On October 6, 1997, in response to the question of what he’d do if he was in charge of Apple, Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell stood before a crowd of several thousand IT executives and answered flippantly, “What would I do? I’d shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders.”
A little more than a month later, on November 10, 1997, new Apple Interim CEO (iCEO) Steve Jobs responded, speaking in front of an image of Michael Dell’s bullseye-covered face, “We’re coming after you, buddy.”
Yes, it’s very likely Jobs would get hit by the feigned outrage cancel crowd for that bullseye graphic today. And, oh, how we’d love to be able to hear his response.
So, wouldn’t you know it, on January 13, 2006, after a little more than eight years of hard work, Apple Inc. passed Dell, Inc. in market value, $72.13 billion vs. $71.97 billion at market close, respectively.
• 2X: On July 27, 2007, Apple’s value doubled that of Dell’s, $127.81 billion vs. $63.65 billion, respectively.
• 3X: On December 6, 2007, Apple’s market value passed 3 times that of Dell’s, $165.66 billion vs. $54.42 billion, respectively.
• 4X: On May 01, 2008, Apple’s market value quadrupled that of Dell’s, $158.66 billion vs. $38.97 billion, respectively.
• 5X: On February 12, 2009, Apple rose $2.60 to hit a market value of $88.37 billion or 5 times that of Dell’s $17.52 billion.
• 6X: On October 20, 2009, Apple rose $11.21 to $201.07 to hit a market value of $180.12 billion or more than 6 times that of Dell’s $29.97 billion.
• 7X: On January 26, 2010, Apple gained $7.57 to $210.64 to hit a market value of $189.72 billion or more than 7 times that of Dell’s$27.03 billion.
• 8X: On May 21, 2010, Apple gained $1.95 to $239.74 to hit a market value of $218.12 billion or more than 8 times that of Dell’s $25.84 billion.
• 9X: On June 1, 2010, Apple gained $6.89 to $263.77 to hit a market value of $240.01 billion or more than 9 times that of Dell’s $26.29 billion.
• 10X: On September 9, 2010, Apple gained $1.60 to $265.37 to hit a market value of $242.43 billion or more than 10 times that of Dell’s $24.21 billion.
• 11X: On September 23, 2010, Apple rose $3.79, or 1.32%, to $291.54 to hit a market value of $266.34 billion or more than 11 times that of Dell’s $23.81 billion.
• 12X: On January 27, 2011, Apple rose $0.26, or 0.08%, to $344.11 to hit a market value of $317.02 billion or more than 12 times that of Dell’s $26.02 billion.
• 13X: On August 26, 2011, Apple rose $9.86, or 2.64%, to $383.58 to hit a market value of $355.61 billion or more than 13 times that of Dell’s $27.29 billion.
• 14X: On September 20, 2011, Apple rose $1.82, or 0.44%, to $413.45 to hit a market value of $383.31 billion or more than 14 times that of Dell’s $27.15 billion.
• 15X: On February 15, 2012, Apple rose $14.03, or 2.75%, to $523.49 to hit a market value of $486.78 billion or more than 15 times that of Dell’s $32.37 billion.
• 16X: On february 29, 2012, Apple rose $8.43, or 1.575%, to $543.84 to hit a market value of $505.75 billion or more than 16 times that of Dell’s $31.35 billion.
• 17X: On March 12, 2012, Apple rose $3.27, or 0.60%, to $548.44 to hit a market value of $512.33 billion or more than 17 times that of Dell’s $29.94 billion.
• 18X: On March 19, 2012, Apple rose $9.94, or 1.70%, to $595.51 to hit a market value of $553.29 billion or more than 18 times that of Dell’s $30.61 billion.
• 19X: On March 26, 2012, Apple rose $10.93, or 1.83%, to $606.98 to hit a market value of $565.93 billion or more than 19 times that of Dell’s $29.43 billion.
• 20X: On April 3, 2012, Apple rose $10.49, or 1.70%, to $629.12 to hit a market value of $585.93 billion or more than 20 times that of Dell’s $29.21 billion.
• 21X, 22X: On, May 23, 2012, Apple’s market value stood at $520.40 billion or more than 22 times that of Dell’s $22.90 billion.
• 23X: Also on May 23, 2012, Apple’s market value stood at $520.45 billion or more than 23 times that of Dell’s $22.15 billion after Dell shed over 16% following another poor earnings report coupled with weak guidance.
