It really combines the strengths of the two, Dell in their distribution channel, and IBM in the raw technology and high-end corporate integration and services. So R&D trickles down and Dell moves large volumes meaning costs remain low.
If the already low margins keep on getting squeezed, I would expect to see more strategic alliances. Highly speculative, but technically feasible (but I won't comment on corporate culture clash) alliances that could be forced upon the vendors in the future might be....
Apple - Beos? (multimedia, education, consumer) Samsung/Mitsuibitsi? Compaq - Alpha/PC line SGI - Sony/NEC? (graphics, MIPS, though the US government might have a fit about this) Fujitsu - Sun (Fujitsu already uses Sparc chips for their MPPs)
Intel and Microsoft can survive on their own but what about companies such as HP? Packard-Bell?, not to mention all those not so well known Asian ones. The above is just a guess but based on past history, sooner or later the growth will slow through natural business cycle downturns and the companies will have to expand to global scale. The real fun will start when the telcos (who are the only true long-term money spinners) start getting into the fray.
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It really combines the strengths of the two, Dell in their distribution channel, and IBM in the raw technology and high-end corporate integration and services. So R&D trickles down and Dell moves large volumes meaning costs remain low.
If the already low margins keep on getting squeezed, I would expect to see more strategic alliances. Highly speculative, but technically feasible (but I won't comment on corporate culture clash) alliances that could be forced upon the vendors in the future might be
Apple - Beos? (multimedia, education, consumer)
Samsung/Mitsuibitsi? Compaq - Alpha/PC line
SGI - Sony/NEC? (graphics, MIPS, though the US government might have a fit about this)
Fujitsu - Sun (Fujitsu already uses Sparc chips for their MPPs)
Intel and Microsoft can survive on their own but what about companies such as HP? Packard-Bell?, not to mention all those not so well known Asian ones. The above is just a guess but based on past history, sooner or later the growth will slow through natural business cycle downturns and the companies will have to expand to global scale. The real fun will start when the telcos (who are the only true long-term money spinners) start getting into the fray.
LL