dell

Dell's top shareholders don't want it to go private

Dell's largest outside shareholder opposes the computer maker's plan to go private, saying that the deal "grossly undervalues the company," according to a letter sent to the Dell board.

The shareholder, Southeastern Asset Management, submitted the letter as part of Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed today. The group owns 8.5 percent of Dell's shares, making it the largest outside shareholder.

Dell announced the $24.4 billion deal, which needs regulatory and shareholder approval, this week. CEO Michael Dell and investment firm Silver Lake are paying $13.65 per share, while Microsoft is contributing … Read more

Tablets rising: Apple No.1, Samsung No. 4 'PC makers'

Market researcher Canalys has again put Apple in top spot among PC makers with an overwhelming 20 percent market share.

Apple shipped 27 million units in the fourth quarter, while HP and Lenovo both shipped around 15 million (HP slightly more than Lenovo), putting them in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively.

Samsung is also on the rise: it made an appearance in the top five for the first time, pushing Dell out of fourth place.

All of this is possible because Canalys counts "pads," i.e., tablets, as PCs -- not a ludicrous concept considering … Read more

Rumor Has It: Facebook wants you to be a stalker IRL

This week's show is all about those rumors that just refuse to die -- and for once we're not talking about the next iteration of the iPhone.

Some sneaky sneaks found hidden "radio" buttons in the iTunes code of a freshly jailbroken iPad. Does that mean that radio streaming is coming soon? Or is it just leftover code that someone didn't bother to take out? Rumors of Dell going private finally came true after weeks of speculation and much to nobody's surprise. The PlayStation 4 might be announced in a couple weeks, which could mean it'll be released this year, but maybe next year, but maybe who knows?

But the most upsetting of all the rumors is maybe a new one, but definitely a gross one: Facebook is said to be prepping a standalone app that will let your friends know where you are, without you having to check in to anything.… Read more

Why going private is a good thing for Dell

In October 2011, I managed to annoy Michael Dell.

It was shortly after Steve Jobs died, and I sat with Dell for a 30-minute talk at the company's home in Round Rock, Texas. I was a reporter for Dow Jones at the time.

The interview had nearly ended, and Dell was on his way out the door when I asked the question, "Michael, is there anything you learned from Steve Jobs and his time at Apple that you can apply to Dell?"

He paused thoughtfully and then said that he'd met Jobs while in college and … Read more

5 consequences of Dell's $24.4 billion deal to go private

Dell's $24.4 billion deal to go private is a sign of the times. The PC market is collapsing, Microsoft is trying to save it, and the IPO isn't what it used to be.

The company is about to get a major transformation. Once the deal is completed (with a $2 billion loan from Microsoft as part of the financing), it will be owned by Silver Lake Partners and Dell founder Michael Dell. But what exactly does going private mean for the company? What impact will it have on the markets?

Here are a few potential consequences of … Read more

For Dell, lessons from Microsoft's Nokia deal

One of the worst-kept secrets in Microsoft's investment history is no longer a "secret." Today, Microsoft made a $2 billion loan to one of its largest PC OEMs, Dell, as part of Dell's move to go private.

Microsoft does not own part of Dell as part of this transaction. However, the situation reminds me of another major Microsoft "investment": The billions it paid to Nokia almost exactly two years ago to help rescue a company teetering on the edge of a "burning platform."

At the time of the February 2011 Nokia … Read more

It's official: Dell's going private in $24.4B deal

Dell will be taken private for $24.4 billion, or $13.65 a share, in a transaction announced today that will allow the company to try to turn itself around without the pressure of shareholder expectations.

Founder and CEO Michael Dell, who owns about 14 percent of Dell's common shares, teamed up with Silver Lake Partners to acquire the company. Microsoft is also kicking in a $2 billion loan.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, should be wrapped up before the close of Dell's fiscal second quarter, which ends in July. Following completion of … Read more

Dell board said to be meeting tonight to vote on buyout deal

Rumors of a Dell buyout deal have been swirling for the past few weeks and now word is that Dell's board plans to vote tonight on whether to take the company private, according to Bloomberg.

The deal would offer Dell shares at $13.50 to $13.75 each, which totals around $24 billion, sources familiar with the negotiations told Bloomberg. The buyout could be announced as early as tomorrow morning.

Reportedly Microsoft, private equity firm Silver Lake Management, and company CEO Michael Dell will all contribute sizable investments in the deal. Michael Dell is expected to contribute $700 million, … Read more

Dell closing in on $23B deal to go private -- WSJ

Dell is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to go private -- but it's still not there yet.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that the PC maker is nearing a buyout deal worth $23 billion, or between $13.50 and $13.75 per share.

According to the WSJ, here's how the plan is supposed to break down:

CEO Michael Dell will contribute his 16 percent stake, which is valued at $3.7 billion. An investment firm he controls will contribute another $700 million. Microsoft will invest $2 billion in the form of a "subordinated debenture," … Read more