Dell Inc. is a renowned American technology company offering a wide range of products and services, including personal computers, servers, data storage devices, and IT services. Known for its efficient supply chain management and direct-to-customer sales approach, Dell has expanded into enterprise technology and is a key player in the industry. As a subsidiary of Dell Technologies, it is a major player in the market, ranking high in the Fortune 500 list and being one of the top PC vendors globally.
In 1984, Dell was founded by Michael Dell in his dorm room at the University of Texas. It started as PC's Limited and later became Dell Inc., revolutionizing the computer industry with its direct-to-consumer sales model.
Dell introduced the Turbo PC, the first computer system with an Intel 8088 processor, 10MB hard drive, and 5.25" floppy drive, setting new standards in customer experience with risk-free returns and next-day product assistance.
Dell showcased the industry's fastest performing PC at the Spring Comdex trade show, featuring a 12MHz, 286-based system, demonstrating innovation and technological advancement.
In 1987, Dell went public and expanded its product line to include desktop computers, laptops, servers, and storage devices. This marked a significant growth phase for the company.
In June 1988, Dell's market capitalization grew significantly, and the company changed its name to 'Dell Computer Corporation'. This period marked a notable financial and branding milestone for Dell.
In 1989, Dell set up its first on-site service programs to enhance customer support. This initiative aimed to address the lack of local retailers offering service centers, showcasing Dell's commitment to customer satisfaction.
In 1991, Dell introduced its first laptop, expanding its product line and establishing itself as a key player in the computer industry.
Dell completes its initial public offering, raising $30 million and increasing its market capitalization from $1,000 to $85 million.
In 1994, Dell ceased selling its products through retail stores like Best Buy, Costco, and Sam's Club in the United States, opting for a direct-sales model due to low profit margins. This decision marked a significant shift in Dell's distribution strategy.
In 1996, Dell began selling computers online, embracing the digital era and changing the way customers could purchase their products.
In 1998, Dell reached the second spot on the PC manufacturer's list and reported significant net profits. This achievement solidified Dell's position in the competitive computer industry.
Dell became the largest PC manufacturer by surpassing Compaq in market share, showcasing its dominance in the industry.
In 2000, Dell leased space in the Las Cimas office complex in Travis County, Texas, for its executive offices and corporate headquarters.
Dell.com is launched as an online platform.
Dell diversified its product line to include televisions, handhelds, digital audio players, and printers, expanding beyond its traditional PC offerings.
In 2003, Dell Inc. changed its name to signify a move into the broader consumer electronics market. This rebranding reflected Dell's diversification and strategic shift towards a wider range of products.
Dell announced the construction of a new assembly plant near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with substantial incentive packages from the city, county, and state, showcasing its expansion and investment in manufacturing.
In August 2005, Dell was informally investigated by the United States SEC regarding its financial reporting. This led to delays in filing financial reports and the company facing class-action lawsuits.
On August 17, 2006, Dell revealed a strategic move to incorporate AMD processors in its products, departing from its previous reliance on Intel chips. This decision was attributed to lower costs and the technological advantages offered by AMD.
On October 23, 2006, Dell unveiled the PowerEdge 6950 and PowerEdge SC1435 servers, both powered by AMD processors. This expansion of AMD-based offerings by Dell signaled a significant shift in the company's product lineup.
On November 1, 2006, Dell's website started providing notebooks with AMD processors, including options for single-core MK-36 processor, dual-core Turion X2 chips, or Mobile Sempron.
After disappointing quarterly earnings reports, Kevin Rollins resigned as president and CEO on January 31, 2007, and Michael Dell took over as CEO again.
On February 26, 2007, Dell declared a program to sell computers with pre-installed Linux distributions as an alternative to Windows, starting with Novell's SUSE Linux.
On May 1, 2007, Dell announced it would ship the Ubuntu Linux distribution, followed by selling models with Ubuntu Linux 7.04 pre-installed on May 24, 2007.
Dell Inc. announced a restatement and reduction of earnings from 2003 to the first quarter of 2007 due to an internal investigation into accounting practices. The company faced concerns raised by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over undisclosed exclusivity payments from Intel.
On January 30, 2008, Dell declared the shutdown of all 140 kiosks in the United States due to the company's expansion into retail stores.
On April 23, 2008, Dell announced the closure of one of its major Canadian call-centers in Kanata, Ontario, resulting in the termination of approximately 1100 employees.
On January 8, 2009, Dell announced the closure of its manufacturing plant in Limerick, Ireland, leading to the loss of 1,900 jobs and the transfer of production to Poland.
By June 3, 2010, Dell had also closed down all of its mall kiosks in Australia, marking a shift in its retail strategy in the region.
In November 2011, Dell secured the 2nd position out of 15 electronics manufacturers in Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics. Dell's score improved from 4.9 to 5.1 since the previous ranking in October 2010.
In December 2012, Dell experienced its first decline in holiday sales in five years, despite the launch of Windows 8.
On February 5, 2013, Dell announced a $24.4 billion leveraged buyout deal led by Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners, with assistance from Microsoft.
On October 30, 2013, Dell's privatization was completed, ending its 25-year run as a publicly-traded company.
On October 12, 2015, Dell Inc. revealed plans to purchase EMC Corporation in a cash-and-stock deal worth $67 billion, marking the largest-ever acquisition in the technology sector. The acquisition would involve Dell taking over EMC's majority stake in VMware, leading to a significant vertical merger of IT giants.
Dell, along with other tech companies and Princeton University, founded the OpenFog Consortium on November 19, 2015, to advance fog computing.
On September 7, 2016, Dell finalized the merger with EMC, which included issuing $45.9 billion in debt and $4.4 billion of common stock. This merger marked a significant milestone in the consolidation of the two tech companies.
In 2017, Dell introduced the AlienWare 17 gaming laptop model, which was mainly based on NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 systems.
In July 2018, Dell declared its plans to return to being a publicly traded company by repurchasing shares from its stake in VMware for $21.7 billion. This move aimed to transition Dell back to a public entity after being private for a period.
In June 2021, Dell's stock reached an all-time high of over US$100 per share, showcasing the company's successful transition to a technology solutions provider amidst digital transformation.
Dell introduced a virtual assistant to enhance customer support and provide assistance with order status, tech support, and IT solutions for businesses.
On March 1, 2024, Dell's stock reached a record high following strong earnings, driven by the performance of its artificial intelligence unit. The substantial increase in shares marked a significant milestone for the company.