If you don't think "the past" affects consumer perceptions of a brand, I really do feel sorry for you. That's actually funny if you don't think that has an affect. Fact of the matter is that AMD has made a ton of screw up and consumers do not easily forget these things. Nvidia is and always has been better in terms of software than AMD, AMD doesn't have the brand strength nor customer loyalty to price their wares in the stratosphere. Nvidia can do it because they've earned it. Apple has earned it - they create quality products that consumers love. AMD has not earned it. AMD saddled the 7970 with poor software, the launch drivers didn't even work with eyefinity, no WHQL drivers until March IIRC, and had a host of issues that were well publicized. Consumers don't forget these things. I think the 7970 ended up being a great card and a great value - but at launch? They screwed everything up.
By all means continue thinking that a 290X priced higher than a GTX 780 will sell, though.
Let me be clear: I *want* the 290X to do well. I *want* renewed competition. I *want* nvidia to be pressured into product line price reductions - and that WIlL happen if AMD plays their cards right with the 290X. I feel bad for you if you think that AMD pricing it above the 780 will actually sell. Good luck with that. If AMD mimicks the 5870 launch with the 290X, the market will be interesting. (the 5870 was launched at 399$, while the GTX 280 was 650$? IIRC..) If AMD does what you say, in other words, price the 290X in the realm of stupidity, prepare for disappointment. AMD has not earned the right, so to speak, to price their brand at a premium. Their software is worse than nvidia's. They do not have the same level of value added features. Their "history" (especially the 7970 launch driver situation) is downright bad with the 7970. Nvidia's surround "just works". AMDs? Well i'm sure you can see where I can go with that - and that is pretty sad because AMD *created* surround with the introduction of eyefinity.. Yes, I know AMD has made strides in terms of software, but affecting consumer perception is cumulative - AMD has had way too much negative press recently to think that they can simply put a price premium on their stuff. 600$ at the most is what most would consider for a 290X. Hell, 600$ would be a good price IMHO. 700-729$ is not. If AMD prices it there, then i'm afraid AMD's incompetence has struck again.