In a world where mega sales events and enticing discounts dominate the consumer landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of bargain hunting. Mega sales, such as ASUS eShop Anniversary, Amazon White Friday, Noon Yellow Friday, and other seasonal promotions, promise unbeatable deals and jaw-dropping discounts. However, the pursuit of bargains often leads to impulsive purchases and buyer’s remorse. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of smart shopping strategies, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing value over the mere thrill of finding a good deal.

The Psychology of Bargain Hunting
Bargain hunting is deeply ingrained in human psychology. The idea of getting more for less triggers a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Retailers capitalize on this psychology during mega-sales events, employing various tactics to create a sense of urgency and scarcity. Limited-time offers, flash sales, and door-buster deals are designed to prompt consumers to make quick decisions without thoroughly evaluating the actual value of the products.

While snagging a great deal can undoubtedly be gratifying, it’s crucial to recognize that not all discounts are created equal. The true value of a purchase lies not just in the amount of money saved but in the overall satisfaction and utility derived from the product over time.

Prioritising Value Over Discounts
Smart shoppers understand the distinction between a good deal and a valuable purchase. Instead of succumbing to the allure of massive discounts, they focus on products that align with their needs and preferences. Prioritising value involves considering factors beyond the price tag, such as product quality, durability, and long-term utility.

One effective strategy is to create a shopping list in advance, identifying the items that genuinely enhance one’s lifestyle or meet specific needs. By approaching mega sales with a clear plan, consumers can avoid impulse purchases and allocate their budget to items that bring lasting value.

Comparing Prices and Researching Products
In the age of information, ignorance is a choice. Smart shoppers leverage the power of the internet to compare prices and research products before making a purchase. Online reviews, expert opinions, and user experiences provide valuable insights into the performance and reliability of a product.

During mega sales, retailers often promote exclusive bundles or package deals. While these may seem tempting, it’s essential to assess whether the bundled items are genuinely necessary. In some cases, retailers use bundle deals to clear out excess inventory, leading consumers to buy products they wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Researching individual items and their reviews can help shoppers make informed decisions, ensuring they get the best value for their money.

Setting a Realistic Budget
One of the most fundamental aspects of smart shopping is setting a realistic budget. Mega sales events can be overwhelming, with the sheer volume of discounted products tempting consumers to overspend. By establishing a budget and sticking to it, shoppers can avoid financial strain and make more intentional purchasing decisions.

A well-defined budget should account not only for the cost of desired items but also for potential additional expenses such as taxes, shipping fees, and warranties. This comprehensive approach prevents surprises at the checkout and allows consumers to stay within their financial means while still taking advantage of valuable deals.

Embracing Technology and Price Tracking
Technology has revolutionized the way we shop, offering tools and apps that empower consumers to make informed choices. Price tracking apps, for example, allow users to monitor the historical pricing of products and determine whether the current discount is genuinely significant. By understanding the price history of an item, shoppers can avoid falling for false discounts and make purchases when the prices are genuinely reduced.

Additionally, many retailers offer price-matching policies, allowing consumers to get the best price available. Smart shoppers take advantage of these policies by presenting evidence of lower prices from competitors, ensuring they pay the lowest possible amount for their desired products.

Understanding Return Policies
No matter how diligent a shopper is, there’s always the possibility of a purchase not meeting expectations. Understanding the return policies of retailers is a crucial aspect of smart shopping. Some mega-sales events have more restrictive return policies, making it essential to read the fine print before completing a purchase.

Smart shoppers prioritise retailers with transparent and customer-friendly return policies. This ensures that if a product doesn’t live up to expectations or if there are issues with the purchase, they have the flexibility to return or exchange the item without unnecessary hassle.

Sustainable Shopping
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of consumerism. Smart shoppers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their purchasing decisions. Mega sales provide an opportunity to invest in high-quality, eco-friendly products at discounted prices.

By choosing products that are built to last and have a minimal environmental impact, shoppers contribute to a more sustainable and responsible consumer culture. Some retailers also use mega sales events to promote sustainable practices, offering discounts on eco-friendly products or providing incentives for recycling old items.

