5 November 2009 – HardwareMag (HWM) and HardwareZone.com (HWZ) jointly commence their reader’s poll today in Singapore’s largest pinnacle tech awards that recognises the best tech brands in Singapore.

Comprising two main accolades, namely the Reader’s Choice Awards and the Editor’s Choice Awards, the HWM and HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2010 honours industry players who have introduced products of exceptional quality, innovation and performance released between December 2008 and November 2009. Products run the gamut from the computer, consumer electronics, communications to digital entertainment sectors.

The 2010 Awards will engage greater consumer participation through its Reader’s Choice Awards (please refer to Appendix 1), by allowing tech-savvy readers from HWM and HardwareZone.com, both owned by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd (SPH Magazines), to pay tribute to their favourite brands by voting online from a total of 28 award categories comprising 80 brands and organisations. Besides tech brands, the online poll will also call for users to vote for their favourite tech services and stores.

Dr Jimmy Tang, SPH Magazines' Group Editor says, “Over the years, both HWM and HardwareZone.com have given numerous awards to products that were the movers and shakers of the tech industry. However, we wanted the awards to be more inclusive this time. This is one reason why we are extremely excited to engage our large tech community from both HWM and HardwareZone.com, so that they can extend their tribute to the industry through the Reader’s Choice Awards.”

All readers who vote at www.hardwarezone.com.sg/techawards stand to win fabulous prizes including a hotel stay for two in Phuket. Voting closes 3 December.

Selection Criteria

The HWM and HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2010 Reader’s Choice winners will be decided based on the number of votes obtained from an online poll during a period of one month starting from 5 Nov to 3 Dec 2009.

APPENDIX 1

Reader’s Choice Award Categories

• Best internet service provider
• Best mobile operator (Singapore)
• Best antivirus/internet security software
• Best components retailer (Singapore)
• Best consumer electronics megastore (Singapore)
• Best Pay TV service (Singapore)
• Best CPU 
• Best gaming graphics chip
• Best graphics card brand
• Best motherboard brand
• Best removable Flash storage brand
• Best external HDD brand
• Best desktop internal HDD brand
• Best LCD monitor brand
• Best notebook brand
• Best gaming notebook brand
• Best desktop PC brand
• Best netbook brand 
• Best LCD TV brand
• Best lifestyle mobile phone brand
• Best business smartphone brand
• Best point & shoot digital camera brand
• Best DSLR camera brand
• Best inkjet printer brand
• Best laser printer brand
• Best projector brand
• Best networking brand
• Best home-theatre-in-a-box (HTIB) brand