Compaq cutting notebook prices

Compaq Computer (CPQ) said today it is reducing prices on its flagship LTE 5000 notebook computers by up to 20 percent.

The LTE 5000 notebooks use "classic" Pentiums at speeds up to 150 MHz and are targeted at mobile corporate users. Features include a modular bay design and Intelligent Manageability, which is Compaq's name for its asset and security management technology.

Compaq cut prices on models in the Armada notebook line in January and again in February, and the LTE 5380 had just last month had its price reduced nine percent.

The cuts follow a recent pattern adopted by other manufacturers as well. NEC Computer Systems Division of Packard Bell lopped as much as 20 percent off the price of its Value line of Versa notebook computers.

IBM recently reduced prices on its ThinkPad 365 series, which is its entry-level notebook PC line sold through both business and consumer channels. Toshiba, the world's largest notebook vendor, has not yet announced any response in kind.

New prices for the LTE 5000 family are as follows:

Model	Previous price	New price	Percent cut
LTE 5150	$2,999	$2,399	20%
LTE 5250	$3,199	$2,699	16%
LTE 5280	$3,899	$3,399	13%
LTE 5300	$4,399	$3,899	11%
LTE 5380	$4,999	$4,199	16%
LTE 5400	$5,199	$4,399	15%

The prices cuts are effective immediately.