Company History

Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael Dell, the longest-tenured executive to lead a company in the computer industry. The company is based on a simple concept: by selling computer systems directly to customers, Dell could best understand their needs and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs. This direct business model eliminates retailers that add unnecessary time and cost, or can diminish Dell's understanding of customer expectations. The direct model allows the company to build every system to order and offer customers powerful, richly-configured systems at competitive prices. Dell also introduces the latest relevant technology much more quickly than companies with slow-moving, indirect distribution channels, turning over inventory in just under five days on average.

Laptop Market

In the U.S Dell was the number one in terms of total volume of PCs shipped (a PC is defined as a desktop PC, notebook, or x86 server -- handheld computers are not included). HP remains number two in the U.S. and had a solid growth of 17% volume shipped in the U.S. over Q3 2006. Apple has now propelled to #3 in the U.S. for volume of computers shipped.

Throughout 2007, Dell remained the market leader with a share of 22 per cent, down two points from 2006. HP benefited from this, moving from 19 to 21 per cent and Toshiba was also up to eight per cent.
Overall, units shipped in the UK in 2007 were up 10.5 per cent, from 10.6 million to 11.7 million.