8.28.2006 - 10:21am ET

(CSRwire) ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2006--Dell TechKnow -- Dell's (NASDAQ:DELL) signature initiative to help underserved middle school students gain access to and learn about technology -- is gearing up for 10,000 students in the 2006-2007 school year, its largest enrollment ever.

Students from 32 U.S. school districts and two in Canada took part in the Dell TechKnow during the 2005-2006 school year, bringing the total number of children reached by the program to more than 13,000 since 2001.

Dell TechKnow is a 40-hour after-school program providing underserved middle school students with an opportunity to earn a home computer and learn technology skills that promote self-esteem, academic success and help prepare them for today's technology-driven world.

Program highlights include:

-- Tennessee Titans rookie Vince Young will work with Dell TechKnow students in Nashville throughout the fall, encouraging them to focus on their education and developing life skills.

-- The Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, Calif., graduated 43 students from Dell TechKnow this summer during the program's inaugural semester at the facility.

-- Rochester City School District in New York kicked off Dell TechKnow's largest summer program ever with 848 students. They plan to continue the program in the fall.

-- Milwaukee Public Schools in Wisconsin launched Dell TechKnow in its district this summer with more than 300 students.

Fall also brings renewed Dell TechKnow partnerships with Microsoft, America Online and EGL Eagle Global Logistics. Microsoft will provide approximately $3.5 million in operating systems and Microsoft Office Suite to all program graduates this year, bringing Microsoft's total commitment to Dell TechKnow to more than $11 million since 2001.

America Online, a Dell TechKnow partner since 2003, has committed to grow with the program, providing a free year of Internet access to all program graduates. AOL has contributed nearly $3.9 million since Fall 2003, and plans contributions totaling about $3.1 million for the
2006-2007 school year.

EGL Eagle Global Logistics has also signed on to support the program for another school year by continuing to provide free transportation for computers and other supplies.

"Dell TechKnow is designed to help students gain the valuable 21st-century skills like collaboration and problem-solving that they'll need to compete in our digital world," said Karen Bruett, vice president of Dell's K-12 education business. "Through our partnerships with these corporations and school districts, Dell can use its resources as a global company to drive local benefits for communities."

About Dell TechKnow

The Dell TechKnow program is a course in which students learn how to take apart and rebuild a computer, install and use software, upgrade components and diagnose and fix basic hardware problems. Students also learn valuable 21st century skills such as teamwork, collaboration and communications. Upon completion of the program, students take home a refurbished Dell desktop computer loaded with Microsoft(R) software and one year of Internet access at no charge from America Online or a variety of regional service providers. Visit www.dell.com/k12/techknow for more information.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 25 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the past four quarters was $56.7 billion. For more information, visit www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.



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