I've watched in amusement the past couple of years Michael Dell's comments about Apple. I'm amused for a couple of reasons.
First, if Apple is such a "niche" player in the overall computer market, why does Dell bother by berating the company every chance he gets? Secondly, why would Dell, who heads up a company that essentially repackages technology, want to poke at one of the most innovative computer companies of all time?
Well, you don't have to look far to see the source of Michael's frustration.
While Dell has certainly done well over the years repackaging technology, the real excitement around Silicon Valley surrounds those who push the technology envelope. And Apple -- love it or hate it -- does just that.
Additionally, Michael would have to have been blind not to notice that Apple has done very well, thank you, the past couple of years. This seems to bother Michael. You see, despite all the reasons Wintel manufacturers should care that Apple stays viable and healthy, they really want Apple to die. Apple introduces products on its platform that people want on the cheap Wintel platform. If Apple were to die on the vine, Dell and others would have less reason to produce compelling products.
While Dell doesn't necessarily produce "exciting" products; whether Dell wants to admit it or not, it is influenced by companies like Apple.
For example, do you remember the all-in-one computer Dell produced for a while? I don't see it in their advertisements anymore, so I assume it has been discontinued. Also, have you noticed the special "panels" Dell places on its laptop computers? Michael Dell knows that no matter what kind of colorful panels he sticks on his computers they won't come near to "cool factor" of the computers Apple produces. Why? It's simple. Apple had to invest millions to developing the special plastics and housings for its computers. Dell repackages PC components. Any R&D it does definitely would not focus on the look of its computers. There are exceptions like Sony, but for the most part PC manufacturers aren't concerned with aesthetics -- either with the boxes they build or the interface their machines run. Dell is a classic example of a "non-innovator," as it has made billions throwing parts from different suppliers together to build its computers; then uses Microsoft's operating system to run it.
So we return to our original question: "Why is Michael Dell so concerned about Apple?" After all, according to Michael the company is going out of business, has lost the education market and is essentially not a relevant computing platform.
My answer? Perhaps Michael is smarter than we think. After all, the last time he lambasted Apple, Steve Jobs came out with the phenomenally-successful iMac that pushed the Wintel forward.
Go ahead, Michael, make Steve's day!