Anger at Apple PC prices

FURIOUS British and European customers of Apple Computer have launched a campaign against the company to lower prices for its new line of cheap, slimmed-down computers and bring them into line with the US.

More than 2500 people across Europe have signed an online petition demanding that Apple reduce prices of the Mac Mini PCs in line with current exchange rates for the US dollar.

Even adding in VAT, European-prices are more than e50 (£33.40) dearer than they would be by converting dollar prices at current exchange rates.

In the UK, the difference is even greater, with the Mac Mini selling for £339 compared with a US price of $499. At current exchange rates, the machine in the US costs just £268.

Apple and other computer companies have a long history of overcharging customers outside North America.