NZXT Flex: Difference between revisions
TasmanianRex (talk | contribs) |
|||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
| Logo = Nzxt.svg | | Logo = Nzxt.svg | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''NZXT Flex''' is a rental service launched in 2024 by [[NZXT]] in partnership with [[Fragile]] (a Software company that provides "layered financing" and services on top of hardware subscriptions,<ref>https://tracxn.com/d/companies/fragile/__IHcXfD8Mcy-IkjmKTBsCtGr0PzSjZve_Y147UR110MA</ref><ref name=":0">https://fragile.co/legal/subscription-agreement</ref>) for its prebuilt, gaming-focused desktop computers.<ref name=":1">https://nzxt.com/news/flex</ref> Customers can choose to rent a pre-built gaming computer from three monthly plans, based on their performance needs and budget, with three main tiers that each also offer a "Prime" upgrade option that includes higher spec components for an additional monthly upcharge. NZXT guarantees PC upgrades every two years and full warranty support.<ref>https://nzxt.com/flex/flex-two</ref> | '''NZXT Flex''' is a rental service launched in 2024 by [[NZXT]] in partnership with [[Fragile]] (a Software company that provides "layered financing" and services on top of hardware subscriptions,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fragile company profile |url=https://tracxn.com/d/companies/fragile/__IHcXfD8Mcy-IkjmKTBsCtGr0PzSjZve_Y147UR110MA |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=Tracxn}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Subscription Agreement |url=https://fragile.co/legal/subscription-agreement |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=Fragile}}</ref>) for its prebuilt, gaming-focused desktop computers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=NZXT Announces NZXT Flex a PC Gaming Subscription Service |url=https://nzxt.com/news/flex |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[NZXT]]}}</ref> Customers can choose to rent a pre-built gaming computer from three monthly plans, based on their performance needs and budget, with three main tiers that each also offer a "Prime" upgrade option that includes higher spec components for an additional monthly upcharge. NZXT guarantees PC upgrades every two years and full warranty support.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flex: Two Subscription PC |url=https://nzxt.com/flex/flex-two |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[NZXT]]}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Nzxt flex store page.png|alt=Nzxt flex store page|thumb|NZXT Flex store page]] | [[File:Nzxt flex store page.png|alt=Nzxt flex store page|thumb|NZXT Flex store page]] | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
Despite NZXT stating in their ''December 4, 2024 [https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program press release]'' that: | Despite NZXT stating in their ''December 4, 2024 [https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program press release]'' that: | ||
"We are extending the dispute charges window from 60 days to 2 years and will comply with any regulations that provide longer dispute windows."<ref>https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program</ref> | "We are extending the dispute charges window from 60 days to 2 years and will comply with any regulations that provide longer dispute windows."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=NZXT Update: Addressing Your Concerns About the Flex Subscription Program |url=https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[NZXT]]}}</ref> | ||
their agreement still states as of January 28th 2025, more than 55 days after the [https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program press release] was last updated | their agreement still states as of January 28th 2025, more than 55 days after the [https://nzxt.com/news/nzxt-update-addressing-your-concerns-about-the-flex-subscription-program press release] was last updated | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
Therefore, makes their 2 year window statement <u>clearly false and misleading'''.'''</u> | Therefore, makes their 2 year window statement <u>clearly false and misleading'''.'''</u> | ||
===Inconsistent and misleading product specifications | ===Inconsistent and misleading product specifications<ref>{{Cite web |last=@GamersNexus |date=1 Dec 2024 |title=Do Not Buy NZXT {{!}} Predatory, Evil Rental Computer Scam Investigated |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pomC1CfpC0 |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@GamersNexus |date=7 Dec 2024 |title=NZXT Says We're "Confused" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAANNGvMANM |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>=== | ||
====Inconsistencies between bought and rental PC's==== | ====Inconsistencies between bought and rental PC's==== | ||
