The year 2011 saw tons of really great products, most of which I ended up buying for review here at YugaTech. I look back at 2011 and share the top gadgets we bought and reviewed this year. And, hopefully, you will also share what you’ve purchased too.
The biggest movers and shakers of 2011 are smartphones, followed by tablets and then laptops.
Apple iPad 2. Unlike the first iPad, Apple released the iPad 2 in the Philippines just a month after it made the announcement. This is probably the first one we bought and review here.
Macbook Air 11.6″. The MBA got a huge bump in specs with options for Core i5 and Core i7 processors making my one-year old Core 2 Duo MBA utterly obsolete. I bought it the very day it was made available locally.
LG Optimus 2X. The very first dual-core Android smartphone was the Optimus 2X and I spared no time to grab one, especially when LG was offering a promo discount of Php5k back then.
Asus Transformer. This is my first Android tablet and was fortunate enough to get a special media discount from Asus PH (paid for the tablet in full and got the dock for free).
HP TouchPad. Bought it from the US for $399 thinking the $100 discount was already worth it. The day after it arrived in Manila, the price went down to $99.
Sony-Ericsson Xperia Arc. Bought this one in Hong Kong after being frustrated of not getting the Galaxy S2 unlocked in several stores I visited (it was this or the Samsung Infuse 4G).
Samsung Galaxy Note. I so loved this handset after reviewing it that I bought it (thru a banner ad deal with the supplier).
Smart Rocket Plug-It. At Php3,995, I think this was the least used device I’ve bought.
iPhone 4S. I didn’t really wanted to buy the iPhone 4S but an opportunity came so I got one for Php38k, with the review just in time for the local launch.
Canon Powershot S100. My S95 was great but I wanted to get the S100 and finally found one in KL the other week. Cost me just under Php19k after sweeping all the floors of the Low Yat Mall.
Olympus PEN E-P3. One of the few products I really liked after making the review and ended up buying afterwards. The distributor gave me a discount I could not resist.
Asus Zenbook UX21. Already made the pre-order since last month but it hasn’t arrived yet so it looks like it’s going to go to the 2012 bin.
And if you count the two other smartphones I lost and eventually paid for, I’ll have to include the Motorola Droid Razr and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the list.
That’s an average of 1 purchased device per month all totaling north of Php300k. I just realize I’m spending way too much on devices just to do the reviews here in YugaTech. Perhaps, I need to slow down and cut it by 50% in 2012.
Was 2011 a great year for you too? I reckon most people got the Galaxy S2 and their year is already complete.
Do share what gadgets you got this year.
got an iphone 4 on contract but not under my name unfortunately i’am paying for it since i’am using it I switch it from my first ever android it was a galaxy pro from samsung. I’am planning to switch again to android xperia Arc would be my preferred option or the arc s. Androids have more options less pricey (for more advance users or geeks :D) new version ICS looks great and expendable memory i missed memory cards :D i hope arc s is ICS upgradable or else find another android phone with ICS upgradable meizu mx looks great and price too.
got my self the following:
galaxy tab 7″
LG Optimus 3D
galaxy tab 10.1
Iphone 4s
Samsung 14″ laptop
but most of them got through a network contract hehe
Mine are Globe Tattoo mobile broadband, iPhone 3GS (used for games and music only), Samsung Galaxy tab 7.0, HTC Sensation XE, and finally, Macbook Pro 13-inch. Php 130k (ngayon ko lang na-realized). Damn i need to slow down too…
With Sensation XE (now with Anker battery) getting ICS early next year as my main phone, and with dependable 2011 Macbook Pro (for multimedia, on top of HP 2230s for work)for the laptop, I think i’m good na for 2012 (i pray).
… but darn it! — SLRs, PSP Vita, and, Nokia Lumia 800, quad-core smartphones (possibly HTC) are tempting meeee for 2012! (and I will definitely be tempted to buy iPhone 4S once its done with the battery issues and once Siri is fully-functional worldwide… as well if Moto will release new versions of Rzr with better battery (or much better, the user-replaceable one!).
Anyway, good gadget year for all!
You bought a 3GS for games and music use only?? Haven’t you heard of the iPod touch?
And as for the Razr with a better battery, you can now search the market for Droid Razr Maxx..
I got an Acer Iconia A500 last july, and I just bought myself a new phone — an HTC Sensation XE. Very happy with my decision to purchase this instead of a SGS2 or an iPhone 4S… love the build quality, and the UI is so easy to customize! ^^, Love that most of the apps I bought from the Android Market download straight into my phone, plus I was able to transfer all my contacts via Bluetooth.
Here are the gadgets I bought this year :
HTC Desire
HTC Desire HD
BB Curve 3G
Galaxy Tab
BB Pearl 9105
BB Torch 9800
Nokia X2
SE xperia Neo
BB Curve 8520
Na dispose na lahat maliban sa neo at 8520. Will dispose them again for BB Bold 9900 in white hehe..
The last gadget I bought was an SE-P800 over a decade ago. LOL. Still cost me over 30K, even though the P900 had just come out. And it’s still the only phone that I continue to use ’til now. =))
Can’t afford expensive toys anymore, though. That’s why I join the contests in here in the hope of winning something.
Apologies for the comical segue. =))
Abe, you could put up those gadgets that you’re willing to part with into an “auction” competition of sorts. That could then allow you to recoup maybe half of what you spent on those gadgets. ;-)
Mine was only an SE Xperia Arc: 28.5k (July)
Here’s mine:
Dlink router
Pocket wifi
External HDD
Netphone 701
iPad2
Got myself the following
Dlink router
Pocket Wifi
Smart Netphone
iPad2
External HDD
i got Asus K42JC-VX108 (Laptop)
and a NIKON D5100 for 2011
MB air 11.6′(for my daughter), iPad2(daughter pa din),ipod touch(for my son), Kindle(me and other daughter), Galaxy Note(me na lang):)
The one i bought this year was the Late 2011 macbook pro, Beats Solo HD, Blackberry 9300, and the Blackberry Playbook :D
i got myself a HTC HD7… very happy with it
Is a Nintendo 3DS considered as a gadget? Because that is the only one that I bought this year and I’m enjoying it :)
i5-2400
asrock h61/m u3s3
4gb ddr3 1333 ripjaw
gtx 460 1gb
aspire 1 521
nokia x1-01 dual sim
considered pang poorman sa kanilang category, but ika nga more bang for the buck….
Wait a minute.
Sir Abe, how’d you lose the Galaxy Nexus?
… Oh yeah; this is the Philippines.(Stupid Question)… :P
That’s too bad though; I was really looking forward for a review of the latest Google reference phone.
Happy New Year Everyone…
I bought nothing, i’m poor. Huhuhu
For 2011 I bought these gadgets (started when I lost my iPhone 4)
iPod Touch 4th Gen 32Gb
Galaxy Tab P1000 16Gb
HTC Desire
HTC Sensation
Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus 16Gb
iPhone 4S is my first ever touchscreen phone since I’m more of the text and call type.