HAVANA - Cubans have begun exercising their new right to buy personal computers, although the government has not freed up access to the Internet for the communist-ruled country's would-be consumers.

X-Ray technician Mercedes Amen on Friday was literally jumping for joy when she shelled out almost 800 dollars for the Chinese QTECH PC, the only model in state-run shops, at Havana's bustling Carlos III shopping center.

"I am just over the moon, this is something I have always wanted," she said, after snapping up the processor, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

"I was really dying for the new rules to take effect, because I had a few pesos saved up," she said, stressing that the machine would help her professionally.

A few pesos, indeed: Cubans make an average monthly salary of about 20 dollars. So the computer would cost most people more than three years' full earnings.

Cuba banned the sale of PCs in 2003 after years of crippling power shortages largely prompted by the collapse of the former Soviet bloc.

Russia used to provide cut-rate oil to run Cuba's power plants, and the end of that relationship sent Cuba into an economic free-fall from which it has yet to recover fully.

But with Venezuelan oil coming in, thanks to Cuba's close ties to its President Hugo Chavez, and power plants upgraded, the shortage has eased. And allowing sales of appliances, from PCs to pressure cookers, to undercut the black market was the first small reform move by President Raul Castro in March.

Raul Castro, 76, in February formally took Cuba's reins from his ailing brother Fidel, 81, who ruled the country for almost five decades. Raul, the longtime military leader, said he would end unpopular "limitations."

Bereft of the some of the historical and charismatic heft of Fidel, many analysts say Raul Castro is under intense pressure to deliver improvements in Cubans standard of living.

He has since unveiled changes including allowing Cubans to take out mobile phone contracts, to stay in tourist hotels and rent cars, treats long reserved for foreigners here.

Computers were on sale at least two stores in Havana Friday, although most people resigned themselves to window shopping.

Other appliances the government said it was allowing people to buy, such as DVDs and microwave ovens, have not made it to store shelves.

"I am just here looking. It's all I can do for now," student Alejandro Machin, 20, told AFP, in a line that sometimes had as many as 10 customers in it.

All had heard rumors on the street as to where the government was selling what. There was no official announcement in state media.

Machin carefully scoped out the technical specifications and configuration on offer. "It is not exactly the latest thing on the market, but it's not a bad system. It could be better," Machin said.

"Anyway, at that price it would take me years to be able to buy it."

"It's the first day; lots of Cubans don't even know they are on sale, but I think sales will go up in a few days and when we have more models to choose from," a saleswoman at the La Puntilla shop said privately.

A survey last year found that one third of Cuba's 11.2 million population had used a PC in the previous year but only 5.2 percent of them at home.

Some of those PCs were bought abroad on trips or in Cuba on the black market. Others were built with components sold in hard-currency stores or on the black market.

Domestic Internet for the public does not exist but Internet cafes do, where Cubans can see an edited view of the Web.

"The important thing is now they are there" for sale, Machin said of PCs, adding wistfully: "Now, you just have to get the money."

- AFP /ls