• 24X: And again on May 23, 2012, Apple’s market value was $524.00 billion or more than 24 times that of Dell’s $21.83 billion after Dell shed over 18% following another poor earnings report coupled with weak guidance.
• 25X: On June 4, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $527.65 billion or more than 25 times that of Dell’s $20.99 billion.
• 26X: On June 19, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $550.43 billion or more than 26 times that of Dell’s $21.15 billion.
• 27X: On July 23, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $564.62 billion or more than 27 times that of Dell’s $20.64 billion.
• 28X: On August 2, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $569.75 billion or more than 28 times that of Dell’s $20.06 billion.
• 29X and 30X: On August 22, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $610.02 billion or more than 30 times that of Dell’s $20.29 billion.
• 31X: On August 23, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $621.15 billion or more than 31 times that of Dell’s current $19.66 billion.
• 32X: On August 27, 2012, Apple’s market value hit $635.57 billion or more than 32 times that of Dell’s current $19.61 billion.
• 33X: On August 28, 2012, Apple’s market value stood at $632.71 billion or more than 33 times that of Dell’s current $19.07 billion.
• 34X: On September 4, 2012, Apple’s market value stood at $627.28 billion or more than 34 times that of Dell’s current $18.44 billion.
• 35X: On September 14, 2012, Apple shares rose to $694.81 for a market value of $651.01 billion or more than 35 times that of Dell’s current $18.60 billion.
• 36X: On September 19, 2012, Apple shares rose to $702.98 for a market value of $659.81 billion or more than 35 times that of Dell’s current $18.16 billion.
• 37X and 38X: On October 3, 2012, Apple shares rose to $671.45 for a market value of $629.42 billion or more than 38 times that of Dell’s current $16.36 billion.
• 39X-42X: On October 30, 2013, soundly beaten, Dell took his ball and went home, taking the company private, ending Dell’s 25-year run as a publicly-traded company. On December 28, 2018, Dell took the company public again. In the interim, on August 2, 2018, Apple became the first $1 trillion publicly-traded company.
• 43X: Today, August 6, 2020, Apple shares rose to hit a market value of $1.948 trillion or more than 43 times that of Dell’s current $45.153 billion.
Apple in their last 90-day quarter ended June 27, 2020 — in the midst of a global pandemic, no less — generated revenue of $59.7 billion or $14.547 billion more than the entirety of Dell’s worth. In 90 days. Just sayin’.
Apple currently has more than four times the total market value of Dell Technologies Inc. in cash on hand.
Hello, Mikey? Miiikkkkeeeyyy? Got any snappy retorts today?
Thanks, MDN. We needed that!
Mac users, myself included, have had to use execrable laptop keyboards for three years. The latest MacBook airs have new keyboards but execrable cooling systems. All MacBooks have big bezels and poor webcams.
The Dell XPS line, however, delivers great hardware, sadly with windows. It is because we are locked into OS X, far and away better than windows, that Apple has been able to sh-t out cr-p for us to buy.
So before we start crowing about Apple value, perhaps Apple could sort out its hardware and teach the level of quality that Dell now provides.
michael dells name doesn’t belong in the same breath with steve jobs.
This article and the video of my all-time favorite CEO and super salesman brought back a flurry of emotions from the past 40 years. Some scary risk-taking and doubts; some timing blunders on my part; some successes and reluctance to sell when I had no choice. Anyway, I sure miss Steve and the excitement that he and Apple brought to the world. Even now, there’s no one to take his place although Elan M and some others are quite inspiring too.
But… but… but… Apple is doomed!
Aka YKBAID. The pathetic thing was Michael Dell even harboring any fantasy illusions he was ever on Apple/Steve Jobs level, let alone superior to it.
All Mac users have had to/been forced to work on PCs, we know what ugly looking, crap software stuffed in a toy like shell they are. Most of the time we work with elegant software on machines that look great after more than ten years.
I don’t argue with people who’ve never used a Mac, and won’t, pretexting that it’s too elitist or hip or some other thought negating argument
Oh, thanks, MDN! Seeing it all laid out like that is, well, quite a thrill for us long-timers who suffered through the “beleaguered” years.
I wonder how many shares Dell owns?
