly and reviewed with prejudice - in their eyes.

Personally I don't think they should have any complaints about a review which rightly stated that Alienware costs too much for what you get.

[CAL3H]

Fair play hexus. This is the whole point of reading reviews online - product don't cut it, then they tell it like it is.

My PCW mag subscription is increasingly getting on my nerves as they bias towards manufacturers. Nice to see honest opinions from yourselves and other online review sites.

[Athildja-x64]

You can add, Abit, and Sapphire to the list of companies that do this.
Abit refused to even return e-mails and phone calls after a poor review of the AN8-SLI. Sapphire was the same after we called thier overpriced X1300 for what it was.

So this is not an unheard of thing.
Sean Kalinich
Managing Editor
Planetx64.com

[shaithis]

Perhaps Hexus should start to list all hardware they have requested for review but been denied now.

I think that should make a good list of "hardware to stay clear of"

[rjpearce]

As a daily reader of HEXUS i enjoy reading the informative and un-bias advice offered by HEXUS. In my opinion honesty and integrity are fundamental from a readers point of view and thus cannot be bought.. So thanks for all the great reviews and keep up the good work HEXUS.

[Barkotron]

And I don't agree with publicising e-mails that should be private between the manufacturer and publisher.

I dunno. I don't really understand why emails like this should be private. He's writing to a news site and making comments which are newsworthy - of course they're going to be published. I would hope any other publication would do the same in similar circumstances.

[dave87]

Well said PD, and I personally couldn't agree with you more.