When it comes to computer buying, back to school season is becoming prime time. Bloomberg Boot Camp, a report on today's technology. Late summer has turned into a key season in the PC business. Figures from the National Retail Federation indicate consumer holiday spending is going down while back to school spending is going up. At Intel, consumer education manager Ralph Bond says….

"The National Retail Federation 2006 Back to College Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, found that college spending will hit about 36.6 billion, that's up 6.3 percent from 2005. So you can see there's nice trend to increase spending and technology is driving that increase."

And some PC makers and retailers may be concerned about what will happen to computer sales during the holiday season this year. Microsoft is planning to begin selling its new Windows Vista operating system to consumers after the holidays end in January. At Advanced Micro Devices, Stephen DiFranco, Vice President of consumer sales and marketing says a key question is whether PC buyers during the holidays receive upgrades to Windows Vista…

"I think it would be in the best interest of the industry and for all of us who are Microsoft's partners if a clear plan is put out in place so that consumers have as much information when they make their purchase what the future program might be or might not be."

And, says DiFranco, the soon consumers know, the better. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.