In the past decade, HP has consistently taken measures to ensure profitability in the PC market through increased operational efficiency, expanded build-to-customer-order capabilities and supply chain improvements.

FORBES: How Hewlett-Packard And Dell Destroyed Their PC Advantage ... Piece-By-Piece

Such limited customisation encourages a build-to-order model, without the need for a supply chain drowned by a huge number of parts.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Dell's build-to-order business model means it is among the first to be exposed to price changes in the supply chain.

ECONOMIST: The next round in the PC wars | The