**Dell Technologies** is an American multinational technology giant headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, specializing in PCs, servers, storage, networking, software, security, and AI-infused infrastructure solutions for consumers and enterprises.[1][4] Founded in 1984 by Michael Dell from his University of Texas dorm room as PC's Limited, the company pioneered the **direct-to-consumer, build-to-order model**, allowing customers to customize affordable, high-quality PCs via phone (later online), bypassing retail and minimizing inventory costs.[3][5] This disrupted IBM-dominated markets; by 1989, revenues hit $300 million, and Dell became the world's top PC maker by 2001.[3][5] It went public in 1988, privatized in 2013 under Michael Dell, and returned publicly in 2018 after the transformative 2016 $67 billion EMC merger, integrating VMware (retained separately) and boosting enterprise capabilities.[1][5] Key achievements include ranking **48th on the 2024 Fortune 500** (based on 2023 revenue), maintaining #1 in external RAID enterprise storage (23.9% share per IDC CY24Q2), and investing $8.2 billion in R&D from FY22-24.[1][6] Innovations like Dell Apex (as-a-service for cloud/storage since 2021), AI-ready infrastructure, and Nvidia partnerships position it for multi-cloud and edge computing.[4] Today, under CEO Michael Dell and COO Jeff Clarke, Dell employs ~120,000, with FY2024 revenues split 55% Client Solutions (desktops, notebooks, peripherals) and 38% Infrastructure Solutions (servers, storage).[1][4] It excels in scale-out architecture, private cloud, and sustainability, adapting from PC roots to AI-driven futures amid post-COVID revenue surges.[1][4][5] This evolution cements Dell's role in powering digital transformation. (29