CrunchPad retail price more than $300?

How much will the CrunchPad cost? That's been a hot question this summer, as the Web tablet device has gone through various prototype stages and other devices -- most notably Amazon's Kindle DX and Sony's new e-readers -- have made their debut.

Back in April, TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington -- who is working with Fusion Garage to develop the CrunchPad -- had this to say about pricing:

Price? it can be built for less than $250, including packaging. Add in fixed costs and other stuff you have to deal with (like returns), and you can sell it for $300 and probably not go out of business.

However, the rumor mill suggests that the CrunchPad's retail price may be US$400, based on an article in a Singaporean newspaper. That may not be as much as the Kindle DX, but it's more expensive than Sony's two new e-readers, the cheapest of which costs about $200. One observer says the CrunchPad price needs to be even less than that in order to get marketplace traction.

Arrington has been secretive about the CrunchPad's actual price and launch date, but the release is believed to be "imminent." 

Prediction: The CrunchPad's base retail price will be more than $300 in the U.S., not including carrier subscriptions or other costs. This prediction assumes the product will be available to consumers in stores or via preorder before Dec. 1, 2009. If the CrunchPad is not available by that date, the prediction will receive a negative judgment.

Related:

• TechCrunch announces its touchscreen tablet available by the end of October?
• Apple Tablet announced by October 31?
• iPhone HD or iPod Touch HD announced by Oct. 2009? 

Image: A prototype CrunchPad (PC World)