PC Prices to Rise?

guinan writes "The Economist is running a story about how now that PC makers think the worst is over, it's high time to raise prices. In particular, the focus is on the steady price of flat-panels and a possible end to the decline we've seen in the price of memory. Granted, most of the /. crowd build their own boxes, but if you want to buy a computer from a major brand better go for one soon while you can still get all the perks."

Comments

Didn't we see that one coming?

[sebi]

I guess this is inevitable. Apples announcment to increase the price of the iMacs was met with a lot of criticism but now it looks like they were only the first.

The economic climate is changing. Memory and Flat panel Displays are getting more expensive so it's only natural for the whole machine to cost more. I just hope that DIY machines will get more expensive as well. Otherwise the posters that compare apple prices to machines they build part by part will not only continue to think that their arguments are valid, but even $100 more valid.

Who cares?

[blang]

Only the losers buy systems at DELL, Compaq, IBM, HP or whatever the brands are.

You can still get a nice complete system, with an AMD Athlon XP 1700+, 256 MB of memory 40 GB disk, with sound and video, for less than $400, if you take your time looking for the best prices.

Moore's law is still in full effect. A few years back, my ideal system would cost $2000, and my "Good enough" system would cost a little over $1000. Those prices seemed to stay constant over the years.

Now, a "Good enough" system can be had for $200, and the "I'll never need another" system can be had for $700.

I'm not worried.