A recent report accuses PC hardware firm NZXT of running a 'shady and manipulative' PC rental program. The video from Gamers Nexus, shared by The Verge, claims that NZXT alters prices and components between 'purchase' and 'rental' versions of prebuilt PCs with identical or similar names.
NZXT's Flex program enables customers to rent prebuilt gaming PCs starting at $59, though renters must supply their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Gamers Nexus alleges that the specifications and prices of these prebuilt models fluctuate based on whether the customer opts to 'buy' or 'rent.' The video further suggests that these details can change 'day to day.'
For instance, the video reveals that a 'Player: Three Prime' model PC includes an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 if purchased, but the rental version features an RTX 4080 Super. Despite the significant hardware differences, the performance estimates—indicating expected frame rates in games—remain unchanged between the two models. These specifications reportedly shifted multiple times during Gamers Nexus's investigation.
The Flex program's issues extend beyond these discrepancies. Gamers Nexus points out that within nine months, the rental cost of an NZXT prebuilt surpasses the price of buying the PC outright, with no rent-to-own option available. Additionally, the report criticizes the program's 'aggressive' terms of service, which allegedly permit NZXT to sell data generated or stored on the rented PC.
NZXT has responded on X/Twitter, stating, 'We are aware of the recent claims made against us and are actively reviewing the situation. Rest assured, we are committed to addressing this thoroughly and will share an official statement soon. Thank you for your patience as we work to provide clarity.'
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
