Founded in 1985 by Michael Dell, Dell Computer Corp.
(now known as Dell) was the first company to offer personal
computers (PCs) via mail order. Dell designed its own PC
system (with an Intel 8088 processor running at 8 MHz)
and allowed customers to configure their own customized
systems using the build-to-order concept. This concept was,
and is still, Dell’s cornerstone business model. By 1993,
Dell had become one of the top five computer makers
worldwide, threatening Compaq, which started a price war.
At that time, Dell was taking orders by fax and snail mail
and losing money. Losses reached over $100 million by 1994.
The company was in trouble.