1. PC Makers
Presenters:
Oana Constantin
Kevin Ridinger
Adam Svoboda
Cindy Xia
2. Agenda
• Industry Analysis
• Company Analysis
• Dell, Inc.
• Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
• Gateway, Inc.
3. Industry Definition
• The personal computer industry consists mostly of
assembling and selling:
• Desktops & Notebooks
• Servers & Mainframes
• Workstations & Thin Clients
• Supercomputers
• Mass Storage Devices
• Network Equipment
• Peripherals
• Handheld Devices
4. Nature of Industry
Floppy,
CD/DVD Drive
Hard-drive
Motherboard
& CPU
Power
Source & Extra
Cables Peripherals
Case
5. Industry History (1/2)
• Start of the industry: 1975.
MITS Altair 8080 – First
personal computer
• Hits maturity by the mid-1990s
6. Industry History (2/2)
• New developments beginning with late-1990s:
• Rapid decline in PC prices
Consequently decrease in gross profit margins
• Acceleration in the product cycle
Faster depreciation of components and finished good inventories
• Success of direct-sales/build-to-order strategy
Remodeling of the value chain
• Mergers and Acquisitions
HP/Compaq, Lenovo/IBM
7. 1995 Worldwide Market Share
Compaq
IBM
Dell
3% 3% HP
3%
7% Apple
4% NEC
47%
Packard-Bell
Fujitsu/ICL
8% Acer
4% Toshiba
3% Other
8%
10%
8. 2004 Worldwide Market Share
16%
6%
HP/Compaq
IBM
Dell
55% Fujitsu/Siemens
18% Acer
Other
1%
4%
9. PC Market Growth
US and Worldwide PC Market Growth
1985 1990 1995 2000 2003 2005 2010
U.S. PC Unit Sales (#M) 6.6 9.5 21.4 46.0 48.3 56.6 66.7
U.S. PC Dollar Dales ($B) 17.2 24.5 56.8 86.9 78.1 84.5 86.1
Worldwide PC Unit Sales (#M) 11 24.2 70.1 130 149 181 249
Worldwide PC Dollar Sales ($B) 29.5 71.3 155 247 243 270 302
15. Big Box Model
• Traditional approach, through “brick and mortar”
retailers and own stores
• Distributors purchase assembled, ready-to-use
computers
• Allows consumers to touch and feel the product
• Higher cost due to high inventories, longer
distribution channel
• Profit margin eroded
16. Direct Model
• Take customized orders directly from end consumers
• Assemble systems as orders come in
• Ship the product direct to customers
• More efficient, JIT inventory system
• Lower costs due both to inventory savings and
distribution by-passing
• Savings are passed to customers
17. White Box Model
• Combination of Big Box and Direct Sales Strategies
• Own distribution facilities
• Allows consumers to customize their products while
giving them a phisical location to purchase
• Highly fragmented, estimated to more than 500
unbranded PC makers
• Often sell directly to small businesses looking for a
significant price break rather than a big brand
machine.
23. Industry Key Measures
• Profit Margin
• Sales Growth
• Market Share Growth
• Valuation Ratios
• Business Capital Spending
24. Industry Statistics
Valuation Ratios Financial Strength
P/E 22.96 Quick Ratio 1.34
P/Sales 1.85 Current Ratio 1.61
P/Book 6.83 LT Debt/Equity 0.31
Total Debt/Equity 0.38
Profitability Management Effectiveness
Gross Margin 31.33% ROI 19.28%
Operating Margin 9.22% ROA 9.94%
Net Profit Margin 10.68% ROE 31.35%
25. Recent Developments
• Lenovo’s buyout of IBM’s PC unit.
• Propelled the company on 3rd place in terms of worldwide market
share (7.6%) for the 2nd quarter of 2005
• Apple switches to Intel processors
• Lenovo investing $84m in new R&D center in North
Carolina
• Dell lowering earnings forecast, plus a $300m charge
to repair faulty circuit boards
• Hewlett-Packard has hired Dell’s CIO, Randy Mott
• Soaring Apple stock price due to strong iPod sales
28. Future Trends – Industry
• Pricing competition will become more aggressive
Exit by some smaller players
Further consolidation through mergers and acquisitions
• PC shipments expected to grow at 6% per year, but
revenues will remain almost flat
Forces players to further innovate and expand product offering
such as media center computers and tablet PCs
• Faster growth in Europe and Asia segments
Build strong marketing strategy targeting these segments to
capture market share
29. Future Trends – Technology
• Continued shift from desktops to notebooks
• Shift towards wireless devices
• Adaptive hardware technology to support PC
virtualization
• Continuous movement toward miniaturization and
digital enhancement of portable music players and
phones
31. Fast Facts about Dell Inc.
Trades on NASDAQ, symbol: DELL
One share bought for $8.50 at IPO in 1988 would be worth
$3,800 today.
