Google and Dell confirm tie-up

Google will come pre-loaded on new PCs

Google has confirmed details of its collaboration agreement with Dell, which will see millions of new Dell PCs pre-loaded with a co-branded home page and Google’s search toolbar.

According to reports, the deal will cover Dell PCs sold to consumers and certain companies, and the search giant and PC manufacturer will share revenue from search-advertising fees. Google chief executive Eric Schmidt confirmed the agreement at a Goldman Sachs conference in Las Vegas.

The two vendors initially announced plans to work together in February. At the time, Dell confirmed it was working to install some of Google's software products on its computers, and would test-run Google as the default search option on new PCs, and offer a Google-powered Dell homepage.

The deal is designed to challenge Microsoft’s dominance on the desktop.