So once some nominations start appearing that are sub $100, or at least under $150, then we can all cheer and move on. The upcoming Biostar TB250 may be a start depending upon its retail price, but from the looks of it I am sure it will be closer to the $100 range than $450.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=865I got Quoted about $100 for it, and availability is promised by first week April (albeit in Asia, dunno about NA).