NZXT has an option to either buy a prebuilt gaming PC, or rent one (Flex). NZXT listed the estimated FPS in various games as the same between the bought and rented PC's, despite swapping out hardware. For example, a bought "Player: Three Prime" model would come with an RTX 4090, while the rental version only comes with a 4080 SUPER.<ref>https://beefsuplex.com/news/gamers-nexus-calls-out-nzxt/</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/1/24310181/nzxt-pc-rental-program-gamers-nexus-investigation</ref><ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-video-claims-nzxt-pc-rental-program-is-a-scam-company-says-its-looking-into-it/1100-6528179/</ref> These two GPUs have vastly different performance, with the 4090 having an average of +25% over the 4080 SUPER.<ref>https://hardwaretimes.com/nvidia-rtx-4080-vs-4080-super-vs-4090/</ref> | NZXT has an option to either buy a prebuilt gaming PC, or rent one (Flex). NZXT listed the estimated FPS in various games as the same between the bought and rented PC's, despite swapping out hardware. For example, a bought "Player: Three Prime" model would come with an RTX 4090, while the rental version only comes with a 4080 SUPER.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell Jr. |first=Brian |date=30 Nov 2024 |title=Gamers Nexus Calls Out NZXT |url=https://beefsuplex.com/news/gamers-nexus-calls-out-nzxt/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=Beef Suplex Gaming}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=1 Dec 2024 |title=Gamers Nexus claims NZXT’s Flex PC rental program is a ‘scam’ |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/1/24310181/nzxt-pc-rental-program-gamers-nexus-investigation |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Benfell |first=Grace |date=2 Dec 2024 |title=New Video Claims NZXT PC Rental Program Is "A Scam," Company Says It's Looking Into It |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-video-claims-nzxt-pc-rental-program-is-a-scam-company-says-its-looking-into-it/1100-6528179/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> These two GPUs have vastly different performance, with the 4090 having an average of +25% over the 4080 SUPER.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@areej |date=26 Apr 2024 |title=NVIDIA RTX 4080 vs 4080 Super vs 4090: 34 Benchmark Comparisons |url=https://hardwaretimes.com/nvidia-rtx-4080-vs-4080-super-vs-4090/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=HardwareTimes}}</ref> | ||
==Changing the terms of the sale== | ==Changing the terms of the sale== | ||
[[File:Nzxt changes it's advertisng language.png|alt=Nzxt changes it's advertisng language|center|thumb|800x800px|Nzxt changes it's advertising language]] | [[File:Nzxt changes it's advertisng language.png|alt=Nzxt changes it's advertisng language|center|thumb|800x800px|Nzxt changes it's advertising language]] | ||
NZXT publicly stated many policy, website & marketing changes in response to the controversy and community backlash.<ref>https://nzxt.com/</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref | NZXT publicly stated many policy, website & marketing changes in response to the controversy and community backlash.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NZXT |url=https://nzxt.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> <!-- Which ones? Don't use ref as a "read more here", always list them and then add refs to what you list... --> | ||
===Day-to-day switching of specifications and pricing=== | ===Day-to-day switching of specifications and pricing=== | ||
The specs and price listings have been reported to change constantly, with very similar setups reported to have varying prices, and vice versa, with different builds being reported to be similar in specs.<ref | The specs and price listings have been reported to change constantly, with very similar setups reported to have varying prices, and vice versa, with different builds being reported to be similar in specs.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
==Follow-up by NZXT== | ==Follow-up by NZXT== | ||
The company has addressed various concerns as of early December of 2024, the statements released attempt to apologize and address future plans<ref>https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-pcs/i-want-to-acknowledge-that-we-messed-up-nzxt-addresses-concerns-about-its-controversial-flex-gaming-pc-rental-program-and-commits-to-taking-action/</ref> | The company has addressed various concerns as of early December of 2024, the statements released attempt to apologize and address future plans,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Jacob |date=5 Dec 2024 |title='I want to acknowledge that we messed up': NZXT addresses concerns about its controversial Flex gaming PC rental program and commits to taking action |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-pcs/i-want-to-acknowledge-that-we-messed-up-nzxt-addresses-concerns-about-its-controversial-flex-gaming-pc-rental-program-and-commits-to-taking-action/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=PCGamer}}</ref> while also clarifying various alleged misconceptions users may have about the program. Among the stated clarifications is the fact that users do not actually own the computers acquired through the program.<ref name=":2" /> The company also released a video about the subject on their official channel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NZXT |date=5 Dec 2024 |title=Addressing Your NZXT Flex Subscription Concerns |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSp5B--HKL4 |url-status=live |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||