Even though PCs have been around for more than a decade and prices have plummeted while technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, not everyone can afford to lay out large wads of cash in one go for the latest high-tech gadgetry, especially the latest range of multimedia desktop computers.
This is not a phenomenon unique to the computer industry, which is why, for example, a large number of video and television sales agents offer people hire purchase terms. However, few computer companies do so for their customers.
But all is not lost for people who need to buy a computer but cannot afford to pay for it all at once. At last, more and more computer dealers are offering customers 'value-added purchases'.
Companies like Hitachi Credit and Thorn EMI offer hire purchase and rental schemes to help these individuals make the first purchase of a computer - a godsend for many would-be computer users.
Hitachi Credit, for example, offers hire purchase terms through dealers such as JOS Mart and Computer 88, spokesman K S Yeung said.
Mr Yeung said the hire purchase scheme was very popular in Hong Kong as most customers used this method to buy their first computer.
Hitachi accepts orders of only $15,000 and above, mainly for home users. The customer places an order at any of the company's dealers and pays the necessary deposit.