Dell (Dell) plans to buy $23 billion of components from China this year and $29 billion in 2009, helping it reduce costs while the company's main market, the United States, is facing recession. The commoditisation of computer hardware means competition is more a function of price and efficiency than quality and branding, making China a favourite place to source a broad range of goods, including electronic components. "China is critical to Dell's global supply chain," founder and Chief Executive Michael Dell told reporters on Thursday.

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