The WAN Show: Lies, Damned Lies, And Then MSRP - WAN Show March 7, 2025
Release Date: March 8, 2025
Hosts:
- Linus Sebastian
- Luke Lafreniere
Description: Every week, Linus and Luke discuss the most current happenings in the technology universe.
1. GPU Launches and Pricing Dynamics
The episode opens with a deep dive into the recent GPU launches from Nvidia and AMD, focusing primarily on the RTX 5070 and Radeon 9070 series. Linus expresses his skepticism about the performance claims of Nvidia's RTX 5070, highlighting discrepancies between advertised and actual performance.
- Linus Sebastian [02:41]: "Worst, the Nvidia RTX 5070 turns out no, it does not in fact have 4090 performance."
The hosts discuss the challenges consumers face in obtaining these GPUs at their Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), noting significant markups and scarcity at launch.
- Linus Sebastian [05:19]: "Its 12 gigs of vram poses longevity concerns, especially at 4k and it is pretty much non existent at retail."
2. AMD's Supply and Pricing Strategy
Linus provides an in-depth analysis of AMD's strategies concerning GPU supply and pricing. He references insights from industry sources, including Andrew Gibson from OCUK and Swedish retailer Inet SE, regarding AMD's limited MSRP allocations and subsequent price increases post-launch.
- Linus Sebastian [08:36]: "AMD would have had to communicate to all of their retail and manufacturing partners provide compensation if prices were being adjusted in the form of rebates or payments."
He draws parallels to his past experience in the retail industry, suggesting that AMD's approach, while complex, isn't entirely unprecedented.
- Linus Sebastian [13:50]: "The idea of having a rebate like this, like an instant rebate because there's different kinds of rebates..."
3. Nvidia vs. AMD: Competition and Market Pressure
The conversation shifts to comparing Nvidia and AMD's market tactics. Linus argues that Nvidia's aggressive strategies, including potential prioritization of AI products over GPUs, might be influencing AMD's supply constraints.
- Linus Sebastian [36:22]: "I don't think marketing is the primary driver. I think with AMD, their GPU launches have been low volume and then their post-launch sales have been even lower volume for years and years and years."
He further discusses the increasing price bands within GPU offerings, making it challenging to maintain competitive pricing.
- Linus Sebastian [07:00]: "Like every time I tried to launch something decent and have them just like pull another ace out of their butt crack and be like, boom."
4. Mozilla's Firefox Terms of Use Rewriting
Shifting gears, the hosts address Mozilla's recent overhaul of Firefox's Terms of Use. This move came after significant user backlash over perceived overly broad language that raised concerns about data privacy.
- Luke Lafreniere [62:36]: "Mozilla has responded to user backlash over new Firefox Terms of Use introduced last week..."
Linus and Luke discuss their personal habits regarding reading terms and licenses, reflecting on the importance of understanding such agreements.
- Linus Sebastian [64:02]: "I think it depends."
- Luke Lafreniere [64:04]: "Completely honest."
5. Revival of Digg Platform
The episode touches upon Digg's acquisition by Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian, aiming to rejuvenate the platform with a focus on community and discovery. However, Linus remains skeptical about Digg's ability to reclaim its former glory amidst dominant platforms like Reddit.
- Luke Lafreniere [71:18]: "Digg founder Kevin Rose and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian have acquired Digg with the intent of reviving the platform..."
6. YouTube Premium Lite Announcement
YouTube's introduction of a more affordable subscription tier, YouTube Premium Lite, is critiqued for its limited features compared to the standard Premium service. Linus questions the value proposition of this new tier, suggesting alternatives like YouTube Music.
- Linus Sebastian [75:33]: "And we have never adjusted it. It's funny, we take so much flack for our supposedly expensive products and... Our T shirts are like 20 bucks."
7. Correction on Placebo Effect Discussion
Responding to feedback from Dr. Stephen Novella, the hosts issue a correction regarding their previous discussion on the placebo effect. They clarify that while maintaining a positive outlook can improve quality of life, it hasn't been proven to extend survival rates in cancer patients.
- Linus Sebastian [79:24]: "We issued a corrective statement. Believing you'll survive cancer improves your quality of life, but it hasn't been shown to extend survival in cancer patients."
8. Mobile World Congress: Folding and Concept Devices
At Mobile World Congress, various folding and concept devices were showcased. The hosts examine concepts like Lenovo's Thinkbook Flip AI prototype, Magic Bay dual display concept, solar-powered laptops, and innovative earbuds from Xiaomi.
- Linus Sebastian [84:54]: "It looks like it's a three to me."
- Luke Lafreniere [87:00]: "It's up to you."
They provide critiques on the practicality and design of these concepts, often rating them low due to usability concerns.
9. Pre-built vs. Custom Gaming PCs
The discussion revisits a previous TechRadar article arguing that pre-built systems outperform custom-built PCs. Linus and Luke debate the validity of this claim, drawing from their own experiences and emphasizing factors like support, quality control, and personal preference.
- Linus Sebastian [99:14]: "I don't think I can agree with this headline. And yeah, it's not engineering."
They challenge the analogy comparing custom PC builders to Gordon Ramsay, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding PC building complexities.
10. Listener Questions and Miscellaneous Discussions
The episode concludes with interactions addressing listener queries about favorite gaming characters, PC building experiences, and travel destinations. Linus shares his enthusiasm for building unique PCs, while Luke discusses his gaming experiences and aspirations for future travels.
- Dan [108:30]: "I missed one of the front, so now I'm like jumping at it."
Notable Quotes:
- Linus Sebastian [02:41]: "Worst, the Nvidia RTX 5070 turns out no, it does not in fact have 4090 performance."
- Luke Lafreniere [04:33]: "What a week it's going to be."
- Linus Sebastian [08:36]: "They got A quote from OCUK's Andrew Gibson, who stated, MSRP is a capped quantity of a few hundred, so prices will jump once those are sold through."
- Linus Sebastian [16:21]: "Anyone who was there for 8800 GT launch remembers because that thing was wild."
- Linus Sebastian [36:22]: "No, I don't think marketing is the primary driver."
- Linus Sebastian [64:02]: "I think it depends."
- Linus Sebastian [79:24]: "We issued a corrective statement..."
- Linus Sebastian [99:14]: "I don't think I can agree with this headline."
This episode of The WAN Show offers a comprehensive analysis of the current GPU market dynamics, critiques on platform revivals and service offerings, and engages in reflective discussions on industry practices and consumer experiences. Linus and Luke blend technical insights with personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on the evolving technology landscape.