Your guide to IT Show 2014

SINGAPORE - The IT Show 2014 is now on at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), from 12pm to 9pm daily until Sunday. Admission is free, with some 800,000 visitors expected over the four-day fair.

More than 650 exhibitors are showcasing their products which range from smartphones, laptops and digital cameras to home electronics.

Helming the IT Show 2014 are leading international brands such as Asus Global, Audio Technica, Casio, EpiCentre, Epson, Fujifilm, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba.

Highlights

Redmi: The cheap but high-performance smartphone by Chinese company Xiaomi sold out in Singapore within 8 minutes of its launch. Starhub and SingTel are offering the phone ($0 with some contracts, $169 without contract) at the IT Show 2014.

Online Lucky Draw: For every $100 paid or deposit placed during the show, visitors stand to win over $30,000 worth of cash and gadgets.

Some deals to look out for:

- Creative Sound Blaster Roar: $199 (Usual Price: S$299) / Level B2, Booth B788

- Creative Sound Blaster Evo Zx: $249 (Usual Price: S$299) / Basement 2, Booth B788

- Klipsch Status On-Ear Headphones: $359 (Usual Price: S$399) / Level 1, Booth 1329

- Aftershock XG13: $1,850 (Usual Price: $2,048) / Level B2, Booth B100

- HP Envy 14 TouchSmart: $1,199 (After trading in any Core i5 notebook. Usual price: $1,599) / Level 1. Booth 1221 and 1225

- Acer Aspire V5: $599 (Usual Price: $899) / Level 1, Booth 1209

- Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard: $209 (Usual Price: $299) / Levels 1 & B2, Booths 1521, 1538, B817

- CMStorm Quick Fire XT Mechanical Keyboard: $128 (Usual Price: $165) / Hall 6, Booth 6B70

Next: Tips and tricks to surviving any electronics fair

Tips and tricks

1. Go early, or go late

Go at opening time to avoid the massive human traffic jam that can occur in the afternoon. Heading to the show later, at around 8pm, could get you better deals as some exhibitors are anxious to clear remaining stocks.

Exhibitors have been known to slash prices and offer last minute special bundles the last day of the show. However, do note that popular items such as DSLRs often run out of stock on the last day as well.

2. Bring some company

Gather a group of friends to look out for cheap bargains and special bundled deals. Having company also makes everything seem a little less frustrating.

3. Carry a bag

It is best to carry a bag pack or tote bag. Not having any bags dangling from your arms also mean more freedom to explore other gadgets with your hands.

4. Fill your stomach

Instead of leaving the show halfway to grab a bite and then going back again, save the time by having a hearty meal before heading to the show.

5. Wear appropriate clothing

Although wearing slippers might seem like the most comfortable option, your feet could be accidentally tramped by the crowd. Put on a t-shirt and jeans, or shorts, paired with sneakers to walk around in comfort.

6. Choose your mode of transport wisely

A free shuttle bus service will take visitors between Sands Expo and Convention Center and Suntec Singapore every 15 minutes, starting from 11am. The last bus departs Sands Expo and Convention Center at 10.30pm.

For those who are hesitating to drive to the show because of the crowd and also the relatively high car park rates at MBS, tech website Hardware Zone recommends these alternative parking areas:

- Esplanade: An approximately 20-minute walk to the venue

- Gardens by the Bay: An approximately 20-minute walk to the venue

- Suntec City: Take the free shuttle bus service to the venue; or take the MRT (Esplanade or Promenade station) to Bayfront station

- Marina Square: An approximately 20-minute walk to the venue; or walk over to Suntec City for the free shuttle bus service

- Marina Bay Financial Centre: An approximately 10-minute walk to the venue

- Millenia Walk: A short walk to Promenade MRT station, where you can take the train to Bayfront MRT station)

(Check out Hardware Zone's article for the rates at these car parks.)

7. Know what you're looking for

This is the most important survival tip for any IT show. Even having the vague idea of what you want to get could help save time, trouble and money from going to every level and looking at every booth.

8. Plan your route

After knowing what you want, print out a copy of the floor plans beforehand and decide which booths you would want to visit first. That way, you can also source for the best deal out of all the booths.

huizhen@sph.com.sg, ayxhy@sph.com.sg