IT Show 2012 - Telco, Tablets, GPS and Mobile Accessories Buying Guide
One of the biggest pull factor for any IT fair are the telco deals bundled with loads of goodies, and all sorts of mobile accessories to complement your latest purchases. Here's our recommended list to look at for IT Show 2012!
Mobile Deals
IT Show is currently taking place at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Center. Till the 11th of March, the expo will span five floors (1, 2, 3, 4, and 6), and its doors will be opened from 12 noon to 9pm daily. In this segment, we highlight noteworthy items related to the all things mobile, including the best deals from telcos such as SingTel, StarHub and M1. And if you are looking to complement that latest smartphone or tablet purchase from these telcos, there's also a whole load of mobile accessory deals waiting for you at the first IT fair in 2012.
Buying Guide Index
IT Show 2012 Shopping Resources
Remember to check out the HardwareZone Tech Show Portal for the latest consolidated shopping resources and updates.
Broadband Plans
At every IT fair, the three telcos in Singapore, namely SingTel, StarHub and M1 come up with all forms of special bundles, all in the hopes of enticing you to sign up for a two-year mobile or broadband plan. There's a wide variety of discounted plans and freebies to choose from, so here are some of the deals that you might not want to miss out at IT Show 2012.
M1 (Level 2, Ballroom 2 & Foyer)
M1 100Mbps Fibre Broadband Offer
When it comes to the most affordable fibre broadband plans, M1 has taken the lead over the last few IT fairs. This year, they've tossed in their 100Mbps fibre broadband plan along with a mobile broadband mData value plan that gives you download speeds of 7.2Mbps and 5GB data limit.
Priced at $45 per month, you are looking at a costing savings of nearly $26 per month from the usual price of both plans combined.
- IT Show Price: $45 / month
- Usual Price: $59 / month for 100Mbps fibre broadband and $12 per month for 7.2Mbps mobile broadband.
Free Toshiba Satellite U840 or Apple MacBook Pro with Fibre Broadband and Mobile Sign-up
As usual, M1 is bundling free notebooks with a fibre broadband and mobile plan sign-up. Now if you're eyeing that Apple MacBook Pro, here's the mathematics. With the fibre broadband 200Mbps plan at $99 and the mobile broadband mData Max at $40, you're looking at a monthly subscription of $139.
Now that's $4 off the usual price, and for that you're getting a MacBook Pro with a Core i5 2.4GHz processor, 4GB RAM and a 500GB HDD.
- IT Show Price: $135 / month
- Usual Price: $99 / month for 200Mbps fibre broadband and $40 per month for 7.2Mbps mobile broadband.
- Promotion: Free Apple MacBook Pro worth $1,648
MyRepublic (Level 6, Booth 6432)
No-Contract Sign-Ups
As the newest kid on the block, fibre broadband service provider MyRepublic is going all out at their very first IT Show. For those who wish to check out the new fibre service without committing to a contract, MyRepublic is offering a no-contract sign-up for its 100Mbps fibre broadband plan. Do note that this is limited to the first 100,000 customers.
Free Razer Mamba or BlackWidow with 12-month Gamer Sign-up
If you're committed to sign up for a 12-month contract with MyRepublic, its Gamer plan which offers 100Mbps download speeds and static IP service will come with a freebie. Choose from the Razer Mamba mouse, or the Razer BlackWidow mechanical keyboard when you take up the $69 per month plan that's designed for gamers.
- Gamer plan: $69 per month
- Promotion: Free Razer Mamba mouse (worth $209) or Razer BlackWidow mechanical keyboard (worth $199)
For more information about the latest IT Show promotions for MyRepublic, click here.
SingTel (Level 2, Ballroom 1 & 2)
Free Apple MacBook Pro and Integrated Wireless Modem with BroadBand Signup
Want a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Pro? Simply sign up for an $88 per month plan with Singtel that includes 10Mbps home broadband and 1.5Mbps mobile broadband connectivity options. Alternatively, you can sign up for an Explore Home 200 plan at $139.90 per month, which includes 200Mbps fibre broadband, mio TV, home line and 1.5Mbps mobile broadband options.
