Reader feedback: PC costs remain high

Re: Schools online for internet, By Marta Ďurianová, October 11-17, Vol 10, No 39

While the cost of internet access has become affordable to many in Slovakia, the cost of a PC has remained prohibitive to a large number of citizens.

One reason is the Slovak government's excessive 50 percent tariff on computer imports. A couple of years ago I shipped a used US$300 PC to a family in Slovakia. The tariff alone was US$150.

Given the developing economy in Slovakia, PCs that are castaways in many western nations are entirely useable to most private citizens.

While the government of Slovakia may have other reasons for such a high tariff, an exception should be made for import to individuals for private use. The economy would benefit through the promulgation of computer knowledge throughout the county, and the world would benefit from one less computer that is shredded and dumped.

Bill Tarkulich,
Massachusetts, USA

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