From AOL:
Dell Predicts Next 20 Years are Still Just the Beginning of Computing Power for Customers; Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Special Consumer Promotion
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2001--As the personal computer leaves its teen years behind, Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), predicted that we've only scratched the surface of the computing possibilities yet to come.
"What started with relatively big, slow, and complicated machines has become easy-to-use, powerful systems that help manage many aspects of our lives," Mr. Dell said. "And twenty years from now, when computing technology provides even greater benefits to even more people, we'll once again celebrate the idea that we're just getting started."
As the computer industry marks the 20th anniversary of the personal computer this week, Dell will celebrate with a special discount on the latest consumer technology available from Dell. From noon to 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Aug. 9, consumer customers in the U.S. who order a Dimension 8100(tm) desktop computer online will receive a $50 coupon for the purchase. Customers must place orders online at www.dell4me.com and enter coupon code "508114B9B72B" in the shopping cart before checkout to be eligible.
"The growing comfort with purchasing computers directly from manufacturers has made computing less costly and easier for customers, whether they are using computers, servers, storage or even switches," said John Hamlin, vice president and general manager of Dell's consumer group. "The new heights our customers will reach using computers and the Internet over the next 20 years are truly amazing."
The promotion illustrates how far computers have evolved. Today, customers can buy a Dell desktop computer with nearly 200 times the speed and memory of Dell's first computer for half the price in inflation adjusted dollars. Dell's first system, the Turbo PC(tm), ran at 6.66 megahertz and was equipped with 640 kilobytes of memory; it was priced at approximately $1,250 in 1986 or nearly $2000 today. The Dimension 8100 system in the promotion runs at speeds beginning at 1.3 gigahertz, has at least 128 megabytes of memory and is priced starting at $999(a).
The use of computers has also changed dramatically. Today's computers have the power to handle complex tasks that make our lives easier and more enjoyable. In the workplace, personal computing has evolved from simple word processing to multimedia applications and training programs, inventory management, manufacturing process control, telecommuting and online storefronts. In homes, consumer have graduated from storing recipes on floppy disks to shopping online, editing home videos, creating music libraries and sharing those libraries by burning their own CDs.
"Twenty years ago no one imagined consumers would be doing things like editing their own videos on their computers or using computers as the entertainment centerpiece of their homes," said Hamlin. "Current and expected new technology will continue to make the computer increasingly relevant to our everyday lives."
About Dell
Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL) is the world's No. 1 computer systems company and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $32.6 billion. Dell ranks No. 48 on the Fortune 500, No. 154 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 7 on the Fortune Global "most admired" lists of companies. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.
Dell is a trademark of Dell Computer Corporation.
Fortune and Fortune 500 are registered trademarks and Fortune Global 500 is a trademark of Time Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
(a) Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges extra, and vary. Valid for U.S. Dell Home Systems Co. new purchases only.
CONTACT:
Dell Computer Corporation, Austin
Media Contacts:
Bryant Hilton, 512/723-4780
bryant-hilton@dell.com
or
Bob Kaufman, 512/723-5494
bob-kaufman@dell.com
or
Investor Contacts:
Lynn Tyson, 512/723-1130
lynn-tyson@dell.com
or
Robert Williams, 512/728-7570
robert-williams@dell.com
KEYWORD: TEXAS
BW0171 AUG 08,2001
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