- IT Show Price: $88 per month (10Mbps) / $139.90 per month (200Mbps)
- Usual Price: NA
- Promotion: Comes with free integrated wireless modem
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 3G (32GB) with Mobile BroadBand 7.2 Plan
If you are looking for a capable Android tablet, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 3G (32GB) is a worthy contender for your affections. Why not kill two birds with one stone and pair it up with a SingTel mobile broadband 7.2Mbps plan at $40 per month? Simply top up $199 to get the tablet, a free keyboard docking station worth $199, free sleeve and Takashimaya vouchers worth $50.
- IT Show Price: $40 per month / $199 for ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 3G
- Promotion: Purchase the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 3G for $199 (usual price $249). Free keyboard docking station, ASUS sleeve, Takashimaya vouchers worth $50
StarHub (Level 3, Room 325/326 & Foyer)
Free Star Wars Xbox 360 with MaxInfinity Premium Plus
The Force is strong with the StarHub deals. At IT Show 2012, customers who sign up for the MaxInfinity Premium Plus plan that gives you a 50Mbps fibre home broadband connection alongside a 2Mbps unlimited mobile broadband gets the limited edition Star Wars Kinect Xbox 360. The free gaming console will be equipped with a 320GB hard drive and comes with a wireless controller that pays homage to the lovable R2D2 and C3PO droids.
- IT Show Price: $81.32 / month
- Promotion: FREE $30 Robinsons Vouchers and lucky dip chance total worth over $80,000 / Waiver of service activation worth $32
Sony Ericsson Xperia S with 2-year contract
Looking to get hold of the newly released Sony Xperia S? With a 2-year 3G mobile voice and data plan (i2Surf 300/SmartSurf 300), you can bring one home for a mere $268. Additional perks include topping up $199 to get a Playstation Vita (limited to 1st 100 customers). For DSB and POSB card members, you have a choice of topping up $98 to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7-inch for free with no contract when you sign up for any 2-year i2Surf mobile phone package.
- IT Show Price: $268 for device
- Usual Price: $N.A.
- Promotion: Chance to win a 5D3N trip to Melbourne worth over $3000
- More information: Sony Xperia S
Smartphones
While most of your smartphone purchases will probably be made through a two-year plan with the telcos, there are times when you might not be able to sign for a new contract and find yourself in need of a new phone. Fortunately, there are some good offers available at the IT Show 2012, which lets you purchase a smartphone without a contract to tie you down.
Confused by the wide range of smartphones running different mobile OSes? Well, you can check out our Smartphone Buying Guide to decide which mobile OS suits you best and head back here for our top recommendations at IT Show 2012.
Samsung (Level 4, Booth 8328)
Samsung Galaxy S II
We know what comes after the Samsung Galaxy S II, but that doesn't make last year's dual-core smartphone any lesser. In fact, with $130 slashed off its usual price, the Samsung Galaxy S II is a great catch if you need a new Android smartphone, but can't sign a two-year contract with the three telcos due to a prior plan.
- IT Show Price: $768
- Usual Price: $898
- More information: Samsung Galaxy S II
Nokia (Level 6, Hall 602, Booth 6441)
Nokia Lumia 800
Nokia's first Windows Phone gets a new shade of white, and it's finally here. Launched at IT Show 2012, the white Nokia Lumia 800 shares the same specifications as its earlier Lumia 800 siblings. This includes Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 Mango as its operating system, with a single-core 1.4GHz processor and a 3.7-inch AMOLED capacitive display with a screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels running the show.
If you're keen to try a well-designed Windows Phone, but find yourself tied to a contract, you can consider the Lumia 800, which is discounted from its usual price of $775 to $729.