Employs over 61,400 people
Revenues totaled over $52.8 billion for the last four quarters
Market Position: #1 in U.S., #3 in Japan, #2 in Europe
7 Manufacturing centres spanning the globe, located in United
States(3), Brazil, Europe (Ireland), Malaysia, and China.
Nearly one out of every five standards-based computer system
sold in the world today is a Dell.
32. Dell Timeline
1984: Michael Dell founds Dell Computer Corporation
1987: International expansion begins with opening of subsidiary in United Kingdom
1988: Dell conducts initial public offering of company stock (3.5 million shares at
$8.5 each)
1993: Enters into Asia-Pacific region with subsidiaries in Australia and Japan
1996: Company begins major push into the server market
2000: Company sales via Internet reach $50 million per day
2001: For the first time, Dell ranks No. 1 in global market share
2004: Kevin Rollins becomes Dell's next chief executive officer. Michael Dell
moves to Chairman of the Board
33. Management
Michael Dell – Chairman of the Board (founded company
in 1984)
Kevin B Rollins – President and CEO since July 2004
(prior he was president and COO of Dell Americas – joined
in 1994)
William J. Amelio – Sr. VP Asia-Pacific/Japan (since
2001)
Paul D. Bell – Sr. VP Europe, Middle East & Africa (since
1996)
Joseph A. Marengi, Sr. VP, Americas (since 1996, came
from Novell)
Many of Dell’s current management came to the company around 1996-97.
Based on biographical evidence, many were lured from other high-tech
companies, including Novell, HP, Apple, Sun and Texas Instruments.
34. Strategy
Uses the direct business model (reliant on very efficient
manufacturing and supply chain management)
Helps turnover inventory every four days (on average)
Helps ensure the latest technology is offered without
keeping outdated products on the ‘shelves’.
Provides customers with single point of accountability
Standards-based (do not support proprietary technologies)
Collaboration with strategic partners
Positively affects both input prices and product leadership
Adding a significant layer of innovation (value-added
processes)
35. Dell’s strategic corporate
initiatives for the future
Continued Global Growth
Growth outside of U.S. in largest countries at 30%
Product Leadership
Ex. integrated solutions to businesses (servers,
desktops, and now printing)
Enhancing the Customer Experience
Dell value-added services (anti-spyware and virus
software and support)
Developing a Winning Culture:
Essential for integrating Dell’s subsidiaries in over 47
countries
37. Sources of Revenue
Dell designs, develops, manufactures, markets,
sells, and supports the follow products:
•Servers •Notebook Computers
•Storage •Desktop Computers
•Workstations •Printing and Imaging
•Networking •Software and
Peripherals
•Dell also offers a variety of services from development and
support to professional and fully managed solutions.
Dell also has a financial services division which is a joint venture between Dell
and CIT group. It organizes financing alternatives for clients
38. Sales Mix (by Region & Product line)
Product-specific
40. Revenue Growth
Net Revenue
Net Revenue (in
70000
Year Millions)
2001 $31,888
60000
2002 $31,168
Revenue (in Millions)
50000 2003 $35,404
2004 $41,444
40000
2005 $49,205
30000 2006 $55,000
2007 $60,000
20000
10000
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Fiscal Year
41. Costs
Input costs from suppliers (COGS)
Continuing drop in PC prices but what about Dell’s
gross margin?
2001: 17.7%, 2002: 17.9% 2003: 18.2% 2004: 18.3%
2005: 18.6%
Operating Expenses
- marketing, sales and admin.
- R&D
Almost zero long-term debt
no service payments
46. Stock Options
As of Jan 28, 2005
As of Jan 31, 2003
Average exercise price has steadily been increasing ($28.99 in 2005, compared
to $8.78 in 2001)
51. Model Valuation
With the residual income model:
Dell’s price should be between $15 and $25
depending on the assumptions used.
SinceDell does not pay a dividend we cannot
use dividend models to calculate a price.
