Michael Dell (And The Apple Connection)

I recently started following Michael Dell on Google+. It's amusing to watch as people take it upon themselves to hijack his posts there and comment about issues they are having with various Dell machines they bought. I've bought and used many Dell computers over the past 15 years. The machine I'm using to write this post is a Dell desktop. Dell were the paragon of PC's for years but then people wised up and realised that all computer manufacturers use the same components in their machines. I do think something was lost with Dell's fall though.


Michael Dell  recently used the "hangout" feature on Google+ to talk about various topics including the the takeover of Motorola by Google, as well as how Dell's manufacturing presence in Poland is growing [lulz], but more on that later. A very fascinating use of the Google+ feature.

Michael Dell was very quiet when Steve Jobs announced his resignation from Apple though. Not surprising as Dell was probably trying his best to forget how he was once asked in 1997 what would he do if he were in charge of Apple Inc. His now infmaous reply is as follows: "What would I do? I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders,"[cnet]. In 2007 Apple Inc. surpassed Dell's value on the NASDAQ and continued to rise as Dell's shares fell.

Have a look at the graph below to get an idea of Dell's rise and fall. [google finance]


Dell's main manufacturing base was located in Limerick, Ireland, for nearly 20 years. In 2009 Dell moved most of it's operations to Poland and China. During their existence in Limerick, Dell were a major source of employment and because of this  "[Michael] Dell received an honorary doctorate in Economic Science from the University of Limerick in honor of his investment in Ireland and the local community and for his support for educational initiatives.^{[29]" [wiki]}

It was because of this UL doctorate and then subsequent departure of Dell manufacturing from Limerick that made me scoff at a tweet created by Stephen Ryan, pontificating the departure of Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple Inc. Whether you think Apple are the greatest thing since bubble gum or not, they are still just a corporate machine. If the wheels of profit slow down, they will drop Cork operations like a heavy box of smelly Apple Newtons.

I hold no animosity towards Michael Dell, as many others (particularly those from Limerick) do. Afterall, if anyone should be complaining about Dell moving it's operations from a country, it's the Americans. Plus, Dell still have a significant commercial presence in Ireland. I've never had a problem with Dell hardware except for their more recent Vostro line. Complete shite, so they are. Nothing more than crap thrown together, at a dime a dozen.