Here then, are the top offers available through the ASUS Extravaganza…

On-the-Go Multitaskers

ASUS Vivobook Go 14 Flip (TP1400)

The Vivobook Go 14 Flip is a flippable laptop that gives you 360° perspective on everything you do. At just 16.9 mm thin and weighing only 1.5 kg, it’s no fuss to take anywhere, and its zippy Intel Pentium Silver processor gets everything done quickly, whether for work or play. With its trendy Quiet Blue colour and tough 360° hinge, the versatile Vivobook Go 14 Flip is your laptop, your tablet — or anything in between.

To provide exceptional remote-working and video-conferencing experiences, Vivobook Go 14 Flip features ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology that employs machine learning in order to isolate unwanted noise from human speech. This technology helps to filter out ambient noise for optimum group conference call quality. The 360° ErgoLift hinge on Vivobook Go 14 Flip undergoes a 20,000-cycle open-and-close test for durability.

ASUS Vivobook S 14 Flip (TP3402ZA-LZ409W)

The ASUS Vivobook S 14 Flip allows you to experience ultimate flexibility. This convertible adapts seamlessly to your work or play style. It elevates your performance with the latest Intel Core processors and speedy SSD storage while treating your eyes to the stunning 14-inch 2K NanoEdge touchscreen.

Whether conquering daily tasks or unwinding in style, this laptop has you covered. You can stay connected effortlessly with an array of ports, including the convenient USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. In terms of the colour, you can choose between the chic Quiet Blue or the sleek Cool Silver. It also features 16GB of RAM, an efficient ASUS IceCool cooling system, spacious 1TB SSD storage, and a lightning-fast WiFi 6E connection.

Modern Professionals and Creative Individuals

ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (M6500VX-MA071W)

The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Processor and the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 laptop GPU. Thus, this laptop guarantees peak performance, supported by an efficient dual-fan cooling system. Your imaginative creations will shine on the stunning 3K OLED display, boasting a super-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and ultra-accurate, vivid colours.

The laptop comes packed with a gorgeous 15.6-inches 3K 120 Hz OLED display. It boasts a 16:9 aspect ratio, a high resolution of 2880-by-1620 pixels, and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 3-sided NanoEdge design with an 84% screen-to-body ratio, a rapid 0.2 ms response time, and 100% DCI-P3 coverage.

Gaming Enthusiasts and Power Users

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (FA507XI-LP018W)

Dive headfirst into the gaming excitement with the TUF Gaming A15. Boasting Windows 11 right out of the box, this powerhouse is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and up to 32GB of lightning-fast 4800MHz DDR5 RAM, ensuring seamless streaming and multitasking. You can unleash the full gaming potential with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU and a dedicated MUX Switch. As your game library expands, the convenient empty M.2 NVMe SSD slot makes storage upgrades a breeze.

Stay on par with professional standards with a QHD 165Hz display. G-SYNC seamlessly synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the GPU’s output, minimising lag, reducing stuttering, and eliminating visual tearing, delivering ultra-smooth and lifelike gameplay. The QHD panel covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space, accurately reproducing colours as intended by the creator. All packed into an impressive 80% screen-to-body frame, videos and games become more immersive without compromising on portability.

ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (FX506HE-HN018W)

Tailored for dedicated gaming and showcasing a sleek new design, the TUF Gaming F15 stands as a Windows 11 Home gaming laptop loaded with features to propel you to victory. The state-of-the-art GeForce RTX 3050Ti GPU ensures seamless gameplay on a 144Hz display, complemented by the robust Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, which benefits from enhanced cooling for amplified CPU performance while maintaining stealthy acoustics. A durable 90Wh battery, coupled with TUF’s military-grade durability, ensures that you stay at the top of your game wherever you go.