The FCFE model also does not work very
well with the stocks that are in Dell’s industry
Produces a price of $6 if the same k from the RI
model is used.
52. How does Dell Measure up?
Statistic Industry Average DELL
P/E Ratio (ttm) 28.6 21.14*
Price/Book 10.5 12.75
Net Profit Margin 6.7% 9.2%
Price to FCF 38.5 15*
Return on Equity (ttm) 37.0% 59.18%
Price to Sales 1.81 1.4*
*Lower is better
As of Nov 9, 2005
53. Value Drivers (cont.)
Profits
Company has turned a profit year after year.
Continued expense reduction and increasing
margins will help contribute to higher profits.
Especially as international centres recently expanded
into mature.
Share buy back and continued reduction in
gratuitous option issuance to execs
Has a growing and already significant international
presence through diversifying it spreads risk of
national economic/demand slowdowns
54. Value Drivers (Cont.)
Growth
Market share available abroad in Asia-Pacific and Europe
E-commerce forecasted to increase especially in Asia
Outside of the US, growth was over 30%. Has been strong for
many years
Product/service expansion
Printing and Imaging revenues rose from 0 to 1.2B in 2005 in just
under 2 years!
Positioning themselves strategically within the emerging digital TV
segment, making partnerships with Microsoft and Intel
Technology Changes/PC Replacement
Release of Windows Longhorn – may spur people to buy new
computers with 64-bit capabilities
More than 35% of users plan to replace their computers in coming
years (long-term avg. 20%)
55. Factors to Consider
Quarterly earning announcements
Investors have historically reacted drastically when quarterly
numbers are released
Seasonality and cycles associated with the PC market
(almost 60% of sales attributable to PCs)
Foreign Exchange rate risks (38% of revenue from outside
U.S.)
hedging and derivatives
repatriation of profits (in Q4 2005 $4.1 billion)
R&D investment is lower than competitors which might hurt
Dell in the long-run (especially in service sector)
56. Recommendation
Analysts:Depression due to one quarter’s earnings forecast is a
• Recent Price
buying opportunity. Current Year Next Year
Earnings Est
Jan-06 Jan-07
•Attractive price vs. Competitors
Avg. Estimate 1.59 1.87
• The company of Analysts to make enormous amounts of money
No.
continues 33 32
• Limited-Downside potential for price (Share buyback)
Low Estimate 1.55 1.80
High Estimate 1.65 1.95
•Expansion efforts in Asia-Pacific and Europe continue to show value
Three Months
•Good management (experienced) have led Dell on a path of continued
Current Month Last Month Two Months Ago Ago
growth Buy
Strong 8 9 9 8
Buy 11 13 12 15
•Value Drivers (growth & profits) are strong
Hold 12 9 9 7
Sell 1 0 0 0
Strong Sell 0 0 0 0
58. Background
Founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave
Packard
First Product: Audio Oscillator
First Customer: Walt Disney
Went Public on: Nov 6, 1957
59. Management/Executives
Mark Hurd - 2005 - Chief Executive Officer and
President. President and CEO of NCR since 2003
(25 years of experience)
Gilles Bouchard - Exec Vice President PSG (in Hp
since 1989)
Vyomesh Joshi - Exec Vice President IPG since
1980
Randall D. Mott - Exec Vice President since 2005,
with dell for 3 years
IN GENERAL: MOSTLY NEW BUT EXPERIENCED
60. Board of Directors
Lawrence T. Babbio, Jr. – 2002
Patricia C. Dunn - 1998
Richard A. Hackborn - 1992
Mark V. Hurd - 2005
Dr. George A. Keyworth II - 1986
Tom Perkins - 2005
Robert L. Ryan - 2004
Lucille S. Salhany - 2002
Robert P. Wayman - 2005
61. Current Events
HP takeover of Compaq - $25bn
New CEO – Mark Hurd
2005 – Profits fall
Compaq acquisition complete
Several other acquisitions have taken place
62. Snapshot – Compaq
Merger
May 7, 2002, largest merger computer industry
merger in history
$25 billion
1 Compaq share = 0.63 HP share
Attempt to eliminate costs by reducing overlap
in sectors
Was opposed by both Compaq and HP (family)
64. Products and Services
Desktops and Workstations
Notebooks and Tablet PCs
Printers and multifunctional machines
Handhelds and calculators
Monitors and projectors
Fax, Copiers and Scanners
Digital Photography
Storage
Servers
Networking
Software
65. Market Position
#1 globally in the inkjet, all-in-one and single-function printers,
mono and colour laser printers, large format printing, scanners,
print servers and ink and laser supplies*
#1 globally in x86*, Windows®*, Linux®*, UNIX* and blade
servers
#1 in total disk and storage systems
#2 globally in notebook PCs
#1 globally in Pocket PCs
#1 in customer support
#1 position in customer loyalty for ProLiant servers
66. HP Business Sectors
(PSG) Personal Systems Group
(IPG) Imaging and Printing Group
(ESS) Enterprise Storage and Servers
(HPFS) HP Financial Services
(HPS) HP Services
Software
Corporate Investments
67. (PSG) Personal Systems
Group
Commercial and consumer PC’s
Workstations, handheld computer devices and digital
entertainment systems
Calculators
Software services for commercial and consumer
markets
68. (IPG) Imaging and Printing
Group
Printing, imaging and publishing
devices
Both for home users and
businesses
69. (ESS) Enterprise Storage
and Servers
Storage and server products
Low and high end scalable servers e.g.
