Hewlett-Packard Co. is using low prices to drum up business for its desktop PCs. The computer giant has begun offering a new wave of low-price desktops to consumers and businesses. Its Pavilion desktop PC, for one, starts at a hair under $250 after a rebate. It"s also advertising its HP Compaq business desktop dx2000 model direct to businesses for a little less than $350, after a rebate.
Previously, HP had been selling the Pavilion desktops for around $340 and the dx2000 for closer to $380. Typically, low-priced desktops for consumers and small businesses start at between $349 and $399 and come with an Intel Corp. Celeron or Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Sempron processor, 256MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and, at a minimum, a CD-ROM drive.