[Rocketfan]

TAIPEI (Reuters) - When 17-year old Yuna Hua bought a new notebook computer for school, she chose a smaller, lighter and cheaper one to replace her bulky and expensive laptop.

Like many consumers, Hua reckons she doesn't need a $1,500 laptop for her everyday needs.

"It's a lot less expensive and much easier to use and carry," said Hua, a high school senior, who uses her notebook mostly for homework, surfing the Internet and games.

For around a quarter of the price of a regular notebook, PC makers such as Acer Inc (2353.TW) and Asustek Computer (2357.TW) displayed simpler laptops -- called Netbooks, or low-cost PCs -- at this year's Computex trade fair in Taiwan, hoping to open up a new market and bolster the fortunes of PC makers as an economic slowdown curbs spending.


Farther down in the article:

Kwock added that global shipments for low-cost models should hit 10-15 million units this year, and selling prices would range between $300-$500.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080605/tc_ ... RdZ_IjtBAF