Superdome
Enterprise arrays, storage area networks
70. (HPFS) HP Financial
Services
Leasing, financing, utility and asset recovery
services
Specializedfinancial services for
small/medium businesses and educational
and governmental entities.
71. (HPS) HP Services
Technology and consulting
Integration services
Managed services
72. Software
Software solutions including support
Infrastructure, operations and applications
management
73. Corporate Investments
Labs and ‘business incubation’ projects.
Revenue is from selling network infrastructure
products: enhancing computer and enterprise
solutions.
76. Earnings by Region
Revenue overview by region
(in billions, for fiscal year 2003)
Europe,
Middle East,
Africa United States
39% 40%
Americas
(excluding
U.S.)
6%
Japan Asia Pacific
4% 11%
78. Analysis in
% increase/decrease 9 months of 2004 - 2005
Net Revenue 9.000957003
Net Expenses 8.931591637
Earnings from Operations 10.31313819
Net Earnings -17.62261014
% increase/decrease in 2003-2004 2002-2003
Revenue 9.37 29.11
Costs 7.86 21.81
Earnings on Operations 45.96 386.17
Net Earnings 37.73 381.17
80. Financials
Dividend - $0.08 per quarter
No stock splits since Dec 2000 (2 for 1)
Year Est. EPS (10/05) 1.56
Price/Earnings (Trailing)18.695
Earnings Growth Rate17.200
Relative P/E1.053
Estimated P/E18.300
81. The stock as of 10 Nov
2005
52 Wk High 29.51
Last 28.23 USD Date 20/09/2005
Change -0.31 52 Wk Low 18.85
% Change (1) -1.09% Date 11/11/2004
High 28.63 Dividend 0.08
Open 28.4 Div Date 12/09/2005
Low 28.21 Market Cap 80,879 M
Net Volume 7,242,200 P/E Ratio 26.89
EPS 1.05
96. Competitors by Sector
PSG – Dell, IBM. Acer and Fujitsu (Europe)
IPG – Very pricing competitive. Xerox, Epson,
Lexmark
ESS – Rapid technological innovation. IBM,
EMC, Sun Micro
HPS – IBM, EDS. Competitive in support and
Consulting.
Software – BMC, Veritas, Mercury, IBM
HPFS – Financing companies: IBM Global
Financing, Banks and Financial Institutions
97. Moving Forward?
R&D – Constant at $3,500million
Revenue increasing BUT so are costs
Profits are sensitive to US$ exchange rate
Several Business acquisitions
$5billion authorized for share repurchases ($3b
remaining)
Innovative and popular products
Predicted fourth Q $22.2-$22.4bn Revenue – Up
10%
98. Acquisitions
Snapfish – Online photo service
Scitex Vision – Super-wide digital printing
RLX Technologies – Software provider
Peregrine Systems – Management software
Compaq – PC supplier
ApplQ – open storage area network managemen
99. Market Leaders
The largest consumer IT company
The world's largest SMB IT company
A leading enterprise IT company
Alsohas a significant presence in the public sector
as well as health and education
100. Philip Fisher
Production, Marketing, Research and Financial skills
Good
The People Factor
New and old leaders - experienced
Investment characteristics
Very diversified and continually evolving
Price of the investment
Medium
101. Conclusion and
Recommendation
2005 is a disappointing year
New acquisitions bring a positive light
Share buy-back
WEAK BUY (wait till
final results and evaluate!)
