Google’s $1 Billion Bid for Dell Desktops

Dell and Google confirmed today that they are in discussions regarding the pre-installation of Google software on all Dell computers.  Spokesmen from both companies responded to a report in the Wall Street Journal that the companies were in exclusive negotiations to place Google on as many as 100 million new Dell PCs.  The deal is purportedly still in its early stages, but could result in the Google paying Dell up to $1 billion.  Some industry commentators see this as a direct challenge to Microsoft’s dominance of the desktop software business.