True, I used to go out of my way to find unbiased and honest reviews from "real" people that weren't "seeded" by manufacturers.
The problem is that many others did the same, so these honest reviewers gained followers, that gave them exposure and eventually they get approached by the PR departments which would like to "lend" them top end review samples for an undisclosed amount of time. Well before the press NDA, of course.
Lately I find myself buying paper magazines again.
That being said the new Mac Mini does seem like a great product.
You realise that every single thing reviewed in a paper magazine is a loaner review unit, unless it's Consumer Reports, Which?, or one of about three others? It's an industry standard.
Sure, but the authors of larger magazines typically do not get to keep (or even use) the product for their own private purposes, so they're not nearly as invested and have far less reason to be biased.
I've heard many companies "forget" to ask for their seeded samples back, particularly those sent to so-called influencers.
The problem is that many others did the same, so these honest reviewers gained followers, that gave them exposure and eventually they get approached by the PR departments which would like to "lend" them top end review samples for an undisclosed amount of time. Well before the press NDA, of course. Lately I find myself buying paper magazines again.
That being said the new Mac Mini does seem like a great product.