Michael Dell

Chairman and CEO
Dell

One of the giants of the PC industry, Michael Dell founded his namesake company in 1984 with $1,000 and the brilliant idea of selling a complicated product directly to customers, both businesses and consumers. In 1992, Mr. Dell became the youngest CEO ever to earn a ranking on the Fortune 500, and Dell eventually became the world's largest seller of personal computers. But, after stepping down as CEO a few years ago, Mr. Dell was forced to resume the role in 2007 after changing market conditions caused the company to falter. Average consumers, never Dell's core audience, became more important, as did retail sales. And Dell has been scrambling to compete with the likes of Apple, HP and Sony in areas like design and technical innovation, which have become more important.

Posts With Michael Dell

Dell Taps Former CA Head Swainson to Run Software Unit

Arik Hesseldahl in News on February 2 at 1:14 pm PT

Meanwhile, he turned down a nearly identical job offer from Hewlett-Packard.

PCs Are Not Under Threat From Tablets or Smartphones

… think of these small mobile devices as creating the next wave of users who will want larger-screen devices.

– Dell CEO Michael Dell

Workday Is Looking for Bankers to Help It Go IPO in 2012

Arik Hesseldahl in News on December 23, 2011 at 4:22 am PT

The wait begins for one of the most anticipated IPOs of 2012.

Dell Will Drop the Flashy Vegas Act for CES This Year

John Paczkowski in News on November 30, 2011 at 1:15 pm PT

Dell is scaling back its presence at the annual trade show — drastically.

Seven Questions for Seagate CEO Steve Luczo About the Effects of the Thailand Floods

Arik Hesseldahl in News on November 23, 2011 at 5:45 am PT

Flooding in Thailand has killed more than 600 people, devastated the Thai economy and caused one of the most significant supply chain disruptions to the computer industry in a generation.

Deutsche Bank: Expect Soft Sales From Dell

Arik Hesseldahl in Enterprise on November 15, 2011 at 6:30 am PT

Weaker sales to consumers and state and local government will be offset by a better environment for sales to the enterprise and favorable prices on parts.

Michael Dell and the Harbingers of Doom

There are a billion and a half PCs in the world and while Gartner change their estimates here and there, they also estimate there will be two billion PCs in the world by 2014. So when I look at that, I think the idea that the PC is no longer here is complete nonsense.

Michael Dell, in a video interview on FT.com

Dell Chipper About Tablet OS Options

John Paczkowski in News on August 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm PT

Though he may not have much reason to be, Dell CEO Michael Dell’s optimistic about the company’s prospects in the tablet market.

Dell Shares Down 10 Percent After Earnings Report

Arik Hesseldahl in Enterprise on August 17, 2011 at 10:04 am PT

A shift away from consumer stuff and toward the enterprise is good for Dell over the long term, says Pacific Crest’s Brent Bracelin. But the short term looks iffy at best. Dell shares are falling today.