103. Values
Caring, honesty, teamwork, respect,
aggressiveness, efficiency, fun and common
sense.
--- Offering products directly to customers,
providing them with the best value for their
money and unparalleled service and support
104. Company Background
Founded in 1985 in a farmhouse by Ted Waitt
Went public in 1993 traded on NASDAQ
Started trading on NY Stock Ex in 1997
3rd largest PC maker in U.S.
In March 2004, acquired eMachines ($235 million)
Currently 1,900 employees
6% of US market share in consumer segment
105. Distribution Channels
Direct distribution: web, phone, retail stores
Indirect distribution: retailers like Costco
Limited resellers in Canada and Mexico
106. Products
Computers
desktops, notebooks, all-in-ones, professional PC
Systems (networking, servers and storage)
Computer accessories
Mouse, storage, memories, monitors, modems
Consumer electronics
digital TVs, digital camera, MP3 players, DVD
players
Software
107. Competitive Strategies in the 90’s
Gateway’ big box strategy and JIT
Direct +retail
Competitors:
Dell’s build-to-order, direct only, JIT
Compaq’s Build-to-forecast, retail only
108. Acquired ALR
Acquired Advanced Logic Research (ALR) in
1997 and announced its entry into corporate
network server market
Channeled through own retailing stores
109. Strategies in the 21st
Century
• Encountered big loss from 2001
failure of cost leadership strategy
higher cost and lower margin
slow inventory turnover
• “Branded integrator”
offered the fullest range of product and
service
• B2B 2003
111. eMachines
Philosophy
Build affordable computers for everyone – no
compromise PCs that deliver incredible value and
performance.
Market
budget-conscious consumers
Products
PCs and peripheral displays
Distribution Channels
3rd party retailers: BestBuy, Office Depot
112. eMachines
2cnd largest vendor of desktop through US
retailers
low-cost, full-featured computer systems
$1.1 billions of sales in 2003
International market in Japan and UK
Wayne Inouye, who joined eMachines in
2001 and quickly turned it into money-
making business
113. What does eMashine bring to GTW
Low cost distribution model and retail
relationaship
Highly efficient and profitable operation
model
Market shares in consumer desktop sector
International growth opportunities
Management team
114. After Acquisition
eMachines CEO Wayne Inouye was named CEO of
Gateway, succeeding Ted Waitt, who remains
chairman and the company's largest stockholder
28.3% shares and plays an active role in long-term
strategic direction, product development and
marketing plans.
Combined management team from both Gateway
and eMachine
A few new members joined management team
115. Management
Wayne R. Inouye (eMachine) CEO and
President
Former president & CEO of eMachine since 2001
Senior vice president of PC merchandising for
BestBuy
Scott Bauhofer, Senior vice president
Former senior vice president of BestBuy
bachelor's in history from San Francisco State
University
116. Management
Bob Davidson (eMachine) Senior vice president
U.S. retail
Executive of eMachine P&C development
Former vice president of BestBuy
Ed Fisher (eMashine)Senior vice president
international
Executive of eMachine,former Intel sales director
MBA Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate
School of Management
117. Management
John Goldsberry, (eMachine)senior vice president, CFO
Joined Gateway in 2004
Former CFO of eMachine, leaded the negotiation with
Gateway
bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics and a Ph.D. in
Business Economics from Harvard University
Greg Memo ,(eMachine) Senior Vice President, Products,
Marketing &Web
Former president at Compaq
MBA degree from San Jose State University and a
bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Arizona
State University.
118. Management
Bruce K. Riggs, Senior Vice President, Operations and
Customer care
Former senior vice president of Quanta Computer Inc and Dell
bachelor's degree in Economics and Spanish at Lawrence
University MBA from from Indiana University
Bruce W. Smith, senior vice president, professional line
Former senior vice president of Equant, a global
telecommunications-services
master's degree in history from the University of Virginia
bachelor's degree in history from The Johns Hopkins University
119. Management
Dan Stevenson, Vice President, Direct
Joined Gateway in 2004
Former senior director at Apple Computer
MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor's in accounting
from Purdue University
Mike Zimmerman,(eMachine) Senior Vice President, Customer
Care Services & Quality Assurance
Former vice president and corporate planning at BestBuy
Bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from
Northwood University.