I’m going to excrete out some art in honor of this achievement. As an artist, and an avowed communist, I detest shares, and I detest Dell. But I am not above pushing one out in the name of art, in honor of Michael Dell.
What a glorious roundup of Apple ad memories, thanks for the link! 👏🏻
I beg to differ with the “Top 10 Apple Iconic Ads” video list and particularly the Top Five. No way dancing silhouettes rank No. 2 advertising a singular accomplishment. I would place it in the back of the pack, if at all. The following list puts much more SUBSTANCE over STYLE.
My Top Five:
1- No one can argue the 1984 Macintosh ad is not one of the greatest in history of the advertising industry and certainly número uno for Apple.
2- Here’s to the crazy ones is their second best ad ever showcasing many of the greatest creative minds in history melding parallel construction association with Apple’s mission statement. Easily displaces a repetitive loop of mindless dancing colorful silhouettes, hip and cool agreed, but esoteric and simplistic pop culture.
3- Hello iPhone introduces us to arguably the greatest invention in modern history. A digital Swiss Army knife of applications and apps used daily by billions of people worldwide to improve their lives and continues to propel Apple toward the first two trillion dollar company. Unfortunately, the video left out the final “Hello” in the commercial, non other than comedian icon, the Great One Jackie Gleason playing Ralph Cramden in the TV classic Honeymooners. 🤔
4- The first iMac ad that heralds Steve Jobs (iCEO) prodigal son return to the company he founded showcasing the first resurgence hit product (1998). iMac ease opening the world to the internet for the FIRST TIME while in its infancy after two steps a child of eight years could accomplish.
5- Buy a Mac ads compared to PCs were numerous and two humorists touting many valuable Mac features contrasted by the absence on PCs, kept Macs on the map leading to top PC sales for several years.
Honorable Mentions or in some cases ad substitutes, Siri debut ad to name one, all NOT in the linked video if some even exist. Some suggestions: First version of beautiful bulletproof and giant leap forward Unix Mac OSX (2001); putting your music collection on an iPod (2001) and carrying it around in your pocket is a better focus than hip silhouettes; what Steve called “amazing” holding up in his hand Airport wireless connectivity; the world’s first App Store creating a totally new segment of computer industry capability; iPad the first truly realized easy to use tablet computer; Apple Watch the Swiss Army knife of all watches worldwide and lastly, a true Golden Oldie starring Kevin Costner that debuted before the iconic 1984 ad, simply for historical purposes should have been included.
KC commercial here:
Apple owner since my Lisa… 👍🏻
Largely agree. I’d add the one with tanks protecting the Mac. The point was something like the Mac is so advanced that it isn’t allowed to be be exported (or exported to certain countries, anyway). That one is quite memorable.
“Largely agree?” Dang! Where did I go wrong? 😉
Yes, agreed! Missed that one and most definitely should be on the list replacing some of the superficial feel good hip esoteric ads…
Aw, c’mon, GoeB, you know I love you. Hate your politics and detest your rhetorical tactics, but underneath all that, we agree a lot on what we think is best for Apple and its customers.
Yeah, right… 🙄
The end of each Dell commercial is taken right out of a cluttered newspaper ad which indicates Michael’s bad taste in aesthetics.
This email from Steve put a huge smile on my face back in 2006. He attached a CNET article from October 6, 1997 by Jai Singh.
From: Steve Jobs sjobs@apple.com
Date: Jan 14, 2006 4:13:57 AM
Subject: (1997) Dell: Apple should close shop
To: apple_employees$@group.apple.com
Team,
It turned out that Michael Dell wasn’t perfect at predicting the future. Based on today’s stock market close, Apple is worth more than Dell. Stocks go up and down, and things may be different tomorrow, but I thought it was worth a moment of reflection today.
Steve
I think Dell should close their company down and give the money back!
MDN has 43x fewer articles about Mac or MacOS.
Mac users, myself included, have had to use execrable laptop keyboards for three years. The latest MacBook airs have new keyboards but execrable cooling systems. All MacBooks have big bezels and poor webcams.
The Dell XPS line, however, delivers great hardware, sadly with windows. It is because we are locked into OS X, far and away better than windows, that Apple has been able to sht out crp for us to buy.
So before we start crowing about Apple value, perhaps Apple could sort out its hardware and teach the level of quality that Dell now provides.