michael dell
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Dell officially goes private, says focus is on you
Michael Dell's acquisition of his namesake company is now complete. The purchase under Dell and investment firm Silver Lake Partners was valued at $24.9 billion and, as Dell said during a September investor's call, the company is committed to innovation and customer service as a newly private company. He reiterated that point in a statement today, saying, "Our 110,000 team members worldwide are 100 percent focused on our customers and aggressively executing our long-term strategy for their benefit." In the lead up to the deal, Dell seems poised to re-focus the business around emerging markets, enterprise R&D and acquisitions, and the PC, tablet and virtual computing space. The move to privatize comes after multiple quarters of dwindling profits and lackluster tablet sales for one of the World's biggest PC makers. Credit: Getty Images
Dell merger clears final regulatory hurdles in bid to go private
Michael Dell and investment firm Silver Lake Partners' joint bid to take Dell private has just cleared its final obstacle: regulatory approval. That means the deal is now all but completed. The transaction, valued at $25 billion, will see Dell transitioning to a private entity by the end of the company's fiscal Q3 2014 (which wraps this month). It also puts the company back firmly in Michael Dell's control, as he'll now own 75 percent of the new entity. And, as he discussed on the company's last open call with investors, that means a return to "innovation" for the PC, tablet and enterprise markets that will come to define the new Dell. Update: The post has been updated to reflect accurate timing for the transaction.
Dell board votes in favor of Michael Dell's $24.9 billion buyout offer
Dell has finally agreed to let founder Michael Dell take the company private through a partnership with investment firm Silver Lake Partners, in a deal valued $24.9 billion. The transaction, which is still pending regulatory approval, should see stockholders receiving $13.88 per share of common stock (including payment of a special cash dividend) and is expected to close in Q3 of Dell's 2014 fiscal year. In a statement released to the press, Michael Dell said that the newly private company's mission will be to "serve our customers with a single-minded purpose and drive the innovations that will help them achieve their goals." Update: On the company's investor call, Michael Dell, who retains 75 percent ownership under this new structure, reaffirmed Dell's commitment to innovation and customer service -- goals he said can now be better achieved "without the scrutiny of operating as a public company." He also outlined several key areas of focus for the newly private Dell, among which expanding its presence in emerging markets, investing in R&D and acquisitions for enterprise solutions, as well as the PC, tablet and virtual computing space are key pillars.
Dell speaks out on infamous Apple quote
Dell CEO Michael Dell spoke at the Web 2.0 Summit, and he discussed his infamous quote regarding Apple. Back in 1997, Dell famously said that if he were put in charge of Apple, "I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders." Nowadays, given all of Apple's success, it's easy to laugh at Dell's thinking. But Dell today says the quote "was misconstrued." In fact, he says, he was asked the same question a few times, and when he finally answered, it was from his point of view not as a potential Apple CEO, but as the head of Dell, which is where he says he belongs. "The meaning of my answer was that I'm the CEO of Dell, I don't think about being the CEO of any other company, I'm not a CEO for hire, so if you asked me what I'd do for any other company, it's not really something I think about," he says today. Dell in fact says he has great respect for both Steve Jobs and Apple. "Obviously Steve will be missed and was a friend." Well, OK then. That makes Mr. Dell sound pretty reasonable, actually. Of course, even if he was CEO of Dell and Apple, he'd still have been smart to keep the company going (and no matter what he says, Apple fans will probably always use his quote as an example of why you should never vote against this company), but sure, thinking of himself as head of Dell always, he'd have good reason to go ahead and shut the company from Cupertino down.
Dell XPS 15z coming tomorrow for $999? (updated)
The thinnest 15-inch laptop "on the planet" is coming tomorrow, costing a measly $999, according to the Wall Street Journal. In a profile of Dell's recent history and forthcoming plans in the consumer electronics market, the financial paper twice makes reference to an ultrathin, $999 laptop that is set to launch on Tuesday of this week. Pairing that intel with the abundance of leaks surrounding the slinky 15.6-inch XPS 15z -- including a Michael Dell tweet promising it's "coming soon" -- leads us to the conclusion that we've finally gotten ahold of the price and date for Dell's next big thing. Interestingly enough, the WSJ article goes on to say that Dell had canned a similar set of slim laptops earlier in the year, which might give us greater hope for the quality of the 15z -- it survived where others didn't. Other disclosures in the piece include a quote from Michael Dell, saying that he "didn't completely see" the tablet boom coming, which might explain why sales of his company's Streak tablets have been low enough to be described as "immaterial." There's also a discussion of the abortive Zing music service and related MP3 players that never were, but you'll have to hit the source link to learn more about them. Update: As further evidence of the 15z's imminent release, the tease has turned into a show with a video that fully reveals its slimline chassis and declares that the new Dell packs the Streak's Stage UI as well. [Thanks, Ishai and Ming Han] Update 2: And now we have the answer to our headline question: yes.
