It's remarkable that someone so senior would make such an obviously, and grotesquely, false claim with reporters in the room - many, if not all of whom are well aware that iPad can't be used with a mouse (among other things).

He may have been jet-lagged, but his wild exaggerations have made Dell look both foolish and desperate. And desperate they most likely are, as Android tablet makers compare their reportedly modest initial sales with the unprecedented demand for iPad2. A demand that even the legendarily well-oiled and massive Apple supply network is struggling to keep up with.

Their biggest problem for Android tablet makers is that they have not yet shown themselves to be innovators, choosing instead to ape the Apple eco-system, and adding minor technological 'improvements' which are of dubvious import to most users.

While Android may have 100 000 apps (less than a third the number Apple offers), it's been reported that all but a handfull are phone apps - not designed for the tablet. To be sure, this will change over time. But until the Android boys begin to look at real innovation, rather than small 'improvements' in the Apple originated design - a product now in the hands of 15 million users - many - if not most - consumers will be asking themselves: "Why buy a copy, when I can get the original?"

No wonder the Dell guy souns so desperate.