Try Before You Buy or Free Advertising? EVGA Debuts Loaner Program
Posted 03/13/09 at 10:10:09 AM by Paul Lilly
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When it comes to software, free trials have become the norm and not the exception. The same doesn't apply to computer hardware, or at least it didn't before now.
EVGA has launched a Loaner Program in which participants can "test out the latest and greatest technology offered for two weeks right in your home." Once you sign up, EVGA says it will randomly select participants, who will then have two weeks to test and review the item(s) before shipping it all off to the next person selected by EVGA. There's no fee to join, however participants are responsible for shipping via UPS to the next tester.
Right now EVGA is offering two programs, one consisting of a Samsung 22-inch 120Hz LCD monitor and Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision glasses, and the other includes an EVGA X58 3X SLI Classified motherboard.
More information and sign up forms here.
Image Credit: EVGA
I signed up but if I do get
Submitted by s3th on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 1:45am
I signed up but if I do get chosen Im kind of nervous something will go wrong and paying 600$ wont be easy to replace LMAO, but Ima do it anyway
That's corny...
Submitted by knexkid on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 5:41pm
I agree, what is the point of trying out a motherboard? I can understand monitors or even video cards, but its kind of difficult to try out a motherboard. Even if you did have all the x58 stuff (ddr3 RAM, core i7, etc) I sure as hell wouldn't want to switch out all my gear just to try a differnt mortherboard for 2 weeks.
X58?
Submitted by johnny3144 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 1:42pm
so umm... how are you suppose to test a X58 motherboard unless you already have a X58 setup?
Submitted by johnny3144 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 6:54pm
i guess it could make some sense if you are determine to buy a i7 rig with motherboard undecided... but even then it wouldn't be pratical.
that IS a good question a
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 1:53pm
that IS a good question a montherboard withotu a CPU, Ram, PSu, ETc is a bit hard to test it would have made more sense to send out video cards
Submitted by Rob86 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 11:31am
That is true they get "free" R&D from me. but they are also spending the money to get all the hardware together and circulate it. While i would be paying shipping to the next person they are going to lose the money that they have to put in to arranging the whole thing, and gathering the hardware to begin with. so while its not totaly free for them i have to agree that it probably is a great deal for them.
Submitted by Angelman0401 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 11:05am
From the standpoint of testing before you buy is cool and getting to play with new tech. I was just trying to let you all know that while this will probably be the common standpoint, trying new tech and evaluating before you buy, this is a sneaky way of getting free R&D. Think of the big picture. Yes you're getting to try cool stuff and all but you will be providing feedback that will help them with their development for free. So if you're eating a cup of noodles a couple times a week to get buy, the information you provide will create a product that will certaintly be good for us the consumer but is going to get somebody a new mercedes and a fat steak for nothing. That's all I'm saying. How about they give you a coupon or a discount on a product of your choice or on the one you evaluate?
Submitted by comptech08 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 6:45pm
why do you have to be so greedy? and worry about what they get?
I got my email from EVGA
Submitted by FrancesTheMute on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 11:02am
I got my email from EVGA this morning and signed up right away. I'd love to see how the 3d desktop thing works. I've read some favorable reviews, but not enough to get me to drop $600 on a new monitor and 3d glasses.
Submitted by comptech08 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:21am
this is a great idea. There is no way i could afford a 3d monitor and glasses. It would be cool to just play with it for a while. And i would be able to tell them what i think and maybe they will listen lol. I don't see why people have to be a party pooper about this.
Submitted by Rob86 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 10:12am
The main reason i want to "test" it is because it allows me to see if i like the product before i drop 600+ on a new setup that can support it, i don’t mind spending a little on shipping it to someone local to prevent wasting that kind of money.
Submitted by Angelman0401 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 9:26am
You get to TEST and REVIEW it then pay to send it to someone else for the same thing. You don't get anything. You get to TEST something for a couple of weeks then provide valuable data back to EVGA for nothing. No where does it say you get to keep or receive anything except for the responsibility of sending the product to the next free R&D guy. If you can't see what they're up to then you're exactly the kinda to sign up. Have a great time testing and making there products better and making them richer for nothing....
Hey, I agree with you. In
Submitted by gatorXXX on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 2:10am
Hey, I agree with you. In the case of the X58, Why do I want to spend hours tearing down my system, rebuilding new system, reloading software, then do it all over again rebuiding my system in a span of 2 weeks? Not to mention, microshaft having a glitch causing you to call activation cause you have exceeded your limits! Waste of time to me. And like you said for what? You don't get anything in return. Not even a coupon for 10% off or anything.
What this is, and they are hoping, to send these products out to enthusiasts (only enthusiasts would spend that kinda of time) and for them to say, holy crap! I want one! Then you rush out and buy it. Kind of like test driving a car.....the chances of that salesman selling you a car that you test drove increases 60%! I'm all for them making money, or hell, even getting stupid rich (which they already are) and being a success but I will not be duped or pressured into buying anything I don't really need.
Submitted by FrancesTheMute on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 11:00am
I think you are kinda missing the point here. This is really no different than what they do for all of the hardware blogs and magazines (MaxPC correct me if i'm wrong) but from what I understand, that's how it's done. They send you the product for a couple weeks to test and review and then you send it to the next person. This is a cool chance for those of us who don't work in the industry to test out hardware that would normally be too costly. I got my email from them this morning (and promptly signed up!) and it's made pretty clear that you don't get to keep anything, that you get it for 2 weeks and then send it on. They even put the estimated cost of each item and I'm sure you will get billed if you break it or fail to send it to the next person.
Very nice
Submitted by Caboose on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 8:59am
This sounds awesome! I've already signed up. I've always wanted to do testing of new hardware. I'm excited! Look for my reviews under the name "TrainAss"
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by Angelman0401 on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 8:28am
What a great idea! I get to test and review a piece of hardware that I've had for two weeks that could possibly lead to better and more efficient products from the company and in return i get to PAY for the shipping so the next guy can also give free input and advice...what an awesome idea, but I think that to make it better the tester should also pay some sort of fee if the company ends up using an idea they recommend or if a fix for any problems is found by the tester...yeah that would be great! Sign me up! I've always wanted to pay to test a product for someone and get nothing...
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 9:14am
um a free 30 inch monitors and 3d glasses isnt something you consider "something"
this isn't alpha hard where its final build, retail, and your gettingto see how it works in your set up.
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