Taken from CRN Magazine, September 2009 Edition

Ten years ago, Time magazine wrote that computer prices were plummeting so fast, vendors were “practically giving them away”.  An article cited a Compaq desktop (without monitor) selling for $560.  Average retail prices were about $1000.  Today, of course, personal computers are almost free.  Last year, Royal Bank was giving away netbooks to customers who signed up for certain kinds of accounts, while this year, telecom providers are bundling netbooks with mobile internet packages.  Those deals may not be free, strictly speaking, but they do illustrate the point that more and more, computers are just the wrapper – the candy is in the content.