Tom, over at Tom's Hardware has written a very interesting editorial piece regarding the state of hardware sites today and more specifically, some of the 'stunts' that some sites have pulled:

 

Today, however, I was informed about a fight that's going on between Kyle Bennett and Van Smith, the two people in this 'PC Hardware World' that I despise most. First I considered this battle quite amusing. It's always nice to watch two of your enemies fighting each other. However, the reason for their fight caught my attention. Late last year there was a situation when something very similar happened the other way around. The parallel between the two issues was one thing - both times I had been involved months before. This may sound like Chinese to you, so I will explain it all, trying to make a gripping story out of this. It will give you a very interesting look behind the scenes of PC hardware reviewing and the dealings of marketing-departments.

Read the rest of the article here.

 

This is a detailed look at what happens with some sites today, and is well worth the read.

 

*UPDATE*: Over at Anandtech they have talked a little on the topic of SysMark and the variances they have found, which is related to the article above. You can read about that discussion here.

 

Update (Cameron Wilmot) - Indeed some good reading and good to see this stuff being brought out, good stuff Tom. My comments should be reserved at this stage because they've got me into trouble in the past. I'm sure though, to those concerned, my thoughts and feelings should be well known. Enough said, go read what Tom wrote.