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Dell topples HP as No. 1 PC maker -IDC

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CIOL Bureau
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NEW YORK: Dell Computer Corp. has replaced Hewlett-Packard Co. as the No. 1 seller of personal computers worldwide, according to the latest report by the market research firm International Data Corp.



"Dell is clearly the No. 1 worldwide at this point, by enough of a margin so that it's not a matter of statistical error," IDC analyst Roger Kay told Reuters. "Their lead is in the range of 5 percent." Sources at rival research firm Gartner said that as of Thursday morning Dell seemed to be in the lead, but that it was close and Gartner may call it a draw. Both Gartner and IDC are set to release the data later during the day.



Hewlett-Packard took the No. 1 spot from Dell earlier this year when it bought Compaq Computer Corp. Last year, Dell replaced Compaq as No. 1, making this the second time Dell has taken the top spot worldwide. Dell shares rose 79 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $27.79 in early-afternoon trading on Nasdaq, while Hewlett shares traded down 5 cents at $12.89 on the NYSE.



In a statement after the ranking was reported by Reuters, Dell Chief Executive Michael Dell credited the company's strategy of building computers on order out of industry standard components for its move back into the top spot. Hewlett-Packard was not immediately available for comment. Both IDC and Gartner sell their market research to Wall Street, computer makers, component maker and other technology industry sources.



© Reuters

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