Hardware industry readies for sales bonanza

The reason is pretty clear - VAT will be increased by three points in 2007, in Germany, and that means people are far more likely to buy before then than after.

But every bit of silver has a cloudy lining. While sales will soar in Q4, Q1 of next year looks like it's going to be something of a dead duck.

Thank goodness for a common market, eh?

While this may not be of immediate consequence to people who buy, for disties and vendors it will prove something of a logistic and financial mare.

They have to time things just right to take advantage of the conditions - it's a bit like surfing, mistime the wave and you look like you haven't quite got the hang of things, time it right and you ride on the crest of the wave. Time it too soon and you risk being dashed into a maelstrom.

Still, as they say, let's look on the bright side of life.