Basis of Presentation (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Nov. 02, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Dell Inc. (individually and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Dell") should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in Dell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2012 ("Fiscal 2012"). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to fairly state the financial position of Dell and its consolidated subsidiaries at November 2, 2012, the results of its operations and corresponding comprehensive income for the three and nine months endedNovember 2, 2012, and October 28, 2011, and its cash flows for the nine months endedNovember 2, 2012, and October 28, 2011.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in Dell's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The results of operations and corresponding comprehensive income for the three and nine months endedNovember 2, 2012, and October 28, 2011, and the cash flows for the nine months endedNovember 2, 2012, and October 28, 2011, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year or for any other fiscal period.

Dell's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Friday nearest January 31. The fiscal year ending February 1, 2013 ("Fiscal 2013"), will be a 52 week period.

In the first quarter of Fiscal 2013, Dell made certain segment realignments in order to conform to the way Dell now internally manages segment performance. Dell has recast prior period amounts to provide visibility and comparability. None of these changes impact Dell's previously reported consolidated net revenue, gross margin, operating income, net income, or earnings per share. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Comprehensive Income — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The new guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity and requires an entity to present either one continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or two separate, but consecutive statements. This new guidance relates only to presentation. Dell began presenting a separate Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending February 1, 2013.

Intangibles- Goodwill and Other — In September 2011, the FASB issued new guidance that simplified how entities test goodwill for impairment. After assessment of certain qualitative factors, if it is determined to be more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, entities must perform the quantitative analysis of the goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative test becomes optional. Dell adopted this new guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2013. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis in the second fiscal quarter, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. The adoption of this guidance did not impact Dell's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

In July 2012, the FASB issued amended guidance that simplifies how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment.  After assessment of certain qualitative factors, if it is determined to be more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired, entities must perform the quantitative impairment test.  Otherwise, the quantitative test becomes optional.  The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted.  Dell adopted this new guidance in the third quarter of the Fiscal 2013, and the adoption did not impact Dell's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities — In December 2011, the FASB issued new guidance that will enhance disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s right to offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. This new guidance requires the disclosure of the gross amounts subject to rights of offset, amounts offset in accordance with the accounting standards followed, and the related net exposure. This new guidance will be effective for Dell for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2014. Early adoption is not permitted. Other than requiring additional disclosures, Dell does not expect this new guidance to impact Dell's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.