Dell PCs Reach Wal-Mart

Dell will start selling its PCs in retail stores very soon, says Current Analysis head researcher Samir Bhavnani. The expert notes that the system builder should start offering a single model, the AMD-based Dimension E521, in over 3,000 Wal-Mart stores in the US. The offering should represent the first-ever instance that visitors to retail stores will not only be able to try the systems but buy them directly. This is a long overdue change, according to Bhavnani.

"Finally, Dell has addressed one of its main problems by giving customers a chance to touch and feel its products," he says. "Dell's going to be touching a lot of people who weren't necessarily looking to buy a PC."

While yet to be confirmed by Dell, the decision should place Dell in more direct competition with rivals such as Gateway and HP, both of whom are said to thrive on selling PCs that users can try versus Dell's current direct-order method. Dell's namesake CEO had previously confirmed that his company would enter retail but hadn't explained when, or where, the program would begin.

The systems should begin shipping as soon as this weekend; no mention has been made as to whether or not Dell's sole flagship store will begin selling take-home systems or will keep to its demonstration-only models. [via News.com]

By Electronista Staff