You also get a superfast NVMe PCIe SSD with 1TB speed upload times, while an open SSD slot makes it easy to add terabytes more space for all your games. Experience professional-level gaming speed with a rapid 144Hz, 100% sRGB IPS-level panel. Thanks to Adaptive-Sync, the display’s refresh rate syncs seamlessly with the GPU’s frame rate, diminishing lag, minimizing stuttering, and eradicating visual tearing for an ultra-smooth and immersive gaming experience. The ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 ensures convenient on-the-fly connectivity, enabling powerful external GPUs or external monitors to enhance your multitasking capabilities. Additionally, enjoy playing 4K Ultra HD movies, videos, and games on large-screen TVs with HDMI 2.0b.

During Gamescom, Corsair unveiled the Platform:6, marking their debut in the gaming desk arena. Boasting height adjustability and a plethora of modular add-ons to cater to your current and future gaming setup requirements, the Platform:6 is now primed for its official release.

This expansive desk, the Platform:6, offers the choice of an optional motor for altering its height, granting you the flexibility to sit or stand as you desire.

Corsair has meticulously engineered it to seamlessly accommodate its entire product range, spanning from peripherals to Elgato accessories, thereby enabling a complete streaming setup, complete with lighting solutions.

The Platform:6 caters to a wide array of modern lifestyles, whether you’re a dedicated PC gamer or a remote worker seeking an organized workspace within the confines of your home.

This desk spans a substantial six feet in width and can be shipped in various configurations, allowing buyers to select their preferred surface material and make enhancements, such as adding an expandable rail system or incorporating the Elgato Multi Frame to house all their streaming equipment.

Desk extension kits and sideboards are also available for purchase, allowing you to expand your desk’s size if you discover the need for more space. Corsair additionally offers power strips and cable boxes to help you neatly organize your wires and maintain a clean and orderly setup.

For those interested, the Platform:6, along with its assortment of accessories and extensions, can now be found on the Corsair webstore.

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR has announced the Elgato Prompter, a compact teleprompter that makes pro video production accessible to all. Attached to a camera or webcam, Prompter connects creators to their audience with real, natural eye contact. It’s powered by a computer and can display video scripts or stream chat using Elgato’s free Camera Hub software. Prompter also mirrors any window or app (like a Zoom meeting) with an easy drag and drop. Best of all, unlike other teleprompters, it doesn’t require an extra tablet or smartphone—its 9” screen is already built in. With its unmatched compatibility and Stream Deck support, Elgato’s latest hardware is changing how people communicate online.

For the first time, teleprompting is easy for creators of all kinds, opening the door to better content and stronger communities. With Prompter, Twitch streamers can interact with chat while looking at their camera, making live conversations more engaging. Meanwhile, Prompter helps YouTubers stay on script while recording, which means fewer reshoots and less time editing. Everything’s customizable using Elgato’s Camera Hub software—included free for PC and Mac. Here in the app, creators are free to manage Prompter’s display and personalize text appearance. There’s even a Stream Deck plugin, offering more ways to control Prompter with a key press, a dial turn, or a foot tap.

“We built Prompter to be the true all-in-one solution for content creators,” said Jeff Stegner, Product Manager at Elgato. “For years, consumer teleprompters offered only half the equation, requiring an additional smartphone or tablet. Meanwhile, studio devices with a built-in display were too expensive for most creators. Prompter is the best of both worlds.”

Professionals, too, have reason to be excited. Not only is Prompter ideal for virtual presentations, but it’s also the perfect icebreaker for video calls. With a drag and drop, users can move their Zoom or Microsoft Teams app onto Prompter’s screen, directly in front of their camera. Now at eye level, Prompter ensures everyone meets face to face with professional eye contact. Likewise, those stuck at work don’t need to miss the big match—they can drag over a browser window and catch every play, without sacrificing monitor space.

Luckily for creators and professionals alike, Prompter likely works with the camera they already use at home or in the office. That’s because it’s compatible with more webcams, cameras, and smartphones than any other teleprompter. The setup is surprisingly simple, too, thanks to interchangeable backplates and a single-cable USB connection. Of course, Prompter works best when paired with other Elgato products, like the world’s first 4K60 webcam, Facecam Pro.