I want to start a review website, but I don't know where to get hardware to review

[soundfx4]

Hello, I was thinking about starting a review website. I love nothing more then playing with computers! But I don't have any money so I can't play with the stuff! So I thought I would start a review website. People that have started those are rich! And on top of that, they get to play with new hardware and other products! Anyway, on to my question. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can get stuff to review? I can't get sample products from manufacturers until my website is up and has a few reviews already posted, so I don't know what else to do. I sure can't buy the stuff! The reason for that is...well, I'm broke! :beer: If anyone has any suggestions at all, I will be very happy to hear them! Thanks every1! :D

[JoT]

Review stuff you already have, first. That'll get you started. Then you can poke friends with different hardware, asking to borrow parts for a while, if they'll let you. You may be able to continue that for a while until you get some corporate sponsorship.

I don't think that you'll have much success with the whole thing, mostly because you have to be able to review new things, which you usually have to purchase yourself until you get corporate sponsorship, and I think that getting that is quite a rare thing.

Don't let me cut you down, though, I'm just an extreme pessimist :D
Go for it man, have fun and prosper :)

[XWRed1]

Reviewing stuff you have is the best way to start. Unless you are way behind the curve.. noone needs another GF2 or P3 review at this point. Surely you have something interesting, even if its just a casemod or something even simpler. Write about it.

If you've got any real life friends, network with them and try to work with them to do reviews of any new hardware they buy for their pcs.

[soundfx4]

Well, all I have is an Athlon 1600 PC133 system :D So I guess that leaves my stuff out. :p I will check with friends, and family, and try to find stuff to review. I guess the easiest thing to do would be get a job, then use that money to invest in hardware for reviewing. Thanks for the tips!

[Deathknight]

FYI hosting a website is NOT a good source of cash for most everyone. They are pretty expensive to maintain and require alot of time. Good luck with your site though and be sure to post a link when its up and running ;)

[stoopid]

You're better off getting at the bottom floor of a pyramid scheme then making money from a hardware review site :p

Do it for the fun and love of the hobby, but don't even use the words "money" if you want to enjoy it for too long.

[UnseenMenace]

Originally posted by soundfx4
So I thought I would start a review website. People that have started those are rich! And on top of that, they get to play with new hardware and other products!

This is actually a common myth, take my favorite review site... :D Overclockers.com which actually does not make enough money to covers its costs.. yes the sad fact is that this site runs by large on the hard work and wallet of its owners, helped along by Corporate Advertising and donations from the members.... it does not however generate vast amounts of money for its owners.

[moorcito]

You don't just need a website with reviews, you need a web site that gets enough hits to justify a manufacturer sending you products. It's all about advertising. The big sites like Tomshardware, etc. get the hardware they do because they have the hits to justify that they will be doing a service to the manufacturers.

You'll have to find a niche and stick with it, pretty soon word of mouth will get your site hits.

[soundfx4]

Originally posted by stoopid
You're better off getting at the bottom floor of a pyramid scheme then making money from a hardware review site :p

Do it for the fun and love of the hobby, but don't even use the words "money" if you want to enjoy it for too long.


I am a Little upset about your post. You must not have read my entire post because you obviously don't understand my reason for starting this site. Please read it again, and if you still have the same thought, then just pretend that you never read this post. Thanks.

[soundfx4]

Originally posted by moorcito
You don't just need a website with reviews, you need a web site that gets enough hits to justify a manufacturer sending you products.


Well that is true, but I actually e-mailed gigabyte asking them about it, and they didn't mention anything about hits. You don't get to keep the hardware forever, so the only thing they want to check is that you are a real site. But of coarse if you have 0 hits they still wouldn't send you jack :p