How cheap is cheap?

There was a time when "Made in Japan" did not equate with high-quality goods. Before everyone started watching Sony Trinitrons and driving Toyota Camrys, Japan was the center of cheap goods sold in bulk that lasted a few weeks and broke down. Who's the next country to jump from also-ran to pack-leader? How about India.

c|net reports on the Indian computer companies producing inexpensive, portable, simple computers for around $250, and a plan by one company to introduce a full-featured desktop for under $100 (sans monitor) by year-end.

India's computer technology is thriving, in part because they no longer need to outsource their talent to Western companies, and also because PC penetration within India is so low that innovation to produce better, cheaper products is a necessity in order to get those products into their customers' hands.