How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will NOT support the conclusion that there isn’t really a “discrepancy”.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

There is no conclusion in the passage. The conclusion was implied by the prompt: that the “apparent discrepancy” can be resolved.

[BACKGROUND]. [BACKGROUND].

Like with almost any prompt asking you to “resolve” something, this author makes a comparison. The four wrong answers will all clear up why profits on PCs are “extremely low compared to” other tech.

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) …increases the likelihood of a store’s stock becoming obsolete.

The passage doesn’t actually say there’s “rapid innovation”, so I don’t love this. But at least it specifically says “in computer technology”. And for sure, “stock becoming obsolete” hurts profits, since you probably wouldn’t be able to sell that stuff.

(B) …very loyal to that particular brand.

There’s nothing in the passage about your “first personal computer” or about sticking with a “particular brand”. You’d have to add in your own reasoning to turn this into an explanation of the “extremely low” profits. On an except question, that makes this a winner.

(C) …needs more help from store employees…

This makes the same comparison as in the passage, between PCs and “other high-technology items”. You know that means it’s more likely to be relevant. And for sure, if it’s more work for employees, it’s probably more costly, and thus less profitable.

(D) …low prices on personal computers…

…will definitely lead to lower profits.

(E) …intensified the competition…

They expect you to agree that more intense competition definitely helps explain lower profits.

(B) is the correct answer.

Common pattern/s in this question: Even when you see the pretty uncommon ‘except’, you can generally expect that “resolve” and “explain” questions will have a passage that makes a comparison.