Jane Chen /Shanghai Daily news

A Beijing-based home appliance chain operator is triggering a price war for domestically branded note-pad computers in the hope of sparking a Spring Festival shopping spree.
Dazhong Electric Appliance Co. Ltd announced yesterday a discount program on medium and high range note-pads, the Beijing Times reported.
The prices of a 5,299-yuan (US$656) Tongfang computer and a 5,999-yuan Haier computer have been slashed to below 4,000 yuan, according to computer manager Bao Jianguo with Dazhong Electric's North China branch.
The price of another Haier computer, previously 7,999 yuan, has been lowered by around 40 percent to 4,999 yuan.  A Haier 108C notepad is now priced at 2,999 yuan, a record low in the market.
The promotion reflects fierce price competition in the notepad market. At Suning Appliance Chain Store (Group) Co Ltd, Dazhong Electric's key rival, overseas brands have also been dragged into the price war.
Prices of IBM mainstream models have dived to below 7,000 yuan while those of Samsung notepads have dipped below 6,000 yuan.