This might seem like a one-line news item. I assure you that it involves a side of computing that few of the public even know about - manufacturer’s marketing programs for independent system builders.

This is a story that purports to tell both sides of this situation as it applies to Dell’s ‘White Box’ program. White Box builders are those without a national brand name. It covers everything from the corner one-man operation to ones employing thousands. I personally feel that there’s a third side to this issue.

In the case of Dell, the white box system prices were unrealistically high. It was quite often the case that Dell, itself, was beating the prices that any white box builder could afford to offer when using the Dell boxes. That’s a sure program-killer.

Dell has pulled the plug on a program to sell unbranded desktop PCs through channel partners. The company said customers prefer to buy the Dell brand. But channel sources interviewed by The Channel Insider said Dell Inc. had trouble signing up VARs for the program, which kicked off in August 2002, because they don’t trust Dell.

[Dell Shuts Down White-Box Channel Effort, continued]