Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode centers on Linus’s furious critique of NVIDIA’s decision to cut Hardware Unboxed off GeForce Founders Edition review samples over its emphasis on rasterization rather than ray tracing. He argues this is an attempt to pressure editorial coverage and reshape independent review priorities, then pivots to lighter topics: an ElectroBOOM collaboration about ESD, Cyberpunk 2077’s serious technical problems and seizure concerns, new Apple Silicon rumors, HP’s subscription ink model, and LTTStore’s new desk pads.
Main Topics: NVIDIA vs. Hardware Unboxed controversy (Priority: 5/5): The main segment dissects NVIDIA’s email to Hardware Unboxed, arguing it’s an attempt to punish a reviewer for not aligning with NVIDIA’s preferred product narrative and to influence independent coverage through access control. Media independence and review ethics (Priority: 5/5): The hosts discuss the broader transaction between vendors and reviewers: products, drivers, and briefing access in exchange for accurate, unbiased coverage—not editorial obedience. ElectroBOOM ESD collaboration (Priority: 3/5): A lighter segment previewing a collaboration with ElectroBOOM to test whether electrostatic discharge can kill components, framed as an educational and entertaining experiment. Cyberpunk 2077 launch problems (Priority: 4/5): They cover the game’s poor performance on older consoles and midrange PCs, seizure-inducing flashing imagery, bugs, and user dissatisfaction, emphasizing how unfinished it feels. Apple Silicon roadmap rumors (Priority: 2/5): A rumor roundup about Apple testing higher-core-count chips and possibly moving high-end Mac Pro systems to Apple Silicon by 2022. HP Instant Ink and subscription backlash (Priority: 3/5): The hosts react negatively to HP’s printer subscription model and the end of a free tier, using it as an example of increasingly aggressive product monetization. LTTStore desk pad launch (Priority: 2/5): The show briefly promotes the new Northern Lights desk pads on LTTStore, including size options and pricing, with notes about high demand for the largest size.
Key Arguments: NVIDIA’s email was not a normal allocation decision; it explicitly tied review-sample access to Hardware Unboxed’s editorial stance on ray tracing. Reviewers are not being paid to repeat marketing claims; the real exchange is timely access and tools for fair coverage in return for independent analysis. NVIDIA’s wording is patronizing and implies reviewers should feel obligated by receiving ‘free’ GPUs, which the hosts reject as irrelevant to the editorial relationship. The email threatens launch-day coverage by pushing Hardware Unboxed toward add-in-board partners and potentially delaying access, harming timeliness and audience trust. This kind of pressure creates a chilling effect on other media outlets and worsens fanboy division between ‘team red’ and ‘team green.’ Hardware Unboxed’s past coverage actually did include favorable and substantial discussion of NVIDIA features like DLSS and RT, undermining NVIDIA’s claim that they ‘largely discounted’ them. Cyberpunk 2077 illustrates how a technically ambitious game can still be functionally broken on older hardware, especially consoles, and can even pose health risks through flashing effects. HP’s free/low-cost printer model is framed as a subscription trap that turns owned hardware into a recurring revenue stream. The hosts argue that platform holders and manufacturers benefit when products and coverage are honest, because truthfully reported shortcomings can drive genuine progress.
Data Points: Hardware Unboxed access change: Removed from GeForce Founders Edition review sample list - NVIDIA email cited their focus on rasterization over ray tracing as the reason Ray tracing adoption statement: "industry-wide support" - Language used in NVIDIA’s email to justify prioritizing RT-aligned outlets GPU review access timing: Launch-day reviews potentially delayed by about 2 days for partner cards - Used to argue Hardware Unboxed could be harmed operationally if FE access is cut Mouse pad size: 1.2 m x 700 mm - LTTStore desk pad size mentioned during product launch discussion Mouse pad price: $29.99 - Price quoted for the large Northern Lights desk pad Cyberpunk PS4 performance: Approximately 720p–900p at 15–20 FPS - Described as the game’s rough performance on PS4 in the discussion Cyberpunk user score: Below 6 earlier; 6.1 at time of discussion - Metacritic user score was cited as evidence of dissatisfaction Initial Cyberpunk review score: 90 on Metacritic - Discussed as a score some considered a failure despite being very high Free Ink tier: 15 pages per month - HP Instant Ink free tier described before becoming a paid $1/month plan Shipping cost to UK: Around $20 / about £17 - Explained as a function of real shipping costs and lack of subsidy Apple core rumors: 16-core and 32-core test parts - Bloomberg rumor about Apple testing higher-end Apple Silicon chips Possible Apple graphics configurations: 64 or 128 cores - Rumored high-end Mac Pro graphics processing configuration Office of review hardware access: Pre-release drivers and press materials unchanged - NVIDIA said these would still be available despite removing GPU review samples
Pivotal Quotes: ""you will not be receiving our products because you do not agree with nvidia's position about what is good about nvidia's products"" — Linus: Core criticism of NVIDIA’s motive in restricting Hardware Unboxed review samples ""this is about more than just money this is about nvidia exerting control"" — Linus: Used to frame the dispute as editorial pressure, not a simple product-allocation decision ""The real deal forbes"" — Linus: Shown while criticizing NVIDIA’s own marketing page that featured Hardware Unboxed in its DLSS media impressions carousel
Implications: The episode warns that vendor access can be weaponized to pressure independent reviews, potentially shaping launch coverage across the industry. It also highlights growing consumer frustration with anti-consumer software models and broken launches, especially in gaming hardware and software.
About The Wan Show
Every week Linus and Luke discuss the most current happenings in the technology universe.