Company Press Release
Dell Redefines the Low-Cost Consumer PC Market
New Dimension L Series Provides Complete Systems and Innovative Internet Services at $27 a Month
ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 1999--Responding to the growing demand for complete, low-cost PCs without sacrifices to services and features, Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL - news), the world's leading direct computer systems company, today introduced the Dimension® L series desktop PC with prices starting at $899, as low as $27 a month for a 48-month purchase(a).
As Dell's first Dimension desktop PC designed specifically to sell below $1,000, the Dimension L series offers complete systems with color monitors, software, a three-year limited warranty(b) and Dell's famous, toll-free service and support. The Dimension L series also serves as a low-cost entry to a family of products and Internet services that is as unique to the industry as the direct business model was to PCs 15 years ago.
''While most of our customers continue to buy performance-class PCs with Pentium III processors, others want a second, low-cost PC with the service and support Dell is known for,'' said Paul Bell, senior vice president, Americas Home and Small Business Group. ''The Dimension L series enables us to meet those needs without sacrificing the customer experience.''
For $899, the Dimension L400 includes with a 400MHz Intel Celeron processor, 32MB of SDRAM memory, 4.3GB(c) hard drive, 15-inch (13.78 vis) color monitor, 40X(d) CD-ROM, 56K(e) modem, sound, video, speakers, Microsoft Windows 98 and MS Works Suite 99 productivity applications. Dimension L series also comes with a new chassis that is small, expandable and provides easy access to internal components.
First introduced in 1992, Dimension is sold in more than 24 countries to home and small business customers. Dimension has won more awards than any other PC for quality and performance since 1996(f).
Services Beyond the Hardware
The Dimension L series is Dell's latest and most affordable introduction to a family of Internet products and services that reach beyond the initial purchase. Services such as personalized Internet pages, Internet-based service and support tools, and easy access to the Internet are increasingly factored into the overall buying decision.
''The price of a PC should include more than hardware,'' Bell said. ''It has to include services the company is willing and able to consistently provide to their customers.''
Dell is known worldwide for its service and support, which has won awards such as:
-- The "Readers' Choice" award for Personal Service and Reliability
in the Fortune Technology Buyer's Guide;
-- Readers' Choice awards for Service and Reliability for both
desktops and notebooks from PC Magazine;
-- PC World's Reliability and Service award for work PCs, home PCs
and notebooks;
-- No. 1 ranking in Web-based support by ComputerWorld.
Dell has reinforced its service capabilities with a number of important online service and support programs, such as ''Ask Dudley,'' an online natural language support tool that provides answers to customers' technical questions in understandable terms. Dell also offers File Watch, an online subscription service that notifies customers of file updates for their PCs, and e-mail support with a 24-hour response time.
Other online services include:
-- System documentation dating back to the days of the 8088
processor
-- Y2K information checks and software updates
-- Windows 2000 readiness advice
-- Office 2000 upgrade support
-- Dell Talk - A moderated but not edited public tech discussion
forum
Prices and Availability
Dell is taking orders today for the new Dimension L series, which includes 400MHz, 433MHz and 466MHz Intel Celeron processors. Dell expects to ship the new L series by late July/early August. Sample prices and configurations of the new Dimension L series are:
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