CHeap Compaq computers…just what the world and Jamaica needs

Remember Compaq? Those where the first two words, the starting point of the article that announced the new power packed cheap PC from the almost forgotten brand bout by Hewlett-Packard way back in 2002. While some where being bombarded by the sell of Dell and now the wow of netbooks,HP has kept the name alive as a secondary brand mainly relegating Compaq to overseas markets (particularly popular in Asia) and as second-tier PCs sold on the cheap at warehouse-style stores.

But now HP announced today the rollout of a line of ultra-inexpensive PCs, both laptops and desktops, with extreme budgets in mind.Check this out the Compaq CQ61z (pictured), a 15.6-inch laptop with an AMD Sempron CPU, 2GB of RAM, DVD burner, 160GB hard drive, and discrete graphics. Running Windows 7 Home Premium, the machine costs a nearly unfathomable $399. Of course that’s the price point that’s become almost standard now…but for netbooks which in comparison offers a tiny screen and minimal hard drive.

I love the idea of this competition in the cheap PC space. Only hope that by the time it gets to Jamaica with the exchange rate being at 88JMD=US$1 the market can still afford it. Or maybe companies like Digicel, Flow or other PC sellers can find a way to sell it near $400usd, still make a profit and help drive the internet access penetration rates passed 50% here.   Welcome back Compaq!