- IT Show Price: $729
- Usual Price: $775
- Promotion: Stand a chance to win a limited edition white Xbox 360 4GB worth $469 with every purchase of a white Nokia Lumia 800
- More Information: Nokia Lumia 800
HTC (Level 6, Hall 603, Booth 6721)
HTC Sensation
Even though the era of quad-core smartphones is upon us, there are still plenty of competent dual-core smartphones around and the HTC Sensation is one of them. Equipped with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 768MB RAM, you will find multitasking a breeze. The large 4.3-inch screen with qHD resolution (960 x 540 pixels) displays sharp details and vibrant colors. For camera enthusiasts, they will be glad to find a 8-megapixel camera on the HTC Sensation which is also capable of 1080p video recording.
- IT Show Price: $788
- Usual Price: $838
- Promotion: Free Norton mobile security with every HTC handset purchased. Free gifts worth $260 ($140 voucher, original battery, screen guard, casing)
- More information: HTC Sensation
Sony (Level 6, Hall 603, Booth 6201)
Sony Xperia arc S
The Sony Xperia arc S may not have the latest or greatest hardware and software among the sea of smartphones today but it still packs a reasonable punch with a unique design and decent performance. Its unique and slim arched design helps differentiate the Xperia arc S from the other Android smartphones.
In addition, the 4.2-inch display with Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine delivers a pleasant multimedia experience on a screen size that is comfortable and not too intimidating. The Sony Xperia arc S also has an 8.1-megapixel camera with f/2.4 lens for your imaging needs. Other specs include a 1.4GHz single-core processor, 512MB RAM and Android 2.3 (upgradeable to Android 4.0).
- IT Show Price: $598
- Usual Price: $788
- More Information: Sony Xperia arc S
Tablets
Unfortunately, there won't be any Apple products, especially the newly announced iPads from this IT fair onwards. After all, it was only just announced a few hours ago. Fortunately, there's still a whole barrage of Android tablets for you to choose from, and here are some that might catch your eye for its affordable pricing.
Acer (Level 4, Booth 8105, 8458)
Acer Iconia Tab A200
The Acer Iconia Tab A200 is the most affordable Android 4.0 tablet in the market at the moment. It runs on NVIDIA's Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM. Besides the onboard memory of 16GB, you can increase the storage capacity of the A200 via the microSD expansion slot.
- IT Show Price: $499
- Promotion: Free upgrade to 32GB *Available while stocks last*
ASUS (Level 4, Booth 8310, 8220)
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime
If you are looking for the latest Android tablet in the market, the choice is no doubt the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Not only is the Eee Pad Transformer Prime the first tablet to be equipped with NVIDIA's Tegra 3 quad-core processor, it is also the first Android 4.0 tablet that is available in the market.
It comes dressed in an aluminum body with metallic spun finish, along with a battery performance that promises much more than the standard tablets out there. Do not be worried about it running out of juice as the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime boasts the best battery performance among existing Android tablets.
- IT Show Price: $899
- Usual Price: $1099
- Promotion: NIL
- More Information: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime
Samsung (Level 4, Booth 8328)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (16GB) 3G
When it comes to choosing an Android tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab devices are among the top recommendations. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (16B) 3G is one such example, with its NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, reasonable battery life and a rear camera that takes decent images. It is also one of the thinnest (8.6mm) and lightest (565g) 10.1-inch tablets in the market. With $130 shaved off from its original retail price, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is definitely one of the top picks of IT Show 2012.
- IT Show Price: $718
- Usual Price: $848
- More information: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Sony (Level 4, Hall 404, Booth 8210)
Sony Tablet S
Want to stand out from the tablet-touting crowd? Get the Sony Tablet S as its unique folding design is bound to turn heads along the streets. The asymmetrical design is not just for aesthetics - its ergonomically designed to shift the weight closer to your palm, making the Tablet S more comfortable for one-handed operation.
The Sony Tablet S runs on NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM and Android 3.2 Honeycomb (upgradeable to Android 4.0). Reading text and viewing multimedia content will be pleasant due to the 9.4-inch display backed by Sony's renowned BRAVIA TruBlack technology.
