dell

Michael Dell to use own money to seek majority control -- report

Just weeks after reports surfaced that Dell was looking to go private, the company's founder appears willing to put his personal funds where his mouth is.

Michael Dell may kick in equity financing of $500 million to $1 billion combined with his 15.7 percent stake in the company to seek majority control of the company, according to Bloomberg. That would push his ownership stake past 50 percent.

With the investment, Dell would be contributing more than half of the total $8 billion to $9 billion equity check. The remainder of the takeover would be financed by debt and &… Read more

Dell XPS 13 ultrabook with high-res display due next week

Dell will start selling a high-resolution version of the XPS 13 ultrabook next week, the PC maker told CNET today, addressing an issue that dogs more than a few Windows 8 laptops.

The display will be upgraded to a resolution of 1,920x1,080 from the current 1,366x768 format. That roughly doubles the pixel density to just over 2 million from just a bit more than a million.

Other improvements include widening the viewing angle to 178 degrees from 80 degrees on the current 1,366x768 display, upping the brightness to 350 nits from 300 nits, and increasing the color gamut to 72 percent from 45 percent, a Dell representative said. … Read more

The XPS 10 is a fine Windows RT tablet, but ultimately comes up short

If you're reading this review of the Dell XPS 10, you either have already considered or will in the very near future consider the Microsoft Surface RT first. It's simply an overall better tablet value, thanks to its slightly wider screen, better build quality, more comfortable keyboard accessory, built-in full USB, and Micro-HDMI. Yes, this is a review of the XPS 10, but I think it's important to know what sets these tablets apart. The XPS 10 does feel more like a laptop when paired with its keyboard and gets a battery life advantage thanks to the … Read more

Rumor Has It: Signs point to PlayStation 4 at E3

We're back from CES, and getting right back into the swing of the rumor mill.

This week, rumors of a 4.8-inch iPhone "Math" (say, what?) have been swirling, but we're blaming it on a bad translation. Also, Microsoft might be desperate to save the PC, YouTube might be eyeing music video site Vevo, and Sony's vice president of home entertainment hints at something that really made Karyne's day. We bet you can guess what it is (hint: read the headline of this post).

Thanks for watching!

Heard a tech rumor you think we should cover? Leave a comment below; ; send us a tweet (@EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, and @CNETRumorShow); or call and leave us a voice mail at 1-800-750-CNET. … Read more

'Dell dude': I can save Dell, dude

I already know what you're thinking. I'm like that sometimes.

You're thinking: "What is he, high?"

You're thinking that because Ben Curtis, he who once used to invade your home through your TV and say, "You're getting a Dell, dude," believes he can make a comeback and resurrect the brand.

You're also thinking that because Curtis was once arrested for trying to buy marijuana in New York.

On the other hand, it's clear that Dell isn't in quite the shape that it used to be, and vultures -- … Read more

Microsoft may invest $1B-$3B in Dell buyout -- CNBC

Microsoft may contribute $1 billion to $3 billion to help take Dell private, according to a new report.

CNBC's David Faber, citing sources, said the Redmond, Wash., software giant is in talks with Dell CEO Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners, the private equity firm eyeing a Dell buyout. He noted the investment wouldn't necessarily give Microsoft a significant equity stake in the company, but would help raise the funding needed to complete a deal.

Dell declined to comment, as did Microsoft.

Bloomberg initially reported last week that Dell was looking to go private. The Wall Street Journal later followed with its own report … Read more

Intel's bet on Windows 8 'convertibles' iffy, say analysts

Intel is betting a chunk of its PC future on so-called convertibles. So far, financial analysts aren't convinced these are designs that will win the day.

Newfangled laptops that perform mechanical acrobatics to convert to tablet mode, like Lenovo's Yoga convertible and Dell's XPS 12, aren't impressive enough yet to revive PC-market doldrums, according to a growing chorus of financial analysts who follow Intel.

On Thursday, Intel CEO Paul Otellini, speaking during an earnings conference call, tried to depict convertible PC designs as the best of both worlds: the laptop and the tablet. In essence, he … Read more

Dell eyeing buyout at $13 to $14 a share -- WSJ

Dell is reportedly looking to go private for a total asking price of $22 billion to $25 billion.

The company spoke with private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners about a leveraged buyout on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. Citing a "person familiar with the matter," the Journal wrote that the buyout group would include Silver Lake, Dell CEO Michael Dell, and at least one other investor, such as a pension fund or a sovereign wealth fund.

To meet an asking price of $13 to $14 a share, or $22 billion to $25 billion, Silver Lake and the … Read more

Dell in talks with private-equity firms to go private, report says

Dell is in buyout talks with at least two private-equity firms, Bloomberg reported today.

The talks, which would take the computer hardware maker private, are still preliminary and could fall apart because the firms may not be able to line up financing or resolve how to exit the investment in the future, Bloomberg said, citing two people with knowledge of the matter. One of the people told the publication that several large banks have been contacted about financing a buyout.

A Dell spokesman told CNET that the company doesn't comment on rumor and speculation.

Dell, which has long been … Read more