No doubt anticipating greatly increased competition from Japan following the lifting of the punitive US duties on personal computers imported from that country – the ones that were imposed as a sanction following the 1986 semiconductor trade agreement – Tandy Corp’s Fremont, California-based GRiD Systems Corp has reduced prices on all its laptop, notebook and desktop computer systems by 20% to 30%. The 1450 80386SX laptop is off 24.5% at $4,000 with 40Mb disk; the 1720 80286 notebook is offf 17% at $2,900 with modem and 20Mb disk. Companies that are now expected to try their luck in the US include Citizen Watch Co, Kyocera Corp, Casio Computer Co, Fujitsu Ltd, Hitachi Ltd, Japanese Victor Co. Underlining the fierce competition and lack of business in the US, modem maker Ven-Tel Inc, San Jose has slashed prices by as much as 50% and is bundling CrossTalk. The 2400 Plus External is halved to $200; the 2400 Micro Channel is off 41% at $235; 9600 V.32/V.42bis now $700.
