I got the chance to head over to Hong Kong last week to cover the global launch of the ZTE Blade S6 smartphone and took the time to head out into the city’s famous electronics markets. While I ended up buying only a few things, the wares on display had my tech glands salivating. Here are some of the most memorable tech markets and products I spotted in Hong Kong.
The Mong Kok Computer Centre
The largest shopping centre dedicated to computer hardware and peripherals, the Mong Kong Computer Centre attracts throngs of crowds that comprises from gamers to IT professionals.
In the MKCC, I stopped at the Mastergam (sic) Computer Company shop (no. 103), a small shop completely dedicated to gaming (both PC and console) accessories.
The shop stocks everything from the most advanced gaming mice and keyboards, to 5.1 headphones and console controllers.
Even more impressive was the Jumbo Computer Supplies shop (no. 111), a non-descript tiny stall with every possible computer component on sale from motherboards to graphics cards.
I was enthralled by this list of graphics cards and their prices stuck right outside the shop and spent about half an hour calculating the exchange rates. The deal I was most interested in was an Inno3D GTX 970 4GB graphics card being sold for HKD 2,580 that translates to about Rs. 20,400. The cheapest GTX 970 I could find in India was for around Rs. 27,000.
You’ll also find hundreds of laptops and netbooks being sold, all decorated with colourful price stickers and music videos with scantily clad ladies playing on the screens.
The Apple Store @ the IFC Mall
While this Apple Store isn’t the largest in Hong Kong, it was the first in the city when it opened its doors in 2011. Since Hong Kong doesn’t have duties or taxes on electronics, all your favourite Apple products are sold here for considerably less than in India.
Widely considered to be one of the best looking Apple Stores in the world, this one has a glass staircase in the middle that leads to the top level.
As expected, the store is packed to the gills with customers and Apple Geniuses (in red). The store also allows kids and other folks to walk in and get trained in how to use Apple hardware and software.
The store sells everything from the latest iPads to Macbooks and iPhones. I, however, couldn’t find a dockable keyboard for my iPad 2.
The Apple Store is located in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central Financial District and offers quite the view.
The Temple Street Night Market
The Night Market that opens on Temple Street every night is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hong Kong. The market has shops that sell everything from pornography and pirated Blu-Rays to curios, clothes and tech accessories.
One of the best things I spotted were USB drives designed to look like popular superheroes and cartoon characters.
Considering that I could pick up 10 32GB USB drives for HKD 100 (Rs. 800 approx.), I had a grand time choosing my favourites.
Other things on sale at the Temple Street Night Market included iPad covers...
...Drones, and...
...And every single smartphone accessory that you can think of.
Also:
This cool skullcap with a built in Bluetooth music player and headphones was being sold at a shop located at Victoria's Peak.