History of Dell Computers
Founded by Michael S. Dell in 1984, Dell has stood the test of time to remain one of the world's top computer manufacturers when hundreds of others have fallen away. With its unique business model, Dell earned its popularity by giving customers what they wanted--literally, by building computers that were made-to-order, according to the specifications of its customers.
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Origins
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Prior to the inception of Dell, computers were sold indirectly. Electronics stores purchased them and resold them to customers, which meant that people might not be getting a computer with the exact configuration they wanted, and they might be buying them from salespeople who were less than knowledgeable. Michael Dell's idea was to build computers to order, and sell them directly to his customers. While still a college student, he used $1,000 to put his idea into action. In the beginning, Dell built computers from off-the-shelf parts and sold them from his college dorm room.
First Original Design
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Using the money earned from his initial sales, along with some help from his family, Dell created his first original computer design in 1985. This computer was dubbed the Turbo PC, and it featured an 8 MHz Intel 8088 processor. Today, one of these computers resides in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The Turbo PC met with great success, and by 1988, Dell was able to take his company public, securing $30 million in funding.
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First Color Notebook
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In 1991, at a time when most notebook computers still had monochrome screens, Dell introduced its first notebook computer with a color display. The computer was dubbed the 325NC. It had a 25 MHz processor, and its battery could run for 3 hours on a full charge.
Instant Access
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Dell was far ahead of the pack when it branched out into online sales in 1996, allowing customers instant access to Dell's customized array of computers through its website. By 2000, Dell was selling $50 million in computers and accessories through its website every day.
Today
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Today, Dell has a diverse product lineup that is able to please virtually every type of customer, and sells far more than only computers. For the home, Dell markets desktop, laptop and home theater PCs, and for businesses, workstations and servers are available. Additionally, a wide array of accessories are available through Dell, including printers and monitors. Dell's massive revenue totals more than $61 billion, and the company boasts more than 76,000 employees as of 2009.
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