Since February's launch of Intel's Pentium III processor, we've received a flurry of press releases from companies claiming to be first to market with PCs using the new chip.

There's stiff competition to be the cheapest as well, with system prices at an unprecedented low for a new range-topping processor.

Unusually for a retail outlet, PC World claims that its Advent own-label range offers the lowest prices, with system prices starting from just £1,056 for the Advent 8700. Viglen's Contender 2 Plus just pips it for the title of cheapest PIII though, with the 450MHz machine available for £1,009.

Other manufacturers have been content just to shimmy under the £1,000 (ex VAT) barrier, with £995 or £999 machines advertised by Elonex, Gateway and Tiny. Fujitsu's machines are marginally pricier at £1,180 but can be bought through Tesco stores, while both Dell and NEC Direct can supply PIII machines for £1,291.

Perhaps surprisingly, Time is the only company to pitch the Pentium III exclusively as a high-end chip. Its cheapest PIII system costs £1,585 but comes with 128Mb of RAM and a 13Gb hard disk, as well as a 17in monitor, a printer and a flatbed scanner.

Dell: 0870 9075888

Elonex: 0181 452 4444

Fujitsu: 01344 475555

Gateway: 0800 552000

NEC Direct: 08700 106326

Time: 01282 770044

Tiny: 0800 821333

Viglen: 0990 486486.