Dell may launch handhelds in mid-2003

SAO PAULO: Dell Computer Corp. may start selling its own brand of handheld computers in the middle of next year, Dell Chief Operating Officer Kevin Rollins. Dell, the world's No. 2 personal computer maker, has said it plans to enter new markets including handheld computers and computer printers, but hasn't committed to the timing.

Some publications have reported in recent months that Dell was planning to sell its own PDA in time for the December holidays. But Rollins, who was in Brazil on Wednesday to participate in a Brazilian E-commerce Chamber meeting about security and information technology development, indicated it might be later than that.

"We are considering a PDA launch for several quarters from now, but it will be a small part of our business," he said. Without giving more details about the PDA market entry, the executive emphasized in his speech that the notebook and desktop computer sectors for the company would continue to be very important.

Dell's largest percentage of sales comes from corporations, to which it sells large computer servers used by businesses that have corporate networks, as well as PCs. Dell also sells data storage machines made by EMC Corp. and plans to begin making some EMC storage machines itself. Shares of Dell were up 8 cents at $26.71 in Wednesday afternoon trading on the Nasdaq

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