AMD CEO Predicts a $100 PC

In a C|Net interview, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Hector Ruiz forecasts the advent of a $100 PC by 2008:

I don't think a $100 computer is out of the question in a three-year time frame. A lot of people forget that the first cell phones came out at $3,000 to $4,000 and today are free. I think there's going to be some of that same kind of movement with computing and communications devices.

It's important for us to not lose sight of the segment that today doesn't have any products built for it. The trickle-down effect of desktops and laptops into that segment just doesn't work. I believe that we have an opportunity to use our x86 know-how and capability to really build products for that segment. That will be the [Personal Internet Communicator] at the beginning, and there will be more. I think, within three years, it's not at all unreasonable to think of a $100 laptop for that segment.