What Happened Between Linus Tech Tips And Gamers Nexus? The Controversy Around Linus's 'Unfair' Billet Labs Review Explained

Linus Tech Tips is a tech review YouTube channel that has gathered a fervent fanbase over the years, but a series of ill-executed videos have cast the veracity of his channel's reviews into doubt.

These shortcomings were discussed in a nearly 40-minute long video posted by fellow tech reviewer Gamers Nexus on August 14th, who shined a particular focus on how Linus misrepresented and purportedly even stole from a fledgling tech company named Billet Labs that loaned the channel a very expensive prototype. Here's a recap of the Gamers Nexus vs. Linus Tech Tips Billet Labs Review Controversy.

What Was Gamers Nexus's Video On Linus Tech Tips About?

Linus Tech Tips and Gamers Nexus's Stephen "Steve" Burke are two YouTubers who focus on reviewing and engaging with any tech products one might need to optimize a heavy-duty home computer system. Linus Tech Tips has been making such videos since 2008, and has gathered such a vast following that he now employs a team of creators under the Linus Media Group banner.

On August 14th, Gamers Nexus took to his YouTube to share a detailed video going over recent inaccuracies and shortcomings on behalf of Linus and his team. Burke shared numerous occasions where Linus's team was unable to give an honest review, including one instance where a reviewer failed to remove the plastic cover from a mouse's sensor before deeming it subpar. Another issue Burke noted with Linus Media Group's content was their inability to correct or rerecord reviews after such mistakes took place due to their employee's self-professed time-crunched schedule.

What Happened Between Linus Tech Tips And Billet Labs?

Gamers Nexus then drew his focus to a particular incident that took place between Linus and a company named Billet Labs earlier in 2023. In June 2023, Linus posted a video about a copper cooler prototype developed by Billet Labs. According to Gamers Nexus, Linus failed to use the device according to the correct specifications laid out by the company, instead deciding that the product was inherently useless.

Gamers Nexus noted that not only did Linus unfairly malign the device, but he also decided to auction off the loaned product against the wishes of Billet Labs. The product, which was purportedly a one-of-a-kind prototype that cost several thousand dollars, is now at risk of landing in the hands of a direct competitor of Billet Labs.

What Was Linus's Response To The Criticism?

Linus shared his response to the criticism levied against him by Gamers Nexus by making a long post on his forum. In the response, Linus expressed "disappointment" that Steve Burke did not reach out to him for comment. He then went on to say that he and other LMG employees are aware that they are "not perfect" and that he was saddened by how "quickly the pitchforks were raised over this." He also stood by his review of Billet Labs, saying:

Our intention wasn't to hurt anyone. We wanted no one to buy it (because it's an egregious waste of money no matter what temps it runs at) and we wanted Billet to make something marketable (so they can, y'know, eat).

Linus also reportedly compensated Billet for auctioning off its one-of-a-kind prototype after giving the company an unfair review, saying that "Billet sent us a quote. I don't know or care how they arrived at the value."

What Was Gamers Nexus's Response To Linus's Forum Post?

Gamers Nexus responded to Linus's forum post by calling it "disappointing." In particular, Burke noted the timeline of events that transpired after his initial video. Having reached out to Billet Labs himself, Burke uncovered that Linus only reimbursed the company for the prototype after his video was posted. Linus had purportedly left emails from Billet Labs unanswered until he saw the blowback from Gamers Nexus's video.

What Was Billet Lab's Response To The Controversy?

Billet Labs took to Linus Tech Tips's own subreddit to post about their gratitude for the support extended to them by the PC community, and to confirm the timeline Burke shared in the aforementioned video. According to Billet Labs, they received an email saying that their prototype had been auctioned without their consent on August 10th, following which they asked for monetary compensation. Their request was left unanswered until after Gamers Nexus posted his video on August 14th.

How Did Linus Tech Tips's Followers React To The Controversy?

While Linus's fans pushed back on his response in his own forums, the subreddit dedicated to his channel hosted a vast majority of the memes and public discussions that criticized his actions. Several Redditors commended Burke for his timely video and for his part in vindicating Billet Labs, while others scoffed at Linus's lackluster response to his critics.

What Did Ex-LTT Employee Madison Suop Say About Her Experience Working With Linus?

On August 16th, Madison Suop, former social media correspondent for Linus Tech Tips and Linus Media Group shared her harrowing experience of working for LTT. She described an overworked environment where she was expected to carry out all of LTT's social media communications on her own and was even discouraged from taking sick days.

To stop the speculation and DM's I am receiving.I chose to quit my role at LTT because it, and the working environment I was facing, were ruining my mental health.The number of daily items the Social media role at the time was expected to fill was incredibly high.

— Madison | Suop (@suuuoppp) August 16, 2023

Madison goes on to say that working conditions at Linus Tech Tips got so bad, that at one point she harmed herself to the point of being taken to the ER, as that was the only conceivable way she could think of being excused from her work.

What Was Linus Tech Tips's Official Collective Response?

LTT's official response came in the form of a YouTube video titled, "What do we do now," which was posted on August 16th, The video featured various different LTT employees explaining the steps they would take to rectify their review practices, and ensure that the mistakes pointed out by Burke aren't repeated.

However, not all fans were won over by this upload, with many Reddit users noting that the video was monetized and that LTT had shared an uncensored screenshot from an email where Billet Labs had asked for their number to remain private.

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For the full history of the Gamers Nexus vs. Linus Tech Tips Billet Labs review controversy, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.