...isn't anywhere near $1.52/£1, & hasn't been for a number of years. Given that the currency market rate is $2.05 (& going up), or thereabouts; estimates for chip prices should be nearer $1.95-$2.00 for a quid. Unless, of course, Intel has a history of pulling the same transatlantic pricing stunts as Microsoft, for instance.

U.S. list prices don't include any tax (neither U.S. sales tax nor -gasp- European VAT) whereas the U.K. list prices, by law, have to.

VAT, alone, wouldn't account for the approximate 30% difference in the Reg's idea of US vs. UK pricing. Neither would VAT combined with customs duty. A quick read of HM Revenue & Customs says that there is no duty payable for PCs; & therefore component parts, also, I think. So, still unfairly priced, based on the available information. Do you care to add any other taxes; ones which can also be deducted, under certain circumstances; before comparing like for like?

It's nothing to do with taxes and everything to do with cynicism and jaded experience.

Give it a week or two and we'll see whether my estimates are right or wrong.