Dell, Inc.

Dell, Inc. {{nasdaq|DELL}}, a company based in Round Rock, Texas, manufactures and markets computer-hardware (mostly Intel/Microsoft Windows-based workstations and portables). The marketplace perhaps associates Dell Computer most with the personal computers it designs, manufactures and sells for home and office use, but Dell also operates in the enterprise computing market with servers, data storage devices, network switches and computer cluster lines. Personal digital assistants (PDAs), software and peripherals (including printers) round out Dell's product offerings.

History

Michael Dell had his first encounter with a computer at the age of 15, when he broke down a brand new Apple computer and rebuilt it, just to see if he could. In 1984, while a student at the University of Texas at Austin, he began selling IBM-compatible computers built from stock components, operating under the name "PC's Limited".

Related Topics:
Michael Dell - Apple - 1984 - University of Texas at Austin

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In 1985, the company produced the first computer of its own design (the "Turbo PC"), which contained an Intel 8088-compatible processor running at a speed of 8 MHz. It advertised the systems in national computer magazines for sale directly to consumers, and custom-built each unit from a selection of options. This offered buyers prices lower than those of retail brands, but with greater convenience than assembling the components themselves. Although not the first company to use this model, PC's Limited became one of the first to succeed with it. Dell dropped out of school to run the business full-time. The company grossed more than $6 million in its first year.

Related Topics:
1985 - Intel 8088 - Model

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In 1987, PC's Limited set up its first on-site-service programs - to compensate for the lack of local retailers to act as service centers. In 1988, the company changed its name to "Dell Computer Corporation".

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1987 - 1988

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In 1991 Dell Computer tried selling its products indirectly through warehouse clubs and computer superstores, but met with little success, and the company re-focused on its more successful direct-to-consumer sales model.

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In 1992, Fortune magazine included Dell Computer Corporation in its list of the world's 500 largest companies.

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1992 - Fortune - 500

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In 1999 Dell overtook Compaq to become the largest seller of personal computers in the United States of America. In 2002, Dell lost this position to Hewlett-Packard when HP acquired Compaq. In 2003, Dell again regained the lead.

Related Topics:
1999 - Compaq - United States of America - 2002 - Hewlett-Packard - 2003

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More recently, Dell has attempted to expand its business by tapping into the multimedia and home entertainment markets with the introduction of Dell TVs, Dell Handhelds, and Dell Digital Jukeboxes. Dell has also produced Dell-brand home and small-office printers. To recognize the company's expansion beyond computers, the stockholders approved changing the company name to "Dell, Inc." at the annual company meeting in 2003.

Related Topics:
TVs - 2003

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Dell has rolled out its direct sales model in all the major international markets, and has achieved rapid growth in market share in most of them. In 2004, the share of sales coming from international markets increased, as revealed in the company's press releases for the first two quarters of its Fiscal 2005 year.

Related Topics:
Sales - 2004 - 2005

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In 2004, Kevin B. Rollins became Dell's chief executive officer. On December 22, 2004, the company announced that it would build a new assembly plant near Winston-Salem, North Carolina; the city and county provided Dell with $37.2 million in incentive packages; the state provided approximately $250 million in incentives and tax breaks. http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779834649

Related Topics:
2004 - Kevin B. Rollins - December 22 - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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