Michael Dell: Android tablets will overtake iPad
Michael Dell is bullish on Android tablets [registration required]. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published today, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dell Inc. predicted Android tablets would one day overtake Apple's iPad as the leading platform in the tablet market. Dell cited Android's success in the smartphone market to support his theory. "If you look at 18 months ago, Android phones were like, 'What is that?' And now there are more Android phones than iPhones," Dell said. "I don't see any reason why the same won't occur with Android tablets." At the moment, Android faces the Herculean task of catching up to the device that defined a new class of consumer electronic. Unlike the iPhone, which entered an already healthy mobile phone marketplace with well-established rivals, the iPad set the benchmark for tablet computing. A recent report from IDC suggests the iPad represents 83 percent of the rapidly growing tablet market. IDC expects Apple to continue its dominance by winning up to 80 percent of tablet sales in 2011. The iPad's most well-reviewed rival, the Motorola Xoom, has done little to sink Apple's staggering dominance despite its flashy marketing campaign and tablet-specific flavor of Android. One estimate from Deutsche Bank suggests Motorola has sold only 100,000 units of its flagship tablet. Similarly, Samsung has been disappointed with sales of its Galaxy Tab and its sales of about 2 million units. Dell, of course, offers its own family of tablets called the Streak. The 5- and 7-inch tablets, powered by Android, were met with generally negative reviews and are widely considered flops. Dell is expected to release its 10-inch Streak Pro, in both Windows and Android varieties, later this year. Although Dell claims to be doubling down on Android, the CEO, who also expressed being surprised by the sudden rise of the iPad, may also be hedging his bets by releasing tablets on two competing software platforms. [via CNET]
Dell tweaks its logo just subtly enough for nobody to notice
A vital, mind-boggling stat: back in 2007, Dell used to have 800 creative teams churning away on its brand identity around the globe. Talk about fragmentation! Well, the company that Michael built wasn't happy with the disparate messages its ever so slightly different logo variations were sending to customers, and so over the summer it introduced a definitive new design. Yes, to most people it's just a blue circle wrapped around the familiar all-caps name and tipsy E, but oh no, it's so much more. For starters, that new blue is a custom shade that you won't find in any conventional color book, now called Dell Blue, and it's seconded by a Dell Gray (fitting for a business-centric operation) and a whole palette of specially selected extra colors. Additionally, the lettering is now a little taller and squarer, with the E extending above and below its brethren by tiny little bits. Oh, and there's an exciting new typeface for the company's slogan -- check it out after the break.
Michael Dell: Developing Windows smartphones 'easier' than Android
Not much detail here, just some vagaries uttered by Michael Dell at an event in Hong Kong. According to Reuters, Mr. Dell said that it's easier to develop smartphones using Microsoft's Windows operating system than Google's Android. Something that he, or at least his developers, should know something about having dabbled a bit on both platforms. Unfortunately, that's all we've got -- hopefully more details will be revealed later to give this some context. Switching gears, he also said that Dell would be launching a "significant number" of tablet PC models next year. Next year huh? What happened to Dell's 7-inch Looking Glass tablet that was coming in "a few weeks" now more than one month ago?
Dell reaches $100 million settlement in SEC fraud case
Dell announced back in June that it's set aside a $100 million reserve fund for a potential settlement, and it looks like it's now finally going to have to use it -- a federal judge has today approved a settlement with the government for that very amount in a long-standing civil fraud case brought by the SEC. Of particular note, CEO Michael Dell himself has agreed to pay a $4 million fine, although neither he nor the company has actually admitted to any wrongdoing in the settlement. Dell did say that the company is committed to implementing the range of reforms it's promised, however, and adds that "we will certainly live up to all the commitments in the settlement." As for the SEC, attorney John Worland says that the settlement is "appropriate," and he notes that there isn't any evidence that Dell intended to defraud.
