Consumers Choose Dell's 50-inch Plasma HDTV in Four-City, Head-to-Head Competition with Panasonic

Business Wire, March 21, 2006

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- When considering picture quality and price(a), consumers chose Dell's (NASDAQ:DELL) W5001C plasma HDTV over Panasonic's TH50PX500U model in a four-city, head-to-head viewing competition.

The consumer preference study of 50-inch plasma HDTVs was conducted from November 2005 through February 2006 in Baltimore, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. Following viewings of each TV, 308 consumers were asked their preference if the Panasonic and Dell TVs were priced $500 and $100 apart. The Dell won at only a $100 discount to the Panasonic.

Guideline Research, on behalf of Dell, conducted the Dell HDTV Challenge at shopping malls in the four cities. It pitted the competing plasmas against each other in viewings of indoor and outdoor, bright and dimly lit, and high and lower contrast scenes from a high-definition movie. The full study can be viewed at www.dell.com/HDTVchallenge.> The test was conducted "double blind," meaning those who administered the survey and those surveyed were neither aware of its purpose or sponsorship, nor of the brand names being viewed before respondents made their choice. Respondents were chosen if they had purchased a high-end television in the past year, or were considering purchasing one in the coming year.

"This is the second year in a row that Dell TVs have come out on top in the 'HDTV Challenge'. The results reaffirm that customers value the outstanding picture quality of Dell televisions as much as the price," said Gerry Smith, vice president of displays and imaging for Dell.

Dell TVs are available in 50- and 42-inch plasma and 37-, 32-, 26- and 23-inch LCD HDTV models. More information can be found at www.dell.com/tvs.> About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 28 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the last four quarters was $56 billion. For more information, visit www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.> (a) Based on the Panasonic website's online prices in effect 11/15/05 to 3/20/06.

Pricing, specifications, availability, and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes, fees, shipping, handling and any applicable restocking charges are extra, and vary. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors.

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