Dell Computer Corp. and
America Online Inc. Monday announced a
two-year marketing agreement to include AOL’s access software with Dell
computers sold to consumers in the United States and Canada.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Starting Monday, Dell Dimension and Inspiron PCs will be shipped with AOL
4.0 software CDs. Customers signing up will receive 100 free hours of AOL
service in the first month. In addition, beginning early next year Dell
users will be offered a pre-installed, customized version of AOL 4.0 which
links to Dell’s Web page and its Dell’s ConnectDirects program.
Dell’s ConnectDirect initiative customizes PCs for Internet services from
various U.S. telcos and cable companies. In November, Dell shipped its
Dimension PCs with integrated modems for high-speed Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line Internet
services from U S WEST !NTERPRISE MegaBit Services. Dell also has alliances
with @Home Network, 3Com Corp. and SBC Communications Inc.
“We are very pleased with this new relationship with Dell, one of the most
respected brands in the PC industry,” said Steve Case, AOL’s president and
chief executive officer.
“With more and more consumers purchasing computers specifically to go
online, our relationship with Dell will make it easier than ever for
consumers to access AOL and get connected.”
“Our goal is to enable Dell customers to be on the Internet within minutes
of turning on their machines,”
said Michael Dell, Dell’s chairman and chief executive officer, “and to
offer them a choice of best-of-class Internet services. AOL combines
reliable access with strong content.”