Sluggish sales have forced Compaq to cancel a recently introduced PC line analysts say offered more style than substance.

The sleek Presario 3500, introduced last October, sported a magnetic blue case and an LCD flat-panel display and speakers, but generally cost more than plain PCs and offered less value. The device will continue to be sold in Japan, however, where sales are strong.

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Meanwhile, Dell has quietly shelved WebPC, a small, curved desktop computer that came with a blue case and an optional flat-panel screen.

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