Dell CEO: Android Devices To Overtake iPad

According to Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell, Android devices will eventually overtake the iPad and become the dominant force in the tablet market. These remarks, which were first reported by The Wall Street Journal, come just one month after the company’s head of marketing said the iPad would fail in the enterprise market. Dell, who started the company that bears his name in 1984, responded to questions posed by The Journal about the ever-changing technology market. By his own admission, Dell “didn’t completely see (the tablet market) coming.” However, that didn’t keep him from offering his opinion on what will happen with tablets in the future. The interview contains these tidbits:

Mr. Dell:What's also interesting is Apple's great success with the iPhone. Android comes along, even greater success. I think you'll see the same thing on tablets, with enormous numbers of Android tablets with Dell certainly playing a role in that as well. WSJ: Do you think Android tablets will outpace iPads moving forward? Mr. Dell: Not tomorrow. Not the next day. But again, if you look at 18 months ago, Android phones were like, "What is that?" And now there are more Android phones than iPhones. I don't see any reason why the same won't occur with Android tablets.

According to CRN, Dell is expected to release two Android-powered tablets in the coming months. Therefore, the CEO's comments aren't surprising. In 2004 Dell resigned as his company's CEO. However, just three years later, he returned. Since then, according to The Journal, "the company has made little headway in smartphones or with its Streak line of tablet computers. Dell shares are off about 35% since Mr. Dell returned as CEO." In March, Dell's global head of marketing, Andy Lark concluded the iPad was too expensive for enterprise. Lark stated:

“An iPad with a keyboard, a mouse and a case [means] you’ll be at $1500 or $1600; that’s double of what you’re paying. That’s not feasible.”

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