They play one tune and dance another
|
|
|
Nvidia offers low-end laptops as replacements for Bumpgate victims
CHIP DESIGNER Nvidia has managed to get away with giving Compaq CQ-56 laptops as replacements to those bumpgate victims involved in the class action lawsuit against it.
Last year Nvidia came to a settlement in which it agreed that it would repair or replace computers that were affected by bumpgate, where some of its GPUs overheated and failed due to semiconductor packaging defects.
However, later the firm found that it was unable to repair some of the machines. In those cases it offered a replacement laptop, but not any laptop, a gleaming Compaq CQ-56 for each of those machines it couldn't repair.
Compaq's CQ-56 laptop comes in a number of configurations but high-end it isn't, not by far. One specification of the machine retails at Comet for less than £280.
Not surprisingly some of those involved in the class action settlement complained that Nvidia had essentially pulled the old bait and switch trick on them. Sadly for them, US District Court Judge James Ware overruled their objections, writing that they were "without merit".
Outlining the reasons for his ruling, Judge Ware wrote, "the [Compaq] CQ-56 meets or exceeds nearly all of the specifications of the original computers", adding that "it comes with an advanced operating system, new warranty and other programs". As for missing peripherals, Judge Ware said, "the Court finds that they can be easily and inexpensively added".
Remember that this is the laptop that will be offered to users that may have spent many times more than the cost of a Compaq CA-56. It's not hard to see why those who had shelled out so much might be somewhat upset to end up receiving a low-priced Compaq laptop, even though the judge apparently thinks it "meets or exceeds the specifications of the original computers".
It's a poor show from Nvidia, which could have scored some points if it had offered those affected a decent replacement, perhaps with some games thrown in for good will and to show off the graphics capabilities of the machines. Instead, this whole sad story makes the company look like it is short-changing customers who ended up with its faulty equipment.
If Nvidia had hoped that its legal settlement of the bumpgate fiasco would be the end of the story, its decision not to offer like-for-like replacements could end up costing it further damage to its already bruised reputation. µ
Tags: Nvidia
Share this:
Share
Hi.
Nvidia lied about the temperature power disipation of their gpu and so the hardware makers used underpowered cooling solutions and so the GPU got to crazy temperatures over 90 celsius degrees(water boils at 100) any component at that temperature will die fast, and if the minumun temperature is over 60 degrees, geess wath will hapen. And this hapens also with oder nvidia chips like their nforce chipsets,I already saw barious nforce based motherboards dead because of the chipset, alsmoust sure it's the same problem, touch the heatspreader of and nforce 5 or 6 after 5 minutes working you will alsmoust burn your finger and that withought any load on the chip. There is a permanent solution for this problems with nvidia chips but in laptops it's almoust imposible, make the gpu work under 50 celsius degres. The only solution is to run away from nvidia based products, on new and second hand products.
The last time I checked, The CQ56 came with a 1GHz AMD dual core with integrated graphics. Perhaps nVidia is counting on the judge accepting that the graphics in the 'replacement laptop' are on par with an overheating G8400m...
Hard to replace those chips now these days ....... For those who got burned don't purchase another Nvidia product. These things happen and I don't think a lawsuit is always what the doctor ordered so just don't purchase their hardware if you think you took it up the cornhole last time....
Over the years I have which ever card was best for the money. Since my expensive dell has one of there chips I am just waiting for it to die. The only thing I can do is never buy and nvidia gpu again.That is really the way to make them pay.
I wonder how much the judge got.
I dropped almost 2 grand directly with HP, they did what we know now, a temporary repair twice during the 12 month warranty, surprise..same problem but now over 12 months, complained to the CEO, multi calls from so called "case managers", sorry said many, many times, best offer...Give them another $400. for a repair that only comes with a 30 day warranty ! I advised "her", screw me once, "you bad", screw me twice, I'd be the dumb ass, no way and never, ever will I spend on anything HP.
Not sure I will except either low end/low cost products, not sure this
deal is over and I can make it work in
two minutes with a hair dryer, maybe that's what HP did ? They want these "non repairable" computers back and there has to be a $$$$ reason for that, normally in this case they would just have you remove the mod-ser number sticker and send back.
Remember folks, it ain't over 'til it's over, You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Apple and Dell ARE repairing their notebooks! HP says they can't repair, thus the replacements. Problem affects more than just the Nvidia chip, and HP claims that parts to repair are not available - Perhaps they know that a different motherboard design would be required to fix the problem. Reliable repair was NEVER an option for owners of HP & Compaq computers affected. Replacements were to be of similar kind and value to the defective units. Not until after the deadline for objecting to the terms did the settlement administrator reveal exactly what they considered "similar." Many HP owners paid upwards of $2000 for entertainment notebooks and tablet computers. Obviously an under $300 entry level notebook is neither similar in kind OR value.
This article is lying about the facts. If you're going to report on the settlement, at least report the facts accurately. MacBook Pro is not being replaced by CQ56, it is being repaired for free. Also, the settlement gives reimbursements to people who paid for repairs, so people could have gotten them repaired and had NVIDIA pay for it instead of accepting this laptop replacement. Not to mention, the OEMs would have repaired most of these computers for free too.
I have one of those laptops a HP DV2000. It quit working about a year ago. I would like the judge to tell me how to easily install a built in webcam and how do I easily upgrade the 802.11a network chip that I paid extra for. I shouldn't have to tie up my expansion slot for networking. Also, I paid extra for the convenience of a 14" laptop. 14" laptops usually costs more than 15". Maybe the judge has a shrink ray....
I was very disappointed when I saw the settlement. I would rather pay to fix mine than trade it in for the crap they are offering. The replacement doesn't come close to what I bought.
Don't forget who the real crimals are in all of this: The class attorneys at Milberg LLP and the dishonorable Judge James Ware. Neither have fought to get just compensation for my $1,300 tablet that died 3 years ago.
That is complete crap. The bumping problem was basically just a bad chip. It could easily be repaired with a new chip. The problem is that nVidia doesn't have the means to do so 'cheaply.'
The thing that really makes no sense here is why is nVidia the one replacing these things? Certainly Apple should be repairing the laptops for it's customers. They chose the parts and qualified them. And what about TSMC? They too were involved in the manufacture of this defective product.
Does this replacement craptop even have discrete graphics?