Dell's Looking Glass tablet gets another chance to shine (video)
The elusive Looking Glass might have dodged the zoom lenses yesterday, but luckily, the good folks at Oracle managed to tape Michael Dell's lightning demo (pun totally intended) with a close-up shot. From what we can see, the volume rocker is located at the top side of the tablet, right next to what could potentially be a switch for screen rotation lock or silent mode; the headphone jack appears to be on the left-hand side of the device, which makes sense -- we can't imagine this beastly device fitting into a pocket of any sorts, otherwise. Sadly, we can't confirm whether this 7-inch Android tablet uses the same PDMI port as featured on the Streak, nor can we see what's on the back -- we caught a glimpse of something shiny, but the leaked spec sheet we came across some time ago doesn't mention a back camera. Anyhow, you can catch this big daddy in action right after the break -- about 1:27 into the clip.%Gallery-103167%
Michael Dell teases new 7-inch Android tablet, says Streak to land in Best Buy next month (update: pic)
Oh Michael, such a teaser you are. Word has it that the head honcho of Dell Inc. has just pulled out yet another Android tablet from his pocket, only this time it's a 7-inch whopper. Sadly, Mr. Dell left us high and dry with dates and specs (and the lack of photos from the event doesn't help, either), but we'll bet you that this is the long-rumored Looking Glass. On a more solid note, Dell also announced that the smaller Streak is heading to Best Buy next month. That's great, except some of us would rather see the tabletphone getting its share of Froyo sooner -- here's hoping that this bigger tablet won't disappoint us with an outdated OS. Update: As it just so happens, Reuters snapped a pic of Mr. Dell himself holding the tablet on stage, and sure enough, it resembles that leaked Looking Glass even from quite a distance away.
Michael Dell given an unsubtle hint by displeased shareholders
It's looking very much like that SEC investigation into Dell and Intel's overly intimate relationship has aggrieved investors in the former company. In a recent shareholder vote on the subject of Michael Dell's continued presence on his eponymous company's board, an almost unprecedented 25 percent expressed their desire that he leaves. We can't say we blame them, considering Michael had to spend $4 million of his own cash to square things with the SEC. He never admitted any personal guilt for the company's misreported earnings, but then innocent people don't tend to pay multimillion-dollar personal fines either. As it stands, he still has the backing of the majority of investors, but Mike might still do best to hand over the CEO reins to someone who hasn't been dragged through the mud of impropriety quite so thoroughly. We hear Mark Hurd might be on the market soon.
Dell settles with SEC for $100 million, moseys off into sunset
Looks like Dell might finally be at peace with the US Securities and Exchange Commission -- for now at least. The company has announced that it's reached a settlement for "alleged omissions prior to Fiscal 2008" regarding both its relation with Intel and some accounting this-and-that. In a nutshell, Dell was receiving payments from Intel (who had some nasty payouts of its own) to not use AMD chips, which the company didn't disclose to investors, and then failed to explain why profitability dropped once the payments stopped coming in. Remember that $100 million set aside in June for such a civil monetary penalty? Yep, this is exactly what it was for, and it's exactly what Dell is paying out. Additionally, CEO Michael Dell is paying $4 million out of pocket. Lesson learned, right guys?
Dell CEO: Streak coming next month to Telefonica O2, 'later this summer' to AT&T
You know who can't stop talking about (or showing off) the Dell Streak / Mini 5? Company CEO Michael Dell, that's who. The man once again returned with his Android-powered 5-inch display of choice, showing it off on stage at the Citrix Synergy conference this morning. Sure, we've seen the handset ad nauseum at this point -- we're even a proud owner of one prototype -- but here's the quote that piqued our interest: "this [phone] will be available starting next month, first with our partner 02 Telefonica [sic] in Europe, then later this summer with our pretty good partner here in the United States, AT&T." He couldn't be much more direct, and we couldn't get it from a more knowing source. Excited for the near future yet?
