Enlarge By Steven Senne, AP The average price of a PC fell to $761 in the first half of this year, according to research firm Gartner. DIRT CHEAP PCS DIRT CHEAP PCS With Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system due Oct. 22, PC prices have never been lower. Which raises the question: If you're in the market for a new PC, should you wait for the software giant to roll out the latest version of its dominant computer operating system? Probably, say PC industry analysts. Any favorable pricing won't get much cheaper, "And we don't expect to see any price increases as Windows 7 comes on board," says Stephen Baker, analyst at The NPD Group. If you do find an irresistible deal on a Windows Vista machine, don't worry. Microsoft is making Windows 7 upgrades for little to no cost for most recently purchased Vista PCs, Microsoft's current operating system. Either way, you'll get a hefty PC that's dirt cheap by historical standards. The average price of a PC (both desktops and laptops) hit $761 in the first half of this year, down from $941 in 2008; it was $1,364 in 2003, according to research firm Gartner. That's because U.S. households, with an average of 2.5 PCs, are saturated with technology, and the economy remains soft. Consumers aren't willing to shell out big bucks, says Baker, which explains the surging popularity of pint-size netbooks. In this environment, PC makers and major retailers have had to get smarter about managing inventories. Several big vendors cut back on the number of Vista PCs they usually order from Asian factories in July and August to clear the decks for PCs with Windows 7, says IDC analyst Jay Chou. No. 2 PC maker Dell has been keeping merchants in step via collaborative planning programs that manage inventory flows on a weekly basis, says Michael Tatelman, Dell's consumer business vice president. Best Buy has a team of experts assigned to tweak inventory constantly, says Jason Bonfig, vice president of notebooks. Best Buy's inventory specialists are now riveted on making sure the Windows 7 rollout goes smoothly. "We've committed a lot of time and effort to getting this right," Bonfig says. All of this means PC pricing is likely to remain more or less stable. "The economic environment has made PC suppliers more cautious with inventory levels, so the bargains are less prevalent," says Gartner analyst Charles Smulders. Still, the bargains are out there. Hewlett-Packard is offering up to 60% off clearance models at hpdirect.com. Costco's average PC prices are down from a year ago, and sales are up. The warehouse retailer plans to remain aggressive on pricing through year's end, says Tim Farmer, Costco's vice president of merchandising. "It should be a very strong computer season through the fall." Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more