Well, my reply to him was to do all the research first and decide on the model before going to the PC Show to look for a bargain.

PC Show 2010 Featured Ads on DL

Because of a meeting earlier in the morning, I didn’t get a chance to read the Straits Times’ Digital Life until lunch time. The items on my shopping are not available in Singapore yet (i.e. the Apple iPad and iPhone 4) so there is really no hurry to find out what’s on offer at the PC Show tomorrow.

If money was no object, I would like to buy a mini notebook or large netbook for carrying around to surf the internet and reply email. I find my 15″ MacBook Pro is quite a hassle to lug around and my eeePC too small for practical use. So I need a smaller and lighter notebook or a netbook with a larger display, at least 11.6″ display.

HP Mini Laptop – Mini 311

Lenovo Thinkpad X100e $799**

I believe both the HP Mini and Lenovo Thinkpad X are not the latest models and should be available at a bargain price at the PC Show. And here’s more cheap laptops.

Asus Pro23A 12.1″ Mini Notebook $898**

If you are looking for latest netbook with an even larger screen, you may want to check out Asus Pro23A which has a faster SU3500 processor and 12.1″ display for $898.

PC Show 2010 Asus Booth A2008(L4) & B2011(L6), Suntec Singapore

The Star Buy at the PC Show 2010

I think the best bargain on notebook comes from MSI. It was a big ad in the Digital Life but I took note of the “STAR BUY” banner and attracted to the Intel Core i3 processor.

Yes, MSI CR420-i3 has a Core i3-330M processor and 14″ HD LCD, and it’s going for only $899 at the PC Show. It was $999 at the IT Show 2010 3 months ago.

MSI CR420-i3 14″ Notebook $899**

PC Show 2010 MSI Booth B2101, Suntec Singapore

Why No Acer MIni Notebook?

Because I cannot find advertisement on Acer Notebook in today’s Digital Life PC Show Special!

**Prices in SGD as advertised in Straits Times for the Singapore PC Show 2010.

In 2009, there were two Megatex Expo held at the Singapore Expo: 9-12 April 2009 and then again from 23 to 27 December 2009. I guess it must be doing well to have the event repeated by the organizer every year.

The prices of electronics gadgets and electric appliances are very attractive, especially the special price items. You can find many branded products at very discounted prices e.g. Sony LCD TV, Philips CD Micro System, Casio Digital Piano, Acer Desktop PC, Lenovo Notebook, Asus Netbook and etc.

If you are thinking of visiting the next Megatex Expo then it will be…

Megatex 2010

1-4 April 2010
Singapore Expo Hall 4B

I have yet to visit the Megatex Expo, reason being it is organized by Courts and the variety is not as wide as those found in the IT Show, PC Show, Comex and SITEX.

Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of the Megatex Expo as compared with the rest of the IT shows.

With such bargain price, not too far from a 11″ Netbook, the MSI X340 may be the best value ultra thin laptop for this year Comex 2009.

Why MSI X340 and not Netbook

Because the MSI X340 price is so cheap now!

We all know the biggest disadvantage with the Netbook is the screen size. And I could not really work on such small screen.

Now you can get the X340 with a decent 13.4″ screen at 1366×768 resolution that weights about 1.3kg. But, this ultra thin laptop doesn’t have long battery life. According to some reviews, it lasted about 2 hours.

Visit Corbell Booth at COMEX 2009 Singapore

P.S. At the COMEX 2009, you can trade in any Core Duo Notebook for an additional $200 cash rebate, then you pay only $888 for the MSI X340.

MSI X340 Review

There many MSI X340 reviews already and you can find them with Google and read all about the pro and con.

• MSI’s MacBook Air Killer Is a Real Gas
• MSI X340 (silver)
• MSI X340 Review: The Unemployed Man’s MacBook Air

Even Engadget has featured several articles on this gorgeous looking machine. So I would not say much on the MSI X340 except… I want it.

The MSI X340 Launch

So let’s talk about the X340 launch event organised by Corbell Technology.

I think the organizer should not have let me waited nearly an hour before they started making the presentation. People were already getting bored and doing their own things. I think we all came for the lucky draw and really want to get over with it…

Who Else Wanted The X-Slim X340? Black or White?

The X-Slim X340 is really a desirable machine and I really like the white one… it is sexy but pricey at $1,599.

I was telling myself that if the X340 were to cost S$1,200 inclusive of a external DVD writer then I will go make some money to get one.

[Updated on 11 Jun 2009] MSI X-Slim X340 price dropped to S$1,388 at the PC Show. But, still too pricey for me, maybe it would go down to S$1,188 at the next Comex 2009.

Indeed, when I was researching to write this blog post, I discovered e-retailer in the US is already selling it for US$799. This is about S$1,200 and at this price I believe it can attract high-end netbook consumers – especially the ladies.

Yes, I will wait for a couple months for the price to drop and then get one so that I can carry it around – not worrying about the weight and battery life.

And did I tell you that the LED display looks really good?

[Updated on 2 Jul 2009] The official list price of X340 is now $1,388 so the street price is even lower now. I am really tempted to pull out my credit card….

I talked to 3 of my friends who visited the IT Show 2009 and all said this year’s show is no different from last year – “just as crowded”. In fact, the organizer of the IT Show said that he expected more revenue this year because people waited since last December to make purchase at this year’s IT Show.

Ready to buy something? Digital cameras, netbooks, portable HDD, IBM laptops or the iMac 24-inch.

Go check out this IT Show 2009 Price List…

[Update 16 March 2009]
IT Show 2009 generated a record $58.5M – $4.5M more than last year! – The worst may be over? If you think figures don’t lie then start buying up Singapore stocks.

The IT Show will be from 12 to 15 March 2009 at Suntec Singapore.

Typically, home electronics and computer and IT shows will advertise in the newspapers and local TV station a week or 2 prior to the event. So I find it a bit “strange” that the buzz started early this year.

Maybe it’s because of the economic downturn that prompted the event organizer to advertise heavily so that potential exhibitors will come attend the IT Show.

But ONE thing is for sure, I will be more careful to spend money on these electronic gadgets and I will definitely look for the best bargain at the show.

IT Show 2009 Hot Pick: The Netbook

I will say the Netbook(aka UMPC) will be the hot item for this year IT Show.

Why?

It’s most affordable!

And it’s not difficult to justify buying a cheap, light-weight, mobile computer even if you already have a desktop computer at home and use a laptop at work.

The Netbook is for you to carry around and use it in the car or the train!

So, what are you buying at the IT Show? Laptop? Computer accessories? Or just go and see what to buy?