MY DEARS, I'm interrupting my regular broadcast of GSS gossip and fashion buys with an important post on gadget-hunting.
Now, I know fashionistas like me are not known for their love for all things digital. But what with technology getting more stylish by the nanosecond (hello, new iPhone!), who can resist grabbing a cute laptop or camera going for cheap?
So I thought I'd pick the brains of tech writers on how to sniff out those deals.
As everyone knows, Sim Lim Square is the place to score a tres delicieux deal on gadgets - or to get majorly ripped off.
It pays to do a bit of homework. Instead of heading straight there like a wide-eyed deer bound for the lion's den, Straits Times tech desker Serene Luo says you should first check out the prices at established retailers such as Harvey Norman and Courts.
These set a benchmark from which you can haggle downwards at Sim Lim retailers.
Also, ask around and see if your friends in university, polytechnic, junior college or ITE are buying an Apple computer soon.
Apple's yearly Back To School offer, valid till Sept 8, has a fantastic deal for students and teachers in those institutions: a rebate of up to $365 if you buy a Mac and an iPod Touch. Considering an iPod Touch costs about $390, that's almost like getting one for free.
For those who travel frequently, ST tech writer Tan Weizhen recommends investing in a little nifty thing called the Ready-2-Go Travel Kit.
The kit has a country-specific overseas prepaid SIM card, so pay only the local rates at your destination (some countries also have free incoming calls for local numbers). It also has something called a link card which forwards Singapore calls to your temporary overseas number.
It's selling between $18.90 and $31.90 at most moneychangers, or you can get it at www.trusling.com. Just the thing to keep those exorbitant roaming charges in check.
Finally, I thought I'd ask the boys behind local tech site Tech65.org for their best buys this GSS season.
Those looking to pick up some nice audio speakers should try the X-mini II Capsule Speakers - small yet powerful, says the Tech65 crew. It's available at Challenger for $49.90, but if you're a member, you can knock $4 off.
And if you're keen on toting around one of those little netbooks, the boys recommend the Lenovo S10-2. It's super cute and light at only 1.25kg, and is available at major retailers for $799.
Tune in next week for more deals and steals.Till then, over and out, darlings!