A new price war in the computer business among retailers promises great deals for consumers.

Clark recalls when bought his first computer for his travel agency back in 1982. At the time, he needed specialized software to do travel accounting and specific hardware. The price? $25,000! Used!! And that was considered a deal back then!!!

Now his $19 Casio watch has more capability than that old computer. We forget how technology actually gets cheaper over time, unlike some other consumer items.

Recently, the consumer champ bought a new Acer laptop for $299. Then he opened up USA TODAY and saw that Wal-Mart is selling the same model for $1 cheaper!

Computers are getting so affordable that they're almost becoming impulse purchases. What a world of difference from the beginning of this decade, when buying a computer was a major financial decision.

Netbooks, meanwhile, remain so hot that most retailers are inflating the price. But Clark thinks by Christmas they'll be in the $100-$200 range.

Wal-Mart isn't a place that many people would consider buying a computer. But the mega-retailer is revamping many of its electronics departments to capture more market share.

Best Buy was expected to gain a lot of market share following the collapse of Circuit City. Yet it's been Wal-Mart, Amazon.com and the warehouse clubs that have picked up most of the business. As they all fight it out, it's the consumer who really wins.

When it comes to back-to-school shopping, Clark is often asked by parents if they should buy their son or daughter an Apple. He's basically agnostic on this question, leaving it up to each individual family. His own daughter uses cheap PCs at college.

It's important to remember even a cheap computer today is more sophisticated than what was used to put a man on the moon 40 years ago!