- IT Show Price: $618 (16GB Wi-Fi), $748 (32GB Wi-Fi), $798 (16GB 3G + Wi-Fi)
- Usual Price: $668 (16GB Wi-Fi), $798 (32GB Wi-Fi)
- Promotion: 16GB Sony SD card, Cradle, Targus Custom Fit Slip Book Case (Black), Sony Tablet Premium, USB connection cable, Sony Tablet Cleaning Cloth
- More Information: Sony Tablet S
Toshiba (Level 4, Hall 401, Booth 8143 & 8361, Hall 403, 8418 & 8438, Level 6, Hall 601, Booth 6137)
Toshiba Regza Tablet AT200
Toshiba pushes the boundaries of tablet design with its Regza AT200 slate which measures just 7.7mm thin and weighs 535g, making it the world's thinnest and lightest 10.1-inch tablet. Performance is not compromised as the Toshiba Regza AT200 is powered by a TI OMAP4430 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM. It runs on Android 3.2 Honeycomb, has a 5-megapixel rear autofocus camera and a 2-megapixel front facing camera.
- IT Show Price: $849
- Usual Price: NIL
- Promotion: Free 2nd year local warranty extension (parts only, exclude labour) worth up to $69
Huawei (Level 4, Hall 404, Booth 8108)
Huawei MediaPad
If you are looking for an affordable Android tablet without the bells and whistles, consider the Huawei MediaPad. One of Huawei's finest products till date, the MediaPad sports a sturdy unibody aluminium chassis which is miles ahead of tablets of its class with plastic shells. It is also one of the lightest 7-inch tablets in the market at 390g, making it a joy to tote around whenever you go. The Huawei MediaPad is equipped with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and 1GB RAM, which is more than sufficient for normal usage conditions. Multimedia viewing experience is great due to the MediaPad's high resolution display with a pixel density of 217ppi.
- IT Show Price: $498
- Usual Price: $598
- Promotion: Free Gift
- More Information: Huawei MediaPad
GPS Deals
Your smartphones may have the latest Google Maps but if it lacks turn-by-turn navigation, you will probably be better off with a dedicated GPS device. The best time to buy one is of course at an electronics fair and now that the IT Show is here, here are some of our suggestions:
Holux (Level 6 Hall 601, Booth 6811)
Holux TrackNavi 61S
Looking for a capable GPS unit? The new Holux GPS 61 is 14.1 mm thick and comes with quality finishing and a removable battery. With a 4.3-inch screen, users will be able to utilize the map data from Singapore Land Authority and traffic data from Land Transport Authority. Comes with the latest Galactio V8.8 software.
- IT Show Price: $159
- Usual Price: $199
- Promotion: 1st 20 units daily at 12, 4 & 8 pm
Holux TrackNavi 62S
The bigger cousin to the 61S model, the 62S GPS model comes with a bigger 5-inch screen and an equally slim profile. Comes with the latest Galactio V8.8 software, map data from Singapore Land Authority and traffic data from Land Transport Authority.
- IT Show Price: $199
- Usual Price: $259
- Promotion: 1st 20 units daily at 12, 4 & 8 pm
TomTom (Level 6 Hall 603, Booth 6721)
TomTom Via 260
Looking for a capable GPS unit? Your TomTom device is pre-installed with the latest map of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei, Hong Kong and Macau. Comes with a huge 4.3-inch display for better viewing.
- IT Show Price: $199
- Usual Price: N.A.
- Promotion: Redemption of extra two-year South East Asia Map update
TomTom Go 2050 World
If you travel and drive overseas very often, the TomTom GO 2050 World may very well be your best buddy on the road. It utilizes a sensitive 5-inch Fluid Touch screen that responds intelligently to every gesture for faster and more interactive navigation experience. Included in the GPS device is a comprehensive list of maps around the world.
- IT Show Price: $429
- Usual Price: $N.A.
- Promotion: Redemption of extra two-year South East Asia Map update
Mobile Accessories
Battery packs. Casings. Bluetooth headsets. These are just some of the necessary accessories to complete your smartphone or tablet experience. If you're looking for an enhanced mobile experience, take a close look at the various accessories that are up for offer at IT Show 2012.
iTech (Level 6 Hall 601, Booth 6451)
i.Tech MyVoice 615
The funky i.Tech MyVoice 615 is designed to allow streaming of audio, songs, movies and YouTube videos from A2DP-compatible Bluetooth smart phones, tablets or multimedia devices. Comes with a voice dialing feature, and a quick charge function which provides 1.5 hours of talk time with just 15 mins of charging.
