The first team buyers found each other by accident as they chatted online about buying everything from electronics to cars and even apartments and realised they could get a better price if they went shopping together.

ECONOMIST: Chinese consumers are ganging up on their retailers

Many governments (including Nigeria's and Libya's) cancelled their informal commitments to purchase the machines when they realised the devices were untried, the price higher than envisaged and other cheap laptops available.

ECONOMIST: Great idea. Shame about the mediocre computer

Many working men's clubs have already realised that they have to offer more than cut-price beer, and the occasional stripper, if they are to compete with the theme bars and cheap, imported alcohol that now distract potential members.

ECONOMIST: Working men's clubs