Computer show promises bargains

Staff make last minute preparations yesterday at a booth for the annual ``Info Month'' computer trade show next to a giant poster advertising loudspeakers. The show kicks off today at the Taipei World Trade Center. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Waiting for the price of notebooks to drop? The wait might be over as the computer trade show gets underway today at the Taipei World Trade Center.

"Notebook prices have been marked down by NT$5,000 and our PCs are offered at NT$2,000 off as well," said Kevin Chang (張敬仁), deputy marketing manager at Acer Sertek Inc (宏科).

According to Chang, the price of the brand's best-selling notebook, Acer Travelmate 612 TXV, has been cut from NT$62,900 to NT$56,900.

The annual event, entitled "Info Month," is in its 21st year and is promoted as a great opportunity to buy computers. Over 400 companies have set up a total of 1,423 booths.

"Since most consumers expect to find bargains at the show, of course we won't let them down," Chang said.

Not to be outdone, multinational companies are pulling out all the stops to make a sale.

"Since demand has been slowing over the past few months, computer retailers will definitely seize this opportunity to boost this year's sales," said Pony Chien (簡聰敏), a manager at Compaq Taiwan.

"Since demand has been slowing over the past few months, computer retailers will definitely seize this opportunity to boost this year's sales."

Pony Chien, a manager at Compaq Taiwan

Chien said Compaq notebooks have been cut by NT$2,000 for the show with most Pentium 4 PCs priced below NT$30,000.

Meanwhile, industry leader IBM says consumers will stick with the tried and true, regardless of price.

"In this bad climate, we believe good service and reliable products are more important than prices," said Joe Huang (黃婷郁), public relations manager at IBM Taiwan.

Though prices remain unchanged, the company is pumping several schemes that include giving away a free mobile phone or plane ticket with each notebook.

Other products being sold at the show include personal digital assistants, digital cameras, LCD monitors, printers and software.

The month-long computer trade show will be open from 9am to 5pm at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Halls I and II through Dec. 9. The show will then move to Taichung, Tainan and end in Kaohsiung on Jan 14. Admission is free.

The Taipei Computer Association, which is hosting the show, said the event is expected to bring a smile to the faces of computer retailers who have been hit hard by the economic slowdown.

"Last year about 610,000 visitors came to our show in Taipei. We hope this year's show will stimulate the industry," said Raff Liu (劉瑞復), chairman of the show.