High-End Computers Get a Price Break

Strategic Insights -

Personal computers, once out of reach for those who wanted top-of-the-line hardware, are now available at a fraction of the cost. Two years ago, a state-of-the-art system would have cost upwards of $3,000, but modern sub-$1,000 systems have driven prices down. Today, buyers can get a system with Intel's fastest processor for about $2,000, with additional features available for just $500 more. Two high-end systems, the WinGen 5830 and the Presario 4860, showcase this trend, offering impressive features at surprisingly low prices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WinGen 5830, a bare-bones system, costs $1,699 and comes with a 300-megahertz Intel Pentium II processor, a 6.4-gigabyte hard drive, and a 56K Lucent fax modem, among other components.
  • The Presario 4860, a fully loaded system, costs $2,399 and comes with a 333-megahertz Pentium II chip, 64 megabytes of accelerated memory, and a DVD-ROM drive, as well as videophone and video editing software.
  • The Presario 4860's inclusion of popular software packages on CD, such as Microsoft's Encarta 98 encyclopedia, is a notable feature.
  • The WinGen 5830's spartan software and fully open case offer users flexibility to customize and upgrade their system.
  • The Presario 4860's stability and performance make it a good choice for those who want an "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" system.
  • The WinGen 5830 is a better option for users who prefer to start with a plain vanilla system and build from there.

Statistics:

  • $3,000: the cost of high-end systems two years ago.
  • <$1,000: the cost of modern sub-high-end systems.
  • $2,000: the cost of a system with Intel's fastest processor.
  • $500: the additional cost for features beyond the standard system.
  • $1,699: the cost of the WinGen 5830.
  • $2,399: the cost of the Presario 4860.
  • 300-megahertz: the speed of the Intel Pentium II processor in the WinGen 5830.
  • 333-megahertz: the speed of the Pentium II chip in the Presario 4860.
  • 64 megabytes: the amount of accelerated memory in the Presario 4860.

Sources:

  • "WinGen 5830, $1,699, Computer City" (Computer City)
  • "Presario 4860, $2,399, Compaq Computer Corp." (Compaq Computer Corp.)
  • "Intel's fastest processor" (Intel)
  • "Western Digital hard drives" (Western Digital)
  • "Lucent Technologies modems" (Lucent Technologies)
  • "Diamond Multimedia video cards" (Diamond Multimedia)
  • "Microsoft's Encarta 98 encyclopedia" (Microsoft)
  • "ATI Technologies Rage Pro AGP graphics card" (ATI Technologies)