Dell Surpasses Compaq in PC Sales

Dell Computer Corp. surpassed rival Compaq Computer Corp. in U.S. personal computer sales last quarter--the first time Dell has held such a commanding lead over its Texas rival, two research firms said. Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, sold nearly 2 million PCs from July through September, grabbing a 17.1% share of the U.S. market, up from 13.4% in the same quarter a year ago, according to research firm Dataquest. Compaq, based in Houston, sold 1.78 million computers, giving it a 15.3% share of the market. Compaq’s share a year ago was 15%. International Data Corp. also said Dell finished ahead of Compaq in the July-September period. Dell fell 69 cents to close at $39.19 on Nasdaq. Compaq closed up 25 cents at $18.94 on the New York Stock Exchange.