120. Corporate Goals
Profitably grow PC business
Diversify revenue
Increase gross margin with consumer
electronics products
Reduce cost structure
121. Modified Strategies
Multi-branding
Keep eMachine’s original marketing strategy
Closed 188 Gateway owned retail stores
Channel through big retailers
New manufacturing model
International markets (Japan, Mexico)
Consolidated supply base
Decrease employees from 7400-1900
123. Distribution Channels
eMachines brand sold worldwide by retailers
Gateway products directly sold online and by
phone
Gateway products sold in Canada, U.S.,
Mexico, and Japan by retailers
Professional line (PCs, servers, service) sold
directly to organizations by sales force
124. Breakdown of Sales
BreakDown of Sales
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
Sales
50,000 2005
40,000 2004
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Direct Professional Retail
Distribution
125. Net Income
Net Income
600
400
200
Net Income
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
-200
Series1
-400
-600
-800
-1000
-1200
Year
137. Share Repurchase
Repurchase of Preferred Stock and
Convertible Note 2004 from America Online,
Series A and C Preferred Stock with a par
value of $400 million plus 2.7 million
common shares, for $315.6 million in cash
and credits.
138. Value Driver
Profitable eMachine brand sector
eMashine’s profitable operating model
International market
Underminded by
Failure of integration of the two companies
Competition in international market
139. Forecasting
Opportunity to grow in international markets
Maintain relationship with the big buyers
Let us entertain you” is the new mantra of
computer industry. Previously, companies
focused solely on creating technology
Competition:
Dell, Apple, HP
141. Current Events
Closed three federal deals valued more than
$20 million
$1.7 million deal with California Highway
Patrol (CHP)
Hyper-threaded dual-core added
Enters strategic alliance with LEAF Financial
and Merrill Lynch
142. Philip Fisher Approach
Production,Marketing, Research and Financial skills
Weak
The People Factor
Haven’t been with GTW for a long time
Investment characteristics
Somewhat diversified
Price of the investment
Low
Yearly PC sales for the U.S. and the main regions of the world are summarized. North America will remain the largest region until 2008. All figures are in millions of units.
This PC forecast consists of three product segments—PC servers, desktop PCs and mobile or battery-powered PCs. Mobile PCs are dominated by notebook PCs. The desktop PC segment will remain the largest PC segment, but both PC servers and mobile PCs are taking market share from the desktop PC segment. Mobile PCs include all laptop, notebook and other mobile PCs. The emerging tablet PCs and wearable PCs are also include in the mobile PC segment. PDAs and similar products such are palm computers are excluded.
Dell and HP are currently the leading PC manufacturers and they will remain the top 2 vendors for at least the next five years. The next table shows the historical PC sales and future projections of these two companies. Note that the PC sales of Compaq and HP are combined for all the years including the pre-merger years shown in the table (1990, 1995 and 2000). Dell has a much wider lead in the USA than worldwide. This is because Dell’s business model is fully developed in the USA, but remains in the start-up phase or in the early to mid-level development phase outside the USA. As Dell’s business model grows and takes hold outside the USA, Dell’s market share will strengthen considerably. Dell may not establish as high a market share outside the USA, but the share will undoubtedly grow strongly. The result is that Dell is like to widen its lead over HP in the next five years.
The personal computer is a modular product whose components, peripherals, and software can be designed independently and integrated into the final system using standard technical interfaces. The modular nature of the PC enabled the creation of an industry structure marked by a high degree of specialization and separation of functions since its inception in the mid-1970s. This pattern was reinforced by IBM’s decision to rely on outside suppliers for many of the components in the original IBM PC in 1981. Thousands of firms became involved in a global production network that was loosely organized by the major PC vendors, but with fluid and shifting buyer-seller relationships. Firms generally competed in one or two market segments involving either manufacturing components, subassemblies, or complete systems; developing software; or providing sales, distribution, technical support, or other services
2 nd quarter of 2005: 1 st place: Dell (19.3%), 2 nd place HP (15.6%), according to Gartner research
Direct model: better prices to consumers,
Culture: helps to give universal brand recognized around the world.
Interesting thing here is that if people are going to want to exercise their options they are going to have to at least maintain the current price......could be a good sign for stockholders.
Recent drop in notebook prices is an example of how technology use has changed and people are buying that! Digital TV Dell can work to sell its media centres (MS) wants to use PCs for digital medai centres.