- IT Show Price: $78
- Usual Price: $98
- Promotion: Enjoy an additional $10 off the My Voice615 when you like KJC Technologies on Facebook (Consumers must show proof on their devices before purchase)
Clip II Mini
Looking for an affordable Bluetooth mono headset? The small Clip II mini accessory comes with multipoint technology and a simple one-touch button that allows you to easily reject calls, mute calls, redial the last number, and transfer calls from your headset to a mobile phone.
- IT Show Price: $19.90
- Usual Price: $78
- Promotion: NA
Jabra (Level 6 Hall 603, Booth 6711)
Jabra Clipper
The Jabra Clipper is a great steal for those who listen to music while on-the-go - the accessory allows users to automatically switch between music and calls with ease and can be used with any 3.5mm headphones (comes with its own).
- IT Show Price: $55 (for first 50 units sold; subsequently, $65)
- Usual Price: $78
- Promotion: Stand a chance to win prizes with a minimum purchase of $80. Spent $120 and double your chances.
Jabra Extreme2
Looking for that ultimate noise cancelling Bluetooth headset? The Jabra Extreme seems to fit the profile pretty well - the accessory is equipped with the latest Noise Blackout 3.0 and HD Voice technologies. It also allows users to connect up to two active Bluetooth devices at the same time. Comes with up to 5.5 hours talk time and up to 10.5 days standby time.
- IT Show Price: $109
- Usual Price: $129
- Promotion: Free Jabra 2GB thumbdrive
MiLi (Level 6 Hall 601, Booth 6451)
Mili Power Matrix
Require extra battery mileage? The new Mili Power Matrix comes with a 3000mAh battery capacity and allows for simultaneous charging. While it is made for the iPhone and iPad, the charger comes with an integrated Micro USB port and a free USB cable as well.
- IT Show Price: $68
- Usual Price: $78
- Promotion: NA
Mili Photo Printer
The smartphone has since replaced the compact camera as the mainstay shooting gear. With the Mili Photo printer, you can easily print these photos straight from your iPhone or Android devices. Not only that, you can charge your devices via the printer while it is printing your photos. Print size for these photos is 4 x 6-inch.
- IT Show Price: $149
- Usual Price: $299
- Promotion: Two free packs of cartridges
Motorola (Level 6 Hall 602, Booth 6421 & 6018)
Motorola Bluetooth Headset HZZ750
The classy Motorola Bluetooth Headset HZ750 comes with the CrystalTalk Noise Cancellation technology and an extended range of up to 100 metres. Additional features include the MY Motospeak technology, which enables users to customize their headset experience. Comes with up to 15 hours of talk time and up to 35 days of standby time.
- IT Show Price: $178
- Usual Price: NA
- Promotion: Free gift with purchase
Motorola Bluetooth HX550
The affordable Motorola Bluetooth Headset HX550 comes with the CrystalTalk Noise Cancellation technology and an extended range of up to 100 metres. Additional features include the MY Motospeak technology, which enables users to customize their headset experience. Comes with up to 9 hours of talk time and up to 16 days of standby time.
- IT Show Price: $88
- Usual Price: $98
- Promotion: Free gift with purchase
Belkin (Level 6 Hall 602, Booth 6121)
Video Charging Dock for iPhone
With $30 shaved off this video charging dock, you can set your iPhone up and get ready to watch a movie with the phone's somewhat modest 3.5-inch display. Even if you aren't going to use it to watch your movies, this will keep your iPhone docked and ready to charge at a moment's notice.
- IT Show Price: $19
- Usual Price: $49
Corbell (Level 6,Booth 6641)
Apen Smart Pen
The Apen Smart Pen allows you to write on your iPad or iPad 2 with a pen-like stylus. No more smudges on the screen of your tablet iOS device!
- IT Show Price: $149
- Usual Price: $169
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.