PC-loving Michael Dell takes sideswipe at HP

Dell chief takes to Twitter to re-iterate his firm's commitment to being an end-to-end technology provider, prompting rebuke from HP

Michael Dell has taken a veiled swipe at arch-rival HP, tweeting that "in light of industry uncertainty, Dell has never been more certain".

Dell's eponymous leader has a history of goading HP on Twitter having fired off a number of incendiary 140-character missives in 2011 when his competitor was considering spinning off its PC business.

The Texan billionaire has had little chance to taunt his arch-rival in the intervening period after HP chief executive Meg Whitman signalled her commitment to PCs and to keeping HP together following her appointment in September 2011.

But HP's announcement on Monday that - three years after Leo Apotheker's aborted proposal to hive off PCs - it is splitting in two prompted Dell to take to the popular social media site once again.

His tweet linked through to a video of him reiterating Dell's commitment to being a "comprehensive provider" of technology "from the desktop to the datacentre".

"In light of recent industry news and uncertainty, I want our partners and customers to know that Dell has never been more certain," Dell said.

"Our business from end to end is strong and gaining momentum. Today, Dell is the fastest-growing integrated IT company in the world."

Dell added: "We are fully committed to all of our businesses, from now and for the long term. Customers and partners can depend on Dell."

Although Dell's solemn vow to remain in the PC game appears to be unequivocal, the softly-spoken CEO admitted last year he had had to battle "misinformation" about Dell's commitment to the client market during his quest to take the firm private.

HP promptly hit back at Dell's comments in a statement sent to CRN.

"The only thing resonating with Dell's strategy is a lack of enthusiasm," an HP representative said.

"Based on the conversations we've had, our customers and partners understand our strategy and they are as excited as we are for how two laser focused Fortune 50 companies can help drive their businesses."

HP's proposal three years ago to sell or spin off its PC business contributed towards then-CEO Leo Apotheker's downfall. Whitman's strategy will see HP PCs and printers stay in the HP family at least and in an interview with Reuters she said improvements in HP's balance sheet in the last few years means HP is splitting up from a position of strength.

"This would not have been possible three years ago," she told Reuters.