If Microsoft takes a $1 billion to $3 billion stake in Dell, a possibility under discussion according to CNBC, the deal would mean more of a captive audience for Microsoft’s bread-and-butter Windows desktop and server operating systems.
CNBC reporter David Faber characterized Microsoft’s prospective investment as part of mezzanine funding — a mix of debt and equity that typically goes to finance the expansion of an existing company — for the stressed hardware maker. Talk of Dell going private has circulated for a week or so with Silver Lake Partners reportedly driving that deal. The rumored price is $13 to $14 per share.