Dell sets sights on inexpensive PCs with sub-US$600 system

In its bid to continue to gain marketshare, Dell on Monday will officially announce the Dell SmartStep, a complete PC for US$599. The system features a 1GHz Intel Celeron processor, 20GB hard drive, CD-ROM drive, and 15-inch monitor. By nearly zeroing margins, Dell managed to be the only PC company to gain marketshare last quarter, nabbing 25 percent of the US market. Apple recently re-introduced a $799 iMac that features a 500MHz PowerPC G3 and CD-ROM, in an effort to put a lower cost product on store shelves.