🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <01bbc852$a3ee5680$8e8ee5ca@tktokyo.iac.co.jp>
           tkruemmer@usa.net "Thomas Kruemmer" writes:

> In USA, vie the Internet or in person, you can buy a top of the line
> desk-top computer 200MHz Pentium, 32 - 64 MB EDO RAM, 12X CD-ROM, plus all
> the gimmicks for about US$ 3000 - 3500.

> That is to say, NEITHER Japanese manufacturers NOR foreign manufacturers
> having their shops in Japan, can offer up-to-date desk-top computers.

Interesting really since Fujitsu offer an almost matching spec in 
the UK for GBP 2100 (= US $3300) in all but the 12x CD ROM (uses 8x). 
I'm not sure if Fujitsu offer these at all in Japan.
Most of the rest in the UK are GBP 2400-2600 ($4000)

> What is being sold in Japan are desk-top computers with the specifications
> of early last year, at prices which you can not achieve for these outdated
> models anywhere else on this planet.

Your planet only has USA and Japan on it! The USA is unusual in having 
a large fast moving and very price competitive computer/hi-tech market.
Outside of the US prices are 40-60% higher if the goods are available.

It is a little surprising given the amazing sophistication of VCRs
and video cameras available in Japan that computers are so backwards.
However, things are improving. Prices in Japan for Western style PC's
have come down a long way - it wasn't so long ago they were very rare.

In '91 when my portable's HD failed it would have been cheaper to fly 
club class to SF and have it repaired in the US than do it locally. 
Unfortunately we found this out after getting the local repair bill :(

> What makes this unholy alliance of foreign and Japanese computer
> manufacturers think, that they can get away with that? 

A captive market?

Regards,
-- 
Martin Brown  <martin@nezumi.demon.co.uk>     __                CIS: 71651,470
Scientific Software Consultancy             /^,,)__/