PC prices dropping

With Vista delayed until after Christmas, PC makers are scratching their heads in a bid to get punters to buy, when they know that Vista is just around the corner.

Research outfit Current Analysis is estimating that 70 per cent of notebook PCs sold this holiday season will be priced at less than $1,000. In 2004 38 per cent of notebook PCs were flogged at less than $1,000. Sony is predicting "price degradation" to peak over the Christmas break.