Dell looking outside of China for 'safer environments,' according to Indian PM
The Hindustan Times cover this morning has a generous space dedicated to Google's exit out of China and related efforts at redirecting mainland users to its Hong Kong hub, but couched cosily inside that story is perhaps an even bigger one. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is quoted as saying that Dell is considering taking its $25 billion's worth of business elsewhere, possibly India: "This morning I met the chairman of Dell Corporation. He informed me that they are buying equipment and parts worth $25 billion from China. They would like to shift to safer environment with climate conducive to enterprise with security of legal system." Michael Dell's outfit already has one manufacturing plant in India, and the man himself has been on a charm offensive in the country this week meeting and greeting local officials. It could well be, however, that Dell is just seeking to play China and India off one another to get itself the most favorable manufacturing deal, but it's still interesting to find such a high profile protestation against the supposedly enterprise-choking climate and uncertain legal system in China. It appears that Google's wrangle with the Middle Kingdom's leadership has forced consumer electronics execs to reevaluate their strong reliance on China, and the (very) long-term effects could indeed be a shifting, or at least diversification, of manufacturing away from Yao's homeland. [Thanks, Piyush]
Michael Dell pulls Mini 5 Android tablet from his parka, offers to put one in yours in 'a couple of months' (video)
Hot on the heels of us thinking maybe the Dell Streak / Mini 5 was possibly due for a name change to the "M01M," a roving heckler from TechCrunch managed to catch the man himself, Michael Dell, on the street and get a quick demonstration of the thing -- which he with no uncertain terms referred to as the "Mini 5." He swiped through a number of home screens and quickly showed the five megapixel camera on the back, mentioned 3G wireless, and then tucked it away again. No price was given, but the biggest news is confirmation that it's coming out in "a couple of months," which is something of a surprise given the company was still calling it a concept just a few weeks ago. Video of this choice encounter is after the break. [Thanks, Mark O.]
Michael Dell curiously talks down netbooks, slyly bad-mouths Vista
Michael Dell has definitely provided us with a few token quotes before, but his latest spurts over at a Silicon Valley dinner sponsored by the Churchill Club are amongst the best. For starters, he didn't hesitate to exclaim that "a fair amount of customers" have been unhappy with the small screens and weak innards found in netbooks, which is definitely a perplexing comment to make when you're making ends meet (at least in part) by moving Minis. Of course, it sounds like the honest-to-goodness truth, but we digress. The money quote came when asked about Windows 7, as he noted that if "you get the latest processor technology and you get Windows 7 and Office 2010, you will love your PC again; we actually have not been able to say that for a long time." We're not trying to read too deeply between the lines, but that definitely sounds like a gentle jab at Vista, does it not? Hit the read link for the full schpeel.
Michael Dell does/doesn't confirm Dell smartphones
Depending upon which source you believe, Michael Dell either directly commented on Dell's smartphone plans or just hinted at them. DigiTimes has Michael Dell paraphrased as saying in Taipei that Dell will not delay its smartphone lineup and is on schedule to release devices in line with its internal roadmap. The IDG news service, however, has him in Tokyo just hinting at smartphones. "It is true that we are exploring smaller screen devices," said Dell, adding, "We don't have any announcements to share today but stay tuned as when we have new news we will share that with you." Mr. Dell also mentioned Dell's carrier agreements already in place for the 3G radios Dell ships in it laptops. As such, "it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that we would have smaller mobile Internet devices or smartphones in the future." Look Michael, just spit it out. We don't care how dull they look -- we know you're probably going after the big, fat chewy center of corporate market share here. Just don't call it the Ditty Talker and we're cool. Read -- Dell on schedule with smartphones Read -- Dell hints at smartphones
Putin to Dell: "We don't need help. We are not invalids."
As you may be aware, the Davos conference for the super-rich and powerful is going on in Switzerland right now, and throwing all those egos into a room together can lead to some testy moments -- like today, when Michael Dell asked Vladimir Putin how the US could help Russia improve its IT infrastructure. Putin's response? "We don't need help. We are not invalids. We don't have limited mental capacity." Saucy! Vlads followed up by pointing out that Russian scientists mainly focus on software, not hardware -- interpreted by many as a further slap at Dell. Any bets on whether Mikey D replied by saying that if he were in charge, he'd shut Russia down and give it back to the people?
Michael Dell once again says he's down with competing with the iPhone... in the future
Ugh, make it stop. Every few months, someone in the media asks Michael Dell the inevitable question: "Do you plan on competing with Apple's iPhone?" While speaking recently in the Citi Technology Conference in New York, the chief executive stated that "I think you will see us with small screen devices," and he continued on to state that we the people will see Dell producing "smaller and smaller devices that have capabilities of the [iPhone]." Without missing a beat, he also proclaimed: "Not in the near-term." Alrighty then -- anything we didn't already know?
