I supposed people think that reviewers will be afraid that a bad review means they won’t get devices in the future to review, but if tech companies start doing that they will start losing the ability to market their device through media. Essentially that puts the problem on the tech companies and not the writers.

My belief is that people are reacting to perceptions that certain big name journalists get favorable treatment. But you know what, I think most people see through those journalists who in the end are just damaging their own credibility.

Rather than complain about a possible bias of someone writing a review based on loaner equipment, people should start their own blog, buy the devices as they suggest, and write their own reviews.

Oh and James, don’t worry about your own integrity. The Internet being what it is, you aren’t going to satisfy everyone, and if there is an integrity problem you will hear it loud and clear. Besides, people should accept the fact that we all have biases, and honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with that. What one person calls a bias another calls enthusiasim.

Re: review bias
You guys have nothing to worry. Plus you’ve got a good balance. JK tends to prefer the popular mainstream solutions (iPod, OneNote, Exchange/WinMo, Starbucks), and Kevin investigates other areas (Cloud, simplification, Gmail, WaWa). Which gives the JK site an overall balance. Sure, sometimes a personal bias (not the same as the dishonest review bias you’re talking about) comes through. [As an owner of way too many MP3 players of all brands, I don't get the fixation with iPod, even to the point of including a post solely about JK's wife strongly preferring the iPod after having a bad experience with the v1 Zune software.] But that’s perfectly normal, and readers want to know your preferences and opinions. And in most cases where I’ve seen a personal preference expressed, you take care to add some hedging words to clarify that your preference might not be right for everyone. IMHO, it’s that personal perspective that makes your reviews so easy and inviting to read (we’re on the journey with you), and among the best in the business.

At least for the smaller sites without a dedicated “product review budget”, their decision to review a product may be influenced by their desire to keep the product (and to not waste money on poor products). In other words, each “review” will have a monetary impact on the reviewer, so there needs to be some screening process–conscious or not.

A reviewer like the one I’ve hypothetically described may already pre-judge any product he is reviewing (by virtue of the fact that he has to buy it) to be a worthy one.

Why wait until October for a device that may be “the latest and greatest” when I can purchase a quicker netbook now, save money, and still teach effectively?

Thanks again.